Oration

for the completion of that neAV Jerusalem , from whose lofty turrets "joy joy , " " peace , peace , " shall be proclaimed to the nations , in lieu of the bitter cry of " Woe , woe ! " Avhich for a thousand years wailed through the streets of the Old

Jerusalem ? It is the duty of every man Avho loves his kind to hasten the coming of this glorious era by promoting the social , moral , intellectual , and religious improvement of all around him . More especially is it the duty of all Masons Avho have

professed so to love their fellow men as to liave bound themselves , by voluntarily obligations , to devote themselves to their welfare , to strain every nerve , to turn the whole force of their Avill , the Avhole strength of their mind , the whole poAver of

their influence , to assist in forming that deep and broad channel through which must be poured the irresistible flood of public opinion , by Avhich alone the Augean stable of man ' s old and corrupt nature can be thoroughly cleansed . Therefore it is that

we Avelcome these brethren among us ; we put forth the right hand of brotherhood to draw them within our sacred circle , but we Avarn them , at the

same time , that Masonry has duties to be performed as well as privileges to be enjoyed . We are here to-day to invest them with weapons taken from the armoury of Masonry , Avith Avhich the never-ending battle of good against evil and right

against wrong is to be carried on , and Avhich they are commanded to preserve in garnering in the corn waiting for the sickle . Bright anduntarnished , we place in their hands the Masonic implements of labour , and invite them to share our Avorlc

" Behold , I say unto you , lift up your eyes and look on the fields ; for they are white already to harvest . " We welcome them among us , for " the harvest is plenteous , but the labourers are few , "

but Ave , at the same time , charge them to guard the landmarks of the Order from encroachment , to obey the moral law , and to maintain in their fullest splendour those truly regal jewels of the Masonic crown , " brotherly love , relief , and truth . "

Every station of life is surrounded by responsibilities and obligations . More especially does this attach to those who , by entering our Order , not only render themselves amenable to the opinion of their brethren , but put the Order on its trial

before the world , which , ever ready to condemn even where censure is not merited , will not wait to particularise , but will judge and condemn our whole body by any act of an individual member which is repugnant to the principles of morality

temperance , justice , or honesty . Worshipful Masters and brethren of the Metham and Elms Lodges ! In granting your warrants , the Grand Master of the Order has confided to your keeping the honour of the Craft at large . I trust that you

will repay that confidence by an inviolable adherence to the laws and regulations of the Order . More solemnly stilllentreatyou , actingonconsiderations which are of a higher nature than even the principles of Masonry can reach , to live up to

your professions . Practice , more than precept , moulds the minds and manners of men and go \ erns the world . Let the bright example of St . John , our patron saint , be ever before you , who exhibited his faith by works and demonstrated the excellence

of his principles by acts and by a daily life and conversation , which gave them their soundest and happiest exemplification . Let each brother feel his conduct to be of consequence to all , and live and act as if , in his person , Masonry was reflected

before the world as in a mirror . Better that your lodges should not open their portals to a single candidate than that any should be admitted into

the Order , Avho , by their misconduct , would reflect discredit on your choice and on the Craft at large . Let your rivalry with your sister lodges consist , not in the number of your noviciates , but in the formation of your lives on a pure Masonic model ,

practising every social and moral virtue . Above all , let charity , that greatest of the cardinal virtues , that highest star on the pure front of Masonry , govern your lives . Not only the charity Avhich is limited to almsgiving ( essential as that is to

Masonry ) , but the charity Avhich is yet charity everywhere , as in the case of the apostle , Avhere there is no silver to bestow . A glass of cold water given with a kindly look and cheering -word to the

fainting and despairing is true charity . Practice the " charity that suffereth long and is kind , that envieth not ^ that vaunteth not itself , that is not puffed up , and that thinketh no evil . " Let charity be the most fitting furniture of your lodges , yield

not to empty show or self-indulgence , but give freely of your funds , first to those Avho are of the household of our faith , to our aged , infirm , and destitute brethren , to their Avidows and their orphans , and then extend the open hand of relief

to every one of your felloAY creatures in the hour of their need , Avithout distinctions of colour , race , or creed . Brethren of Lodge Metham ! On the unsullied colours of the gallant corps to which your-Worshipful Master and so many of yon belong , is