Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-07-14

olaervant 81 aai the Christian duties "a tnen
:nndefstood IN this way . custom WAS est.el,sneo
which. has been handed down TO speculative MasonA
& 1Rretiren. ne have met here to day to lay the
.o,er stone ST Temple of Justice where the law
.shouid cit supreme ID it's majesty holding Win
n.rti, hand those golden scales in which are
ca life. liberty, fortune, and sacred nonor. mere
the weak should find protection from eoPpressors
wrong and the voice OF truth, virtue ana
vhch pleads nightly, should always here prevail
Iet "a endeavor to do our duty to society faithfully
and fearlessly, that uatice may always be triumph
ant let no record here ever bear evidence OF
Mason 8 crime or Of his wilfnl wrong to his fellow.
Nav Justice never desert this her sacred shr'ne out
always administer the law in its purity, unswayeo
bv prejudice, unn6uenced by station or wealth, ana
undeterred by power.
Brethren, we have Master Builders here To-Day
Who have laid the foundation of this Temple OF JUS
tice. They have already built for themselves q
character and name which honor them, and VIII De
rich legacy to their children. beneata .ne,. sH ns
f,l hands this structure will rise in strength ana
beauty-the pride of our county,an ornament 70
onr town and hope it may remain an enduring
monument to the berality of our people-the faith
fitness of the Committee, and the taste and integrl'
ty of the Architect and Builders :~e... - 10
The corner. essential part of every edi.
u should be laid firmly and securely for II re-
moved the beauty and strength Of the edice is de-
stroyed This ceremony should teach us how i'm
portant it is to lay properly the corner stone OF
every moral editce. 1t should teacn US our 0uty W
ourselves our country, and our God. We should re-.
member that honesty, virtue and truth, are the only
sure cornerstones which the edifce of character
can be erected, which the breath of calumny can
never tarnish-the undercurrent of envy, and the
storms of malice cannot over-turn, and the fires OF
trial and persecution cannot consume. WIN such
characters We will become corner.stones, binding
together the elements of society in order and har-
mony, and giving strength and proportion to the
whole structure.
This ceremony should also remind US of our duty
as citizens The cornerstone of this glorious fab
ric of freedom under which We live, is the Consti.
tuition, surrounded by the virtue, intelligence and
patriotism of our people. Holer offerings than
corn, soine and OIL were made at its conservation.
1t was consecraed by the prayers and tears of our
fathers-by the purest best blood that ever flowed
from patriot hearts, and by the blessings of our
God May it always remain as sacred and invioa-
BILE as the Ark of the Covenant, untouched and un-
polluted by unhallowed hands and may this edifice
Of freedom continue to rise in glory and beauty, and
like the Temple of old, be sanctied by the presence
Of God and be indeed 'the joy of the whole EARTH"
Lastly, Brethren this ceremony should teach us
the Importance of building the edice of spirit
usl hopes upon the "well tried and precious corner
sure foundation, and the rain may descend the
foods come and the winds blow, and beat upon that
house. and it will fall moi" but shelter in securi
ty and peace; and when earthly house of this
tabernacle shall be dissolved, we will have build
ing of God, house not made with hands, eternal
in the heavens"