An Oration

AN ORATION

LONDON , SATURDAY , SEPTEMBER 14 , 1867 .

Delivered before the Lodge of Journeymen 3 Iasons ( No . 8 ) , Edinburgh , in honour of the memonj of Pro . JAMBS SMITH , for twenty-four years Treasurer of-the Lodge . Brethren , —We are met to-night for a , solemn purpose . We have withdrawn ourselves from the

busy world and our domestic retirements , and , in accordance with the usages of our ancient Order , and in obedience to the dictates of the better feeling's of our nature , we have come to this hall to honour the memory of a deceased brother ,

and to contemplate matters connected with the closing scene of our earthly career . In general , we find that a necessity is laid upon us to occupy our thoughts very much with the concerns of this life . We are so constituted , that it is impossible

for us to remain long indifferent to the calls of nature , the claims of society , and the duties that devolve upon us from day to day . But there are seasons when it is profitable for us to forsake our usual haunts , to suspend our usual occupations , to gather ourselves together , and , in a devout and

serious frame , to ponder over the changes and the ravages which time has made around us . More especially is this the case when a valued friend , when a leading and honoured member of the same society as ourselves , has been suddenly

snatched from our midst . It is then incumbent on us to pass his history in review before our minds , to draw lessons of instruction from his example , and to bring home to ourselves the momentous fact that , sooner or later , the same

destiny awaits us all . Brethren , —It is not many days since a member of our ancient Institution stood in this hall , with the same faculties and feelings , with the same hopes and fears as ourselves . He took part in

the business of the Society , and , though somewhat enfeebled by disease and advanced in years , gave no indication that his bodily strength and his mental powers were on the eve of utterly failing , and that the days of his usefulness were almost at a close . He was one with whom we

had often taken counsel , who had long been associated with us in carrying on the affairs of this Society , who had often sat at our festive board , and participated in our social enjoyments , and who had raised himself in our esteem by his candour , his integrity , his humanity , and

benevolence , and , consequently , we cherished the hope that he would long be seen in his accustomed scat , discharging the duties of the office with which he had been connected for years . But a day or two only elapsed , when the fell destroyer

entered his dwelling and struck him down , and that bright intelligence was eclipsed , that kindly nature was quenched , and that " sensible warm motion became a kneaded clod ! " Many of us were called to accompany his remains to their final resting-place . We stood by his open grave , we listened to the dull hollow rattle of the earth

descending on his coffin , and we indulged in the melancholy thought that we would see his cheerful face and hear his animating voice no more . In these circumstances , brethren , let us dwell for a few minutes on our deceased brother's earthly

career , and on some of the lessons which it is calculated to afford . There is , indeed , not very much to say . His history was not characterised by auy great variety of incident . He pursued a calm uniform course , making few changes , and

engaging in few enterprises of a notable description . Our late Bro . James Smith was born on the llth of November , 1802 , in Buccleuch-street , of this city . His father and mother were natives of Perthshire , and , shortly after their settlement in

Edinburgh , set up a dairy establishment , from which they earned a livelihood so long as they lived . They removed their residence and . their dairy stock from Buccleuch-street to the Barony of Broughton , and , in course of time , transferred

their establishment to Saunclers-street , Stockbridge , and this was their last removal till they were carried to their resting-place in the buryingground of the West Church .

When our late brother had fully reached his twelfth year , he was bound apprentice to James Eitchie , a builder in this city , to learn tho craft of a mason . The time at which he commenced his labours as an operative was memorable , and

to it he was wont to refer . On the Sabbath , the ISth of June , 1815 , was fought one ofthe most momentous battles of modern times , viz ., the battle of Waterloo . It was not only a great conflict in itself , but it was most decisive and

important in its results , as it entirely broke down the gigantic power of Napoleon I ., and freed Europe from the thraldom and terror in which it had been held for years . On the morning of Monday , the 19 th of June , the day after the battle , and before intelligence of it had reached this