Orangeburg times. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1872-1875, 1873-08-21
ADDRESS
DIST. Dep. @. m, James r. Izlar,
At THE LAYING OF THE CORNER STONE
Or THE AGRICULTURAL FAIR BUILDING,
AUGUST 9T1I, 1873.
LADIES AND GENTLEME EN-:

We arc assembled here to-day for the
purpose of laying tho corner stone of the
Fair Building of The Orangeburg Agri-
cultural and Mechanical Association, ,ac-
cording to Ancient Masonic usage; and
elexte1dsto oil those who have conc up
to cheor and assist in this noble enter
prise, most cordial and hearty greeting
To those nnacqdnintcd with the object of
our Institution, these ceremonies may
appear vain, idle and unmeaning. But to
us, who have passed the Square and seen
thelight, they are full of beauty, fraught
with interest and teach great and i'm
portant truths. AS the rude an unpol-
ished stone, just taken from the quarry is,
symbolical of our rude and imperfect;
state by nature, SO this polished stone
made ready by the hands of the skillful
workman to be adjusted in the building,
is typicalgof that perfection to which we
may at lastarrive by good and virtuous
life-"our own cndeavors and the bless
ings of God" 1t represents the heart and
mind Of mar, ,divested Of "All the vices
and supcradities Of life" and fitted as a
lively and living stone fof that spiritual
building, "That house not made with
hands, eternal in the heavens" 1t rep
rQsenta the soul ofsman ripened for heav,
aud glory for it 4can only be snow tried
by the Square OF Gods Holy Word, and
pronounced perfect. This stone is aper-;
feet etcuBc, wlichRis symbolical of truth.
Mt is square which is an emblem of no.
BS8ktS, or the strict performance of every
ay. It's durability, in. contrast with
Tho, decay and ruin of the wooden edifice.
to ,beserectcd upon it, reminds the Ma
son that when this Earthly house of his
tabernacle shall have passed away, he
has within him q sure foundation stone of
eternal life-a corner stone of immortal
ity-an emanation from that Divine
Spirit which pervades MI nature, and
which, therefore, must survive the tomb.
and rise triumphant and eternal above
the decaying dust of death and the
grave" Thus. by the Corner Stone, the
good Mason is taught significant and
useful lessons. Lessons of duty, virtue
and religious truth, as portrayed to the
contemplative mind, and he is led "from
nature to natures God-from the
vanity and deformity of the things of
earth. to the glorics and beauties of
Heaven. The stone of the temporal
building is fried by the Square, Level
and Plumb, and pronounced to be "well
formed, true and trusty." So tho Mason
in this life must be tried by temptation,
suffering and advcrsity before he be.
comes poliscd stone, fit for the Temple
above. He must be tested by the Square
Of Faith, the Level of Hope, and the
Plumb,line Of Charity-before he can be
pronounced by the Master Builder of
souls to- be material fit for the spiritual
building of Eternal Life. But if he
comes forth from the trials, temptations
and, snfierings, like pure gold from the
rcfiner's fire, then verify shall he be
deemed "Wcll formed, true and trusty,"
ami worthy to offer Unto the Lord au
Offering in Righteousness" The corn,
wine and oil are types and symbols of all
those abundant gifts of Divine Providence
bestowed upon MS daily; md arc spoken
of by King David in his catalogue of
blessings, "As wine that ihakcth glad the
heart of man, and oil to make his face
to shine, and bread that strengthened
mans heart"
Wherefore my brethren do yoh carry
corn. vine and oil in your professions,
but to remind you that in the pilgrimage
of human life you are TO impafta portion
Of your bread to feed Tire hungry, to
scnd1a cup your wine to cheer the sor-
rowful and to pour the healing oil of
your consolation Into tho Wounds Which
sickness hath made in your bodies, or
alliction rent i'll the hearts Of your fellow
travellers"
Such h,r some Of the nsclhl lct sous