The true Democrat., 1856-11-18

] ''''''~ OUscofoV <l' huNouo | Nouember 5, 1856.
 LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, BRETHREN It having devolved upon me, by virtue o the office which held in the Masonic bodv to deliver lecture on the subject of Masonry l shall proceed to comply with my duty although sorry that it has not devolved upor one more capable. However, I know that can appeal to the kindness and charity of my auditors to overlook any imperfections, in the regard they entertain for the institution for well, I ween, few, if any, are within the sound of my voice, who if they do not cherish Ma sorry, yet at least regard it with no unfavora- ble disposition.
 The time has been in the history of our own country when Masonry was regarded inimcal to our institutions, dangerous to that social equality and freedom of thought and action, so dear to every American; and in numerous States large portion of the people were openly ar- rayed against our order
 do not pretend to say that there were not men belonging to it and pretending to obey it's precepts, whose conduct might and did afford some pretext to base the aggravated charges, and give some color of support to the fierce opposition 1t met with. That would not be passing strange-Masonry is but human, and does not pretend to perfection It is humble and jays no claim to righteousness. 'Tis human to err-even the glorious day-god has spots upon his disc, yet who but most captous iault-fnder. in gazing upon him as he opens the portals of the east and bushes in all his efful- gent majesty upon the earth, awakening ani- mated nature anew to life and energy, would huriedly seek ateescope to discover upon his kingly brow, light shadows no more furnishing his glory than the foam of old ocean obstructs its majestic course. Yet all our virtues were forgotten and all our foibles swelled into mighty crimes. In this we think, at the same time, our opponents committed wrong against us they mplledly paid homage to our virtues. For they held the many responsible for the few, and lost sight of the formers virtues in the latters vices; as though we who now enjoy the freedom and happiness won us by our fathers and bless from our hearts those who obtained our liberties, should forget the glory of Washington in damnng the nfamy of an Arnold
 We must take things as they are. Nature herself, if she provides from her bounteous stores the food that supports life and creates happiness, also, from the same source, draws the noXlous poison that destroys life, and ntlics misery upon mar. The same aluvial depo- sits and rank vegetation that denote inexhaus- tblc fertility and opens to the view of the toiler unbounded wealth and plenty, at the same time art as oft the certain indces of deadly disease and frightful ills
 Thus in all the affairs of life, the lights and shadows are combined, and the shadows of mis fortune as surely follow as night the dav the sun light of success; and he is the trucst man who can bear diversity with boll front, and pros perty with an humble one; and, content with acting well his part, returns his heartfelt thanks to our kind Father for his mercy and his good ness.
 But the storm broke upon our order, and Masonry bent before tie blast; for it could not, like the proud rock, dash back in scorn the b- lows madly raging agaustit. It had no aflirma. tive comhative strength Its only weapons were love and charity to all-so, like the nau- tllus when the clouds lowered and the swelling waves and titful gusts gave token of the ap- preaching tempest, it drew in its extended sails and sank down to a peaceful and quiet haven. Well it knew that groundless fury unresisted soon mutters itself to sleep. And thus after the storm had broken and sun hine once moro made glad the heart men before enraged beg n to think-whch soon became uth confirmed as holy wrlt-that what could bear adversitv so calmly and gently, could not contain in itself the seeds of evil, and could not be an inimcal foe. And when Masonry lulled by the calm sunshine, emerged from is quiet retreats, 1t found cordial welcome, and entiIc oblivion of the past. And now I doubt whether in our country it is considered dangerous, or d would be director ol our affairs, by any considerable portion of our citizens.
 Masonry has loug been the infuencer in some respects of men, and 1t shows no more sign of weariness than the sun. All men love to bo,st of the antiquity of their race. The English man still cries St. George for merry England. The Irishman weeps as he reads of the gories of him who gave graves instead of his fertile lands to the invading Danes The very sound of Scots wha ha wi Wallace bled," makes the proud, but faithful Scot bound with enthu siasm; whilst the chivalrous Frank chants the dom; and the industrious German dreams of the ancient glories of his father land Whilst we, descended from these nations, glory in them all.
 Yet Masonry was old when the Norman crossed the straits; when Malcom wooed and won his northern bride; and even ere the Frank and Gaul, or Celt were dreamed of in men, philosophy; and had almost become hoary witt age
 Ere antiquity began
 The traditions of his order teach him tha Masonry existed ere
 " The Chaldee came with his starry lore. That built up Baby Ions and creed And bricks were stamped on the Tigrs shore, "ith signs which our sages scarce read' And when that temple so beautiful as " to bt the utmost stretch of human art" was erected and dedicated to the most High God by the wisest of men, who after tasting the cup of human glory and happiness to the brim, livet to cry out "vanity of vanities all is vanity."- The Mason refers proudly to it, and in hi. minds eye wandering over that holy ground sacred on account of its being the place wher, God made himself known to his people, anc where the man. God meekly and humbly offer ed up his life for all his children-can point tt that history of the past, as one of the monu | ments of his ordei
 So can the Mason wander with Pythagora as brother along the fertile plains of that ther land of science and of art, and although-nov cumbnred