Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Oration Delivered By Bro. The Rev. H. G. Vernon, M.A., Prov. G. Chaplain, Lancashire (West), At The Consecration Of The Temple Lodge (1094).
ORATION DELIVERED BY BRO . THE REV . H . G . VERNON , M . A ., PROV . G . CHAPLAIN , LANCASHIRE ( WEST ) , AT THE CONSECRATION OF THE TEMPLE LODGE ( 1094 ) .
At the dedication of this our Masonic Lodge it has devolved upon me in the discharge of the duties of the office Avhich I have the honour to hold to address to you a feAV observations suitable to the interesting occasion .
There is ahvays , no doubt , a feeling of solemnity attached to all the meetings of the brethren , even when the business that calls them together is of the most ordinary nature , for no degree exempts us from the serious obligation ivhich is the g'lory
of the Craft , at all times and under all circumstances at the opening of a lodge , solemnly to invoke the presence and countenance of the Great Architect of the Universe , but to day we are called together for a purpose so august and sacred that
all le \ r ity and carelessness must be utterly impossible , Avhile in pursuance of dedicating this lodge to His service , AVIIO as the Great Master Buildei has orig inated the principles upon Avhich our Masonic order professes to be founded .
And first as to principles , Avhich are the foundations of any order , our princijDles are that our members should be mutually beneficial to each other and instruments for the good of society , whicli , in the Scriptural phrase , is to " be of one
mind , having compassion one for another , " and to love as brethren ; Avherever there is a brother like ourselves , the offspring of one common stock , partaker of the same nature , and sharer of the same hope .
And so in numberless instances it has proved itself to be ; it has gained for the wandering traveller kindness in an inhospitable and savage clime ; it has quelled the violence of the marauder by land and of the pirate by sea ; it has in all the
various and distinct nations which diversify the map of the Avorld , discovered everywhere an object for the display of that beneficence Avhich each brother owes to his fellow . Looking back to the pages of ancient history , we trace even in the records of the Sacred Volume
the origin of our Order . Our society is both ancient and honourable , for virtue is virtue whether it be ancient or modern ; whether it dazzle from the throne or glimmer from the cottage , and is one -which having stood the
lapse of ages and the storm of opposition , proves itself to be erected upon a good and sound foundation . The principles of our Masonic Order , are derived from Him who is the maker and the builder of the Temple of the Universe , the Grand
Master of all , in Avhose presence alone we seek to be approved , and to whom , as on all occasions , so now much more especially , we dedicate this lodge . But presuming that with due investigation as to character and worth , the ranks of our Order be
enlarged and strengthened , and with honourablefidelity our principles be preserved and practised " that Masonry and brotherly love " ought to go hand in hand .
Let me intreat you then , diligently to search , the Scriptures for the secrets of our art , and while you seek to pry into the Covenant , the signs and ! tokens which subsisted and were communicated between the Kings of Judah and of Tyre , 0 may
the spirit of the Avidow's son be in you , filling you Avith a knowledge of the points on Avhich they all turn , even Avisdom to design , strength to execute and the beauties of holiness to adorn ;—remember that the same pages contain an inestimable pearl
of great price , and that they only are the wise and good who make that pearl their OAVU . Gain this and you thus lay hold on the right pillar both of solid fame and spiritual Avealth , whereby you shall
be established , and then you may safely rest upon the left , a still higher column in our scientific line , for in that you will find strength . Whether our lodge meets on the high mountains of worldly grandeur and is beheld from afar , or in the lowest
vales of obscurity and noticed but by few ; whether under Adoniram , yon Avere on the tops of Lebanon , or with Aholiab and Bezaleel , are in distinguished offices near the sanctum sanctorum , or with the sons of Levi serve at the altar—be
zealous in the discharge of all the duties demanded of you , nor faint though it fall to your lot to labour in the Plains of J ordan in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredatha .
May ive be found workmen that need not be ashamed , and in reliance on the integrity of our Great Master Builder , and on the title Ave derive from him , may we humbly but confidently hope that a blessing will descend from the Most High
upon our labours and our meetings , and that from associating together as brethren in unity here , Ave may through Him , meet again as brethren in bliss hereafter . So mote it be .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Oration Delivered By Bro. The Rev. H. G. Vernon, M.A., Prov. G. Chaplain, Lancashire (West), At The Consecration Of The Temple Lodge (1094).
