Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
An Oration Fifty Years Ago.
sions of a thousand generations . The billows of every sea have lashed its sides , and the storms of every age have poured their fury round its head . Perfect at its creation , sublime amid all the changes
which have convulsed the ivorld , its adamantine column Avill stand unshaken throughout all the revolutions of the ages Avhich are to come ; or , if it should fall crushed beneath the Aveight of its OAVU
incumbent magnificence , it will carry with it in its ruin half the happiness and half the Avisdom of mankind . When the Eternal shall gather in his grasp the splendid retinue of worlds which constitute
his train , and call into judgment all the souls which have peopled them , then will the principles Ave profess survive the general desolation , and be consummated in the glories of measureless eternity .
Such is the brief outline of our institution , which , from its remote antiquity—its unknown origin—its mysterious preservation , and its vast extent , forms the most remarkable phenomenon in the history of mankind . As far back as the human
vision can penetrate , we behold her moA-ing in quiet majest y along the stream of time , apparently unconcerned in the events which were transpiring , but really exerting an influence over the concerns of men—mute ,
indeed , but extensive as the countries over Avhich her votaries Avere dispersed . The sketch Avhich Ave have gh * en is but a distant external view of the temple of our Order . A superficial view of the
cartoons of Raphael will not bring the observer acquainted with the style of that master . Much time must be devoted to each to feel its individual force and grandeur of outline and expression ; for although
they are all the productions of the same matchless pencil , and have all therefore a correspondent style , they cannot be judged of , one by the other , but must be diligently studied apart . Thus it is Avith
this stupendous fabric . Every attitude in which it can be viewed is striking and magnificent ; but every change of situation produces a correspondent change of appearance . To those AVIIO are not Masons we
would say—study well its graceful proportions , its imposing aspect , its rich and gorgeous decorations . Every vieAv Avill afford a lesson for future practice . Here the natural and dignified simplicity ; the exquisite symmetry of Doric architecture ,
An Oration Fifty Years Ago.
solicits your admiration ; there you behold ] the richer Ionic drawn , as we are told , from the matchless proportions of Diana , and made immortal by being used in her Ephesian temple . Moving on , you may
contemplate the plain and solid strength of the Tuscan ; the rude magnificence of the Gothic , and the light and graceful proportions , the delicate and rich decorations of the beautiful Corinthian .
Brethren and Companions : —To you Ave Avould say , enter the expanded portals of our consecrated dome . Contemplate Avith aAve and admiration the splendours Avhich surround you . Remember that you stand
upon holy ground , and amid the labours of the best and Avisest of mankind . The accumulated trophies of countless generations lie open before you . All that is lovely in nature ; all that genius could create , or
skill embody , solicits your admiration , and urges you to advance . Pause not with heathen indifference at the vestibule , but prosecute your search through the glittering apartments , until you shall arrive at
the Holy of Holies , and gaze un dazzled upon its flood of glory . Each step you advance will afford you a richer theme fox admiration ; a stronger inducement to virtue , an undiscovered source of usefulness
and knowledge ! May your lh'es " become beautiful as the Temple , peaceful as the ark , and sacred as its most holy place . May your oblations of piety and praise be grateful as the
incense ; your love warm as its flame , and your charity diffusive as its fragrance . May your hearts be pure as the altar , and your conduct acceptable as the offering . May the exercise of your charity be as
constant as the returning Avants of the distressed AVICIOAV and helpless orphan . May the approbation of Heaven be your encouragement , and the testimony of a good conscience your support . May you be
endoAved Avith every good and perfect gut while tiwelling the rugged path of life , and finally admitted within the veil of Heaven to the full enjoyment of life eternal ! " So mote it be . Amen . —
Henckaby Budginton's Little Dinner.
HENCKABY BUDGINTON'S LITTLE DINNER .
