Year: 1868

good will to men,"

 Little knows the world what moral power there is in the institution of Free Masonry, and how strong and deathless are the ties which bind the fraternity together in one holy broth- erhood. I may venture to assert that if all men were good masons, there would be no more wars nor rumors of wars. The goddess of Peace would wave the olive branch over one happy family knit together in the strongest bonds of human affection. Envy, and strife, and foul-mouthed slander would retire down to the dark regions of horror where they rightly belong. Dishonesty would be unknown, and then would we see the beginning of that great millennium for which the world has long looked and waited in vain. That glorious period will never come till the precepts of our Order shall exercise control over all mems feelings and motives. And when it's principles become universal-when it's mild teachings are absorbed by the Christian religion, then we will sur l render our visible organization we will give up our jewels and regalia and lay them with reverence at tho foot of the cross that wears the crown. For the mission of Free-Masonry will have been accomplished and it's "still small voice" will be hushed.

 Then, brethren, let us go forward in our work of love and charity. We have an institution of which we may we'll be proud. It is no creature of day springing from the ncw-fangled notions of modern times to subservc the purpose of unholy ambition, or to promote the selfish interests of any body of men. It is time-honored, and during it's progress it has witnessed many strange and startling scenes. It has seen empires rise and fall, and principalities overthrown. It has be- held kingdoms flourish for awhile and then crumble into insignificance. It has witnessed the destroying march of many mighty army, whose boasted deeds lie buried in the rubbish of the past. It has gazed at many an occur renee about which the theological world has been engaged in discussion for hundreds of years. It witnessed the baptism of the Redeemer, His trial, and wept over the agonizing scene of Calvary's hill. All these mooted ques- tions, whose discussion engenders so much bitterness of feeling, would be settled if the voice of masonry could be heard and then there would be peace and harmony in the Christian world. But its tones have been losti in the dark mists of the silent past, and we must be satisfied with the traditions that have come down through long period of by-gone centuries. Enough has been handed down through tradi- tionary channels to convince any req sonable mind that our Order is the oldest institution iH the world. It

 

 should, however, be dear to us for oth- CT reasons than that of its wonderful antiquity. We should vcnerate it for the long list of names of great and good men, in whose tombs have been deposited the white leather apron and the sprig of evergreen-men who have long since gone from our midst, but who have left behind that nobler part the example of their noble deeds. They have passed away, but we re- member with emotions of pleasure they once honorcd the fraternity with their living presence. I cannot for bear mentioning, among the many names which adorn our pages, that of George Washington. This illustrious man, to the character of true patriot and useful, unostentatious citizen, addcd that of a true, Christian mason. Let us endeavor to initiate his virtues. He did not consider it dcrogatory to his dignity to visit the sick widows hut and supply her wants. By such acts he has beautified a character that stands forth in purity upon the page of history like single star struggling to penetrate the gloom of midnight storm. The Alexanders and Caesars have left no legacy of benevolence to endear their memory to mankind; but Washington, differing from all these, displayed such nobility of nature that his fame is co-extensive with civiliza- tion, and his bright name is rcvered in every quarter of the globe--not on ac- count the briliance of his military deeds, but the many exalted virtues that adorned his private character. Let us follow in his footsteps, and do this from pure motives. Let us be charitable from principle, without hope of reward, and thus initiate Deity. Let us discharge our masonic duties without one thought as to the censure or applause of the world. Let your light shine, brethren--that is, the light of Faith, Hope, and Charity. Let it burn, like the sacred fire in the temple of Vesta, steadily and perpetually, and thus put to scorn those foul aspersions which have been heaped upon our Dr. der. We are too much disposed, brethren, to wait for grand opportuni- ties of displaying striking examples of benevolence that will command praise by their muniflcencc. We arc not en- tirely free from that unworthy ambi- tion which courts the flattery and ad- miration of men. We want to perform