Year: 1868

WOrShipfW Master, CWccrS ana H'Wb6FS


of Lodge No. 153, Of Free and .lccepted


MdsOns:--


In obedience to your call, am here to-
lay,-the day which we are wont to ccl-
ebrate in commemoration of our Patron
Saint, to spread before you, and before
others who are present with you, some
brief remarks respecting what is dcnom-
mated Ereemdso,Uy.


| thank you for the cordial invitation
which you have given me to perform
this service; partly, because it is an I'M,
mistakable expression, on your part, OF
fraternal regard; and partly, because it
affords me an opportunity Of giving ut
terance to some of my honest opinions,
respecting the merits of this benevolent
and time-hOnored institution.


1t is reasonable to believe, that the
present system of Freemasonry had its
origin in architectural science. This is
clearly indicated by the very Rdh'e of the
fraternity, and also, by the working inn
plements which arc still employed by
the craft. And as the art of building is
of vast importance in the promotion of
human happiness, superior skill in this
art has always been highly priced, and
literally rewarded.


1t tisperfectly formen who have
4 laudablc ambition for eminence in any
mechanical art, to avail themselves of
the science and experience of Others cm-
plOyed in the same craft; and when it is
necessary, in the accomplishment OF
of some great object, for number of
men of like occupation to be employed
in concert, 1t is equally natural for them
to regard their united attainments as a
kind of common treasury, on which each
one may draw at pleasure, for the mutu-
al benefit of all.


In every association of this kind, Or
DER, which is "heaven'S first law" Is an
INDISPENSABLE element; but the history
of the world shows, that order cannot be
either established or maintained in hui
man society, without some supreme con-
trolling power. 1t is therefore reasona-
BILE to suppose that this acknowledged
necessity fer supreme control, in every
woll-OrdeYesl association gave rise to that
superiority of station in operative ma
sonry, with which every Worshipful
Master of q Lodge is invested. And as
the chief magistrate of civil govern
ment requires the aid of subordinate of
ficers, to enable him rightly to execute
the laws, so the government of the Ma
sonic Fraternity requires the employ
ment of subordinate assistants, by whose
aid the principal officer is enabled to dis
charge the functions of his exalted sta
ton, with honor to himself, and with
profit to the brethren.


AS men have always held the science
of architecture in high estimation, an a.
bility to impart to Others knowledge of
the art has been regarded by many, as a
most honorable and desirable attain
ment. But in the early history of our
order, knowledge could not have been
impaired as it may be now. The art OF
printing was then unknown to the world;
and men expert in acriting were like the
visits of angels-"few and far between u
The common, and almost only way OF
communicating knowledge, was by oral
instruction;-a fact which has left its sig.
nature upon the craft, never to be eras-
ed. While some were desirous to learn
others We're both able and willing tC
teach; and thus by very natural and ea.
sy process were established different de
grees in the science of Free Masonry.


Another important step in the forma.
tive progress of the order was, the adOp
ton of plan by which the brethren
should secure to themselves the ddrdntd
ges of their union, when sickness, acci
dent, or the infrmities ofage should rem
der them incapable of active service.
They knew that unless they could rely
on some means beyond the proceeds Of
their daily labor, they might be reduced
to extreme want. To secure themselves
against this evil, theyadopted the prac
tice of regular pecuniary contributions
thus creating common fund for the re.
lief Of the destitute, from which every
brother had right to expect aid, las his
necessities might require.


The logic of events, however, soon con
WINGED the Craft, that Brother might
be in most pressing necessity for pecuni-
MARY aid, when far removed from the
particular association of which he is 9
member, and unable to avail himself O
its ability to relieve his wants. This
in all probability, led to the adoption q
the Article in our Masonic Creed, thai
Freemasonry isa Universal otherhood
1t acknowledges common interest, un
circumscribed by the limits of local ties
II bestows upon every brother, whether