A Ten Minutes' Oration,*

exciting topics oi debate , such as religion and politics , so as not to disturb tlio harmony so essential to tho successful accomplishment of the grand work of Temple-building , which was being carried on by tho diverse nationalities of Judea and Phoenicia in conjunction . With tho prestige of a lofty origin like this , and its necessary connection with tho liberal arts and sciences , such as painting , sculpture , and

tho rest , tho Masonic Association rapidly developed and extended to every quarter of tho civilised world . A powerful organization of this kind , with its ever-accumulating stores of knowledge aud experience , could not fail to produce extensive and important results . And , accordingly , wo cannot be surprised to learn that to Freemasonry we aro indebted for the

wonderful structures—beautiful even in their mitt—erected nnder Greek ami Eoman auspices before tho Christian era : and in especial , for the tnagnifi . jont mansions , castles , churches , and cathedrals , that sprang up everywhere in Great Britain and tho Continent , during tho comparatively quiet period of tho eleventh and four following centuries . Nor can we wonder that men of other trades

aud professions , oven kings and princes , eagerly sought admission into an Order of such high renown , for tho sake of companionship with tho illustrious masters of art and science who ennobled it , and whoso splendid labours did so much to enhance tho national pride and glory . By degrees , however , these " speculative " Masons , who by special

favour were admitted to the freedom of tho Craft , so far outnumbered their " operative " brethren , that , cuckoo-like , thoy ousted tho original owners fron tho Masonic nest , aud stayed in it themselves ; retaining the outward shape and form of tho ancient Guild , with its working tools and badges : its stringent vows of secrecy , fidelity , and obedionco ; its elaborate ancl impressive Ritual ; and its oral

lriadic instruction ;—bnt turning nil into parable and metaphor ; so that , as wo havo it now , it is simply a " beautiful system of morality , veiled iu allegory and illustrated by symbols ; " a system possessing many important secrets and valuable privileges , and a history of unquestionable fact , embroidered with a variety of curious myths or legends , to furnish a plausible explanation of passwords , signs , and

tokens , whoso real origin and primitive significance have in all probability passed away from us for ever . Snch is Freemasonry in the past . What thou arc its claims upon us in the present ? and why arc we here to-day , doing our utmost to pjrpetuatc it in tho future ? Now , to answer these inquiries , we must call to mind , that

Masonry may bo viewed under two aspects , a lower and a higher ; viz ., ( 1 ) as connected with Lodges hero on earth , and thoir members as citizens of tho world ; and (•*)JIS connected with Grand Locige above , where the world ' s G . A . lives and reigns for over . In its loirer aspect , it has threo special claims upon our attention aud regard , viz .,

as—( a . ) A bond of union and brotherhood between all the widely separated families and classes of humanity . (« . ) A . neutral ground of meeting , ibv free and social intercourse , among less widel y separated neighbours and acqnaiutanccs . ( c . ) A universal letter of introduction to entire strangers ; and a special medium for assisting the needy and distressed .

Iu its higher aspect , it is still moro worthy of the eulogies and encomiums that have been lavished upon it , by tho brethren in every age . As one of our Fraternal Charges well expresses it , —'" Tis not mere blind fanatic zeal that prompts tlio brethren of the mystic tie to speak thus highly of fcho Mason ' s Craft . For well they know that , it is tlio best and truest handmaid to religion that ever man devise 1 ,

and admirably fitted to assist him in his search for light and knowledge , through all the various stages of this mortal life , from the cradled helplessness of infancy , to the final darkness of tho grave . It is founded on a triad of deep mysterious truths , connecting " earth with beaveu , —the eternal existence of a Triune god , the resurrection of the body , and tho Immortality of the Soul . It inculcates the

purest principles ot piety and virtue •and teaches plainl }* , in tho First Degree , , to measure all onr words aud actions by the gauge of rectitude and justice ; to shape our coudnct in the second , by the square of morality and honesty ; and , in the third , to cirenms- 'ribo our passions , with the compass of propriety , and keep thom strictly within the limits of the circle of our duty to God and man . Hence

