The Wilmingtonian., 1884-08-02
READ AND STUDY.


ing charge to the Bre hren, for which we
ask the most thoughtful perusal-
Most Worshipful Grand Master:--Thougb
have been oonversant with the duty you
have assigned me for more than thirty years,
have never quite been free from embarrass-
ment when have attempted to perform it.
1t is a very difficult and delicate duty to
give "The Charge" to the W. Master of a
Lodge, especially without using the pre-
scribed form of words given in the Ritual,
and when | remember that "The Charge"
appointed to be read in this jurisdiction was
composed and first pronounced by the ven
Grated Paul Revere, the embarrassment
feel is much increased. But it is your will
and pleasure TO assign me this work, and
you shall be obeyed.
Worshipful Master, this institution is of
God, and if it be of God, then you have
great work to do in governing this Lodge.
You are co-laborer with the Divine AIchi-
tect of the universe. You are obliged to do
His will. You are pledged to the perform
ance of the highest and hottest duties. 1t is
enjoined upon you to be just to your fellow
intit w oS SlilCt Will youiooii3 w oubuuc
your passions. You are exhorted to be kind
and benevolent, tender and sympathizing; to
render unto all their due; to be a good and
true man. This is godlil1e work, requiring
all the strength both of your natural and
acquired abilities. You have been pro-
nounced by those we'll versed in the art
skillful man, able and willing to do this
Al. 7 oI,,, tInr ta do
under the eye of the Great Task MASTER
hping faithful in that which is little, as we'll
as in that which is much, regulating your
self and your lodge according to the princi-
pics of Truth, Justice and Love. What
Plhtarch says Of philosophy may be said of
Fieemasonry-''that is the art of living, and
therefore must be admitted into every part
IF our conversation, and into all our pleas
II es to regulate and adjust them, to proper
ti,n the time and to keep them from excess"
c. 10 this work, them my Brother, with the
conviction and consciousness of its divinity
and dignity; and nay you be established in
every good word and work as a wise Master
Builder.
Brethren of William Sutton Lodge, Free
ndhUuTy ID iUT llS ain 10 W
and refine human nature.
''This pure gift
OF heaven n 4 which he
Who retains most to manhood, being a man
In all things lifted else, is most man
Because he wants no human faculty,
Nor lJses one sweet taste of the sweet
world"
"a g.. a ,.e, No,
our portals that all the functions and facul-
ties of his nature shall be in a healthy tone
and temper, free from blemish and blur.
He must be man. Novalis said, ''You
touch heaven when you lay your hand ON a
human body" So, Brethren, we who enjoy
Tile privileges of this institution are con.
stantly in contact with 1.-THE Heavenly
Powers" We hold sacred the human body.
We seek, therefore, to develop it in health,
in purity, in strength and beauty And We
do not forget the soul though we know but
little about it. But if the saying Of Goethe
be true "that human nature is the garment
of God that thou seest Him by" then We
see in every man the image Of God, ''tht
express character of his person." and, recog-
nizing this, we give all diligence to preserve
each other from evil of every form and fash
ion. This is the science of Freemasunry.
For Freemasonry is a science as well as al
art. Plato says of temperance, using the
word in general sense, and not as it relates
to abstinence in any one thing, that sit il
the science-all other sciences are science.
of another thing, But temperance is boil
A., g 80
likewise. For to know myself and be TEN
perate is the same thing, as both the writing
and myself assert"
With such teachings as these dear Broth
rem, you are all familiar. l charge you Il
practice them conscientiously and coutin
ually. Our work is with the temple of tn
body. Dare remind you that your bodie
are the temples of God2 Keep them pure
Let nothing enter these holy places that cal
detile or make lie. Our work, then. is il
the present, here and now. We deal witt
that which is seen. The future, whcl
belongs to the Everything aud All-Lovini
One Our Father, is sacred and secure. w
do not doubt it; we do not dream it, W
bear the image of the heavenly. AS our dea
Brother, ever to be remembered and revered
Starr King, used to say, "What we are here
nothing of our accidents and our shams, bu
what we are,--goes there, and goes anon
everlasting realities" charge you, there
fore, dear Brethren, to live soberly, righ
eously and godly in this community, especial
in your homes, assuring your wives and you
little ones, many of whom grace this occasio
with their presence, that this ancient an
honorable Graft exists for them, too; the
joy is our joy, their sorrow our sorrow, an
that all their interests are sacred to us hei
and in The Beyond.
Finally, Brethren, "Whatsoever thing
are true whatsoever things are honest wha
soever things are just, whatsoever things a
pure, whatsoever things are lovely, what's
ever things are of good report, if there
any virtue, and if there be any praise, thir
on these things" Those things which "
have here both learned and received al
heard and seen-do.
Life of Blaine.
Col Russell II. Conwells admirable elf,