Weekly North Carolina standard., 1858-07-14

1.
were observant of all the Christian duties as then
understood. Ia this way custom was established
which has been handed down to speculative Masons.
: brethren, we have met here too day to lay thet
corner stone of Temple of Justice where Stne law
should sit supreme in its majesty, hoiaing with ln-
martial hand those golden scales in winch are Wegn'
ed life. liberty fortune, and sacred honor Here
the weak should find protection from theoppressors
wrong and the voice of TRUTH virtue and innocehce
which pleads nightly, should always here prevan.
Let us endeavor to DO our duty to society faithfully
and fearlessy. that Justice may always be triumph
ant, Let no record here ever bear evidence OF
Mason's crime or of his wilful wrong to his fellow
Nav Justice never desert this her sacred shrine, but
always administer the law in its purity, unswayed
by 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
character and name which honor them, and Will be
rich legacy to their children. Beneath their ski.
full hands this structure will rise in strength and
beauty-the pride of our county,an ornament to
our town and hope it may remain an enduring
monument to the lberality of our peope-the ia'th'
funess of the Committee and the taste and lntegri-
ty of the Architect and Builders.
The cornerstone has always been regarded as a.
the most important and essential part of every edl-
ce 1t should be laid firmly and securely, for if re-
moved tho beauty ard strength of the edfce is de-
stroyed This ceremony should teach US how inn
portant it is to lay properly the corner stone OF
eyery moral edifice 1t should teach us our duty to
ourselves, our country, and our God. We should re.
member that honesty, virtue, and TRUTH are the only
sure cornerstones which the ediice 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 Tires OF
trial and persecution cannot consume. With 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 live, is the Constl.
tution surrounded by the virtue, intelligence and
patriotism of our people. Holier offerings than
corn, aoine, and 0il made at its conservation
1t consecrated 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 inviola-
BILE as the Ark of the Covenant, untouched and un-
polluted by unhallowed hands and may this editce
Of freedom continue to rise in glory and beauty and
like the Temple of DID, be sancted by the presence
Of God, and be indeed 'he joy of the whole earth.
Lastly, Brethren, this ceremony should teach us
the Importance of building the edice of spirit
ual hopes upon the "well tried and precious corner
stone which God has laid in Zion" Build on this
sure foundation, and {" the rain may descend, the
floods come, and the winds blow, and beat upon that
house. and will fall not" but shelter us 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