The Frederick W. and Carrie S. Beinecke Fund for Western Americana

MASONIC HALL, BOONVILLE, Mo.,
September 2, 1857.

Rev. LEANDER KERR:

Dear Sir—At a meeting of Cooper Lodge, No. 36, of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, a resolution was unanimously adopted, appointing the undersigned a committee, on behalf of the Lodge, to express to you their high appreciation of the able and appropriate address, delivered by you, on the occasion of the dedication of the new Masonic Hall in this city; and to request a copy of the same for publication.

We hope it may suit your convenience to comply with their request.
With sentiments of the highest request, we are,

Yours fraternally,

W. D. MUIR,
H. M. CLARK,
G. R. KEILL.

Boonville, September 3, 1857.

GENTLEMEN—

Your kind and polite note was handed me yesterday evening, requesting a copy of my address. I am gratified, gentlemen, that it has received your approbation and of the Lodge. I herewith send you a copy of the same, with my kind regards and thanks for all your kindness and attention to me while with you.

Yours fraternally,

LEANDER KERR.

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BRETHREN, AND LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

In ancient Thebes a phalanx of warriors was formed, numbering a thousand members composed of veteran soldiers and youths. It was called the Sacred Band of Lovers and Friends. They were pledged never to forsake one another no matter what the emergency. In a battle with Phillip of Macedon, they all perished together—side by side like brothers with piles of their foes around them. After the conflict, Phillip who recognized them as they lay dead together, was so affected by the scene and the sublimity and grandeur of their devotion, that he exclaimed with tears in his eyes—"The simplest and plainest as well as purest policy only requires that the whole world should become a sacred band of brothers to stand by, defend and die for one another; helping each other, and assisting each other. Then," adds he, "the world would be a vast brotherhood of love, friendship and peace."

And now, my brethren and audience, this is the subject of my address to you this day—called upon as we have been by your courtesy and distinguished consideration to address you on this interesting occasion.

And what subject so appropriate for the tongue or pen of the minister of the Gospel that speaks love and good will to all; what subject or theme so suitable to the statesman, the patriot, the moralist and the Mason, as that uttered by Phillip of Macedon on the occasion referred to—as love, friendship and peace?

And now, my brethren, were there ever a time, in the history of our world, when these heavenly principles were so much needed as now? To be as brief and summary as

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possible, what, my brethren, is the greatest want of the age,
of our country and the world? Is it science, intelligence
and education? No, my brethren, science, intelligence and
education were never so active, so successful and widely
diffused as at the present. Is it the want of moral and
religious instruction? No, there never was so much of
activity, labor, zeal and money expended in a single age,
for religious and moral purposes, as in the present; and
yet what is the result? You all know—the world knows,
if the statistics and records of crime are true, that in the
midst of all this march of progress and improvement pro-
claimed aloud to the world by its leaders—that in the
midst of it all, there is more crime, more poverty, more dis-
content, more lawlessness and open rebellion, as well as
infidelity, than in any former period of our country's his-
tory. And as a necessary consequence of all this, men in
church and state will say and do things that our fathers
would refuse to entertain a moment in the most secret
recesses of their hearts.

My brethren, it is not by the diffusion of science or know-
ledge alone; not by an increase of colleges and schools;
not by the extension and multiplicity of rail-roads; not by
commercial enterprise and industrial activity; not by any
or all of these alone can individual and social happiness
reach its culminating point of perfection; but by the exten-
sion and diffusion of Brotherly Kindness and Charity. Let
these prevail among men, then all the other appliances will
become instruments and agencies in extending and pro-
moting universal peace and happiness among men and
nations.

And while we are neither the eulogists nor the propa-
gandists of Masonry—but only her defender, we must and
can say in truth, that she, of all systems and associations
the world has ever known, has preserved and exhibited in
their highest and purest degree and character these divine
principles of charity, peace and good will to men.

What time, when and where in her history did she
persecute, or attempt to enforce or extend her principles
by the fire and sword? What time, or in what land or

nation did she teach rebellion and treason against the
powers that were? When she was persecuted she suffered
in silence and in patience; when she was reviled, she re-
viled not in return; when she was slandered, she forgave;
and when cursed and abused by her ignorant enemies, she
blessed, and returned good for evil. But again, and better
still, when did her sons divide and subdivide themselves
into opposite sects and factions, to persecute and hate one
another, as has been done in the church and state from
time immemorial; and with what sad, bitter and direful
consequences to church and state, the pages of general his-
tory, written in blood and stained with crime and tears, is
the true and mournful proof.