HENCKABY BUDGIKTO-J , or as his friends mostl y term him , plain Henckaby , is a
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
An Oration Fifty Years Ago.
sions of a thousand generations . The billows of every sea have lashed its sides , and the storms of every age have poured their fury round its head . Perfect at its creation , sublime amid all the changes
which have convulsed the ivorld , its adamantine column Avill stand unshaken throughout all the revolutions of the ages Avhich are to come ; or , if it should fall crushed beneath the Aveight of its OAVU
incumbent magnificence , it will carry with it in its ruin half the happiness and half the Avisdom of mankind . When the Eternal shall gather in his grasp the splendid retinue of worlds which constitute
his train , and call into judgment all the souls which have peopled them , then will the principles Ave profess survive the general desolation , and be consummated in the glories of measureless eternity .
Such is the brief outline of our institution , which , from its remote antiquity—its unknown origin—its mysterious preservation , and its vast extent , forms the most remarkable phenomenon in the history of mankind . As far back as the human
vision can penetrate , we behold her moA-ing in quiet majest y along the stream of time , apparently unconcerned in the events which were transpiring , but really exerting an influence over the concerns of men—mute ,
indeed , but extensive as the countries over Avhich her votaries Avere dispersed . The sketch Avhich Ave have gh * en is but a distant external view of the temple of our Order . A superficial view of the
cartoons of Raphael will not bring the observer acquainted with the style of that master . Much time must be devoted to each to feel its individual force and grandeur of outline and expression ; for although
they are all the productions of the same matchless pencil , and have all therefore a correspondent style , they cannot be judged of , one by the other , but must be diligently studied apart . Thus it is Avith
this stupendous fabric . Every attitude in which it can be viewed is striking and magnificent ; but every change of situation produces a correspondent change of appearance . To those AVIIO are not Masons we
would say—study well its graceful proportions , its imposing aspect , its rich and gorgeous decorations . Every vieAv Avill afford a lesson for future practice . Here the natural and dignified simplicity ; the exquisite symmetry of Doric architecture ,
An Oration Fifty Years Ago.
solicits your admiration ; there you behold ] the richer Ionic drawn , as we are told , from the matchless proportions of Diana , and made immortal by being used in her Ephesian temple . Moving on , you may
contemplate the plain and solid strength of the Tuscan ; the rude magnificence of the Gothic , and the light and graceful proportions , the delicate and rich decorations of the beautiful Corinthian .
Brethren and Companions : —To you Ave Avould say , enter the expanded portals of our consecrated dome . Contemplate Avith aAve and admiration the splendours Avhich surround you . Remember that you stand
upon holy ground , and amid the labours of the best and Avisest of mankind . The accumulated trophies of countless generations lie open before you . All that is lovely in nature ; all that genius could create , or
skill embody , solicits your admiration , and urges you to advance . Pause not with heathen indifference at the vestibule , but prosecute your search through the glittering apartments , until you shall arrive at
the Holy of Holies , and gaze un dazzled upon its flood of glory . Each step you advance will afford you a richer theme fox admiration ; a stronger inducement to virtue , an undiscovered source of usefulness
and knowledge ! May your lh'es " become beautiful as the Temple , peaceful as the ark , and sacred as its most holy place . May your oblations of piety and praise be grateful as the
incense ; your love warm as its flame , and your charity diffusive as its fragrance . May your hearts be pure as the altar , and your conduct acceptable as the offering . May the exercise of your charity be as
constant as the returning Avants of the distressed AVICIOAV and helpless orphan . May the approbation of Heaven be your encouragement , and the testimony of a good conscience your support . May you be
endoAved Avith every good and perfect gut while tiwelling the rugged path of life , and finally admitted within the veil of Heaven to the full enjoyment of life eternal ! " So mote it be . Amen . —
Henckaby Budginton's Little Dinner.
HENCKABY BUDGINTON'S LITTLE DINNER .
HENCKABY BUDGIKTO-J , or as his friends mostl y term him , plain Henckaby , is a