Year: 1870

brother and cherishes no designs against
him. And as to consciousness and cal
umny. most salutory and stringent is the
curb which masonic principles duly car
ried out, apply to an unbridled tongue.


Is not a society. the principles of
which are so ennohling, entitled to the
highest regards of the community? Yet
reproaeh and calumny is often cast upon
the fraternity, for the reason that we
have members who, in their lives and
conduct, do not conform to the princi-
Piles and teachings of an order protesting
nothing but the purest principles of
morality and virtue. 1t is true, there
are men who have passed the outer
gates and gained admission into our
order, whose minds, lost to all sorrow
and reproof, like stone, remain untouched
by the mild and soothing influence of
brotherly love and friendship. Their
ears turn coldly from its beautiful les
sons of Notwithstanding seen the light,
they still grope in darkness. They have
had the advantage of masonic instruc-
ton; but failed to profit by it, They
have enjoyed masonic privileges; but
have not possessed masonic virtue.
They have deviated from the principles
VI tue nave
profession. and are as bad Masons as
they are bad men.


For this you may blame Freemasons,
but not Freemasonry. The fountain is
none the less pure because the stream
which flows from it becomes sullied by a
filthy soil. Such defeetions are not un-
/ frequent in all societies-for in. this fall
/ len world societies are formed of men,
and men are fallible. imperfect. frail.
/ As Masons, let us remember that To
err is human; to forgive, diyine;' and
/ leave to the good sense of the community
whether such misfortnnes should reasona-
/ bly, affect our institution? But profting
/ by experience in your ballots, be more
/ particular in selecting material. and take
/ none but sound and solid timber to
adorn the walls and columns of your
4 lodges. Initiate none but good men and
true, of sound heads and pure hearts,
who, when they come among us, will
learn to subdue their passions and en-
deavor to improve themselves in Ma
sonry; and as the application of our prin-
ciples is to be found in our daily walks
and conduct and conversation, in per-
sonal chastity and temperance, in do
mestic felicity, in truthfulness of social
intercourse, in genuine patriotism. and
worldwide deeds of charity and pure
| benefeenee. Let us carefully guard
against all Innovations; remove not the
ancient landmarks which our fathers
have set. They are rendered venerable
by antiquity and sacred by religion.
Preserve unaltered the dignity of its an
cient constitutions, and unadulterated
the primitive simplicity and pure NOR
ality of its laws. Let us keep our lodges
supported by wisdom, strength and
beauty; adorned with peace, plenty and
harmony; cemented by secresy, morality
and virtue. so that when any one is said
to be member, the world may know
that he is one to whom the burthened
heart may pour out its sorrow; to whom
distress may prefer its suit whose hand
is guided by justice, and whose heart is
expanded by benevolence. Let us take
the Holy Bible as q guide for our faith
and practice, and regulate our lives by
the plumb line of Justice and square our
actions by the square of virtue. Let us
cultivate, assduously, the noble tenets
of our rofession-BrotherlyL Love, Re-
lief and Truth. From the square learn
morality; from the level, equality; and
from the plumb, rectitude of life. Let us
ever cherish the memory of our Patron
Saint (whose birthday we celebrate)
recollecting the point within a circle and
keeping the parallel lines as the boun-
dary of our conduct. Let honesty, NOR
ality and virtue with their ever-blooming
loveliness. designate us as Free and Ac-
cepted Masons, so that at the sound of
the gavel of the Grand Master of Heaven
we will be prepared to go from our labors
on earth to everlasting refreshments in
the celestial lodge above,


where love divine ennobles every heart.


And hosannas exalted employ every tongue


Brethren of White Pine Lodge, U. D.
congratulate you on this the first year
of your organization; may all joy and
happiness, pleasant associations and
lasting friendships attend you; may your
Lodge be the sanctuary of Masonry, the
asylum of virtue, the abode of love; may
it be beautiful as the sun in its bright
ness, cheering and enlivening as its kind
hest influences, clear and glorious as its
noontide beams. Recollect, that in the
pilgrimage of human life, you are to i'm
part portion of your bread to feed the
/ hungry. to send cup of your wine to
cheer the sorrowful, and to pour the
! healing oil of your consolation into the
wounds which sickness hath made in the
/ hearts of your fellow travellers. Go TO
your hall as to the home of love, the
haven of pence, conscious Of the All-see-
/ ing Eve that is over you, with hands
open as day to melting charity; welcome
the Brother from afar to your Lodge
room AS to the family altar; let the en-
blems live with the truths they teach, and
your hearts treasure their lessons of Wis
| dom; and while your attachment 10 Free
/ masonry and zeal in its cause will de-
mand the appreciation of all its friends,
may your lives and virtues confute the
slanderous reports of all its enemies.


One word to our fair friends who have
honored us with their presence to-day.
/ To woman, ever timid in the sunshine
but brave in the storm, we offer you our
thanks, and feel grateful for this mani
festation of your kindness. We know
that


Female virtue was by heaven designed


To charm, to polish and to bless mankind
| And while our laws prevent you from
participating with us in the ceremonies
| of our order, yet we will not shut our
ears to the voices of your love, nor veil
onr souls from the Examinations of your
presence. Your light footsteps may
thrill our hearts. Your soft voices may
arouse passionate emotions within our
breasts. The sunshine of your presence
may and shall penetrate the walls of our
lodge room and prompt our hearts to
noble deeds of charity. You can always
safely rely upon our institution to aid
vou in gaining that position of dignity
and moral power which the shining i'm.
press YOU bear from your Creators hand
so fully entitle you to occupy. Ladies,
my wish is that the mild and gentle
night breeze, as it watts along the course
of time, may whisper naught but music
to thine ears, and may heavenly hopes,
like coronet of roses, hover around
your heads.