Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1903-09-28

with the frutition of immemoriaI ages of
thought and effort, energized by the uni
versal and infinite spirit of love, and en-
dowed with limitless power to bless man.
kind, embodies the fundamental and uni
versal principles of spiritual life, on which
are based the great religions of the world.
The true Mason believes in God, accepts
the Bible as a guide of faith and rule of
action, and lives in the hope of resurrec-
tion and blessed immortality. He be-
lieves in the dignity and goodness of man,
IN his power to raise from lower to higher
| life on the celestial ladder of faith, hope
and charity, whose supports are love of
man and love of God. To him the best ex-
preston of life is to care for the fatherless
! and the widow and to succor an afflicted
| brother.
Though not a system of ethics, Masonry
| is universal morality. Its mission is to
promote the we'll being of man. As one
has characterized it, "Freemasonry is of
heavenly birth; the pillars of wisdom and
strength support it; its foundation stone
is virtue. 1t is humble, retiring, hath no
| shadow of envy, hatred or malice. 1t is
that love to mankind which prompts us to
rush to the rescue of our brethren in
adversely, as well as to rejoice with them
in prosperity"
The splendid past of Masonry, its agency
and share in the achievements and devel-
opments of higher civilization, the mani
festation of it's influence on all forms of
organized society, and its power to bet
ter its votaries, reveal it's essential aim.
Masonry itself confesses its grand ideal in
the familiar saying: 1.-The design of the
Masonic institution is to make it's votaries
wiser, better, and consequently happier"
But under the guidance of the Supreme
| Grand Master, Masonic thought and en-
deavor tend toward a higher ideal than
was consciously conceived by the ancient
Craft. The idea of the brotherhood of a
few is no longer Masonic. The ideal of a
universal brotherhood of men is inspired
by the Mason's belief in a common father
hood of God and his fraternal experience.
The power of fraternal spirit, animated
within human heart and energized by
kindly deed for brother, cannot be linn
tied in its application to members of fam
lily or lodge. The power of good general
ed in human lives must flow on in endless
and forceful current. Masonry is power
for good. 1t is the spirit of goodwill.
While the spiritual ideals of Mason
ry are high, it is also true that it's
teachings and practice are notably
practical. They relate to the work of
life. Labor is honored in Masonry.
Man becomes a Mason first that he
may the better support himself and
those dependent upon him. He be-
comes Mason that he may be the
better enabled to render help to his
/ brother man. The wages that a
Master Mason receives are not in the
currency of the mercantile world
but consist of heavenly riches. The
Mason's wage is the power to serve
Brethren of Valley Lodge, you have
, this day received the appreciation Of
the Grand Master and the approval
= of the Grand Lodge on the work Of
r your Lodge aud the construction o.
= your Lodge Room; and I am sure
that all brothers present, will
deep appreciation of your worthy
effort, and success, typified by your
: charming and finely furnished rooms
most heartily congratulate and honor
: you on the completion of your laud
d able undertaking. We take pleasure
|, in participatin with you in the JOY o
: this happy occasion. Your Lodge i
}, not for yourselves alone, but for th'
fraternity at large. We are all con
: cerned in its honor and service. 1
:, has great responsibility to the com
munity in which it has been instituted
g Like the institutions of school, churc
and home, it must always stand 70
Y the civic, social and moral betternen
" of the community. If your Lodg
lie shall continue to be animated by tn
: spirit of peace and good will, if it
Is harmony shall be like the harmon
:. that reigns in the celestial Lodg
% above, if its members, strong in tn
,e Masonic spirit, shall grow more an
l. more and more like the ideal Masor
e. ssto whom the burdened heart ma
re pour out it's sorrows, to whom dis
lie tress may prefer it's suit, whose han
"a is guided by justice, and whose hear
/. is expanded by benevolence;" the
: indeed will the work of this day prov
:, blessing to this community.
70 Finally, brethren, let US ever see
e. more light in Masonry. And Will
b we seek newer truth and newer Lii
re amid the radiant beams of Masoni
l. light; let US too seek Him who is tn
We Light of the World, whence ha
u come to men of today the light {
. frat ernity. AS Masons- we can bel
=. fulfil all our obligations by imitatin
he the great Brother of Men, who taugI
nd brotherlv kindness and went abol