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Provincial.
be one piece , and as if the walls were the stronger for thorn . " He added , " tbe walls were all of white stones , wainscoted with cedar , and they were so artfully put together that there was no joint to be discerned , nor the least sign of a hammer that bad come upon them . " Is it in the power of language to describe our Institution in fitter terms than these ? What a happy description of our mystical fabric 1 founded in strength
, ordered ^ by wisdom , and adorned with beauty ! for say what institution can have a firmer foundation than this volume of God ' s levealed truth ? And why is this so independent of its own claim to our recognition ? Because it sanctions all that experience teaches us respecting the natural powers of the mind . It leads up in grateful remembrance to Him who bestowed the principle of life at the first , and who continues to impart it
through all successive generations . It enhances its value b y asserting and proving its immortality . It renders the man useful to society by cherishing the love of goodness , ancl by encouraging hatred to vice ; by revealing the future destination of the spirit to eternal happiness as the free reward of obedience , or eternal misery as the just punishment of sin ; and thus furnishes a more powerful guard of virtue and barrier against
vice than all the laws of society could impose and preserve . ^ He , then , that is an enemy to revelation is an enemy to himself . He is extinguishing , so far as ho can extinguish , the light which is sent to guide him home , and absorb the feeble inefficient ray of reason and of nature—he is refusing the only cup of consolation given as a genuine antidote to the bitter draught of sorrow—he is rolling a great stone over the door of
, his own sepulchre . But he is an enemy to mankind , for he is robbing society of the cement which holds it together , of the light which has illumined the darkest times and habitations of our earth ; of its intelligence , its happiness , its glory ; and he who is the enemy of mankind is the enemy of God , for He is the parent of the
universe , the friend of man . He stamped human nature with His image and He loves it still . Yes . His glorious revelation breathes only peace . It strengthens the cause of philanthropy . Tbe one favour it asks is that men would love themselves , and while it pours a thousand blessings on the present and lightens all the way , it points out to every wandering child of Adam "the path of life . " But if truth lies at the foundationwisdom has raised the
, superstructure of our holy house . No one of thoughtful mind , and who bas studied Freemasonry to any extent , can fail to observe the connection of our whole system , as well as the relative dependence of its several parts . The great objects severally brought out in the three degrees ; the eloquent ' sigiiificanee of the various implements of art ; the lessons taught by our traditional histories , the pointed meaning of every ornament that
adorns our lodge—striking emblems of blessed verities , outer things mutely conveying the highest duties and deepest truths connected with our inner life I Never do I hear a brother raised to the degree of a Master Mason without feeling myself most deeply moved by the solemnity of a ceremony which , for instruction , impressiveness , and power , is second to none in this lower world . And is our house not only wisely built , but
beautifully adorned ? Are not purity of thought , integrity of purpose , urbanity of manner , and , above all , the spotless robe of sweet charity , the beautiful garments with which a Freemason is invested ? It is these that render our names worthy of cedar-these that must immortalise our art ; these that through centuries have given it power to stand firm and unmoved amidst the persecutions of the oppressorthe taunts of tbe ignorant
, , and the denunciations of the superstitious . I have just named charity ; say , brethren , do we strive to put on this bond of perfectness , " whiter than the skin of the Lamb , brighter than the fairest of our jewels ? " are we " kindly affectioned one to another , with brotherly love preferring one another ? "
Ob , how lovely is this charity 1 it constitutes the dignity of human nature , it tends to promote the happiness of mankind , it elevates and refines our feelings , it calms the storms of passion that ruffles tbe serenity of life , it causes men to look with kindness on each other , and to view no one as a stranger whose joys we can brighten , whose wants we can supply , or whose sorrows we can soothe . No distinction of rank will
aftect its operations . It will consider no object as beneath its notice that can be benefitted by its exertion ' s , ancl no task as mean by which it can promote human happiness . Where would be the boasted dignity of reason if employed only to promote our narrow and selfish aims ? where the glory of that
