Sermon Preached Before The Pro Vincial Grand Lodge Of Cornwall I

SERMON PREACHED BEFORE THE PRO VINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF CORNWALL i

LONDON , SATURDAY , JULY 1 , y 0 fit l , l | p

k ?/ % 1 f ^ f G R 4 N \^' N LODG EO - )* h ^ & ' P . T ? ^ h Zori

By BKO . DK . J . BANNISTER . A very able sermon was preached in the parish church of Redruth , at the meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge there on the 18 th of June , by Bro . Dr . Bannister , Incumbent of St . Daj ^

and Assist . Prov . G . Chap , of Cornwall . We have been favoured with an abstract of it . He selected as his test the 25 th verse of the 102 nd Psalm —• " Of old hast Thou laid the foundation of the earth :

and the heavens are the works of Thy hands . " The rev . brother began by observing that in this pious utterance of the heart of the sweet Psalmist of Israel , penned under the influence of inspiration , nearly three thousand years ago , we have the

foundation of theology—the science of God , and her sister science , Masonry . The foundation of both alike consists in this : that of old , in the beginning of time , the self-existent and eternal , one only God made heaven and earth . " In the test it is

said " He laid the foundation of the earth . " This , as well as the other clause , is figurative ; but this is drawn from the science of Masonry . Practical Masonry is an art founded on the principles of geometry , and directed to the service of mankind .

It is that art which has been practised in all countries more or less civilised , for the erection of temples for the honour and glory of God , and of buildings for the habitation , refuge , comfort , and defence of mankind . The world was made for

man s habitation , and therefore , as a house must have a foundation , the Psalmist says , " Thou hast laid the foundation of the earth / '' This is speaking Masonically , and it is speaking piously , acknowledging the origin and dependence of all

things , of and on the only true God . God to the heathen Avas a notion , an opinion , an idea , an inference ; to the Israelite he was a reality , a revealed truth . To him and to us God is . He is

ever-present , omniscient , all-seeing , and the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him . Hence have come various forms of worship , the erection of altars , the institution of sacrifices , and the building of temples . We , as Masonslook back

, to the building of the temple at Jerusalem , 1 , 000 years before Christ , in wisdom , strength , and beauty , by Solomon , king of Israel , as a distinguished era in the annals of Masonry . But

. Masonry dates back beyond that time . David in hhe text uses Masonic lanq-uao'e , and refers to the ghi of Masonry . Freemasonry has been much misunderstood—is so . Some regard it as a benefit society , like the many useful clubs we all know ,

because , in common with us , they have insignia and regalia , and in common with them , but very rarely—for we don't wish to parade ourselveswe have a procession and display ; and , it is true , we have also the Masonic Annuity Fund for the

relief of distressed Masons , and institutions for widows and orphans j and it is a leading principle with us—while we seek to do good to all men , we do it especially to those of the Craft . Others speak of it as an institution for the promotion of

good fellowship and conviviality , and I grant that it has a tendency to make a Christian one of the practical , cheerful , and perhaps I may say muscular stamp , rather than of tho ascetic , contemplative , or controversial order . Again , some have made it

a substitute for religion . This it is not . It is truo we do not interfere with any man ' s form of belief . To his own master he standeth or falleth , but

coming to us ' as a man fearing God and working rig hteousness , as St . Paul saj's , we welcome him as a brother . Some have represented Masonry as a parody on religion , while others have represented the system as downright infidelity and atheism ;

but , thank God , both these assertions are wilful calumnies and without the slightest foundation . And , lastly , among the many misrepresentations I would mention that which has classed it with Fenianism and other Secret Societies which have

for their object the subverting of established authorities , and bringing about revolutions , and as such it has been put under the Papal ban in an encyclical letter . One reason for these

misconceptions is the secrecy and mystery which are connected with it , and no doubt some have come here in the hope that something will drop from my mouth which will help the uninitiated to solve the mystery . Now I " . will tell you plainly what

Freemasonry is : —It is a peculiar system of morality , veiled in allegory , and illustrated by symbols . It is founded on certain sublime , simple , and rational principles , which are intended to promote the universal brotherhood of mankind ,

and make all those who are a'dmitted into its ranks , better men in all the relations of life . Further I say , that the allegories on which Freemasonry is founded are drawn from scripture , and the symbols by which it is illustrated are drawn , from practica