Year: 1868

charges an office that no other institu- ton in the world has ever filled. Though the assertion may shock the nerves of the christian who Is fright eous over much," I claim that our Or der in one respect is superior even to the church. am the last one to de- tract from the christian religion, but we must admit that it's principles and injunctions are not carried into effect :; hence, as now practiced it is inferior to masonry so far as charity of that char acter is concerned which relates to the relief of physical evil. See how the principles ofmasonry operate. A man commences the battle of life with fair prospects before him. A blooming family cheers his dwelling and the happy voices of children ward off the attacks of sorrow and gloom and he moves on in peace and quiet. During these joyful days he conceives favor able opinion of masonry and attaches himself to the fraternity. For brief space his barque glides smoothly down the stream of time; but after a while the tickle goddess of Fortune changes her smiles into frowns. The slippery hill becomes more difficult to climb

 and in despite of all his efforts he is borne downward by the tide of caami- ties. The world looks coldly on and is often disposed to accelerate his re- progressive progress. Misfortunes fol- low each other in rapid succession and come thronging too thick and fast to be resisted; he yields and feels the bangs of pinching want. At last death in his sable plumes appears in the train of evils, and with one fell blow of his relentless hand, strikes down the only prop of dependent family. Who now will minister to the wants of those weeping orphans, friendless and alone, whose inheritance is pover- ty? Who will wipe their tears away, and pour balm into their bleeding hearts? To whom will that disconso- late widow appeal for aid and comfort, in her hour of sorrow, and bereave- ment, and want? "Work," says the world in accents that send shuddcrs through her fragile frame, "work, and thou shalt live. We arc not responsi- ble for thy misfortuncs; labor, and thou shalt eat bread" The poor, deso- late woman struggles and tolls day after day, but her strength is not suf- ficient to stem the mighty torrent. When about to give up in utter des- pair, and when like Hagar in the will derness, she feels inclined to retire that she may not witness the death agonies of her children, then masonry, like an angel descending from the heavens, speaks words of comfort and cheer-- extends hand to these helpless or phans, supplies their necessities, and leads them in the way of light and knowledge. l know that the outside world is inclined to laugh such asscr- tions to scorn. know that we are frequently tauntcd with the barrenness of our proposed charity; and we are often called upon to prove that ours is a benevolent institution, and that it practically fulfils it's aims and designs. But claim that we act in accordance with this scriptural injunction "When thou givest aims, let not thy left hand know what thy right docth." We sound no trumpet before men, that they may witness our good works. But we are satisfied with tho approval of conscience, knowing that He who seeth in secret, will reward good men openly. We like not that charity, which comes with great outcry and clamorous ostcntation but rather that like the beautiful snow-flakes which descend gently from the heavens, and settle down upon the bosom of the earth in peerless purity. Sometimes, however, the deeds of masonry become too noble and magnanimous to 'bc passed by without notice. It is my privilege upon this occasion to men, tion one, which is not known to even great number of the fraternity. Af- ter the disastrous termination of the late war, most frightful Restitution prevailed throughout the whole length and breadth ocpur country. We were indeed conquered and impoverished people, with all our liberties prostrated to the dust, and our soil drcnched with the gore of the South's noblest sons. Thousands of widows were left to be- wall the fate of companions who could no more return. The North looked on the scene of suffering with Indifference, regarding it probably as the penalty of rctributive justice for the grievous sin of rebellion. Butnot every heart there was dead to the nobler impulses of hu- manity. The Grand Lodge of New York, rising above the passions that ruled the hour, donated S5000 to re- | lieve the urgent necessities of our op- pressed people. True, this is no great amount But taking into view the ! fact that the donation was made to persons who had no more claims upon the fraternity than they did on the church, it is magnificent sum. Ma sorry is under no special obligations to the world, that it should scatter its charities through the country broad cast. And when its liberality is exer- cised beyond its strict and legitimate jurisdiction, 1t is in obedience to that sublime injunction, 'Love your enc. mies.' But the character of the Order