knowledge ivhich never enlightened , advised , or comforted another ? and where the honour of that power which never promoted indigent merit , or wiped a tear from tho mourner ' s eye ? A fiend may possess a higher degree of reason , more knowledge , and more power than the wisest and best of men ; destitute of benevolence , he is the more to be dreaded and detested , not revered . Who would esteem the man of rank whose haughty , selfish spirit
could never dwell with complacency on modest worth ? Of what avail is wealth imprisoned in the rusty coffers of the miser , or wantonly squandered away in the dissipation of tho prodigal ? Who would value our influence if never employed in promoting the prosperity of others ? If such gifts are made subservient only to our personal advantage tbey cannot redound to our honour—tbey can have no effects but to render us more despicable by showing thatwhile we have tho abilitywe want
, , the spirit and inclination to enjoy that greatest of all luxuries , the luxury of doing good . Let us then look well into our own hearts , and search into our motives . When wo stand at this entrance of the dark character of those hearts we at first strive in vain to pierce its depths . At first we discover nothing—we can but stumble forward , feeling without seeing what is there , but the eye by degrees becomes accustomed to tbe shadow ,
outlines become distinct , even differences of shade become porceptable , until by God's help at length we see , though still " as in a glass , " clearly the true forms of the feelings , principles , and convictions that crowd the bidden dwelling . In that knowlodge is the secret of truth , as regards ourselves ; and according to its agreement with that truth will be the consistency of our conduct in the sight of God . And when this knowledge discovers in that chamber of the heart
the light of God's truth and sweet tones of gentle charity—oh 1 how blessed tbe result 1 How all tbe pursuits of pleasures and interests of a passing world grow small by comparison , and howone is inclined to realise the feeling of the great apostle— " For whom I suffer the loss of all things , aud count them but dung . " And do not these landmarks of our venerable Order ever point in this direction ? Do not our glorious Charities for the widow , the orphan , and the aged furnish an eloquent memorial of our high duty to each other , as well as to Him who giveth to all ?
Do not tho significant emblems that adorn our lodge shadow forth these eternal verities ? Do not the beautiful ceremonies abound with lessons of wisdom ? May the Great Architect of the Universe shed down on our conventions in this lodge the continual dew of His blessing . May He give us and those who succeed us wisdom to contrive in all our doings , strength to support in all difficulties , and beauty to adorn those heavenly mansions where His honour dwelleth , and where He reigneth for ever
and ever . The Grand Registrar by this time arrived , and proceeded with the formal dedication of the hall . This imposing ceremony was rendered deeply impressive by the anthems , expressly arranged by Bro . Tolley , who presided at the organ , and the singing was admirably performed by Bros . Marriott , Bridgewater , Buckland , Carter , and Shoebridge . The usual form of consecration by the presiding officer proceeding around the hall
with the corn , wine , and oil , was followed by a consecration prayer , the uncovering of the lodge , and finished with a Masonic hymn . Afterwards several of the brethren were initiated and passed by Bro . Captain Farrer , W . M ., who has contributed in a most liberal manner towards the funds and decorations . After the hall was dedicated and other business transacted , the brethren assembled at the banquet table at the Town Hall , when tbe usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given from the
chair and drunk with Masonic honours , and followed by appropriate singing by tho above professional gentlemen . There were upwards of 100 brethren present , among whom were the Grand Registrar , who presided , supported on his right by the R . W . Master of the Castle Lodge , Bro . Captain Farrer ; the W . M . of the Etonian Lodge , Bro . Nichols ; Bro . Patten , Secretary to the Girls' School ; and on the left by the V . W . Bro . J . Devereux , founder of tbe Hall ; Bro . William
Vansittart , M . P . ; Bro . Binckes , Secretary to tbe Boys'School ; and Bros . Holden , Martin , Palmer , & c . Several excellent speeches were delivered in tbe course of tbe evening , and allusion was made to the probability of the Prince of Wales becoming a Mason , an event , we hopo , not far distant . The dinner , which was of the most choice and elegant description , was supplied by Bro . Pyecroft , of the Castle Hotel . The artistic decorations of the Hall were by Bro . Croyden . In the adaptation of the building to its present purpose ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
