The Masonic Temple, Jersey.

if he introduced many of those forms , symbols , and figures of speech , invented for purposes of mystification and concealment , and hence , probably , spring many of the difficulties which have long engaged the attention of students and scholars . Iu what has been said , you will be aivare that I have assumed the truth of the most popular theory among

members of the Craft , namely , that of the very high antiquity of Ereemasonry , and there are certainly many grounds for such a belief , derived from a variety of sources , though it must not for one moment be supposed that the Order was known by its present name , or that the objects which it now embraces are exactly such as formei * lobtainedin all its hasesunder its various

y , p , titles , and in all countries where this or kindred secret societies have flourished . It is but fair to add , that there are some few firm friends of the institution , as it now exists , as well as many among its opponents , who assign a very modern date to its origin . The subject is too vast to admit of discussion on this occasion , though I Avas at first inclined to make the attempt .

I have thus briefly glanced at a most interesting branch of inquiry , the neglect of which is a discz-edifc to our Order , professing , as it popularly does , to have existed from the earliest periods of time ; iu fact , to have been synonymous with religion in its origin and primitive objects . Let great respect , however , be paid

to those good , pious , learned , and sincere men , of different nations and of all creeds , whether Jew or Gentile , who , disregardful of short-lived contumely , have prosecuted the research with diligence , with a view to the better comprehension of the Sacred Writings , for we believe a time will come ivhen their labours will be appreciated ; when men will have not only the wisdom ,

but the courage , to distinguish the true from the false , aud when the Biblical expositors now reviled , will be regarded us having done much to save the Word of God from the contempt of such as are not actuated by its teachings , warned by its threats , and guided by its Divine truths—thus entitling themselves to rank with Galileo , Luther , and others , ivho have suffered

persecution for promulgating doctrines in opposition to popular opinion , dogmatic teaching , and the suppression of free inquiry . Whatever may be our short-comings on the points to which reference has just been made , in regard to the great objects of benevolence and charity—duties so important among us—the exertions now made far transcend those of previous times . Witness our noble

and steadily-increasing charitable institutions , and the large sums dispensed by private lodges of ivhieh there is no publication . Thus the compensative principle operates : if ive are deficient on one score , we make up for it in another way . We may , without boasting , say , that the Craft is eminently distinguished among kindred and more modern societies in these its leading

characteristics . Brethren , we read in the volume of the Sacred Laiv , that " to everything there is a season , and a time to every purpose under the heaven ; " and again , that "there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his own works , for that is his portion , for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him ? " Truly on this auspicious

occasion may Ave realize the latter assertion , since Ave have , as our own works to rejoice over , a Temple exclusively dedicated to our honoured art , where , apart from the strife of men , from the distracting occupations of the world , from the distinctions of creeds , from political struggles , from influences not in accordance with our professions , nay , in some cases diametrically opposed to

them , we may cultivate a spirit of reverence and of gratitude to the Most High , of love aud affection to the brethren of the Craft , of charity and goodivill towards all ; where , though ignorant of that which " shall be after , " ive may learn to put our trust in God , as we profess to do on entering the Order at initiation , and so to obey His immutable laws , that we may not fear to appear

before His tribunal , and to give an account of our thoughts , words , and actions through our mortal life . Yet , let us " rejoice" in all humility , with a due sense of our weakness , compared with Divine omnipotence , for" Hoiv puny seems all earth , and drossy man ^ When standing face to nice -with God , viewing His finger on the moulded iciclelacier

On silvered frost—on mighty g . " But we must consider also the " season . " and the " purpose , " namely , that of consecrating our building to the service of God in the purest and most simple form . In this act we are but imitating the examples afforded us in that book whence wo derive our inspiration and our authority—an le folloived in IndiaEgypt

examp , , Judsea , Chaldcea , Greece , Eome , and among the Druids , whose religious rites , however perverted , _ constituting the spurious . Freemasonry , were still derived from the same orig in . At the commencement of the Mosaic dispensation all the first-born of man and beast were consecrated to the Lord , as we read in the Book of Exodus .. Subsequentlthe whole tribe of Levi was thus

consey , crated , instead of the first-born , as we are taught in the Book of Numbers , aud these patterns are still followed under the Christian dispensation by the baptism of infants and the ordination of priests . In Genesis we read , " And God went up from him in the place where he talked with him , and Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked ivith him , even a pillar of stone , and he thereon

poured a drink-offering thereon , ancl he poured oil , and Jacob called the name of the place where God spake with him , Bethel "—that is " the House of God . " Iu the Book of Numbers we find record of the consecration of the tabernacle and altar ; and , finally , without multiplying instances , we read of the dedication of the first , or King- Solomon's , Temple iu I . Kings , and of the second temple in that of Ezra . The practice , for which we have such authoritative precedents , has been continued by the different Christian

Churches , and it would imply a total disregard of Divine precept and example were we , the descendants as Masons of thoso who united in the construction of tho old Jewish Temples , to omit so important a ceremony . No , brethren , notwithstanding the imputations cast upon us by our opponents , we are acting consistently with our professions , and proving that ' we are worthy of the sacred

trust committed to us from time immemorial . JMJore happy than our ancestors who built the first Temple , no calamity such as that preserved in our traditions , in one case , has marred the progress of the work ; no stone , as in another case , has been wanting to complete the building ; no secrets , like those of old , have been lost , b y the criminality of a portion of the Craftsmentending either

; to impair the beauty and efficiency of the structure , or the continuance and permanence of our Masonic art . All have laboured together in a spirit of love and harmony , undisturbed by the seeds of discord , ambition , or treachery ; and the result is this Temple , in which we may meet for purposes of benevolence , where we may unite for the practice of our ceremonies without let or

hindrance , to which ive may point with pride , and which we trust will serve as a bond of union , not only amongst ourselves , but for future generations ; and when , in some yet distantage , "there shall not belefb here one stone upon another thatshallnotbe throwndown , " andthedescendant of the now half-civilised New Zealander , alluded to by one of the great historians of this century , shall contemplate and

mourn over its ruins , and dig among its foundations for evidence of its plan and purport , on coming to . the corner-stone which contains the proofs thereof , may he see reason to admire the piety , the union , the devotedness , of the men of this day , in thus dedicating the edifice to an art which even then will not have fallen into insignificance , but must continue to influence the minds and the hearts of each succeeding generation till time shall be no more . Those records , reverentially deposited by us iu their leaden casket , ivill remind him ,