Middletown transcript., 1897-10-16

cause the things about which / am
talking are very serious indeed. It ID
no slight responsibility that we assume
when we enter upon membership in
Free Masonry. The heart and con-
science are appealed to for their best
work, and we know that it will be
scrutinized ith unerring and impair
tial wisdom and equity by our most
wol shipfull Mas.er in Heaven. We
ought cot to be merely formal members
of our order which is 80 eminently
typical Of hard and intricate labour.
To connect ourselves with it, implies
diligence and perseverance in coufor m
ing to its principles and precepts. There
fore. it is that am confident that my
exhortation in this sacred house and
on this holy day to renewal of your
solemn obligation will not be adiudged
ill-placed or ill-timed.
1t is an exhortation to consistency
and thoroughness, not only that we
may practice those graces of humility
and generosity and love which may be
more especially the fulfillment of the
Golden Rule, but that we engage in
every other good word and work-main :,
tanning truth, and order, and equity,
and giving due prominence to mercy,
forbearance, and peace.
Such has been the life of many of our
fellowmembers in all preceding genera
tions. Their bright names are not only
precious heritage, but powerful in
centive. In our time, we may, by the
grace of God, be able to leave behind
US such records as will help others to
guide them selves Alright in the devious
ways of this naughty world.
The mathematicians say that of all
figures circle is the most absolute, be-
cause the beginning and the ending
concur in one. Such is our holy con-
versation, which comes from God and
ends in God. All our good deeds are from
Him, as are the beams from the sun,
the fragrance from the flower, the fire
from the spark. The sun is discerned
by the beams, ,he flower by the scent,
the fire by the spark. So Gods true chill
dren are known by works of love and
goodwill, whereby He Himself is glor-
flied, and the interests of His Kingdom
advanced.
Is happiness your end in life? Rather,
let it be the formation of character.
That lasts. Do you wish to live long?
Rather, let it be to live well.
To live we'll, is not to live to ones
self. The value of such a life-who
can tellP
It is said that a sound of gold, If
made into thread will go round the
world. Whether thi be true or not,
do not know. But this do know.
The Influence of good life well lived
is almost limitless. The influence even
of a single word or of a single deed may
be powerful for generations. A cannon
is but short tube, but its direction at
the moment of firing governs the whole
flight of the ball. A clay mould is a
very fragile thing, but the moulten
metal which it receives may retain the
shape thus given to it for ages. The
photographers plate is exposed but for a
few seconds. Yet the impression then
made may last for many year.
And to exert this influence, it is not
necessary that we should have wealth,
or place, or fame. Nor that we should
make a noise in the world and attract
to ourselves its attention and admira-
tion. A light house makes no noise,
friendly illumination is none the less
effective in directing the bewildered
mariner. So let ths light of our good
lives-good because regulated by the
Golden Rules shine quietly, ,bu. brightly,
that our fellow-travelers, sailing over
this worlds perilous ways, may be
guided safely to the haven where they
would be, and that we all at length may
obtain an entrance into that glorious
temple not made with hands, eternal in
the heavens, where we shall rest not
day and night saying: Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty, which was, and
is, and is to be.