be one piece , and as if the walls were the stronger for thorn . " He added , " tbe walls were all of white stones , wainscoted with cedar , and they were so artfully put together that there was no joint to be discerned , nor the least sign of a hammer that bad come upon them . " Is it in the power of language to describe our Institution in fitter terms than these ? What a happy description of our mystical fabric 1 founded in strength
, ordered ^ by wisdom , and adorned with beauty ! for say what institution can have a firmer foundation than this volume of God ' s levealed truth ? And why is this so independent of its own claim to our recognition ? Because it sanctions all that experience teaches us respecting the natural powers of the mind . It leads up in grateful remembrance to Him who bestowed the principle of life at the first , and who continues to impart it
through all successive generations . It enhances its value b y asserting and proving its immortality . It renders the man useful to society by cherishing the love of goodness , ancl by encouraging hatred to vice ; by revealing the future destination of the spirit to eternal happiness as the free reward of obedience , or eternal misery as the just punishment of sin ; and thus furnishes a more powerful guard of virtue and barrier against
vice than all the laws of society could impose and preserve . ^ He , then , that is an enemy to revelation is an enemy to himself . He is extinguishing , so far as ho can extinguish , the light which is sent to guide him home , and absorb the feeble inefficient ray of reason and of nature—he is refusing the only cup of consolation given as a genuine antidote to the bitter draught of sorrow—he is rolling a great stone over the door of
, his own sepulchre . But he is an enemy to mankind , for he is robbing society of the cement which holds it together , of the light which has illumined the darkest times and habitations of our earth ; of its intelligence , its happiness , its glory ; and he who is the enemy of mankind is the enemy of God , for He is the parent of the
universe , the friend of man . He stamped human nature with His image and He loves it still . Yes . His glorious revelation breathes only peace . It strengthens the cause of philanthropy . Tbe one favour it asks is that men would love themselves , and while it pours a thousand blessings on the present and lightens all the way , it points out to every wandering child of Adam "the path of life . " But if truth lies at the foundationwisdom has raised the
, superstructure of our holy house . No one of thoughtful mind , and who bas studied Freemasonry to any extent , can fail to observe the connection of our whole system , as well as the relative dependence of its several parts . The great objects severally brought out in the three degrees ; the eloquent ' sigiiificanee of the various implements of art ; the lessons taught by our traditional histories , the pointed meaning of every ornament that
adorns our lodge—striking emblems of blessed verities , outer things mutely conveying the highest duties and deepest truths connected with our inner life I Never do I hear a brother raised to the degree of a Master Mason without feeling myself most deeply moved by the solemnity of a ceremony which , for instruction , impressiveness , and power , is second to none in this lower world . And is our house not only wisely built , but
beautifully adorned ? Are not purity of thought , integrity of purpose , urbanity of manner , and , above all , the spotless robe of sweet charity , the beautiful garments with which a Freemason is invested ? It is these that render our names worthy of cedar-these that must immortalise our art ; these that through centuries have given it power to stand firm and unmoved amidst the persecutions of the oppressorthe taunts of tbe ignorant
, , and the denunciations of the superstitious . I have just named charity ; say , brethren , do we strive to put on this bond of perfectness , " whiter than the skin of the Lamb , brighter than the fairest of our jewels ? " are we " kindly affectioned one to another , with brotherly love preferring one another ? "
Ob , how lovely is this charity 1 it constitutes the dignity of human nature , it tends to promote the happiness of mankind , it elevates and refines our feelings , it calms the storms of passion that ruffles tbe serenity of life , it causes men to look with kindness on each other , and to view no one as a stranger whose joys we can brighten , whose wants we can supply , or whose sorrows we can soothe . No distinction of rank will
aftect its operations . It will consider no object as beneath its notice that can be benefitted by its exertion ' s , ancl no task as mean by which it can promote human happiness . Where would be the boasted dignity of reason if employed only to promote our narrow and selfish aims ? where the glory of that