wo learn to be upright , jnst , aud true , to our fellow-men ; humble , meek , resigned to the will of God ; so that tho Mason , who has thus discharged his duty as a true and faithful brother of the Craft , may calmly wait that awful moment , when his heart shall cease to throb , and his soul , released from the burden of the flesh , shall wing its upward flight to tho borudless unexplored expanse above . " Truly then is Masonry a noble thing , aud nobly should it be

enshrined among us i It is a precious jotvol , which demands a goodly sotting . And we congratulate tho brethren of this Lodgo upon the admirable hall which is consecrated to its use to-day , as our first Graud Master King Solomon congratulated himself aud his people when his building at Jerusalem was completed , ;— " I was glad when they said unto me , we wi'l go into tho IIousc of the Lord ; for thither the tribes go up , even the tribes of Israel , to behold the fair beauty of the Lord , and to visit His Temple . "

: i 5 emg , then , what it is , wo might naturally expect to find Freemasonry everywhere hold in the highest aud most reverent / estimation , and , like a powerful magnet , drawing into it irresistibly all that is great and good now , ns it did in days gone by . JJnt is it so ? To some extent no doubt it is , aud iu proof of thia we point , with pride aud pleasure to such an assemblage as is gathered hero to-day . Yet is it not the case , that our influence and numbers are nofc nearl y

what they ought to be—that , iu fret , they might , aud ought to be far larger than they aro ? And , if so , where lies the fault ? Have wc any one to blame for it but ourselves P Speaking from my own experience , I should say , that Mns . o ' . iry is far from popular with women , as a b > Uy ; that wives dislike it for their husbands , mothers for their sous , and that many men who take an independent stand iu thought aud action light shy of it for themselves ancl their belongings , Aud why P Because there is a wide-spread fccl . ' . ' . g fiat

A Ten Minutes' Oration,*

men become Masons not from high , but low motives—to increase their business connection , perhaps , or enlarge their jolly-good-fellow circle , and that their moral tone is not improved thereby , but tho reverse ; that Masonry , iu fact , is little moro than a costly knife and fork society , fond of idle dissipation ; and Lodgo meetings merely a convenient excuse aud cloak for wasting ill-spared money upon

extravagant oating . wl drinking , especially drinking . That this opinion may have sad foundation in tho conduct of somo few past and even present brethren , cannot be denied . Nor is the reason far to seek . Iu the great majority of our town and country districts no largo and suitable room for meeting can be found , except at tho public inn , where temptations to excess present themselves to every corner .

And , accordingly , it is their misfortune , nofc thoir fault , if Masons , thus nnhappily situated , have from time to timo mado lapses from their high profession . For it is not tho orderly Masonic banquet in Masonic clothing , nor tlio modest Lodgo refreshment with Masonic checks and guards on every side , that does tho mischief , but tho un-Masonic lounging afc tho bar , ancl tho alcoholic convivialities thero

indulged in before tho Lodgo is opened and after it is closed . Honco it is that unseemly scandals have at times arisen , that solemn vows of initiation havo been forgotten , that tho mysteries of Masonry havo moro or less been blabbed by drunken lips to tho scoffing outer world , and grave discredit cast upon tbe wholo Fraternity . Freemasonry , however , cannot justly bo condemned , any moro

than Christianity , for not doing its proper work of making all its members worthy ; or than the Legislature , for not making every one sober and religious by Act of Parliament . Much , however , may bo done in this direction by diminishing tho temptations to vice ancl the facilities for getting drunk , and an immense stride will havo been taken towards the exaltation of Freemasonry among ourselves ancl

the world at large , when every Lodgo has a place liko this set apart for Masonic purposes , whore tho most fastidious may assemble as in an ordinary well-kept reading-room , without hesitation ou their own part , or suspicion on the part of others , where evenings may be often spent , not drearily and wearily in merely getting through a dull routine of " work , " bufc pleasantly and profitably in " lectures "

and discussions upon interesting topics of art and science , thus fulfilling tho special obligation , to " make continual advancement in Masonio knowledge . " And this is unquestionably the right and proper thing . For what says an Ancient Charge ? " A Mason ' s Lodgo is an emblematic representation of the Universe , tho magnificent temple of that G . A .

