Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-01-05
Masonic Address.

The closing portion of the address deliver
ed by Henry Clark of Rutland, at the
dedication of the Hall of Orleans Lodge, |
No 55 at Barton, Dec. Z, 1868.
Nv brethren of the Masonic frater-
nifty i have now about completed
10 my own way the task, the perform
ance of which you have honored me.
| have spoken not so much for1the in
stitution as to its members. The
seed humble as it is, | have scattered
in good faith and with a loving pur-
pose into hearts that will bear it to
many.
Masonry itself is something more
than ceremonies, forms and symbols.
1t is a spirit-the spirit of God mani
Testing itself in power and purity,
through the beautiful language and
material emblems, devised by man
with his Almighty aid and counsel
We know its history, its traditions
and its achievements we may wander
through its mysterious chambers, I'M
Outstanding and interpreting its sym
bols, we may be learned in its lectures
and masters of its secret work, and
yet the volume of Masonry be to US a
sealed and silent book. We know
its requirements and disregard them
understand the duties it cnjoinS and
not observe them.
We may admire its spirit and re-
fuse that spirit dwelling-place with
in our souls; its lessons may have fall
len on our hearts like grateful rain
upon the vast Sahara, producing no
fruits, but leaving behind only the
desolate waste of former years. We
may have appreciated and admired
the beauty, symmetry and perfection
of its ceremonies, lectures and its law,
but if we have failed to observe that
these are but the avenues which lead
US up to the moral editice beyond,
that they are Onl V emblems of the like
qualities in the spiritual structure
Masonry itself-then, indeed our les
sons and our tolls have been in vain.
But the kindly spirit, the sentiment,
the charity, the emotion of the heart
which leads US with pity, tenderness
and love, and prompts and commands
US to do good for the love of doing
it, and of being just and generous
the power which imbues with the es-
sence of divinity-which expands and
puritieS, elevates and enobles the soul
and fills it with the presence Of the
intinite-whiCh lifts US upwards and
onward, and assimiIates our natures
to the spiritual character Of the Heav-
emily Master and fits and prepares US
for the society of angels-this is Ma
sonry; all else is but the agencies thro'
which it tolls and triumphs. This is
the divinity which dwelIS within our
temples, and if it dwell not also in
your hearts, then you are but whited
Sepulchers bearing the name, but
hooking the spirit and purpose of your
fraternity.
My brethren Of Orleans Lodge,
congratulate you in your JOY at the
completion of your work. 1t will al
} ford beautiful shrine for principles
excellent enough for any shrine. As
the morning sunbeams stream through
Il its windows and meet and miugle
. within, its soltened hues, So let the
active energies and fervid excitement
of life there blend i'll gentle influence,
r of peace and love. And as often a.
you enter therein remember, that yOul
temple, beautiful as it is, must mouldel
| beneath the march of time. There Ii
3, cycle of years that shall run Longer
. than the oldest pyramids. The hill
: themselves must perish. The graz
e tie ribs of earth must pass away. Blu
5 goodness, truth, love, these are imper
= ishable and shall outIast the morninI
o stars.
/. Let it be our chief work to cheris
{ the spirit of love and truth. Thi
alone shall be triumphant and lasting
This alone is true power. The band
e ed legions of carnal might shall brea
/ and fail-the steel girt hosts of vic
, lence shall be swept away and thei
. bones be scattered like drifted snow
e But truth and love shall never die
u They may be drowned awhile in tn
{ bubbling discord Of sin and faISehoot
~ but they alone are oracles of eternit
u and shall be heard at last. This
Ill the spirit of Masonry. Let it hav
% its full sway in our hearts. This to
II Il is the spirit of the age-the spirit o
IL victory-the spirit Of human gener
ton. | feel it moving all around m
ne | hear it murmuring in the storm an
us roar of the mighty forest. It's hear
We in the clank of armor, giving note G
70 preparation-in the sound of trum
C. cts calling to the march. 1t is heal
IL in watchwords from prayerful hear
On on the SUBMITS of the mountains.
st is heard in the thunder shouts fro
IN the long hosts that sweeps below
d Thrones shall crumble before it,
at Shackles shall fall. Humanity shs
H. come up from its degradation and j
sh bondage in coronation robes. Al
eS when the old ages shall have past,
ne new age shall dawn upon the natio
. and refresh the hearts of earth's we
~ ry millions. And that shall be t
TX age of truth, hope and charity.
lat
~ OBITUARY.-We regret to learn
=: the death, on Friday last, in BostC