Go, my brethren, when and where you may through
christian and heathen, civilized and savage lands, you will
find your ancient order, your brothers, who will give you
a brother's greeting and welcome: you will find every-
where the same pass-words, signs and symbols, the princi-
ples and sentiments—the same love, friendship and good
will—how much so ever you may differ in all other re-
respects. This is no fiction or exaggerration: we know it
to be true; and what the thousand Thebean soldiers were
to each other, who fought, and fell and died on the same
bloody field; lovely in their lives and inseparable in death;
bound together by love and friendship; such and so are
the millions of Masons scattered over the world, though
oceans roll between them, and continents divide them;
and languages and laws, religion, manners and customs,
separate them, yet when they meet on the square and
recognise each other, from that moment they are brothers:
a brother's heart and a brother's hand, a brother's home
and a brother's life, are at a brother's service. There is
seen, in all the grandeur and beauty, the perpetual and
inextinguishable power of Thebean devotion and love.

It is these divine principles, my brethren—for divine
they are, that has preserved your order in all ages and in
all lands; and that have won for it, its glorious fame and
immortal renown: that have preserved her in all her
ancient purity, truth and beauty, amidst the convulsions,

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revolutions and desolations of time. Masonry alone, of all the systems and associations on earth, is still the same. There is a vital spirit, principle and power, that survive, and preserve her where all else is change and decay. And that spirit, principle and power, are love, truth and brotherly friendship. These constitute her power and the secret of her power. She needs not the sword for herself or her cause; she asks no government for support or aid. She has no missionaries or agents to compass sea and land to make converts and proselytes—but go where you may, you will find her children holding to her ancient faith, nothing added thereto, and nothing abstracted therefrom: still the same from age to age, from land to land, from clime to clime—

“And, though deep still clear—
Though gentle, yet not dull;
Strong without rage;
Without o'erflowing full.
Lives through all time;
Extends to all extent;
Spreads undivided,
Operates unspent.”

This is the spirit and character of Masonry. Deep her sublimity and beauty; she is but clear to all who seek her in her halls. Gentle too she is as the dove, or the lamb; yet no dullness about her. And strong she is in her charity, meekness, kindness and patience, that never fail; that never grow weary in well doing—like her author and architect in Heaven.

“Strong without rage,
Without o'erflowing full.”

In her there is no violence—no fanaticism—no bigotry—no treason or rebellion against law and government. But strong in reference to order, peace and law, both human and divine. She never sends, and has never sent, any to the stake, the dungeon or the halter, for differing from, or opposing her. Again, it is true of her—that without overflowing—still full; full of charity, kindness and goodness; and these she exercises without ostentation and show. She uses not the trumpet of the ancient Pharisees,

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nor the newspapers of the modern Pharisee, to proclaim to the world her deeds of charity.

Again, Masonry lives through all time, and extends to all extent. This is true, she has lived through all time; and will live—for founded on truth and love, virtue and goodness, she must and will live through all coming time. These great moral qualities will never leave the earth: if drawn from all other places and associations, in the halls of Masonry they will ever find a safe and sure hiding place. And not only so; but she will extend to all extent; that is, as far as the wandering and weary footsteps of man in his earthly pilgrimage may extend.

And not only so, but she spreads undivided and operates unspent. Undivided, after the lapse of thousands of years. This is her glory, her grandeur and power. Still undivided—can this be said of any other association, or faith, or system, in the world, political, moral, philosophical, or religious? No, my brethren, no, it cannot. I appeal to facts, I appeal to universal history, sacred and profane—the accredited depository of facts. What empire, nation, and kingdom, on earth, have not been divided, and torn to pieces by factions hostile to each other; or what nation, empire and kingdom, now in the world, is not suffering from the same cause? You all know these things. Statesmen and politicians, you know these facts. Moralists, philosophers and ministers of the gospel of peace and righteousness, you all know, or should know these facts; and the causes that produce this sad and painful state of affairs. What are these causes? The want of brotherly kindness and charity. They do not keep the unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace. But they keep up the spirit of division in strife and war.

