Year: 1870

"Truth IS Divine attribute, and the
foundation of every virtue. To bt
good and true is the first lesson we are
taught in Masonry. On this theme We
contemplate, and by its dictates endeav-
or to regulate our conduct" For
Masonry ais not in the letter but in the
spirit, whose praise is not of men, but
of God"


Like charity, Masonry is known by
her works. Significant traces of her
benignity are visible all along the cell
of life. Her footprints are seen in his
tory; her wisdom is incorporated in
legislation; her principles are festooned
into science; her Tyrian finish is dis
played in art, and the influence of her
symbolic instruction is reflected in So
cial action.


Her badge is an emblem of inno-
cence, alluding to the Lamb of Sacri-
fee, with a significance pointing to
the LAME slain from the foundation of
the world. 1t is worn by the King, by
the Prince and the peasant, the learned
and the unlearned, the rich and the
poor, the strong and the weak, the
bloom of health and the paid form of
affliction.


Her heart beating in unison with her
holier Sister to do her Masters will
she is ever diligent in her work and
swift in her travels Taking the wings
of the morning she visits the King on
his throne with executive wisdom, and
from thence descending distributes her
gifts in every subordinate relation of
life, down to the humblest peasant,
with whom she joins in cheerful songs
of contentment. And while she strews
the path of prosperity with flowers,
and the vale Of adversely with sympa-
thetic tears, she "assists the weary
way worn traveller who finds the
heights of fortune inaccessible, and the
thorny paths of life broken and for
lorn," at the same time protecting the
innocent, succoring the distressed, and
orderly marshaling a magnanimous
Knighthood to maintain truth and vim
dicate the holiness of the Christian Re-
ligion, whose mystic swords combine
the virtues of Faith, Hope and Chari-
ty, with Justice, Fortitude and Mercy.


Like Religion, she is peaceablein in the
State, true. to the country, and just to
the political government, ruling in
magisterial authority over the land
where she lives. The Holy Bible is her
trestle board, the Universe her temple;
and "around her standard of truth are
congregated inone holy indivisible bond
of brotherhood, men of every tribe,
and nation, and kindred, and tongue,
under Heaven" and God the great l
AM THAT AM is Master over all.


And what is Masonry, do you ask?
1t is something asked for and sought,
without which it is not found be it never
so nigh. 1t is invisible in being but
known in effect through visibility, and
adapted to want in every cline. 1t
cometh and goeth on errands as an
Angel of Charity, ministering rellefto
every want except thirst for "the one
thing needful," which naught can
slake but that living water whereof
whosoever drinketh thirsteth not again,
the same being "in him well of wa
ter springing up into everlasting life"


By 'beautiful system of morality
-veiled in allegory and illustrated by
symbols. /" she leads the uninitiated over
the ground floor of the outer court of
nature, which is checkered with good
and evil, teaching him at every step
up to the Mystic temple to hold fast