There Is A Sign Here.

oharity , by means of a regenerated Church . I claim only that the facts are to-day as I state them—that the sweet

song first sung by angels into shepherds' ears , can hardly be heard amid the discords of jarring sects and warring factions . It is well , therefore , that , amid the confusion ,

there shonld be some retreat where peace abides and strife can never enter , where differences of opinion , and the distinctions of rank and circumstance , engender no susp icion , destroy no friendship , chill no love . The influence of Masonry , to encourage the culture and practice of such charity is due to no mystery of truth ; it does not lay any claims to original discovery in the domain

of spiritual knowledge . It has not ventured to gain wisdom by any ruinous

experience of its own . All it knows of truth and duty—of God and man ' s destiny—it has learned by faith from the Scripture—that inestimable gift of God fco man . Without

the arrogance of philosophy , without the boast of inspiration , without undue pride even in its own traditions—it proclaims to the world that all its lig ht is borrowed from the Christian ' s Bible .

It is , however , somewhat peculiar and original in its methods of explaining and impressing truth , and in this regard it differs from the rostrum , the press , and the modern

pulpit . But its power for doing good in the world lies also in the additional fact that , by the very principles of its organisation , it is able to exclude from its councils and

pursuits the baneful influence of political , ecclesiastical and social discord . Thus guarded by its fundamental p rinciple , its votaries

work in harmony—" among whom no contention exists , save that noble contention , or emulation rather , as to who can best work , and best agree . "

The first lesson the Mason learns—and he learns it at the very threshold—is that he should never introduce among his brethren anything that might give offence . He must lay aside his party badge , his worldly rank and

equipage ; yea , if he be a prince , he mnsfc cast the purple from his shoulders , the diadem from his brow , and consent to sit as a man among men , as a brother among brethren , and be content to receive that honour which only manly worth may claim . But let no one mistake the nature of the marvellous

peace that pervades this brotherhood . It is not that we are indifferent to Church or State . It is not that we despise convictions , and set no value on opinions . It is

rather because we respect and honour them in one another ; it is because we esteem freedom of thought and conscience as the most sacred of human rights .

Against all tyranny , then , whether of kings or priests , of party or sect—against every form of intolerance and persecution for opinion ' s sake , the Knights of the Temple

have ever lifted their protesting voice . Yea , in other days , when men have cried to them from dungeon and scaffold , they have not refused to draw the sword , whether the

oppressor wore a mitre or a crown . Masonry has thus always proved a foe to political and sectarian oppression . In every age and clime , ifc has quietly and properly encouraged self-respect and

independence of thought in the people at large . With its own vital breath , it has sometimes , with perhaps too much zeal , fanned the spark of revolution , and inspired revolt of heart against the usurpation , or the abuse of power . It

has seldom conspired ; but it has taught and inculcated , and sent its spirit abroad in the land , till men have risen from despair and hurled despotism from its bloody throne . And , to-day , its great heart beats with sympathv for the

poor , down-trodden and long-suffering multitudes of men and women who sit under their willows in sackcloth or chains , and mourn their degradation . Henco Masonry is still

odious to tyrants . Mark those in the past who have hurled their impotent thunder at our Order , and you will find them arrogant and oppressive . And mark those who still denounce us , and vou will find them men of narrow ancl

prescrip tive feelings . Nothing so offends the heartless bigot , demagogue or aristocrat , as a broad-minded , purcnearted charity . Such a sentiment rebukes their selfishness , and may justly alarm their fears .

Let the world understand , then , that Masonry , whether bearing the trowel or sword , is uncompromisingly sot against every form of injustice and oppression , that against all

such wrongs it will ever stand forth in the strength and beaut y of its Knighthood , and with its spotless sword defend the free and champion the weak . I confess , however , that this Order of Masonry has a

There Is A Sign Here.

delicate and embarrassed mission , in the face of divisions which affect the peace and influence of the modern Church . While it must respect the convictions of all , ifc cannot look with indifference npon the dissensions that diversity of

religious belief so frequently engenders . And yet the Order is pledged to defend religion ; to defend it with its mystic sword—a sword whose hilfc is faiib , whose blj . de i * hope , and whose point is love ; to defend it against the

scoffs of the infidel , the arts of the hypocrite , and the intolerance of the bigot : defend Christianity , I say , not as it is diversely formulated in dogmas , but as it is symbolised in the cross and the empty tomb , and as it is exemplified in the sweet and beautiful earth life of our Immanuel .

While such , we hold , is the duty or ' * ve * y C !* m * i *> - * t in whatever sect he may stand , \ et v \ e bei <•.- * . association of good men and true , lifted bv their v «* w ^ , d

princip les above the storms of controversy , may do murti to compose strife , and afc the same time maintain liberty ; may do much to strengthen faith , and keep the flames of love alive upon our altars .

But let no churchman look upon the Order as presumptuous or obtrusive The , pirit of all Masonry i ** - * hn nb ' e it boasts not against the Church , and its asylum d t * s n t seek to rival the glory of that temple whose foundat-o s

are the apostles and prophets , and whose corner slot- , - is Christ Himself . Catching the spirit of the earlier Faith , and gemming its banner with the symbols of truth , it

would move down through the ages in the service of the Church , seeking to guard her from attack without and from contention within . II . Bufc there is another mission to which the Masonio Knight has consecrated himself , of which I may properly speak .

Though Burke declared long ago thafc the age of chivalry is gone , yet only its ancient form has vanished away . " These are not the romantic times ,

So beaufcif nl in Spenser ' s rhymes , So dazzling to the dreamy boy . Onrs are the days of fact , not fable — Of Knights indeed , bat not of the Round Table .

The mad struggle for wealth and power and p lat ; •¦ , . drive it from the marts and forums of men bufc the armed angel , fche genius of chivalry , is ever evoked i * i onr

sanctuary . Next to the lesson which teaches the Knight t *> reverence , practise and defend religion , is that which devotes his sword to her who was last at the cross aud

earliest at the grave . The distressed widow , the helpless orphan and the innocent maiden are ever under our arch of steel , the special object of our courteous regard , our thoughtful charity , ancl our most honourable protection .

Centuries ago , in a lawless age , helpless women appealed only to the honour of rude men . Chivalry arose ; the Kni ght , catching inspiration from religion , went forth with courage , the champion of innocence and distrtss .

This noble institution passed away amid the discords of the church , and religion came forth from her ordeal , purified as by fire ; and law , so long silent amid the din of arms , began to thunder from its Sinai . Then , indeed ,

woman sometimes found a refuge in the sanctuary , and some protection in tbe courts of justice . And now she may still look up from the distress of her virtuous poverty ,

from the wreck of her home , or from the ruins of her peace , to the charity of the Church , or to the vindication of the law .

But with all the protection of our civil aud reli gious institutions , even in an age the most advanced in civilization , and in a conntry distinguished above all others for the

justness of its laws and the purity of its gospel , does she not , even now and here , need the guardianship that our Fraternity assumes ?

Let us bear in mind that , in a popular government like ours , even a good law is a dead letter unless sustained b y a virtuous public sentiment . Law , with us , is nob so much the creator as the creature of public opinion . Legislators

sometimes hasten to do good by premature enactments , too far in advance of the moral sense ofthe people ; and the authorit y of the magistrate , unsupported by the vox popidi , is powerless .

He , then , who rightl y shades and directs the public conscience , ancl gives a healthy moral tone to citizenship , best strengthens the arm of government . He gh es a belt r

and more efficient aid to the proper execution of t' e laws than the posse comilatus . It is surely reasonable then that a numerous biotueruuod