Oration,

ORATION ,

LONDON , SATURDAY , OCTOBFR 12 , 1867 .

Delivered btj Bro . KOBEKT " WEXTWOKTH LITTLE , P . M . find P . Z . 975 , at the Consecration of the Villicrs Lodge ( No 1 , 19-1- ) , Isleworfh , Middlesex , on the oth October , 1867 . Having met on this auspicious occasion as felloAV-labourers in the laudable work of erecting and dedicating a temple for the celebration of the

solemn rites of Freemasonry , Ave may not unprofitably devote a few moments to a rapid review of the principles and tenets of our ancient institution . The early history of the Order is confessedly involved in obscurity , and the earnest researches

of the most eminent JIasonic antiquaries have as yet failed to illumine the darkness that fills the mighty void . It is , therefore , no intention of mine to trim my lamp for an adventurous pilgrimage into the

dim cloudlands of tradition , or the mythic regions of imagination , more especially as I believe that the actual present and the daAvning future will afford us , as Freemasons , more ample food for speculation and reflection , than even the venerated records of the past .

It is undeniable that this is an age of progress , in every department of art and science astonishing discoveries have been made , and the path of life is cheered and comforted by the application of a thousand useful inventions .

In the midst of this general advancement Ave find Freemasonry still occupying a foremost place in the estimation of intellectual men . JSTOAV , as of old , princes and the exalted ones of the earth are found clothed in the Mason ' s badge and

wielding the Master ' s gavel . In this favoured land the Fraternity has been ruled for many years by a succession of distinguished chiefs , whose

names adorn the annals of their country , and during the long reign of the beloved nobleman who at present presides so worthily over the Craft , Freemasonry has advanced Avith giant strides , and its beneficent influence is felt and acknoAvledged

throughout every gradation of our social system . To you , my brethren , as Masons , I need hardly say that Ave OAve this glorious position mainl y to the grand principles on Avhich our Order is founded . Indelibly inscribed on the pillars of our temple

are the halloAved Avords—Brotherl y Love , Relief , and Truth , and every true Mason bears them like a talisman engraven on his heart . By the exercise and practice of fraternal love Ave preserve the

links that unite us in the holy bonds of brotherhood ; by discriminative benevolence we sustain the helpless and the afflicted ; and by diffusing the light of truth Ave elevate onr fellow men from the depths of ignorance aud superstition .

Such are the objects inculcated in our precepts , and in this sense we may well regard Freemasonry as the mighty manifestation of a higher life j of a more spiritual and heavenly existence—its teachings are solemn as the breath of fate—they give

a significance to many things ; they interpret our most mysterious feelings and sublime emotions ; they create our most exalted hopes . The utterances of our symbolical philosophy reach to all climes and to all nations—the emblems of our Order are

found everywhere ; its august ceremonies are not for one people , one empire , or one era ; they are for all the earth and for all time . Again , our institution is the guide to WISDOM :, instructing us to separate , with unerring alchymy ,

the true from the false , and to distinguish the darkness from the light ; above all , it commends us to the devout study of the volume of the sacred laAV as the revelation of our diA ine Master ' s will

' and Avord . It is also the index which points to STKENGTH , reminding us of the almighty power of the Great-Architect of the Universe , as exemplified in the creation and preservation of the countless worlds

that OAVU His omnipotent SAvay . It leads us to the contemplation of the beautiful in nature and science , enabling us to climb from the luminous worlds of Avisdom to the shining spheres of strength , and finally revealing

to us those radiant realms Avhere BEAUTY , kindled by the smile of God , reigns in everlasting perfection . I will UOAV bring to your notice a few words of practical application .

We know that the tenets of Freemasonry are good , let us , therefore , endeavour to carry them , out in our lives ; let the reality of our professions be proved by our actions , and the faith that is in us be manifested in deed as in Avord .

Life is too short for the cultiA ation of animosities , and our future inheritance too lofty to be rashly imperilled by foolish dalliance in the outer chambers of sin . Let us , therefore , decide to Avalk according to

the light , that " men may see our good works and glorify our Father Avhich is in Heaven . " Let us persevere in the acquisition of Masonic know-