Fanatical priests—I speak without reference to any one sect or party of the priesthood—who have forsaken their holy mission of love, peace and good will to man—in concert with selfish and ambitious demagogues who cease to be patriots—rival each other in the unholy work of dividing, distracting and destroying the harmony and union, peace and happiness of the country. Thus has it ever

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been. This is the dark, sad story of the world. Look at
the present condition of the political world; look at the
present condition of the religious world—in proof of what
I say. Is not the church of the great Redeemer, planted
by his own hands in humiliation and poverty, sorrow and
tears, and which he consecrated with his blood, now, at
this day a copy of the Jewish church, as it was seen and
denounced by the same Saviour, when on earth: as much
or more divided is the Christian church, than was the
Jewish, and now as then, each claims to be the true and
only church. But charity requires us to draw a veil over
such scenes, and we refer to them, only to enforce more
impressively upon you the necessity of preserving, in all
their purity and beauty, the Masonic principles of charity,
brotherly kindness and good will to all men. Masonry,
alone of all associations in the world, has obeyed the apos-
tolic precept, of keeping the unity of the spirit in the bond
of peace. What spirit, my brethren? the spirit of love
and good will to men—the spirit of God the Father, and
great Architect of the universe—who so loved the world
as to give his only son a ransom for it; and the spirit of
that son, who so loved it, as to die for its redemption.
This is the spirit we wish you ever to preserve in unity,
harmony and peace. For this is the only spirit that can
produce peace and brotherhood in the world. All others
are the spirits of discord, dissension and strife.

The potency of this spirit, or rather its *omnipotency*, is
not sufficiently understood and appreciated. It is not lim-
ited by latitude or longitude—it is not bounded by geo-
graphical lines, or effected by climates; it is not weakened
or impaired by extension or diffusion; nor is it expended
by operation; no, it gathers strength and influence, in
proportion to its influence and extension. It regards alike
all subjects beneath its control and power—pomp, and ti-
tles, and grandeur, wealth and fame, have in themselves
no attractions for it; and poverty, obscurity and wretch-
edness, have no repulsion for it: but to these she would
rather wind her silent and gentle way—like the sun, the
dews and the rains, that shine alike upon all, visit all and

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ORATION.

mournish all; from the modest flower, that blooms and dies
unseen on the mountain bosom, and wastes its fragrance
on the mountain winds, up to the lofty oak and the stately
pine.

Again, my brethren, remember that the law of love and
kindness is to the moral universe, what the law of gravi-
tation and attraction is to the material. It is the latter
that binds and keeps in harmony the material universe of
God; and under its control all is order and peace. No
part of matter, how minute soever, is beneath its notice
and care, and none too great for its power and influence.

> « That very law that moulds a tear,
> And bids it trickle from its source,
> That self same law controls each sphere,
> And guides the planets in their course?»

And thus it is with the law of love and kindness. God,
who is love, has ordered this law to govern and preserve
the moral universe, as he has ordained the other for the
material. And what is wanting to bind the whole world to-
gether in bonds of amity and concord, strong and firm as
that which bound the Thebean warriors to each other, in
life and death, but the spirit of brotherly love?

Masonry has been often assailed and accused by her ig-
norant enemies, as anti-Christian in her principles and ten-
dency, and yet she has ever shown more of true Christian
spirit than any society or association on earth, except the
Christian church in the first stage of her pure and primi-
tive condition and character.

And, my brethren, if we have been tedious and redund-
dant on this subject, it is not to praise Masonry, but to im-
press upon your minds the necessity, and at this time the
great and *increasing* importance of preserving this spirit of
amity and kindness in the bonds of peace. Do this, my
brethren, and much as Masonry is despised by her foes, she
yet may be the conservative power of the social and moral
world. She yet may say to its stormy elements—"peace,
be still;" and they will obey her.

Brethren, when did acts of kindness and brotherly love,
and charity and gentleness, meekness and forbearance,

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make an enemy, or repel a human heart, and alienate a human mind? When and where? Echo answers, when and where? And when and where did selfishness and pride, bigotry and persecution, political and religious, make a friend, soften the heart into love, and the mind into affection and esteem? Echo again, in a low response, answers, when and where? And to illustrate and enforce this great truth, let me refer you to the Bible—the Mason's chart and guide; who, of all the sinful race of a fallen world, would have loved God, if He had not first loved us.