ORATION DELIVERED BY BRO . THE REV . H . G . VERNON , M . A ., PROV . G . CHAPLAIN , LANCASHIRE ( WEST ) , AT THE CONSECRATION OF THE TEMPLE LODGE ( 1094 ) .
At the dedication of this our Masonic Lodge it has devolved upon me in the discharge of the duties of the office Avhich I have the honour to hold to address to you a feAV observations suitable to the interesting occasion .
There is ahvays , no doubt , a feeling of solemnity attached to all the meetings of the brethren , even when the business that calls them together is of the most ordinary nature , for no degree exempts us from the serious obligation ivhich is the g'lory
of the Craft , at all times and under all circumstances at the opening of a lodge , solemnly to invoke the presence and countenance of the Great Architect of the Universe , but to day we are called together for a purpose so august and sacred that
all le \ r ity and carelessness must be utterly impossible , Avhile in pursuance of dedicating this lodge to His service , AVIIO as the Great Master Buildei has orig inated the principles upon Avhich our Masonic order professes to be founded .
And first as to principles , Avhich are the foundations of any order , our princijDles are that our members should be mutually beneficial to each other and instruments for the good of society , whicli , in the Scriptural phrase , is to " be of one
mind , having compassion one for another , " and to love as brethren ; Avherever there is a brother like ourselves , the offspring of one common stock , partaker of the same nature , and sharer of the same hope .
And so in numberless instances it has proved itself to be ; it has gained for the wandering traveller kindness in an inhospitable and savage clime ; it has quelled the violence of the marauder by land and of the pirate by sea ; it has in all the
various and distinct nations which diversify the map of the Avorld , discovered everywhere an object for the display of that beneficence Avhich each brother owes to his fellow . Looking back to the pages of ancient history , we trace even in the records of the Sacred Volume
the origin of our Order . Our society is both ancient and honourable , for virtue is virtue whether it be ancient or modern ; whether it dazzle from the throne or glimmer from the cottage , and is one -which having stood the
lapse of ages and the storm of opposition , proves itself to be erected upon a good and sound foundation . The principles of our Masonic Order , are derived from Him who is the maker and the builder of the Temple of the Universe , the Grand
Master of all , in Avhose presence alone we seek to be approved , and to whom , as on all occasions , so now much more especially , we dedicate this lodge . But presuming that with due investigation as to character and worth , the ranks of our Order be
enlarged and strengthened , and with honourablefidelity our principles be preserved and practised " that Masonry and brotherly love " ought to go hand in hand .
Let me intreat you then , diligently to search , the Scriptures for the secrets of our art , and while you seek to pry into the Covenant , the signs and ! tokens which subsisted and were communicated between the Kings of Judah and of Tyre , 0 may
the spirit of the Avidow's son be in you , filling you Avith a knowledge of the points on Avhich they all turn , even Avisdom to design , strength to execute and the beauties of holiness to adorn ;—remember that the same pages contain an inestimable pearl
of great price , and that they only are the wise and good who make that pearl their OAVU . Gain this and you thus lay hold on the right pillar both of solid fame and spiritual Avealth , whereby you shall
be established , and then you may safely rest upon the left , a still higher column in our scientific line , for in that you will find strength . Whether our lodge meets on the high mountains of worldly grandeur and is beheld from afar , or in the lowest
vales of obscurity and noticed but by few ; whether under Adoniram , yon Avere on the tops of Lebanon , or with Aholiab and Bezaleel , are in distinguished offices near the sanctum sanctorum , or with the sons of Levi serve at the altar—be
zealous in the discharge of all the duties demanded of you , nor faint though it fall to your lot to labour in the Plains of J ordan in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredatha .
May ive be found workmen that need not be ashamed , and in reliance on the integrity of our Great Master Builder , and on the title Ave derive from him , may we humbly but confidently hope that a blessing will descend from the Most High
upon our labours and our meetings , and that from associating together as brethren in unity here , Ave may through Him , meet again as brethren in bliss hereafter . So mote it be .