Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1879-01-10

!
have this festal gathering for the pro-
motion of social intercourse. You
have asked our friends to come and
witness the ceremonies OF installation,
and they are seated with us in the
lodge. You have asked me to speak
for YOU, and what shall | say? DO
you ask for instruction? Look to the
East. Would you have counsel? Coun-
sci belongs to age, and my sun has
hut now passed "high twelve" Will
YOU for few moments shut out the
cares and concerns OF the world, and
talk of the bright past and still bright
er hopes for the future? VIII you for
short time recall to mind the virtues
Of the honored dead, whose pictures
adorn these walls? VIII you help me
to words that will bind the fraternal
choin still closer.-WOrds that will
wipe out animosities if any unhappily
cxist.-Words that will help US on in
our journey from this to the Celestial
Lodge above? Then bow with me at
the altar, and join in the grip-thc
strong grip, that lifts us from the dead
level of worldly differences to that
bright living, perpendicular, where ho-
nor dwells, and
"Naught but truth is known,
And naught but love is felt"
For this, there is no place more fit
ting than the Lodge room, for here
we arc taught to observe those ancient
landmarks, Friendship, Morality and
Brotherly love-" And he who walks
the closest these, the best workman
is, and has for work, the good of man
in mind and soul. Watch well these
ancient landmurlss, nor be like one
who zealously cries reform to cover
his apostacy. For apostates are yea
lots ever, hoping thereby to have their
treachery named reform, and them
selves Telormers.
Here are the three greater lights in
Masonry, which must he kept in the
heart, as we'll as displayed upon the
altar, especially the Holy Bible that
every mason declares to be his rule
and guide of faith. A faith that Is a
higher faculty than reason, for reason
walks by sight, but "faith takes hold
Of things beyond the vale"
y mason is pilgrim in search of
light, and faith is his strength and sup
port, while he patiently follows the
few CLEANS that penetrate present OBJ
security, until he arrives where
"Star unto star speaks light and world to
world
Repeats the password of the universe"
The shepherds as they watched their
hocks by night upon the plains, first
had CLEANS Of the light in the scintiI-
lations of those stars that heraldcd
the dawning Of the perfect day, and
for eighteen hundred years the world
has rolled from night towards that
day, nor has it yet emerged from the
twilight of the dawning.
Darkness is death, but light is
life, and he who has most light, lives
most. Darkness casts over the mind
mantle of doubt, gives visions Of
vile forms and drives us on to mad
ness or despair. Light reveals to us
the world all in harmony and beauty !;
gives Us love and leads us up to God.
1t makes life thrilling joy, SYM
phony of sweet sounds which death
cannot make discordant, but only mu-
sic floating away distant and more
distant, until lost on earth to be re-
produced in heaven. The earth itself
is beautiful everywhere. Tho broad
Western praries, the rugged Eastern
Mountains, the flower gemmed South,
or snow covered North. Each has its
beauties. lis man alone that makes
blot upon the face of nature, and
the blacklist spot is made by his disre-
gard Of the rights Of others. This
It's the object Of masonry to correct,
and it is the grandest design upon its
tressle board.
Masons meet upon the level
Worldly distinction takes no prece-
dcnce here. Worldly wealth or hon
or are esteemed only when adorned by
personal merit. The craftsman who
presents the most perfect work takes
first rank, however humble his station
in life may be. And as all men are
not born free and equal, in any sense
except politically, the humble efforts
of the less able craftsman may COM
mand larger measure of corn, wine
and oil, than the cratic lights of gen
lus. The patient plodder often gains
the prize, For lis
"1he soul long used to truth that keeps its
course,
Though plunged upon a sudden mid the
false"
When in the journey Of life we are
surrounded by petty annoyances, moth
ing in themselves, unbearable in ac-
emulation; when we have received
conteml when we have merited
kindness; when our best endeavors
have been purposely msrepresentcd !;
when temptations assail, and all our
obligations are forgotten, and good
resolutions become ropes of sand /;
when we have tasted the apples of
sodom and they have turned to ashes
in our mouths when the wisdom and
strength of man fails then we must
remember the advice given anciently
which was timely and good. Then
the strong hand and whispered word
comes "lko the dew of Herman or the
dew that descended upon th3 Noun
tain of Zion"