Freemasonry.

our duty to be personal and invidious ; but we may be pardoned in saying that "a good tree will bring forth good fruit , and by its fruits shall ye know it . " Freemasonry requires no apology and no

argument to set forth its superior excellence . It is a thing that speaks for itself ; hence , there is no necessity for proselyting—no necessity for castingpearls before swine . The presiding spirit of our institution has not organised Freemasonry to run

after men , but men to run after Freemasonry . If men do not seek it from the impulse of honour and goodwill , they are not likely to adorn it by living a just and honest life . All human societies have their origin in man ; hence , it is not society

that makes men , but men make society . Some , however , suppose that society can impart to individuals superior qualities that they do not by nature possess . However true this may be in regard to manners and external morals , I think

it is quite untrue in regard to honour and principles . When we examine the principles of the various institutions of the day , we can form a pretty accurate idea of the character of the men who

organised them . It is not the institution that has imparted the moral worth to the originators , for that would be to suppose that a thing acted before it existed , which is absurd . "We have not legs because we walk , but we walk because we

have legs ; " and so in regard to society . We have not good men because we have good societies , but we have good societies because we have good men . I have said this much , brethren , to show the

wisdom of not proselyting . I think it would be a wise step for some men to become Freemasons , but , quite otherwise for others ; hence , the absolute necessity of understanding the true principles of a

man before he is initiated . Let us , then , not labour under the delusion that this , or any other society , can impart to men the principles they have not by nature . As this society was formed by men of correct principles , none but men of

correct principles can do it justice and honour ; many such we have , many such we want , and many such there are . Time will not permit me to enlarge on the ample field of topics before us , for I have only just put one foot on the threshold of

the great temple of the order ; before me is a feast of facts—caskets of moral jewels , more precious than rubies or fine gold ; inasmuch as they are the fearless gems that ornament the moral and

intellectual nature of men—fearless gems that dim not by the wasting hand of time , that corrode not by the decaying lapse of ages , but whose lustre is like the splendour of the morning sun , that shines brighter and brighter to the perfect

day . I have only hinted at the amplitude of our charities and benificence . Nothing has been said of your philantrophic foresight in preparing a suitable asylum for the poor and aged brethren among us . This , and this alone , should excite our

individual and collective admiration , as well as merit the just appreciation of the outside world . What can be more beautiful and excellent than the picture of vigorous youth lifting up and sustaining the drooping arms of old age , and

succouring the uncertain and trembling limbs of venerable infirmity ? What a libation is poured into the chalice of youthful satisfaction , when we see the last drops of life ' s ebbing tide falling , like tears of gratitude ,

at the feet of mercy for blessings received . "Yea , verily , it is more blessed to give than to receive . " Those who cannot see any good in Freemasonry must have " eyes that see not , and ears that hear not . " The institution of Freemasonry is an

exception to all other institutions ; indeed , it is a paradox ! The vitality of other institutions dries up with the March of time—their limbs- become paralised , they totter and become gouty , and fall to pieces by the weight of their own infirmities

and the force of rolling years . But Freemasonry becomes youthful with age , the rust dust that falls from the wheels of time serves but to brighten its glorious lustre , the tramp ling hoofs of passing years only press it into tenfold strength and

stability ; the crushing power of rolling ages serve only to collect and concentrate its irresistible energy and power . It has been a stumbling stone to some and a rock of offence to others . But the rock they

were offended with has become our foundation , and the stone that they refused and stumbled at has become the chief corner stone in the immortal edifice of truth and honour . Brethren , we are building a temple—a living

temple—building it noiselessly , there is no sound of a hammer , echoing and re-echoing through the unlimited corridors of this living sanctuary . We are silently lifting one stone on another , precept upon precept , and truth upon truth ; one truth is but a part of the stupendous whole whose body is