Oration, By S. C. Dennison, Of Sacramento.

involving high duties and presenting a field for unprecedented achievements ; Avbile the past history of our society formulates this distinct proposition : —The genius of Masonry is productive and conservative of republican institutions .

By becoming Masons we are none the less integral parts of the body politic , and as such should carefully study our Order ancl ourselves in the relations that it and Ave bear , collectively and individually ; to the State ancl to our felloAV citizens .

Upon the very threshold of Masonry we are taught to " be quiet ancl peaceable citizens , true to our government , and just to our country , " and " not to countenance disloyalty or rebellion , but patiently submit to legal authorit y , and to conform

Avith cheerfulness to the government of the country in Avhich Ave live ; " but this is the bare suggestion of a thought to be constantly elaborated , and Ave , as members of an enli ghtened ancl conservative craft , OAve it to ourselves , our Order , and the

Government Avhich sanctions our lives , protects our property , and approves the celebration of our ancient rites and ceremonies , to devote untiring service to that Government , and to purify , preserve , ancl rjrotect it from political gangrene and decay . And just here , lest my position be misunderstood , I take occasion to declare that 1 Avould not have our excellent Order

become a political body or biterfere in partisan issues . I am proud to say that from time immemorial , the Masonic lodge-room has been a sanctuary Avhere the disturbing elements of partisan politics could not enter or mar the fraternal harmony ; but as men and citizens , we have enjoyed the broadest discretion in the exercise of individual duty to the State .

I am not of those Avho believe the world is groAving Averse , nor do I believe that Avickedness is the handmaid of enlightenment ; but Avith the present facilities for the transmission of neAvs Ave hear more of current gossip . And again , the unusual and remarkable incident attracts attention ,

so that more is said , thought , ancl Avritten of one vile act , than of ten thousand noble , virtuous deeds that invoke the applauding smiles of angelic hosts . But Ave have no ri ght to justify ourselves by the standard of the past . We claim to be wiser tjian our predecessors ,

ancl ought to be better and purer than they . In the midst of all our intelligence , crime like a grim demon stalks through the land ; error goes capering through the hihways ancl by-ways ; and corruption

g , like the obscene vulture , sits unbidden at the public feast , and threatens to taint and pollute ivhat it does not destroy . So long as these things exist , our field of labour is extensive , and we must not sit idly by the wayside and see the clouds of error obscure

the Avarming rays of freedom ' s light . A vigorous and concerted effort should be made by our benevolent fraternity t o foster , mould , and create in the public mind sentiments of honour , patriotism and selfsacrificing devotion to the affairs of

state . Governments are merely tbe compacts of the people for mutual benefit—ran extended family—a co-operation of the . multitude for the benefit and protection of the individuals ; and to say a government is corruptas suchis tantamount to an

asser-, , tion that tbe mass of the people comprising the same is corrupt , or so neglectful of vital interests as to permit a vicious and polluted minority to bold the reins of poAver . The character and nature of a government will depend upon the virtue

, intelligence , bravery , and patriotic zeal of its subjects . No good government can exist in a debauched and Avicked people , and no bad one can long hold sway over a virtuous and intelligent people . Then the most direct means of securm _ r

a good government , is by an infusion of the proper spirit into the minds of the masses ; and here , my brothers , is our widest field of action , and where we owe our first ancl highest duty as members of an enli ghtened and benevolent body , having for its object the promotion and the amelioration of the condition of man .

My brothers , are Ave prepared for our exalted mission ? Have Ave each and all succeeded in " divesting our hearts and consciences of all the vices ancl superfluities of life , thereby fitting our minds as living stones for that spiritual building , that house not made Avith hands , eternal in the heavens ?

We have plucked from our hearts all the vile weeds of selfishness , jealousy , envy , bickering , ill-will , malice and hatred , and substituted the fragrant flowers of