Oration

brethren had unbounded confidence in his integrity . It was of importance that Masoirc lodges should have their : aifairs conducted with honest } ' , integrity , and uprightness ; and in electing Bi-o . Kennedy to the post of Treasurer , the brethren had displayed their zeal for the welfare of the lodge . Bro . Kennedy would often say

that his office was a sinecure on account of the assistance given him by Bro- J . Emmens . Tho brethren knew full well how much they were indebted to Bro . Emmens ; nevertheless the Treasurer had duties to perform , and by giving the merit to Bro . Emmens Bro . Kennedy showed that he had no feeling of jealousy . The brethren

had come in process of time to associate these two with ¦ each other , knowing that they always worked together . Under Bro . Kennedy he ( the Chaplain ) first saw the light of Freemasonry , and there was a strong friendship between them . The vacant chair would be felt to be a

vacant family chaw to all of them , for there was a feeling among Freemasons , that when one was taken away those who remained , mourned for him , and with his family . Bro . Kennedy was a perfect man , and a perfect Mason . They all knew the kindness , courteousness , and civility -of his demeanour ; how ably and excellently he carried

¦ out the ritual of Freemasonry . When he ( the Chaplain ) was initiated he was very much impressed with the -solemnity of Bro . Kennedy ' s performance , and it had never been eradicated , and never would . He did not perform his duties perfunctorily ; he was an active worker—attentive to the ritual , and a student of the

"Book of Constitutions / ' His performance of the -ceremonies was perfect , no word or syllable was out of place . By the integrity of his conduct he endeared himself to all . He always endeavoured to fulfil his duties . He was , by his sudden departure , an awful and memorable instance of the frailty of human lifeand

, tho uncertain tenure of mortal existence , of the vain imaginings of human hopes and the fruitlessness of earthly desires . Had God spared him it was his hope to spend with the wife of his youth a happy long life ,

• and he desired to see his sons admitted as Freemasons . Moreover , he looked forward to the coming year with great delight , as it was the centenary year of the lodgo . He was expecting that the lodge would bs still more . celebrated then , than it ever had been before . Bat his hopes and the ground of them had been cut from beneath

his feet , and " in the twinkling of an eye , " while enjoying himself in the bosom of his family , in apparently his usual health and spirits , he was removed from this transitory life to appear in the presence of his Maker and God . All the brethren had deeply sympathised with the widow and children , and all trusted they might

have fortitude to bear their trial . Although a cloud of adversity now hung over them they trusted it would soon pass away and reveal a bright day . God grant that the lapse of time would enable the widow to forgot something of her anguish , and that she would teach her children to imitate their father's bright example . The

principles on which tho Order was founded were brotherly love , relief , and truth . Bro . Kennedy was a true man , a man full of brotherly love , and his heart was always expanded by benevolence . "With Bro . Emmens he

Oration

established the lodge ' s fund of benevolence . His heart was always open to tho sacred cause of charity , and he often served the office of Steward to the Charities . He was a good man ; in one word , he was an excellent Mason . The brethren wero now called upon to think of the dealings of nature aud nature ' s God , and to make tho

Worcl of God their guide . What said that Worcl ? Whether they looked in to the Old or the New Testament , the uncertainty of life was constantly brought before them . The Old Testament said , " All flesh is grass , and all the glory thereof is as the flower of grass . The grass witheret-h , the flower fadeth , but tho Word of

the Lord endureth for over . " Therefore they were called upon to rely upon God in all their troubles . The Psalmist said , in the 90 th Psalm , " And now , Lord , what is my hope ? Truly my hope is even in Thee . " And in the New Testament equally they found reference to the uncertainty of life . St . James said , " What is our life ?

It is even a vapour which appeareth for a little time , and then vanisheth away . " And what lesson was to be derived from it ? " Watch , therefore , for ye know not in what an hour the Sou of Man cometh . " "Redeem tho time , for the days are evil . " And what said Freemasonry but , that looking to the frail tenure of our mortal

existence , we should be careful to perform our allotted task while it was yet day , " the night cometh wherein no man can work . " " Urethral , " said the Chaplain , in conclusion , " I will thank you to assume for a few moments the attitude of prayer . In compliance with this wish the brethren all knelt while the rev . gentleman offered up a short prayer . The rev . brother was listened to with deep attention .

Seventh Decade Of Masonic Precepts.

SEVENTH DECADE OF MASONIC PRECEPTS .

( From Bro . PUHTON * COOPEU ' S Manuscript Collections . ) LXI . Sj 3 Ll ' -KXO * VLEDGE . Brother , tho knowledge of thyself is the beginning of wisdom . LXIL—MIXD . BODI * . Brother , if thoudesirest that thy life should bo virtuous ,

strive that thy mind should ever rule thy body . LXIIL—CoMULIXESS . UXCOMKLIXESS . Brother , art thou comely ? Mar not thy comeliness by the hidoousness of thy actions . Art thou uncomely ? Compensate thy uncomoliness by the beauty of thy

actions . LXIV . —REPENTANCE . Brother , lot thy actions bo such that thou may'st not need repentance . But if , unhappily , thy actions be such , that thou should ' st need repentance , then hasten to repent .

LXV . —FUEE ' . IASOXKY Axn FIUBXDSIIIP . Brother , Freemasonry has no claims -necessarily paramount to tho claims of friendship . LXVI . —OBLIGATION - IX FKEEJIASOXUT AXD IX FiuExusiur .

Brother , the obligation in Freemasonry and the obligation in Friendship may bo equal ; or the obligation in