The Chief Corner Stone.

bound never to act against the dictates of his conscience . Masons unite with the virtuous of every persuasion , in the firm and pleasing bond of fraternal love . They are taught to vieAV the errors of mankind ivith compassion , and to strive

by the purity of their own conduct to demonstrate the superior excellence of the creed they may profess . Thus , Masonry is the centre of union between good men and true , and the happy means of conciliating friendship amongst those Avho must otherwise have remained at a distance .

Freemasonry requires you to study the liberal arts and sciences , by Avhich you may benefit yourself , your family , your friends , your fellow-creatures , and be an honour to your country . It requires you also to study and practise the cardinal virtues of

temperance , fortitude , prudence , and justice , to carry out the principles of brotherly love , relief , and truth ; and above all to follow faith , hope , and charity . It requires you also to be good and faithful subjects , true to your Queen , just to your

country ; peaceable , honest , industrious , temperate in all things , good members of society , kind to your Avives and families , courteous to your friends and neighbours , anxious to do good to all men , to love the brotherhood , to fear God , to

honour the Queen . To exhaust the various subjects on Avhich Masonry , treats transcends the powers of the brightest genius , for it is an Institution founded on reason and truth ; its deep basis is the civilisation of mankind , its greatest glory

is , that it is supported by the mighty pillars of science and morality . I must now , my friends , proceed to a practical application of the text , and I again ask you , " Have ye not read this Scripture ? The Stone

Avhich the builders rejected is become the head of the corner : this was the Lord ' s doing , and it is marvellous in our eyes . " The Stone here spoken of , as I have before proved , is Christ . Those AYIIO rejected Him , the children of Israel , the JeAvs .

The prophet Isaiah , in the 53 rd chapter and 3 rd verse , foretold this : — " He is despised and rejected of men , a man of SOITOAVS and acquainted with grief , aud Ave hid as it Avere our faces from Him . He was despised and Ave esteemed Him not . "

He Avas rejected , and the Gentiles were brought in , as is recorded in the 13 th chapter of the Acts of the Apostles , 46 th and 47 th verses— "Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold , and said , It Avas necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoken to you ; but seeing ye put it from

you , and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life , lo , Ave turn to the Gentiles . For so hath He commanded us , saying , I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles , that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth . "

Here , then , were Ave brought into the salvation of Christ Jesus , and we must build our hopes on this firm foundation , this Chief Corner Stone , or Ave shall perish . " For there is none other name under heaven given among

men whereby Ave must be saved , " but only the name of our Lord Jesus Christ . You and I , if we do not heartily believe this , shall perish everlastingly . Build then , ye Masons , and all ye people , on this Chief Corner Stone , this

firm foundation laid iu Zion , for Christ is the rock of your salvation , and your sure refuge . Trust not to your OAVII righteousness , but ask of God , through Jesus Christ ; rely entirely on his redeeming love , and God Avill grant you pardon for your

sins , and receive you into mansions of eternal felicity . Are there amongst this congregation any who despise the promises of God , who neglect the means of grace ? If so , let me call upon you to consider that you crucify the Lord of Life and

Glory afresh , and Avill receive greater condemnation ; Avhosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken ; but on whomsoever it shall fall , it

will grind him to powder . " Before I conclude , I must call your attention to the uncertainty of human life , for since your last anniversary , it has pleased the Almighty Architect of the universe to take to himself an eminent

brother , the late Alexander Dudgeon , Esq . As a Mason he was deeply skilled in science , and the loss which the institution has sustained cannot be readily supplied . You must fervently pray , and firmly rely on the mercies of the Great

Architect of the Universe , that he will raise up a successor in his OAVU good time , endued with Avisdoni from on high . Although anxious to show forth and maintain his OAAII faith , yet , according to the principles of your Order , he held out the right

hand of fellowship to others . He died regretted by the free and accepted Masons over Avhom he , for many years , presided with such zeal and ability . The grief depicted on the countenance of each of the Freemasons Avho attended his

funeral , clearly shoAved the estimation in which the revered chief was held . Let us then , my friends , improve ourselves by reflections on this subject . You see no rank , no elevation of cha-