whom we all revcro and adore . Wisdom , strength , and beauty are tho pillars of His throne , and manifest iu all Ill ' s works . His wisdom is infinite , His strength omnipotent , ancl His beauty shines throngh all creation in symmetry of form , grandeur of proportion , and glorious harmony of colour . " Hero is a grand ideal ! But how friii-it possibly bo realized in a public-house , with tin-Masonic sights

and sounds at every turn , with cowans ancl intruders in evci'y corner . Very cordially , then , do wo reiterate our warm congratulations to tbe MJUIOC and Sfc . Cnbi Lodges for tho Temple building thoy have done . Very heartily do wo say to you , go on nnd prosper , as yon well deserve ! This structure has been raised in perfect unanimity and concord ; long may it so continue . May tbo proceedings of to-day

servo but to forge another link in the chain of brotherly love and good fellowship by which you are already united . May your children and your children ' s children rejoice in these auspicious solemnities . May you enjoy within these walls every satisfaction and delight that disinterested affection and Masonic intercourse can afford . And may the good report of this Locige so tend to exhalt and enhance the

reputation of the Craffc at large , that Masonry may flourish here , ns in every other quarter of tho globe , aud be assisted to fulfil its noble mission , by diffusing tho light of wisdom , aiding tho strength of reason , displaying the beauty of virtue , and diminishing the aggregate of human vice ancl misery . Being thus established firmly by fcho

high character of its friends , it may laugh to scorn tho malice of its foes ,-ancl rise superior to all the opposition of tho outer world , liko tho lofty summit of tho mighty Snowdon , thafc bares its breast with dignified composure to the tempest , and fearlessly presents its bosom to tho midnight storm .

Meeting Of Lodge Of Benevolence.

MEETING OF LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE .

THE Lodge of Benevolence met on Wednesday evening afc Freemasons' [ fall . 'Bros . Joshua Nnnu Senior Vice-President , Jas , Brett Junior Vice-President , and C . A . Cottebruno P . G . P ., presided . Bro . II . G . Bnss , Assistant Grand Secretary , and Bro . W . Dodd also attended from Grand Secretary's Office . Thero was a very full attendance of brethren , among whom wero Bros . S . Rawson , Col .

Somerville Burney , James Kench A . G . I ' ., W . Stephens , W . Mann , H . Garrod , W . If . Ferryman , Griffiths Smith , A . Middlemaes , G . P . Britten , W . J . Murli ' , C . F . Ilog . ml , Charles Atkins , Charles Dairy , W . II . Dean , Charles Daniel , P . A . Nairne , A . McMillan , W . J . Stride , S . II . Parkhonse , Thomas Edmonston , N . B . Headon , E . W .

Devereux , and J . F . Knight-Smith . After confirming recommendations made at last meeting to the amount of £ 310 , the brethren entered on the new cases . To twenty-one of those Ihey recommended and made grants , n tin ? amount of £ 775 , and deferred six cases , which wero nofc complete .

IF . r . r . owvv ' s I'rr . T . sarc tl'omodicineiaost in ronuto for curing tlie multifarious maladies which Iv ^ .-l , mankind when warm summer weather suddt tilv gives place to chill ,. - antumnal thy- - . In fact , thc-e fills offai- iviier even if they / ail of proving MIL absohPc remedy in all tiro disiairbaiices <> f dhrcstion , ciirur-ilMM , an 1 nerviiu-i tni" which neea-ionally oppress a . vast portion of llie population . Coder ihe genial , puvifying , and -