Year: 1867

task might be, time will not now permit 6
discussion of the moral symbols involved
and hidden in these operations.


We are laying the cornerstone of {
building to be appropriated to Masoni,
uses. 1t is therefore appropriate to refel
to the purposes for which the building is Il
be erected. What is the Masonic worf
which is to engage the skill and toll O
those who shall gather within these wall!
when completed3


| First, the speaker remarked that il
would be personal work. He did not mean
that the brothers would engage simply in
personal labor, though that Is trtie. One
end of Masonry is to dignity labor and to
declare that the artisan has right to an
honorable position in society. The man
too proud to work will find no opportunity
to indulge hfs Incidence in o Masonic
lodge. But more than this is meant. The
Mason's first work is upon himself aud
within himself, and is therefore personal
He must liken himself to the rough stone
the edges must be broken off. As with
compasses, his wayward passions must be
crcumscribed and his affections kept within
due bounds. He must apply the square
and other implements of the craft to his
own conduct the chisel to his heart and
life !; and not to spare the heavy strokes Of
the mallet himself when necessary. His
first lessons relate to the necessity and
methods of self-discipline. This is good
work in theory, aad faithful Masons carry
it out in practice.


In this building the Mason will be
taught that he has work to do for bis
brothers. Mutual help is the basis princi-
pie Of ali societies. Unless this principle
is recognized there is no use of association.
In this rcspect Masonry does not pretend
to differ from other societies. In all the
relations of life Mason should give prefer.
ence to Mason; preferring to promote
the interest of another rather than those
of a stranger. In this building, therefore.
Masons will lay out afd prosecute work
for one anothers A turbulent brother will
be brought by the gavel to subordination
The master will have frequent occasion
with the trowel, to spread the cement oi
brotherly love to catse the cohesion oi
estranged or discordant hearts.


The building will be employed, too, in
prosecuting effective work for the benefit
Of general society. Masonry has done
much in promoting the progress of civili
zation. Everything that binds men more
closely by bands of sympathy, affection
and common interests, promotes the .ad
vancement of civilization. So far as g
palpable disqualification of these inlu.
ences can affect society, Masonry propose:
to furnish an example.


But there will also be wrought, in con-
nection with the building, works Of benevo,
lence and charity. Many Widows heart
will sing for joy, many an orphan soul be
made glad, many an unfortunate brother
be relieved in distress, through the infu-
ence going forth from this Masonic Hall.


To religious uses, too, it will be appro-
priated. Its library may be composed OF
but one volume, but that volume may be
worth more than the largest library in the
world, for it will be the Book of Books
This is necessity for our Lodge. 1t is
the first thing upon which the eye of the
initiated rests, and during all his progress
| it is never out of sight.


But the speaker would not intimate that
| the Lodge is substitute for the Church
no good Mason will institute such com,
parison. The Church is what we do not
claim for Masonry-a divine institution.
Masonry, though ancient and highly no.
norable, as we believe, is human institu'
ton; but it inculcates lessons of pures1
morality and the revealed religion. A
good Mason does not substitute his mem
bership in the Lodge for membership in
the Church Of God; but it has many
things in common with the Church, anc
one of these is sincere faith and reverence
for the Bible.


The ceremonies on the ground being
concluded, the procession was reformed
and marched back by another route to the
Masonic Hall on Franklin street.


The singing on the occasion was by
selected choir Of young ladies and gentle
men of Richmond, and constituted one o
the most attractive features of the pro
gramme. The hymn to the tune o
"America," and the psalm go, Praise the
Lord" were excellently rendered, Will,
the grand chorus from Mozart's Twelftl
Mass,


"Glory be to God on high,'


was sung in style worthy of the highes