Oration.

allegiance to tlie Most High , while at the same time answering a nobler purpose than the gratification of mere curiosity , hy serving as warnings to us to neglect not our great privileges , and teaching us that the complicated system of Freemasonry , especially in this its more advanced portion , with a Avider range of and

imagery symbolism founded on the Volume of the Sacred Law , is not to be received or rejected as may suit our pleasure or convenience . It may be noticed that in most ofthe cases cited , some forms of symbolism were retained , some hidden mysteries restricted to distinct classes of men , some great truths veiled in

allegory thus leading us to attribute to them a common origin in the true system of ancient Freemasonry . On such an occasion as the present , auy address is incomplete without some allusion to the general objects of the Craft , AA'hich cannot be too often or too urgentlimpressed on the miuds of its membersAvith

y , a view to remove light and erroneous notions , AA'hich exist even among those of our body , some of whom , it is to be feared , look upon it rather as a means for promoting sociality and good fellowship , than in the more serious character which it merits , and in Avhich it ought certainly to be regarded .

_ Among different bodies of men there exists great diversity of opinion as to what Freemasonry is . Without doubt , our own lives and actions , as influenced by it ought to furnish a satisfactory solution of the question . Some who reject it as unworthy of recognition consider it entirely of heathenish origin . This notion needs no refutation in an assembly of Freemasons . Others assign a modern date to it , drawing their conclusions in part from the fact that the forms of ritual

. appear to be subsequent to , or hear traces of , adoption at , the period of the construction of the liturgy of the Anglican Protestant Church . The fact of similarity in some portions is not denied , but the conclusion is -fallacious , since Ave know that , Avithout any interference with the aucient landmarks , our verbiage and

our ceremonies ha \ 'e at periods , historically known , undergone revision . Some even among ourselves view it as a religious system , while in other countries it is regarded as purely of a philosophical nature . All admit , however , that its teachings and practices haA'e ' a highly moral tendency . Tes , my companions , and

as such it is a legitimate handmaid of religion in the sense in Avhich the word is commonly regarded . The real meaning of the Avord religion is au obligation—an obligation to do that Avhich is right towards God and man , according to the dictates of our conscience ; but in its ordinary acceptation it means much morefor it

, implies morality , and the worship of God regulated by faith founded on the revelations contained iu the Volume of the Sacred Law . By no means is it asserted that Freemasonry conveys so much as this , or that in adopting it and carrying out its tenets a mau necessarildoes all that is required of him by the

y Most High ; hut it may be maintained that the truly moral mau , in the full sense of the word , who is guided by Masonic teachings , and obedient to tlie precepts they inculcate , is in a better condition for appreciating the relation in which he stands to his Godthan he AVIIO is not brought under such

in-, fluences . With the system of faith , however , Ave interfere not , leaving each to adopt that which , according to his light , he finds in the Bible , and Avithout the presence and use of that Sacred Volume , no lodge , in

this country , at least , can be perfect and regular . In illustration of my meaning , allow me to give an extract , in Avhich the mission of our Order is most pertinently put , from a paper recently published in the pages of the FEEEJIASONS' MAGAZINE .

We claim not for the Craft—our love for it is too great to put it in a false position—the character of religion , for religion , as I understand it , implies a correct faith , and beyond the bare faith in the existence of the Supreme Being , Freemasonry makes no profession , and requires none , because this would defeat one of its great objects . It is " a system of morality "

, and morality is not religion , any more than a part of anything is the Avhole , however largely it may partake of its nature . Sure I am that Freemasonry , as a system of morality , is a fitting handmaiden for the purest of faiths , and that the purest of faiths need not blush to have such a handmaiden as Freemasonry .

Grant that it be lower , aud meaner , and weaker ; why , for this very reason is it often the better adapted to deal with our fallen , humbled , debilitated nature . Call the motive low , if you Avill ; but if by any fair means I can draw a fellow-creature from the brink of a precipice , beneath Avhich yawns an abyss of perdition ,

and can lead him into a path of life wherein he may run a course honourable to himself and useful to others , I am well content to bear the reproach ; but reproach must be unjust , for the volume of the Sacred Law , Avithout Avhich our lodges cannot be pronounced "justperfectand regular" affords the hihest

autho-, , , g rity for so actiug towards men . And judging means by results , these very frequently seem to be the best means ; for Ave find men more disposed to do their duty by some system of morals , such as the law of honour , or Freemasonrj ' , than by some peculiar form of faith . The question is not whether this be a state of things

such as wedesire , but it is practically—which influences a man the more—a system of morality , or a distinct form of faith , supposing him not to be decidedly under the influence of strong religious feelings ? My own experience bears witness iu favour of the former . By becoming Masons , men do not indeed hind

themselves to other or more duties than they were before bound to observe ; but they do feel themselves in some Avay , more personally , by their owu act and deed , involved in the performance of them . And there is no difficulty in understanding this . A man ' s form of faith has been professed for him iu his infancy . It

has grown as it Avere AA'ith his growth , though it may not ba \ 'e strengthened AA'ith his strength . He has probably never investigated it more than he has his animal structure , and hy the way in which he treats it , he seems very often to be half ashamed to aeknoAvledge it and talk about it . Such

is not the case as regards his moral system when he has adopted Freemasonry . He lias professed it for himself in his years of discretion , Avhen he could judge of its claims ; he has investigated those claims , and , by frequenting his lodge , he has openly declared his assent to its precepts ; has been urged to practise

them ; restrained , it may be , from violating them , and even reproved for not living according to them . And since Freemasonry is based on the confession of God , and the candidate is obligated on the volume of the Sacred Law , that candidate , if a sincere man , will make the Holy Book his stud }' , aud so will he be led to knoAV his God aright , and to servo Him as He