A Lecture On Temperance.

the cause of so much hatred betAveen one and the other . In the centre of the globe , where heat prevails , the sustenance of man must of necessity be different from that of more temperate climes . For instance , fat and rich meats are the cause of

disease , and are detrimental to health and life ; hence such food ivas forbidden . This prohibition has become a part of man ' s religion ; and men have learnt to look ivith scorn and contempt on all those Avho break that laAV , because they believe that doing so SIIOAVS a marked disobedience to God .

As you recede from the centre of the earth , and approach colder regions , the inhabitants require a more heatening nourishment , until you arrive at so cold a latitude that man drinks oil as Avater . Could one in the hottest climate live on oil ? Thus

you see God made these laivs for the good of man , not to be the cause of his engendeiing hatred to a brother . So with fermented liquor . In cold climes you need more stimulating liquids than in the hotter portions of the globe . A Laplander

will drink like Avater , the strongest spirit , and in quantities that could not be stood by those of warmer climes . Hence strong drink is forbidden by some faiths , but not by God ' s laiv . That laiv forbids its abuse only ; and this brings me to my

subject for this evening , to one of the tassels pendent to the corners of the Lodge , —I mean Temperance . Temperance is one of the cardinal virtues , upon wliich Masonry so loves to dwell . Temperance is that clue restraint of our passions and

affections , which renders the body tame and governable , and frees the mind from the allurements of vice . This virtue should therefore be practised by every Mason , to teach him to avoid excess , or contracting any vicious or licentious habits that

might necessarily lead him to betray his trust . Temperance , however , is not abstinence l We are commanded to be temperate in all things ; not to abstain from all things . On the contrary , the good things of this life are given to us by God

to enjoy , provided ive do not abuse them . Yet there are those ivho call on others to abstain . There have been societies binding its members to abstain from meats ; others to abstain from salt ; others binding not to touch wine . These no doubt

have been formed ivith good intentions , but in their zevl thoy have forgotten God , have done much harm , ancl are in error . The Mason ivill see this . The Author of our being well nnclciutcccl the

nature of man , He assigned for man hours for labour and hours for refreshment . The sun rises in the east and calls him to labour ; it gains its meridian in the south and summons him to refreshment ; and it sets at length in the west , to

remind him that repose is necessary to restore his exhausted strength for another clay of toil . On this principle Masonry was founded , and is an unchangeable landmark of our Order . At the hour of refreshment we are to regulate our

appetite by the virtue , Temperance . In former times the refreshment boards ivere in the centre of the Lodges , and refreshment was taken in the Lodge ; but in 1813 , this was clone aivay ivith , and UOAV we adjourn to the festive board . At these

convivialities all was peace , harmony , and brotherly love ; such as is always observed at the Mason ' s social hour . Brethren enjoy themselves with innocent mirth , treating one another according to ability , but avoiding all excess , not forcing any

brother to eat or drink beyond his inclination , nor hindering him from going home when he pleases , lest the blame of his excess be justly thrown upon the Fraternity .

No private piques , no quarrels about nations , families , religions , or politics , can be permitted at the festive board any more than within the doors of the Lodge ; for they are contrary to the peace and wellare of the Lodge and of the Craft .

There are those ivho condemn our conviviality , and have fallen into the opposite extreme , equally as reprehensible as excess , and at variance with God ' s laiv ; these urge total abstinence from ivine . Now as Masons do , or wish to do , that ivhieh is

right ( for so our lav ? teaches all Masons ) , so do they wish to prove that enjoyment ivith Temperance has the sanction and is the gift to man of the great Architect of the world , and all that is

therein . It appears reasonable to believe that total abstinence is contrary to our nature , and at variance ivith the Divine intention in placing man on earth . It is contrary to the nature of man to drink water

only . When the Almighty intended to bestow the greatest earthly blessing on His favoured people , He promised to give them for their inherit - ance , a laud of oil ancl wine , of fields and vineyards , because wine maketh glad the heart of man .

Those urging total abstinence will tell you that this was unfermented ; but it was not so . Do they forget tho wine presses subject to tithe for their great value ? Do they forget the wine fats