An Oration.

are its rays , the fine texture of the human eye is uninjured ! How interesting to watch the expanding flower from the moment the first dewdrop forms itself in the flower cup to the hour of

its perfection ! What interest centres in the springing grass , a prop hecy of a coming harvest ! How the sight of millions is entranced by the struggles of a people rising up to cast off their shackles and declare their freedom !

But the foundation upon which we stand to-day is not a beg inning only ; but the evidence of development and a sign of enterprise . We are living in an age when the pulse of life seems to beat faster than in the ages gone . Old things are passing away ; all things are becoming new . The nineteenth century

will take its place in history as the birth hour of the most useful as well as the most wonderful inventions . What great mastery men have gained over the secrets of nature ! What grand rewards have crowned the patient researches in the walks of science and literature ! But old truths are not fading ; they are

only assuming new forms . We see an illustration of this before us . We are here not only to lay a corner-stone , but the cornerstone of a Masonic Temple , and a temple , in a spiritual sense , often imports a rebuilding or progress , and when we speak of a Masonic Temple , the words present to our view a great building , whose principal supports are strength , beauty , and wisdom .

Without strength , there can be no perpetuity . A palace of snow , how brittle ! A range of mountains , how durable ! Perpetuity implies cohesion , a cementing together of particles—a

mystery . And what is Freemasonry ? A bond of union , mysteriously formed , and therefore to many who have never been initiated into its Sublime Degrees there has always been associated with it a wonderful fascination . And this is a not a matter

of surprise when we consider the many elements of attraction connected with the system and principles that , incorporated into it , impart stability , and guarantee to it a noble immortality . One reason of its attractiveness is its antiquity . However much men may disagree as to the precise date of its

origin—whether its foundation was laid in the first ages of the world , when symmetry began and harmony displayed her charms , or no further back than the building of Solomon's Temple—its traditions and landmarks are sufficient to invest Masonry with the honours of antiquity . Whilst it is true that in this age , and

especially in this country , when the rush of business and a desire for wealth override every thought but those which crystallise around the all-absorbing question , "Will it pay ? " men give no time to aught else . Who with a mind the least inclined to the aesthetic can fail to stand in admiration before the hoar-frosts of

the centuries past ? The mountain that has defied the li ghtning ' s flash and the thunder's roar , the whirlwind and the sea , the midnight heavens , the forests , the ancient hills have all remained unchanged amid the revolutions of empires , whilst above all is God , the Ancient of Days , the Great First Cause .

Another element of this fascination is the beauty of its mysterious symbolism . In the early ages of the world men formed themselves into religious associations whose ceremonies were conducted in secret , whose doctrines were only known to the initiated , and whose members were in possession of signs and

tokens by which they could recognise each other , and which were called " mysteries . " There are two theories regarding their connection with Freemasonry . The one traces the ori gin of both to the worship established by Jehovah , and the other finds the connection commencing at the building of Solomon ' s

Temple . In the infancy of the world poetry reigned in the human heart , and expressed itself in hieroglyphics . A careful investi gation of Jewish history will show that symbolical machinery was engrafted into their system of both worshi p and teaching , and was carried into their public and private vocations .

Hence the beauty that is found in Jewish and Masonic symbolism —for from strength emerges beauty , which is harmony , and this cannot be without strength . It was thus the Great Architect built the Universe . The dewdrop , the Alpine height , the rose le af

, the snow flake have all touches of beauty , and so parallel ' ^ the lines of mathematics and the laws of beauty that while Masonry inculcates the principles of natural science , it presents the beautiful lessons of a moral science that impart wisdom , strength , and beauty to individual character .

Money spent for adornment is not a waste . If the homes of ° ur land were more attractive there would be less drunkenness and ewer divorces . That these teachings are full of mystery I do not | "y , but they are full of wisdom . Into every rational thought lere enters an incomprehensible element . The universe is full

0 mystery . Man ' s being is mysterious , so are the fixed stars and ^ e creep ing ivy . Therefore , when we see the symbols of Masonry Y"" - " ^ cube , the square , the circle , the triangle—representatives of e ernit y , science , power , perfection , equality , there is a mysterint

iY- about it all that awakens emotions almost uncontrollable , bat are its symbols but the hiding of truth ? God stores away s eat and mighty truths . out the attractions of Masonry do not consist merel y in its

