Masonic Oration.

Avho reared a structure to the honour of Almighty God , the Grand Architect of the Avorld , which for wisdom , beauty , and strength has never yet had a parallel . We are intimately related to those great and worthy spirits Avho have ever made it their business and then- aim to improve themselves and to inform mankind . Let us , then , copy their example , that we may also hope to obtain a share

in their praise . This cannot possibly be done in a scene of disorder . Pearls are never found but when the sea is calm ; and silent water is deepest . It has been long , and still is , the glory and happiness of this Society to have its interests espoused by the great , the noble , and ± he honoured of the land—persons Avho , after the example of the wisest and greatest of kingsesteem it

, neither condescension nor dishonour to patronize and encourage the professors of the craft . It is our duty , in return , to do nothing inconsistent with this favour , : and , being members of this body , to act in some degree suitable to the honour we receive from our illustrious head . We need not seek far for the rule of our conduct

as members of a lodge . The laAvs of the Craft are eminently clear , as well as wise , wholesome , and dispassionate . The admirable system of government which they prescribe , by which the W . M ., the crowning ornament and copestone of the temple , depends for the maintenance of his high and honourable position upon the due relation of every part of the edifice to that which

immediately subtends it , imposes upon every Mason an obligation to use his utmost endeavour toAvards the perfecting of the symbolical building , and constitutes the most perfect of mortal systems ; of which , indeed , it may be said , as of that great Eederation of which I am an appointed minister , that Ave , " being many , are one bodyet all members one of another—all members have

y , not the same office , yet if one member suffer , all the members suffer with it . " To you , Brethren , members of the Leigh Lodge of Eifle Volunteers , I need not enlarge on this great principle ; for those who will submit to discipline from love to their country are not , I am convinced , ignorant of the benefits which arise from mutual cooperation and individual forbearance those who are

among in union for some great common object . I would rather , lastly , turn your attention to the necessity of your faithful performance , in your several stations , of those duties which are impressed upon your minds in lodge , through the medium of our ceremonies and ritual . The first corner-stone in Masonry is a belief in the Eternal God , the G . A . O . T . TI . It is founded on

the eternal rock of truth and brotherly love . When such is the nature of an institution , can the conduct of its members when out of lodge be deemed a matter of no importance ? Is it not rather made the touchstone of our creed ? Let us then , Brethren , by a discreet , honourable , and virtuous career , study to evince our attachment to the landmarks of the Order , and thereby command the

confidence of the Avorld in their beneficial tendency and effect . Let us cultivate the social virtues , zealously regard the qualities of prudence , temperance , and charity —in a word , let us show to the Avorld that , though not exempt from human frailty , in becoming Masons we hecome better men . No earthly institution , no system of moral truth , can totalleradicate the sin

y inseparably connected with our existence . To correct its baneful tendency has been their principal design in all ages . So , though we are taught by the benign principles of our Order to square our actions by the rules of rectitude , to persevere in the rule of our duty , and to restrain our passions within the compass of proprietyAve must not expect entirely to

, cease to feel the attacks of passion or the suggestions of evil . In such case let us trust in our leader , the Gr . A . O . T . TJ . He will vouchsafe us that preparation Avhich will enable us to pass through the trials we may have to encounter . He will endue us with prudence and caution to avoid the dangers that surround us m the rugged path of life , that , when removed from this terrestrial

Masonic Oration.

lodge , Ave may be admitted by the password of grace into the lodge celestial , to an everlasting refreshment Avithin the vail . Thus , Brethren , by faith in God , hope in immortality , aud charity to all mankind , may we ascend by the ladder of honom-able exertion to that lodge which is the residence of the spirits of just men made perfect , and governed by the Grand Master of the Universe ; whose Tyler is death , and whose portal the grave .

Privileges Of Masonry.

PRIVILEGES OF MASONRY .

Bro . McCorkle , in an address to the Grand Lodge of Ohio , says "If Masonry were like any other institution , it might be proper enough for Lodges and Grand Lodges to transact their business in the Entered Apprentices and Eellow Craft ' s degrees . All other associations regard the initiation to the first degree as the introduction into the Order , therefore their labours are performed

generally in the first degree . All other degrees are regarded as advances upon the first . But it is not so in Masonry . A candidate is not a Mason in the proper sense of the term , until he is introduced into the Master ' s degree . The degrees of Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft are but preparatory to the sublime raising which renders the candidate the master workman .

The Entered Apprentice and the EelloAV Craft are but in progress , Avorking their Avay to the Master ' s privileges . The only rights they can claim are those which refer to their advancement . The Entered Apprentice claims the right to be passed to the degree of a Eellow Craft , and he is to be passed when he has learned a sufficiency of his trade to be able to work himself into an Entered

Apprentice ' s Lodge . If he does not make proficiency , he has no right to his further passage . So Avith the Eellow Craft . He passes from the degree of Entered Apprentice , and still finds that he is in progress . He still understands that he is only called upon to make proficiency . He must attain to the necessary knowledge that would entitle him to admission into a EelloAV Craft ' s Lodge . And when

properly prepared , and not before , he is admitted to the Master ' s degree . And this is the Master ' s degree , because it is at the head of the mystic art . The raising renders the Eellow Craft a master workman , and

thenceforth he is entrusted with the labours of the more perfect craftsmen . We admit the claim of the Entered Apprentice and Eellow Craft to advancement upon their attainment of proficiency . And to such an extent do we admit this claim , that we conceive that the lodge has no right to refuse to lead them forward in its mysteries . Proficiency ,

soundness , and good character are all that are essential , advancement . The lodge that rejects the applicant who knocks at its door with his claim thus established , does violence to the Masonic Institution . By not admitting him his character and services as an Entered Apprentice and Eellow Craft are ignored . Among the ancient Craftsmen , the Entered Apprentice

Avas very highly respected . He was no longer an outsider , but a learner within the outer walls ofthe temple . He was consulted upon points of action and propriety in his particular department . And just here let us ask our brother who were these Entered Apprentices among the ancient craftsmen , that they should have been thus honoured ? And Avhat will be his answer ? He will repl

y , that they Avere the ablest , the best informed , and the most distinguished men of the community . Masonry then a select Order , and none but the best and most distinguished men were admitted into it . Our modern estimates has lowered the Order , and our brother asks immunities for Entered Apprentices now , on behalf of persons that the old-fashioned workmen would not have

admitted through the outer gates . The great fault that Masonry has committed is that of loAvering her standard . She has admitted within her sanctuary men that will never understand her character , nor properly estimate