Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colonial.
The V . W . the Rev . Dr . Twining , the Prov . Grand Chaplain , then delivered the following address , which was listened to with breathless attention : — BRETHREN , —In compliance with the request of your Grand Master , I embrace the opportunity of meeting you thus assembled to address to you a few words . AVe have on the present occasion many calls for thankfulness to the Giver of all Good . Thankfulness that His mercy has spared
us once more to witness this anniversary , —thankfulness for protection from the evils which other portions of the earth have experienced ; and for many providential blessings . These we share in common with our fellow citizens and fellow subjects in this part of the world . But it is my purpose more especially to speak to you on matters that interest us as Masons . And here I am happy to congratulate you on the state of the Fraternity and the extension of the Craft ; it may , I trust , be attended with what is of vastly more importancethe extention of that irit of charity and brotherl
, sp y love which is the very bond of peace , and without which , whatever badge of Masonry may be worn on the outside , there is nothing of life within . For , unless a man be a Mason in his heart , he is but as the dead body without the vital spark . Let me then turn your attention to the great landmarks of our Order , which , as a vast chain extends round the globe , willing to embrace within its influence , the whole human race . I trust the youngest Brother present is able to point out these landmarks . But it is necessary to keep them always in view if we would direct our course arightAnd what are
. they ? The three great points of duty which Masonry inculcates , to God , our brethren , and ourselves . Mark well where is the foundation stone ! with Him who is the beginning and the end of all . Unless it be laid here our whole building is a baseless fabric , and will soon be found prostrate in the dust . Accordingly the Bible , the word of the living God , is the very
first object that meets the eye of the initiated Brother when he is brought to light , and he is solemnly instructed to make it the rule of his faith—the guide of his life . This foundation being laid , he is taught , by emblems presented and explained to him , the practical duties be owes to his brethren of mankind , but more especially to those who are his brethren by the mystic tie , who are acknowledged to be so by the solemn obligation he has assumed ; and the further duties he owes as a member of that Fraternity , which must and always will be judged by the life and conduct of those who
belong to it . Now , so long as these lights are kept in view the course will be right , in accordance with the high and holy principles by which our Order professes to be regulated . But if these are lost sight of , a man is left to wander on in darkness , not knowing whither he goes . I have said we owe such a course to ourselves as Masons;—AVe owe it to the Order of which we are members . It is not at all uncommon to hear Masonry spoken ill of . Why is this ? If . proceeds , from many causes ; partly , that men are ignorant of its principles ; for there is nothing more common in the world
than to misunderstand and misrepresent a thing and then to rail at it . Partly that those who from various reasons are unwilling or unable to become members of the fraternity , decry that which seems placed beyond their reach . Over these causes we have no control . But they are not the chief reasons that Masonry bears an ill name . The chief cause ( and on every opportunity I will again and again bring it to your notice ) , is the misconduct of Masons themselves . They are not true to their principles ; they lose siht of their obligationsand this in two . Bkeeping in
g , ways y their ranks , and suffering the badge of purity to be worn , by those whose conduct does not accord with their profession ; and when they meet together on festive occasions by sometimes putting it in the power of their enemies to say that the meeting terminated in intemperance and debauch . This once happening is spoken of for years . If , brethren , Masons were
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colonial.
The V . W . the Rev . Dr . Twining , the Prov . Grand Chaplain , then delivered the following address , which was listened to with breathless attention : — BRETHREN , —In compliance with the request of your Grand Master , I embrace the opportunity of meeting you thus assembled to address to you a few words . AVe have on the present occasion many calls for thankfulness to the Giver of all Good . Thankfulness that His mercy has spared
us once more to witness this anniversary , —thankfulness for protection from the evils which other portions of the earth have experienced ; and for many providential blessings . These we share in common with our fellow citizens and fellow subjects in this part of the world . But it is my purpose more especially to speak to you on matters that interest us as Masons . And here I am happy to congratulate you on the state of the Fraternity and the extension of the Craft ; it may , I trust , be attended with what is of vastly more importancethe extention of that irit of charity and brotherl
, sp y love which is the very bond of peace , and without which , whatever badge of Masonry may be worn on the outside , there is nothing of life within . For , unless a man be a Mason in his heart , he is but as the dead body without the vital spark . Let me then turn your attention to the great landmarks of our Order , which , as a vast chain extends round the globe , willing to embrace within its influence , the whole human race . I trust the youngest Brother present is able to point out these landmarks . But it is necessary to keep them always in view if we would direct our course arightAnd what are
. they ? The three great points of duty which Masonry inculcates , to God , our brethren , and ourselves . Mark well where is the foundation stone ! with Him who is the beginning and the end of all . Unless it be laid here our whole building is a baseless fabric , and will soon be found prostrate in the dust . Accordingly the Bible , the word of the living God , is the very
first object that meets the eye of the initiated Brother when he is brought to light , and he is solemnly instructed to make it the rule of his faith—the guide of his life . This foundation being laid , he is taught , by emblems presented and explained to him , the practical duties be owes to his brethren of mankind , but more especially to those who are his brethren by the mystic tie , who are acknowledged to be so by the solemn obligation he has assumed ; and the further duties he owes as a member of that Fraternity , which must and always will be judged by the life and conduct of those who
belong to it . Now , so long as these lights are kept in view the course will be right , in accordance with the high and holy principles by which our Order professes to be regulated . But if these are lost sight of , a man is left to wander on in darkness , not knowing whither he goes . I have said we owe such a course to ourselves as Masons;—AVe owe it to the Order of which we are members . It is not at all uncommon to hear Masonry spoken ill of . Why is this ? If . proceeds , from many causes ; partly , that men are ignorant of its principles ; for there is nothing more common in the world
than to misunderstand and misrepresent a thing and then to rail at it . Partly that those who from various reasons are unwilling or unable to become members of the fraternity , decry that which seems placed beyond their reach . Over these causes we have no control . But they are not the chief reasons that Masonry bears an ill name . The chief cause ( and on every opportunity I will again and again bring it to your notice ) , is the misconduct of Masons themselves . They are not true to their principles ; they lose siht of their obligationsand this in two . Bkeeping in
g , ways y their ranks , and suffering the badge of purity to be worn , by those whose conduct does not accord with their profession ; and when they meet together on festive occasions by sometimes putting it in the power of their enemies to say that the meeting terminated in intemperance and debauch . This once happening is spoken of for years . If , brethren , Masons were