Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-09-29

inc uTanu Onapter during TINS Session.
The vacancies in the several committees
were filed and the Grand High Priest then
submitted and read his annual address. 1t
was an able production, of which the fol-
lowing is an abstract
Mr.. DANA's ADDRESS.
Companions Of The Grand Chapter
The Autumn of the year has come. The
sere and yellow leaf, ~ nell owed and height
ened with innumerable and yariegated hues,
is waited TREMENDOUSLY amidst the bitter
moaning Of the branches, TO the earth and
the brown fields. lit up betimes in the golden
sunbeams. betokening the near approach of
Winter, when all nature shall be enshroud-
ed. and all its bOunteous gifts be apparent
ly hidden from mortal sight. The ripe
fruits, filling the air with grateful fra
GRANGE, are gathered with careful touch ere
they perish, and the rare flowers, which
have been so full of enchantment. pale
before the blighting breath Of the declining
year
As We retire from the outer world and its
transitOry scenes, and gather within this sa-
cred temple, dedicated with solemn and i'm
preSsive rites TO the Great Jehovah. we are
lifted from the contemplation Of the many
and varied blessings, the gifts Of His boun
teous hand, which no bestowed upon rs in
this earthly pilgrimage, but which shall
soon wlther like the grass that is cast into
the oven, and remember that we have many
and precious evidences of the immortality
which reaches beyond the ueils. Reaching out
and taking hold on these with sublime
faith and a deep humility, we can address
ourselves TO our labors with conscious and
well-grOunded belief that our work is not
only tor the present but for that bright
future which Is assured to US when the
present shall be dissolved. and the dark
clouds which have separated US from an
other shore shall be rlyen by miraculous
light, which shall be to US pillar oftre"
to guide our waiting footsteps to unknown
glories. Then shall our awakened senses
view with pure delight those royal pal
aces, within whose inner courts. inlaid with
amber and gold. shall be inscribed in living
characters, " Holiness to the Lord" Then
shall arise, like the perfumes Of c0nsecrated
incense, the praise and voice Of worship of
those who ,wearying not in well doing have
striven against the evils of human frsilty
and have secured for themselves, by sincere
and enn0bling effort and the interposition
Of the Divine succor, a priceless heritage.
Let Us, as We have knelt about
our consecrated altar, remember with
reverent hearts the sublime teachings
of the Word which ever rests upon
it. for We may be continually remind
ed that Except the Lord build the house
they labor IN vain that build it: except
the Lord keep the city. the Waterman
wsketh but in vain the speaker alluded
to the general peace and harmony which
had prevailed throughout the jurisdiction
during the past year, naming it as "unex-
ampled in the history of Royal Arch Ma
sorry sndlreierred at some length TO mat
tiers internal to the workings Of this branch
Of the craft
While We express our gratitude for all
these evidences Of prosperity We must an
nuall y meet the gloom which overhangs
desolated hearthstones, when We reflect
that some there are of our chosen few who
have been called hence by fell destroyer,
who Is deaf alike to pity and prayer. No
life, however honored for its valued deeds
and blameleSs example, is safe from its
bhghting tonch. Remorseless as the waves
OF the sea that sing plaintiye aud cease
less requiem over It's victims Is the chilling
hand OF Death.
In most fitting terms he alluded TO
the late Harvey Munsill, of Clifford
Chapter No. %, at Bristol, who de-
parted this life on the llth day Of April,
1876; also to John Bacon, u. OF St. Johns
bury, recently deceased. The evergreen
that blooms above their graves shaf mot be
greener than their memories in the hearts
Of all who knew them.
lie especially urged upon the assembly
the importance OF u united effort, By kind
words and encouragement. to lend benign
influence which would be fruitful in its re-
suits upon the craft within the borders
of our Commonwealth. Ii we would
build temple, slightly and of
iair proportions. which shall not
offend the eye by any designation or
blemish, we must take special care that no
rejected stone shall be raised therein. liable
to become repr0ach to Its master builder
so should We all, in erecting our moral and
spiritual temple, well guard its approaches,
lest the insidiouS hand of evil shall pollute
and desecrate Its innermOst courts. rem
dering inefficient our efforts to benefit and
aid the brotherhood Of man. Let US not
rest content with the PRONUNCIATION of the
mere sentiment which some may declare is
all that underlles our chosen institution but
! let it be life labor Of love to demonstrate
! to ourselves and the world that true Chris
| tian benehcenee which should ever shed a
| halo of light about our affairs and scatter
| blessings on the race. Thus shall we make
| Free Masonry power for good throughout
the land and render our names and those
of our posteritY honorable in the history Of
man. Thus shall We only fulfill the desti-
ny to which we are beckoned by every
consideration of duty and BY all the noblest
| feelings OF cur better nature, while We thus
attain our mission to be
Free, equal and fraternai.
In Gods own way and time;
Tn % fhn "a alta