The Duties Of Freemasons.

Brethren , —Our initiatory efforts have now been crowned with success ; our temple is reared and consecrated , though possessing no material adornment , and indeed not having a fixed location , it yet is , I trust , internally replete with moral and intellectual beauty ; our lodge is perfect ; our preparations are completeso far as present circumstances admit of

, it . Our labours in the cause committed to our charge , our attempts to acquit ourselves worthily in regard to the responsibilites placed upon us , commence from this day . To what they will lead , how far those connected with us will be benefitted during the career on which we are entering , is a problem

which it will devolve on us to solve . May we be found equal to the task ; may the inhabitants of the surrounding district have reason , in time to come , to bless the proceedings of this day , by which , the influence of the light of Freemasonry is spread abroad , regarding us as the humble instruments of advantages moral , social , and intellectual , though they cannot comprehend the origin thereof , nor the ties that bind us together to pursue them .

We are taught in one of our ceremonies , that it is the duty of all such as have attained a certain position in the Craft , to afford assistance and instruction to those in the inferior degrees . How much more may this be said to be the case with regard to one who holds the exalted position in which your favour and a

confidence , I trust not ill-founded , have this day placed me . Heretofore long " a ruler in the Craft " in another and somewhat distant part of the Masonic world , it is a source of much personal gratification that , after a residence , of some years among you , doubts and suspicions have been cast asideand I have

, won a position in your estimation which has induced you to place authority in my hands ; authority not irresponsible aud unlicensed , but guided by fixed principles which are acknowledged by all good men , -whether Masons or not ; authority , of which , as being exerted over yourselvesyou cannot fear an

, improper exercise , or you would not have bestowed it ; authority , on the due and judicious employment of which iu the first instance , will greatly depend the exaltation or depreciation of our Craft in this new

district . I thank you sincerely for the ratification you have this day given in the consecration ceremony , to the nomination of myself to the first chair of this lodge , made by the Most Worshipful the Grand Master of England at your suggestion . Brethren , giving my full assent to the qualifications of a good master , as

laid down by a well-known Masonic writer , I cannot be supposed to be insensible to the importance and arduous nature of the task I have undertaken , to the fulfilment of which my best energies shall be directed . Allow ^ me to " Quote a portion ofjhis words , that you may at least form an estimate of my desirehowever

imper-, fectly it may be carried out . " The master has been invested with power , that he may promote the happiness and prospeiity of the lodge . He feels that much will depend on his own example ; for how excellent soever the precepts ho enforces may appearthey will lose half their value if

, they be not borne out and verified by his own practice . This is the mainspring which actuates and gives vitality to the whole machine . If his power be exercised tyranically , tbe brethren will not love him ; if he allows the reins of government to be too much

relaxed , they will despise him ; if he be irregular and dissolute in his habits , they will condemn him . He must be a pattern of correctness to his lodge , and never allow his authority to be pleaded in extenuation of any serious delinquencies . He allows no innovations to be practised in the ceremonial or mechanism of the order ; no private committees or separate

conversation among the brethren , but keeps them rigidly to the business before them ; no jesting or ludicrous behaviour which may disturb the serious avocations in which they are engaged ; no disputes nor unbecoming language among themselves ; he carefully avoids all excessand never suffers the harmony of the lod

, ge to be disturbed by altercations on the forbidden subjects of religion and politics . He is regular in his habits , both in the lodge and in the world . Punctual to a moment in opening aud closing the lodge , as a stimulus to the correct attendance of the brethren ; for nothing shows to so much advantage in the pillar

of wisdom as this exactness with ' regard to time . In performing the rites of Masonry , he exhibits a seriousness of deportment , and earnestness of demeanour which attract the attention , interest the feelings , and contribute to recommend the beauties of the system , while they inform the understanding and improve the heart . "

In carrying out the views expressed by the Masonic author now quoted , which I have much curtailed , I feel assured that I shall have that support and cooperation which are naturally to be expected from efficient officers . To you who have this day been placed in positions of trust , which , in proportion as

you discharge your duties , will in due course lead you to hope to fill this chair , I confidently appeal , nrging you to acquire a thorough knowledge of what is required of you , that so , you may not only maintain the dignity of Freemasonry in general , and of our own lodge in particular , but may prepare yourselves ,

by practically knowing those duties , to require their proper fulfilment on the part of your subordinates , when you in turn become rulers in the Craft . Not till then , however , will you be able entirely to appreciate the importance of good and accurate working , its effect on the novitiatesits advantage to the lod

, ge ; for fluency , impressiveness , and precision on the part of a Master are of little avail , unless he be well seconded by those who sustain the minor but not less important parts of the ceremonies , so that all may mutually dovetail into each other , aud form a compact whole . I entreat of thereforeto

you , , spare no pains adequately to prepare yourselves , and to allow no feeling that you are intruding on my time to prevent your application to me for assistance . in private , assuring you in all sincerity that I shall consider no amount of trouble too great , in order to accomplish the object .

A few of you who have combined to form this new lodge , know well by experience the responsibilities resting on the Master . Yon are at least my equals in Masonic position and knowledge , and there is one who is greatly my superior . To you , as Past Masters , I shall be entitled to look for adviceassistanceand

, , support , which I am sure you will accord to me whenever required , and I feel honoured in having such a privilege from the commencement . All of you , however , have had some experience of Freemasonry in another part of the islaud ; you may be supposed to