Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Foreign.
your neighbour , in rendering to him every kind office which justice , mercy and charity require . To yourself , by such a well-regulated course of discipline as may best enable you to exert the talents and abilities wherewith Providence has blessed you , to the Divine glory , and to the benefit of your fellow-creatures . " These , Bretliren , are the great landmarks of our Order—the principles of Freemasonry . AA'here these are disregardedalthough the
, form may remain , the life and spirit are gone . If , then , we behold those who claim to be acknowledged and received under the title , irreverent in their bearing towards the great Lord of heaven and earth , disregarding his known will , profaning his holy name—if we see them negligent of the obligation to mutual forbearance and love , deaf to the voice of justice or the pleadings of compassion—if we hear of their abusing in excessor destroying by profligacythe talents which have
, , been bestowed for the highest and most noble purposes—are we not authorised , are we not bound to declare that their conduct belies their profession , that they have nothing of Masonry but the name ? " I entreat you , Brethren , to consider with deep attention the obligations which you have assumed . Act up to your profession ; adorn it by your conduct ; recommend it by your example ; beware that yon forfeit not your title to its benefits ; and rememberif the adage be true
, , ' every good Mason must be a good man , ' that the converse is equally true , ancl no one can be a good Mason who is not a good man . " But , to change the subject , and advert to matter of very general interest—for such the assembly which I see around me testifies the employment of this day to have been , —I would congratulate the Mayor ,
Aldermen , ancl every citizen of Flalifax , that the commencement of our corporate existence should be distinguished by the foundation of a building , in its uses so suited to contribute to the peace , comfort , ancl security of the city . I would congratulate every lover of his country , that this establishment , so long desired , so indispensable to the proper execution of the laws , in that milder spirit as to punishment , which in later years they have so happily assumed , should no longer be an object placed beyond our reach ; but we are about to realize its benefits . I
would congratulate every one whose breast is actuated by a feeling of compassion towards the unfortunate and degraded members of the human family , who have rendered themselves amenable to the laws of the land , that a provision is now to he made for the useful employment of such individuals ; for their reformation and amendment ; and in many cases , I trust , for their restoration to society with improved morals ancl conduct . Let us earnestly hope that an undertaking so laudable in
itself , possessing so many claims , and recommending itself by so many arguments to the good wishes of all , which has now been commenced under most favourable auspices , may be carried on to a successful completion , and put into full ancl early operation ; and let us entreat that Great Being , without whom ' nothing is strong , nothing is holy , ' to support us in our doings with his most gracious favour , and further us with his continual help—that in our works beguncontinuedand ended
, , , in him , we may glorify his holy name , and finally by his mercy , obtain everlasting life , through Jesus Christ our Saviour . Amen . " After the Rev . Doctor had concluded , the baud played " God save the Queen , " and the procession returned in the same order liy the Point Pleasant road , along the sea-shore , to the hall , where the Grand Lodge was closed , and the Brethren separated till the evening .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Foreign.
your neighbour , in rendering to him every kind office which justice , mercy and charity require . To yourself , by such a well-regulated course of discipline as may best enable you to exert the talents and abilities wherewith Providence has blessed you , to the Divine glory , and to the benefit of your fellow-creatures . " These , Bretliren , are the great landmarks of our Order—the principles of Freemasonry . AA'here these are disregardedalthough the
, form may remain , the life and spirit are gone . If , then , we behold those who claim to be acknowledged and received under the title , irreverent in their bearing towards the great Lord of heaven and earth , disregarding his known will , profaning his holy name—if we see them negligent of the obligation to mutual forbearance and love , deaf to the voice of justice or the pleadings of compassion—if we hear of their abusing in excessor destroying by profligacythe talents which have
, , been bestowed for the highest and most noble purposes—are we not authorised , are we not bound to declare that their conduct belies their profession , that they have nothing of Masonry but the name ? " I entreat you , Brethren , to consider with deep attention the obligations which you have assumed . Act up to your profession ; adorn it by your conduct ; recommend it by your example ; beware that yon forfeit not your title to its benefits ; and rememberif the adage be true
, , ' every good Mason must be a good man , ' that the converse is equally true , ancl no one can be a good Mason who is not a good man . " But , to change the subject , and advert to matter of very general interest—for such the assembly which I see around me testifies the employment of this day to have been , —I would congratulate the Mayor ,
Aldermen , ancl every citizen of Flalifax , that the commencement of our corporate existence should be distinguished by the foundation of a building , in its uses so suited to contribute to the peace , comfort , ancl security of the city . I would congratulate every lover of his country , that this establishment , so long desired , so indispensable to the proper execution of the laws , in that milder spirit as to punishment , which in later years they have so happily assumed , should no longer be an object placed beyond our reach ; but we are about to realize its benefits . I
would congratulate every one whose breast is actuated by a feeling of compassion towards the unfortunate and degraded members of the human family , who have rendered themselves amenable to the laws of the land , that a provision is now to he made for the useful employment of such individuals ; for their reformation and amendment ; and in many cases , I trust , for their restoration to society with improved morals ancl conduct . Let us earnestly hope that an undertaking so laudable in
itself , possessing so many claims , and recommending itself by so many arguments to the good wishes of all , which has now been commenced under most favourable auspices , may be carried on to a successful completion , and put into full ancl early operation ; and let us entreat that Great Being , without whom ' nothing is strong , nothing is holy , ' to support us in our doings with his most gracious favour , and further us with his continual help—that in our works beguncontinuedand ended
, , , in him , we may glorify his holy name , and finally by his mercy , obtain everlasting life , through Jesus Christ our Saviour . Amen . " After the Rev . Doctor had concluded , the baud played " God save the Queen , " and the procession returned in the same order liy the Point Pleasant road , along the sea-shore , to the hall , where the Grand Lodge was closed , and the Brethren separated till the evening .