Successful Speakers.

on the contrary , we believe very much may be acquired , and for this reason wo think that every suggestion that can possibly do good should be laid before those likely to benefit by it . They , in turn , must

carefully weigh the advice given , and consider how far they are justified in adopting it ; but speaking generally , we do not think they could do much better than work on the lines laid down in tho cutting at

tho head of our present remarks , for it is generally admitted that the speaker who has nothing particular to say had much better confine himself to generalities ; while he who has a definite object view should at once approach it , treat it thoroughly

from different points ol view , and keep manfully to his text . In the one case local surroundings and " high falutin' "—as the Yankees aptly term it—may be of service , in the other it will in all probability do

more harm than good , but much oi tins and other matters of detail must be left to the particular taste of the speakers themselves .

Masonry's Full Mission.

MASONRY'S FULL MISSION .

An Extract from an Oration by Rev . Bro . Lewis TT . Jackson , at the Dedication of the Hall of Jackson Lodge , No . 19 , F . and A . M ., of Delaware , J 5 th January 18 S 9 . "TT would be impossible at the present time fo present

JL anything like an exhaustive review of the ori gin and history of Freemasonry ; but we will briefly mention some of the evidences on which the Freemasonry of to-day claims to have been derived from Ancient Operative , or Craft Masonry , as understood , and practised by the builders of King Solomon ' s Temple .

Theso evidences are mainly derivable from sacred history , the Holy Bible ; this revered book , which occupies its place alike upon the sacred desk of our churches and the altar of our Masonry , and aro thus far of undeniable credibility . We can gather from its sacred pages such a clear and

connected account of the temple builders , and the details of their work , as would convince any impartial mind that they were thoroughly organized , and held together through seven long years only by the bond of fraternity , and secret means of recognition .

It is true as a matter of fact that Craft workmen , such as the Temple builders , have from the earliest use of language been designated by a name expressive of their professional employments , which name has always been translated by the English word Masons . In proof of this fact , we read

in the First Book of Chronicles xxn . chapter , second verse : " Aud He set Masons to hew wrought stones to bnild tho house of God . " The fact has never been questioned that the Temple was expressly designed by Jehovah as a place where the Jewish nation were to worship the true God .

Not only was tbe plan dimly given , but tbe building was erected under the supervision of an inspired man , and it is reasonable to believe that the operatives were skilled in the

principles and application of geometrical measurements , as clearly sbown by tbe symmetry aud richness in architectural style , as well as in the faultless execution of the mason work .

Now , as Speculative Masonry claims continuity from these operatives wbo wrought ou tbe temple , I will mention some evidences in support of that claim . In the first place I refer to the distinctive name of those operatives , which , however , is already settled by the inspired record ; but how shall we account for tbe continuance of tbe same distinctive

title , as still retained by the Brotherhood among all nations down to the present day , except through an acknowledged line of fraternal relationship with those temple builders ? Again , tbe universality of the institution , its identity in all essential points , and the uniform mode by which its

members are recognised among all nations , are strong evidences of one , and only one , original society , of which all others are legitimate branches . That Freemasonry is universal needs no proof ; that it is identical , in all essential

points , is testified by travellers who are recognised and admitted as brethren into Lodge rooms in all countries the world over , although utterly ignorant of the spoken language of that country . These are facts which certainly

Masonry's Full Mission.

may bo considered as direct proof of their common ori gin and great antiquity . How long the prevailing element of Masonry consisted of operatives only is uncertain , but , from what can bo gathered tVom history , it was saveral hundred years after the

Christian era . We havo abundant evidence , from that time , of operative and scientific Masons co-operating in the erection of numerous buildings of great magnificence in Europe and other countries , and if it were necessary , his . t , nical testimony might be given , showing the introduction

f kings , noblemen , clergymen and statesmen , as speculative or scientific members and patrons of the Fraternit y not only in England , but other countries . Such , then , are

the men , and such their standing in Church and State , who o-tpecially in Europe , havo for several centuries past been the presiding Grand Masters over all bodies of Speculative Masons in their several countries .

This high patronage soon drew such numbers into the Fraternity as finally to change the original characteristic of tho Institution from Operative Craft Masonry to that of scientific , symbolic , or Speculative Masonry , as it now exists .

All the implements with which our ancient brethren wrought are now represented on Masonic carpets the world over , and are used as emblematical of social duties and moral virtues . Take this example aS a fair specimen of the whole . The plumb , the square , and the level .

The plumb admonishes us to walk uprightly in our several stations before God and man , squaring our actions by the square of virtue ; ever remembering that we are travelling on the level of timo to that undiscovered conntry from whence no traveller returns . "

Speculative Masonry , in its wide range of beneficence , compasses practically tho common welfare of the common family of mon . It has for centuries been sustained and patronised for its intrinsic moral excellence . Men of all classes have given a favourable opinion of the Institution ,

aud cast the weight of their character as citizens , Christians , philanthropists , as patriots and statesmen into the scale of Masonic approval , as being a society eminently worthy of patronage , confining itself exclusively and solely to moral , humane and benevolent purposes , and in no way

whatever interfering or intermeddling as Masons with personal or national policy or religion . In the Lodgo room all are Masons , friends , brothers , unitedly co operating to promote tho common welfare of man , irrespective of sect , country or creed .

Clergymen of all titles and denominational creeds aro members , subscribing to the principles and commending tho pure morality aud benevolent mission of tho Fraternity to their followers . On the floor of the Lod

a level ; all accord to the great fundamental principles ot moral virtue , social duties , and benevolent enterprise , without touching or alluding to any particular form of civil government , mode of worship , system of faith , or sectarian dogmas peculiar to any religious denomination , or

Christian sect whatever . All these are stubborn facts * , clearly exemplified the world over in the great convocations of the several Grand Lodges , in the different localities , and composed of men of every type of political character and every shade of religious belief .

It is a beautiful moral aud intellectual science , and I think it may be affirmed without fear of denial , that no merely human association was ever formed in any age ot

country , patronized and sustained by all classes of men , testifying to the purity of its moral principles , benevolent mission , and spirit of good-will to mankind , as in the case of tbe Masonic Institution

In many respects Freemasonry is a wonder to the world . It has lived with ages , and been a traveller with time . It has seen the rise of kingdoms and empires , and looked down upon tbeir ruins . It has passed tbrougb all the revolutions that have convulsed the world , unscathed ia a

single vital part , or unshorn of one beam of moral beauty , and it still lives to dispense charities to the destitute , consolation to the afliicted , and protection to tbe orphan . I » the aggregate it has never enrolled greater numbers in its ranks , more talent , more learning or more weight of

character , and was never more honoured or more honourable than at tbe present day . And until humanity shall lose its type of character , aud morality , philanthropy and

beneficence cease to be virtues , its crowning excellence will continue to bo exemplified in promoting the universal brotherhood of man . Among the hundreds of thousands of members of all