An Oration.

antiquity , beauty , mystery , and symbolism , but in the wisdom imparted by the doctrines and duties it inculcates . Primaril y it requires belief in the existence of God . No Atheist can become a Mason . It has been well said : " Ienorant of a Great First

Cause and the noble destiny of the soul , he will not be brought under the rules and moral science or the principles of eternal truth . In a state of darkness the Great Spirit will never more open the gloomy depths of his soul , for while he has no faith in God he cannot be brought to Light . "

The first light of Masonry is the Bible , the source of li ght . There is not a Degree conferred in a regular lodge which does not direct to it . It ever lies open upon our altar , and without it no one can ever penetrate the depths of its philosophy , or bring forth truths from beneath its lofty arches . The truths of the Bible ,

like stars above street lamps , shine over all other teaching . In these clays , when the most polished blade of criticism and the heaviest artillery of infidelity are brought to bear upon it , we are called upon more loudly than ever to maintain its authority . The

immense infusion of a foreign population , the teaching of anarchism and kindred errors are the dangers of the State , and we , as custodians of truth , justice , and patriotism , must guard well every avenue of approach to the sacred temple of American liberty .

The tie of brotherhood is a mighty power , a chain of affection inspiring with a courage that defies clanger and triumphs over every foe . Who can fail to admire the brotherhood of the Crusaders or the dauntless courage of Godfrey de Bouillon ? How sublimely grand was St . Paul as he wrote , " I could wish

myself accursed from Christ for my brethren . " From this spirit springs the Charity that relieves , not as a duty to a pauper , but as a brotherly privilege . Masonry is the guardian of womanly virtue , and in league with Christian civilisation elevates her . The destitute widow and the helpless orphan it aids in the bearing of burdens . A true Mason is a lover of truth .

The institution of Masonry has been assailed , but it still stands , uttering its teachings to thousands , who delight to hear and obey . —Keystone .

Just Criticisms.

JUST CRITICISMS .

Comp . Caswell , in his review of American Grand Chapter Correspondence , condemns " the era of the good fellow . " He considers " The electing men to responsible Masonic positions because of their good fellowship , that being their only qualification , has worked mischief enough in times past , and we presume

will continue to work more evil in the future , for there are always enough unthinking partisans of a 'goodfellow' to push him to the front if he "desires to go there , regardless of his fitness for the position . We have seen persons holding positions as Masonic instructors who could not give a definition to one

half the words they used with parrot-like volubility . These were ' good fellows , ' and were ambitious to be regarded as teachers of their brethren ; but what a travesty upon the enli ghtenment of the age to set up such monuments of ignorance and illiteracy as instructors of the Craft . "

He also strongly condemns rotation in office in the following terms : " In Masonry , as in all created things , we believe in the ( survival of the fittest . ' We see no sense in the proposition that , because a companion is elected as Royal Arch Captain , he must , however unqualified , be promoted from station to station ,

with all his imperfections on his head , until he makes an ass of himself and a 'holy show' of his chapter by placing what few brains he may be possessed of in the chair of the Hi gh Priest . We have often seen very excellent companions , in their way , both in Grand and subordinate bodies , elected to some

subordinate position where their incompetency was clearly apparent ; yet , when the time came round for election , although it was well understood that they were no more fit for the next hi gher position than a cat in a super-tropical climate without claws , they ' got there all the same / because they were popular , ' right

down good fellows , ' always willing to ' set ' em up for the boys , ' and it would ' nt do to slight them . We have often groaned in the spirit to see our impressive ceremonies marred and our beautiful ritual butchered by some of these ' good fellows ' painfully mouthing words , of the meaning of which they had no

more conception than a bund puppy would have , and we have often made ourself conspicuous by our absence at meetings which we would gladly have attended under more favourable

circumstances . And yet these companions were not only ' good fellows , ' but good Masons ; they were simply incompetent , by lack of education or otherwise , to fill the position to which their too partial companions had elected them . "

Mr . William Morris has described Ravenscourt Park as " the pleasantest and prettiest piece of public ground to be found within an equal distance of Bow Bells . " Ravenscourt Park is now public property , thanks , in a large measure , to the Vestry of Hammersmith . The public library , is in the park , and which has just been opened , is known as "The Mansion , " and is associated in London history with the name of Lord Mayor Sir Richard Gurney , who owned the place .