The Origin And Teachings Of Masonry.

only to offer a few observations on its principles , which may be summarily expressed as exciting us to the continual performance of our duty toivards God , our neighbour , and ourselves—as the honourable incentive to the practice of every social and moral virtue . But if these are the princi p les of a Mason ' s heart , I may be asked , are they also the practice of a Mason ' s life ? Tlie force of truth compels me to admit , that in Masomy , as in

every other human institution , there are professing as ivell as practising members . But ive dare ivith confidence assert , that amid those who rank beneath our banners , there are thousands of splendid proofs that Masonry is not confined to profession , but is daily embodied into practice . Need I go further for proof than to the illustrious head of our Order in this county ? If temperance , prudence , fortitude and justice be the earliest objects of a Mason ' s attention—if brotherllovereliefand truth be the

distinguishy , , ing characteristics of his progress—if virtue , honour , and mercy be his guiding stars in the hi gher degrees—if the corner stone of his profession be , as ive know it'is , in thc emphatic language of holy writ , "Fear God , honour thc king , loA'e the brotherhood "—Avhere shall AA ' find a more practical illustration of these several virtues than in the illustrious individual to Avhom I have referred ? To dilate on this subject AA'cre an easy " and a pleasant task , but though candour has required I should say thus much , prudence

restrains me from adding more , lost I offend by the semblance of flattery , where I onl y give wtterimcc to tbe language of truth . I cannot close this address , ivhich , I fear , has already trespassed too much ou my auditors , Avithout returning my heartfelt acknoAvledgments for the very flattering degree of attention Avith AA'hich I have been honoured ; nor can I conclude without exhorting you , my brethren , to elevate your hearts and dedicate your lives to the Fountain of liht and wisdomivho has been

g , eloquently described as the " Father of all , in every age , In every clime ador'd ; By saint , by savage , and by sage , Jehovah , Jove , or' Lord I "

SrcEESV OT MASONEY . —Freemasonry , I admit , has its secrets . It has secrets peculiar to itself , but of ivhat do these principally consist 1 They consist of signs and tokens , ivhich serve as testimonials of character and qualification , which are only conferred after a due course of instruction and examination . These are of no small value ; they speak a universal language and act as a passport to the attention and support of the initiated in all parts of the worldThey cannot be lost so long

. as memory retains its poiver . Let the possessor of them bo expatriated , shipAvrecked , or imprisoned , let him be stripped of every thing he has got in the world , still these credentials remain , and are available for use as circumstances require . The good effects which they have produced are established by the most incontestable facts of history . They have staid the uplifted hand of the destroyer ; they have softened the asperities of the tyrant ; they have mitigated the horrors of captivity ; they have subdued the rancour of malevolence and broken down the barrier of

political animosit y and sectarian alienation . On the field of battle , in the solitudes of the uncultivated forest , or in the busy haunts of the crowded city , they have made men of the most hostile feelings , the most distant regions , and the most diversified conditions , rush to the aid of each other , and feel special joy and satisfaction that they have beon able to afford relief to a brother Mason . —JBenjamm Franklin .