Centenary In Prince Edward Island.

CENTENARY IN PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND .

Oration delivered by Rev . Bro . G . M . Campbell , on the occasion of the celebration of the Centenary of St . John ' s Lodge , No . 1 ( P . E . I . ) . THIS is a day of Masonic memories . The clock of time , which measures the march of man and the progress of the kingdoms of the world , strikes the close of one hundred years of

Masonic labour in the Province of Prince Edward Island . It is fitting that our thoughts should be directed to the " day we celebrate , " and that the details that make up the picture should be spread before us—as they have been in the admirable and comprehensive paper of Past Master Wakeford—that we might be helpfully reminded of the former times , and of what our fathers did in the days of old .

Behind us lie the fruitful fields of the past , and over them wind , a long procession . One hundred years come marching in single file up the height on which we stand , each bearing its load of achievement . As year after year drops its burden at our feet and vanishes into the past from which it came , what a mighty offering is gathered . What infinite patience and labour it has cost and when the sum total assumes such large proportions , even the most frivolous must be sobered by its contemplation .

The self denial , sturdy honesty and patriotism of the men of the j" elder time " speaks the message to us : " The past has a lien on thee ; the future has a right in thee . " Let their example arouse in us the same courageous endeavour , as , inspired by the contemplation of the past , we set our faces resolutely to the future—enshrining their memories in our hearts , and in these eloquent lines , place upon record our tribute to their worth :

" Honour and love for evermore , To the grand men gone to rest ; Peace on the dim Pleutonian shore , Best in the land of the blest .

I reckon them greater than any by far Who ever drew sword in war ; I reckon them nobler than King or Khan , Braver and better by far . And noblest they in the whole wide land

Of hoarding , till bent and grey ; ..,,.. ... ... For all you can hold in your cold dead hand , Is what you give away . So whether to wander the stars , Or to rest for evermore hushed and dumb ; They gave with a zest , they gave their best , May they have the best that's to come . "

This centennial celebration is not intended as a mere festival ; but an occasion to set forth the principles and working of a great humanitarian institution whose everlasting glory it is to have the immovable support of the two mighty pillars of -Science and Morality .

The Fraternity is associating men of all nations and races , differing as widely perhaps as it is possible for men to differ in religion , in politics , in social position and pursuits . It interferes with no duty a man owes to his creator , his country , his family , or himself ; and is not intended to advance theories of a social , political or sectarian character . These questions are left to

individual conscience ; but a belief in the existence of God is an essential point in Speculative Masonry , so essential that the worship of God " was the first and corner-stone on which our originals thought it expedient to place the foundation of Masonry . " No athiest can be made a Mason . Faith in God

and love for man are not only an indispensable preparation , but the great life current of the Order , running through its entire anatomy from the youngest Entered Apprentice with his lambskin , an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason , to the gallant knight , with helmet , and plume and sword .

The communion it creates rises superior to national and geographical boundaries . Masonry is at home everywhere , men of all nations and languages unite and enjoy the intercourse of friendship within her broad domain , making themselves known to each other by virtue of her universal language , a language that all the inhabitants of earth can understand and which can-be both

heard and recognised amid the thunder of the tempests , and the carnage of war . The woes and distresses of humanity come within the reach of her cable tow , for she would minister to all who bear the image of her universal Lord , and are fitting themselves as living stones for that spiritual building , that house not made with hands , eternal in the heavens .

The Cardinal Principles of the Order are the scriptural virtues of Faith , Hope , and Charity , represented in every true and perfect Lodge by a ladder , suoh as Jacob saw in his vision . Standing firmly on tbe Holy Bible , square and compasses , and extending to the cloudy canopy of heaven , it has staves or rounds

innumerable , the three principal rounds admonishing us to have faith in God , Hope iu immortality , and to live in Charity with all mankind . But the greatest of these is Charity , for Faith may be lost in sight , Hope in full fruition die ; but Charity extends beyond the grave to the boundless realms of eternity . Speaking after the manner of the Craft , Faith is the pedestal , Hope the

Centenary In Prince Edward Island.