knowledge ivhich never enlightened , advised , or comforted another ? and where the honour of that power which never promoted indigent merit , or wiped a tear from tho mourner ' s eye ? A fiend may possess a higher degree of reason , more knowledge , and more power than the wisest and best of men ; destitute of benevolence , he is the more to be dreaded and detested , not revered . Who would esteem the man of rank whose haughty , selfish spirit
could never dwell with complacency on modest worth ? Of what avail is wealth imprisoned in the rusty coffers of the miser , or wantonly squandered away in the dissipation of tho prodigal ? Who would value our influence if never employed in promoting the prosperity of others ? If such gifts are made subservient only to our personal advantage tbey cannot redound to our honour—tbey can have no effects but to render us more despicable by showing thatwhile we have tho abilitywe want
, , the spirit and inclination to enjoy that greatest of all luxuries , the luxury of doing good . Let us then look well into our own hearts , and search into our motives . When wo stand at this entrance of the dark character of those hearts we at first strive in vain to pierce its depths . At first we discover nothing—we can but stumble forward , feeling without seeing what is there , but the eye by degrees becomes accustomed to tbe shadow ,
outlines become distinct , even differences of shade become porceptable , until by God's help at length we see , though still " as in a glass , " clearly the true forms of the feelings , principles , and convictions that crowd the bidden dwelling . In that knowlodge is the secret of truth , as regards ourselves ; and according to its agreement with that truth will be the consistency of our conduct in the sight of God . And when this knowledge discovers in that chamber of the heart
the light of God's truth and sweet tones of gentle charity—oh 1 how blessed tbe result 1 How all tbe pursuits of pleasures and interests of a passing world grow small by comparison , and howone is inclined to realise the feeling of the great apostle— " For whom I suffer the loss of all things , aud count them but dung . " And do not these landmarks of our venerable Order ever point in this direction ? Do not our glorious Charities for the widow , the orphan , and the aged furnish an eloquent memorial of our high duty to each other , as well as to Him who giveth to all ?
Do not tho significant emblems that adorn our lodge shadow forth these eternal verities ? Do not the beautiful ceremonies abound with lessons of wisdom ? May the Great Architect of the Universe shed down on our conventions in this lodge the continual dew of His blessing . May He give us and those who succeed us wisdom to contrive in all our doings , strength to support in all difficulties , and beauty to adorn those heavenly mansions where His honour dwelleth , and where He reigneth for ever
and ever . The Grand Registrar by this time arrived , and proceeded with the formal dedication of the hall . This imposing ceremony was rendered deeply impressive by the anthems , expressly arranged by Bro . Tolley , who presided at the organ , and the singing was admirably performed by Bros . Marriott , Bridgewater , Buckland , Carter , and Shoebridge . The usual form of consecration by the presiding officer proceeding around the hall
with the corn , wine , and oil , was followed by a consecration prayer , the uncovering of the lodge , and finished with a Masonic hymn . Afterwards several of the brethren were initiated and passed by Bro . Captain Farrer , W . M ., who has contributed in a most liberal manner towards the funds and decorations . After the hall was dedicated and other business transacted , the brethren assembled at the banquet table at the Town Hall , when tbe usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given from the
chair and drunk with Masonic honours , and followed by appropriate singing by tho above professional gentlemen . There were upwards of 100 brethren present , among whom were the Grand Registrar , who presided , supported on his right by the R . W . Master of the Castle Lodge , Bro . Captain Farrer ; the W . M . of the Etonian Lodge , Bro . Nichols ; Bro . Patten , Secretary to the Girls' School ; and on the left by the V . W . Bro . J . Devereux , founder of tbe Hall ; Bro . William
Vansittart , M . P . ; Bro . Binckes , Secretary to tbe Boys'School ; and Bros . Holden , Martin , Palmer , & c . Several excellent speeches were delivered in tbe course of tbe evening , and allusion was made to the probability of the Prince of Wales becoming a Mason , an event , we hopo , not far distant . The dinner , which was of the most choice and elegant description , was supplied by Bro . Pyecroft , of the Castle Hotel . The artistic decorations of the Hall were by Bro . Croyden . In the adaptation of the building to its present purpose ,