Year: 1879




pecuniary obligation will be cancelled,
and that their Lodges will be redeemed
and disenthralled from every pledge
made on their behalf.


Whilst upon the surface there is ap-
parent aptness in the simile | have
employed, for the purposes of compar-
ison and illustration, looking down in
to the heart of the matter, there will
be discovered a divergence in the cases
which will separate them as widely as
the east is from the west. Sam Patch
by his senseless, reckless feat, neither
solved a problem in science, discovered,
or improved fact in srt, nor developed
a principle in morals. No good to him
self, or to his fellows was aimed at, ex-
pected or accomplished. His perform.
ance was simply and essentially an act
of stupid foolhardiness, by which a
human life was needlessly jeopardized,
without possible equivalent, and it
was suggested by no higher or worthier
motive than desire for notoriety, an
act little. If at an, less reprehensible
than that which gave to Erostratus an
immortality of infamy.


The striking contrast with this, in
motive and results, is the grand under
taking of our enterprising brethren.
Hundreds of laborers and mechanics
will be given employment. Thousands
of dollars will be put into circulation,
whereby food, raiment and shelter to
many needy persons will be provided.
And when this building shall be com,
pleted, it will be both ornamental and
useful. Tasteful in design and Of sym.
metrieal proportions, it will be for years
perhaps the most attractive object of its
kind that will meet the eyes Of visitors
to this venerable city, whose residents
for generations yet to follow US will
point to it with pride and exultation.


The, larger portion of this edifice will
be appropriated to ordinary secular
pursuits and its central location and
numerous obvious advantages will at
tract the attention of business men who
will avail themselves of them, so, that,
large though its cost may be, it will be
worth, when finished, every dollar ex-
pended upon it, and the most skeptical
now, will early discover that the
amount devoted to its erection is wise,
because valuable and profitable in.
vestment.


But my friends there are higher views
OF the importance of this work of Oul
brethren which have been offered tc
meet the criticisms of sordid cavillers.
From these halls influences will radiate
which are above all price and which nc
one can rightly estimate. Doctrines
will be inculcated and promulgated
which are as pure as our holy religion
and principles instilled and dissemina-
ted whose sublinity will reach to heav-
en-.


Acknowledging that the church oc-
cupies higher place and labors in a
loftier sphere, these Orders are careful
not to trample upon her rights, or to
infringe her preogati yes, the soul, the
nobler because immortal part OF man, !,
and its eternal interests do and will
contrive to engage the attention of the
church. Whilst the body and its tenn
poral wants enlist our sympathies, but
we draw our inspirations from the same
immaculate fountain. The same Holy
Being who gave his life for the saliva
tion of the souls of men, commanded
aims giving and set an example of be.
nevolence and charity for all mankind
to follow. From his blessed lips also
issued the command which is the toun-
dation upon which both Masonry and
Odd Fellowship rest. Within these
walls men will be enjoined to obey not
only that prohibition of the old dispen-
saton, thou shalt net kill, or steal or
bear false witness and the like, but the
positive command which implies active
benev0lence-thOu shalt love thy
neighbor as thyself.


Not only will elevating doctrines be
taught and sublime principles enjoined,
but substantial service to suffering hu-
manity will surely be rendered also.
Not in words, simply, however eloquent
and persuasive, not in prayers alone
earnest and sincere though they be, will
these orders impress there value upon
mankind, but by acts, deeds, which.
gilded by the appreciation of duty, will
shine and glisten as they reflect the
sunlet smiles of heaven. The sick will
be visited and relieved, the sorrowing
will be consoled and comfOrted, the
poor will have their wants supplied,
the dead will receive the last
rites which sympathy can bestow,
widows and orphans will be provided
for, tears will be dried, sorrows assuag-
ed, and joy shall take the place of sad
ness, and though the hope OF reward
beyond this lie is never offered in our
lodges as inducement or incentive to
action, must believe that the recent
words whose sounds have reverberated
the corridors of the ages will
strike joyously upon the ears OF many
of st. Johns and Washington
Lodges. luasmuch as ye did it unto
the least Of these ye did it unto me-
Let the work go on to completion.


Our brethren have shown that where
there is will there is a way. That
there are no obstacles which may not
be overcome by proper effort rightly di-
rected. Aye, they have shown that in
the bright axiom of st. Johns and
Lodges there is no such
word as fail. The benilicent effects OF
their efforts will not be confined to their
but like the rivulets
which are formed by falling pebble
on the placid bosom OF lake, which ex-
tend in ever widening circles, they will
reach from generation to generation
across the illimitabls expanse of never
ending time.


After few closing remarks by the
p. Il. Rep. and Grand Master Foulk the
were closed and the assem-
blage dispersed.


New Excursion nORt.