graceful polished and rising shaft , Charity the beautiful capital that crowns and completes the whole . Listen to the whole duty of man , " Thou shalt love the Lord thy God , with all thy heart , with all thy soul , and with all thy mind , and thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself . " The relief of the distressed , the communicating to others , in their poverty and adversity a portion of those blessings a kind Providence has given us to enjoy , has ever

been a leading office of our affiliation , and is clearly enjoined by the great commandment . The Widow ' s tear , the orphan ' s cry , All wants , our ready hands supply , As far as power is given . The naked ' clothe , the prisoner free , These are thy works , sweet Charity ,

Bevealed to us from heaven . Therefore exemplify Charity . I have read the classic story of a Macedonian king , who in battle was struck on the forehead with a sword , leaving a large scar on the right temple ; an artist was requested to paint a portrait of the great monarch , and placed him leaning on his elbow , with his finger covering the

scar . Remembering our own failures , let us deal gently with the erring , helping one fche other , and forgetting those who trespass against us , as we hope to be forgiven . Let the mantle of Masonic charity fall over transactions which have not pleasant associations . Be kindly affectionate toward all men . Bear ye one another ' s burdens , and so fulfil the law of Christ .

There are three lessons I would write , three words with a golden pen , in tracings of eternal light upon the hearts of men : — have Faith in God , Hope in immortality , and live in Charity with all mankind .

The venerable Order recognises in man ' s nature—with its sinfulness and imperfections—a similitude of the divine ; and the Craft at labour guarantees and pledges the sympathy of each Mason ' s heart , and the strength of his arm , in the Christlike . work of lifting that nature from its degradation , and restoring it to social purity and happiness . The great end of Masonic

instruction and labour , as indicated by chart , as taught by symbols and ceremonies , is to secure the development of an ideal manhood . And I desire to indicate how the Craft at labour following the directions of the Trestle board , assists in securing this ideal excellence—a sound body , a cultured mind , and a blameless spirit .

What is meant by a perfect physical manhood does not require lengthly exposition . The care of the body is an important duty , because as righteousness is the health of the soul , so health , is the righteousness of the body . Health is a duty , and the ' violation of its laws a sin against ourselves and God .

The value of the body is indicated in this : that he who said " let there be light , " did not say " let there be man . " To represent the direct and peculiar derivation of the new creature , he is represented as formed by the hand of the God-head . The body is sacred , therefore , because it is the handiwork of God ; and because the "Holy Volume" held in reverent regard , by every true Mason , forbids murder , adultery , lasciviousness , lust ,

excess of wine , revelling , banqueting , and abominable idolatries , as crimes against the body , and also gives directions for its proper care . Jesus Christ Himself in the days of His earthly " ministry cured diseases of the body ; so highly do the inspired writers esteem it , that they called ifc " His temple , " and declared " that if any man defile the temple of God , him shalt God destroy—for the temple of God is holy , which temple we are . "

The teachings of Masonry coincide with the Holy Word on this important subject ! The Masonic trestleboard is for the Master to draw his designs upon ; and by it we are reminded that , as the operative workman erects his temporal building agreeably to the rule and designs laid down by the Master on his

¦ trestleboard , so should we , both operative and speculative , endeavour to erect our spiritual building agreeably to the rules and designs laid down by the Supreme Architect of the Universe in fche great books of nature and revelation , which are our spiritual , moral , aud Masonic trestleboard . The Sacred Volume is denominated the trestleboard of the Great Architect of the

Universe , because in the holy book He has laid down such magnificent plans and holy designs , that were we conversant therein and adherent thereto , it would prepare us for that building not made with hands , eternal in the heavens . Masonry directs our careful attention to the teachings of God iu His Work , from which the cardinal virtues of the Fraternity are

derived . These virtues are clearly drawn on our moral trestleboard , and we cannot practice them without giving propir care to our physical manhood . Justice is that standard , or boundary of right , which enables the Mason to be scrupulously attentive to the sacred duoies of life—duties to himself as well as to others .

Fortitude is tnat noble and steady purpose of mind whereby we are enabled to resist temptations to sin against the body as well as the soul . Prudence teaches us to regulate our lives and actions agreeably to the dictates of reason , with respect to our physical as well as our spiritual well-being . Temperance is that restraint upon our passions ancl appetites which renders the bod y