Year: 1869

Life, is labor; but seasons of re-
freshment are afforded. that the toll
may be endured and the work be I'm
ished; but it is only when the building
is completed that the workman will re-
ceive his wages and be dismissed, when
he will depart for other scenes, and en-
ter new department of exertion and
enterprise.


Thus, all the stages in the initiatory
drama, are progressive, and indicate
that humanity and man, are created
for continual advancement.


Masonry aims at the culture of the
soul; it teaches that the treasures of
the intellect and the heart. are the only
possessions inaccessible to change and
decay. These alone will last, all else
will pass away. Riches, glory, the
pomp and splendor of time, the world
vanity: all will vanish like wreath
of smoke; but the soul will live, and
will be ever and ever ascending as by a
sublime initiation through the degrees
of perfection which never end.


Its progress in this world, is the
prophecy of the progress that is ever
lasting.


Every step taken in the road of science
and virtue, is an upward progress in
''that star paved path where angels
walk" That this is the doctrine of
the destiny of man, unfolded in the
symbolic teachings of Masonry, we
cannot deny.


The progressive march of the can
'didate, from darkness, misery, and
danger, to the high condition of a new
born son of light, is the symbol of the
progression of the individual soul from
the degradation and wretchedness of
his sinful condition, to that inheritance
which is ''incorruptible and undefled,"
in the celestial Lodge above; not taken
there in moment instantaneously; he
had to ask, and seek, and knock; and
it was by progressive steps, and con-
stant steady advance, that he attained
the summit of his hopes. But he
reaches the climax at last; he receives
a hearty welcome to glorious rest,
when his tolls are over.


Thus, to each one, is given the as
surance that he will be admitted into
the lneffable presence at last, where all
the faithful workmen have gone before
him,


Where is e mansion, aud welcome,


And multitude are there;


Who have met upon the level,


And been tried upon the square.


The building of the Temple of Solo
mon. that glorious triumph of art, and
of the principles of the craft, is the
symbol of the final perfection of the
whole of our humanity.


Every stone of rough ashlar, which
was cut out of the quarry. in due time
passed through the hands of some skill
full workman, and was squared and
polished, and made ready for its own
place in the building; and in proper
time was laid in its true position, and
the Temple completed, the perfection
of beauty, and glory, to the eye of
every beholder.


So in due time shall the whole of hu-
manity be redeemed and purified, and
made to compose the glorious Temple
of the living God The craftmen are at
work, the foundation was laid long
ages ago; faithful overseers are su-
perintending; and the Grand Architect
directs the whole.


The plan was long since furnished,
the designs are upon the trestleboard,
and all is progressing as it ought
Many of the materials are very un-
promising; but when the workman
takes them in hand, they will yield to
skill and wisdom, and when finished,
viii be perfect and without spot; and
at the proper period the whole work
will be completed.


The wisdom, foresight and skill of
the Grand Architect are such, it will
be found, that there was not one stone
too much, not one block for which no
place was assigned. The number re-
quired was known; and only that num-
Der cut out of the quarry. And in the
plan of the building, there was for
every place a stone; and every stone
for its place. Nothing was lost but
rubbish; and nothing was allowed to
in the rubbish, which the skill
of the Master Architect could turn to
any other purpose.


Such high and glorious hopes does
Freemasonry inspire in the souls of the
truly enlightened members of the Or
der. And when the record shall be
completed, which details the holy min
istry of Masonry on the battlefelds, in
the hospitals and prisons of the war,
which blighted and desolated this once
happy country of ours; then will she
shine resplendently glorious above all
the principles and institutions of which
this country can boast.


When birth and nationality were of
no avail; when creeds and churches
had no power to stem the ebbing
stream of life, and save fellow being
from certain death; when the ties of
family and blood were weak and pow
erless, Masonry was shown to be the
truest and diyinest principle on earth.
1t gave back life to the dying ones; it
revived the faint, and strengthened the
weak; it brought food to the hungry,
and covering to the naked; it gave the
houseless home, and made the out
cast wanderer who was fleeing for his
life, to feel that he was man again,
on the bosom, and sheltered.
by the protecting hand of brother,
and friend.


Masonry is the same everywhere, in
peace and in war; on the ocean, and
on the land; in the city, and in the
wilderness; ike the spirit of God, it is
everywhere; and everywhere it is faith
ful and true.


Brothers, / congratulate you on this
festive occasion, Before another year
rolls round, some of us may be calleo |
from our labors, to receive the rewaruI
and enter into the rest, reserved ior an q