And now, brethren, may the Hall we dedicate to-day, be, while it stands, exclusively sacred and devoted to these great principles of charity,—brotherly kindness and truth. These are the pillars of Masonry, of Christianity, and of the universe. Let no bigotry enter here. Let no sectionalism, political or religious, disturb the peaceful sanctity of your Hall. However you may differ in all other things, differ as brethren: but as the Turks, when they enter their mosques for prayer, leave their sandals and slippers at the door; thus leave all your peculiar opinions and prejudices outside. Meet there as brothers meet. Meet as the thousand Thebean warriors met, to stand by each other, to assist, defend, and, if necessary, to die for each other. Oh! my brethren, I call upon you this day to exclude, as they have ever been excluded, from the halls of Masonry, political and religious intolerance, fanaticism and bigotry. Bigotry, the child of perdition, malignity and darkness; that in the name of Heaven marks the deeds of the infernal pit. Bigotry, that respects nothing, pities nothing and spares nothing; neither the parent the child, nor the child the parent, nor the brother the sister, nor the sister the brother. Bigotry, that respects not the sanctity of wedded love; that intrudés into the domestic circle, as Satan did enter Eden, and there blights all, blasts all, and curses all, with the mildew of death and hell. Bigotry, that enters into the earthly sanctuary of the Most High, and entwines its slimy folds around the altar; and gathers more virulence and venom there, to issue again through the walks of social and political life, more fatal to the peace and happi-

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ness of the same, than the malaria, that in sickly autumn, ascends from the dying vegetables of the world. Oh! brethren, I beseech you, in the name of the great Architect and builder of all things, to make your Hall a fountain of peace and truth, a home of love and good works.

We have said much upon the spirit of Masonry, and now let us speak of its fruits. In one word, its fruits are to do to others as we would have them do to us. Did the world act upon this principle, we would have a world of peace and righteousness. Man's best security would then be in the society of his brother: and then instead of "man's inhumanity to man," making countless thousands mourn; it would be man's humanity to man, makes countless thousands smile. Then wars would cease, and contention and strife, and all of their evil results, would disappear from earth; then the North would not harass and vex the South, and the South would not hate the North, but each seek to promote the welfare and prosperity of the other.

A word now in reference to Cooper Ledge:

Cooper Lodge, No. 36, dates her charter on the 9th of October, 1841. Her first officers were Andrew Gibson, Worshipful Master; R. S. Leveridge, Senior Warden; B. Hart, Junior Warden. Brother Leveridge is dead. Brother Hart resides in Philadelphia, and brother Gibson lives in this place. Gibson, Harley and Kelly are the only resident members of the Lodge from the time of its formation. All the rest are dead or have removed to other places.

The charter for the Chapter is dated October, 1847. R. S. Leveridge was High Priest; A. Gibson, King; and C. D. W. Johnson, Scribe. Of these officers, A. Gibson is the only remaining one. Thus, brethren, passes the generations of men away. Let us be ready, for at such a time as we know not, and think not, the summons for us will come. Be always ready, brethren, for your final call from labor to endless rest—where toils and cares no longer perplex, and where the wicked cease to trouble and persevere.

And now, ladies, it is my pleasant duty to address a few

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words to you, who have honored me by your presence and attention, though I feel I am unable to do justice to so fair and interesting a subject.

Masonry, ladies, has ever regarded your sex with the highest degree of respect and esteem. She is second only to Christianity in the work of elevating and ennobling the condition of woman. And if you are not permitted to take part in all our ceremonies, it is because of their adaptation to us, not to the softness of your sex—just as you are excluded from the pursuits and labors of men—from the judicial seat, from the executive chair, and from the ballot box—none of which are scenes and places suited to feminine refinement and modesty. But your position, power and influence, in the world and over it, are none the less because of the sphere in which nature and God have placed you. Indeed, that very sphere is the very seat and throne of your power and influence for good. It is from that pure and virtuous station, woman's sphere of life and action, that a refining, and harmonizing, and moralizing influence, goes forth over the earth, to refine, and soften and elevate man, who, but for that influence, would become rude, wild and savage. And as before stated, next to Christianity is your sex indebted to Masonry for support, protection, and to that high position of honor, esteem and respect, to which the sex, in all Christian and Masonic countries, have attained. It was chiefly for this that the order of chivalry and knighthood was established, in the dark and barbarous times of the middle ages, when neither church nor state could, or, would not, protect the weak, defend the defenceless—and above all, when woman's honor and virtue were most unprotected from the lawless licentiousness of the times. Then it was that this order of chivalry and knighthood was formed, as the defenders of the weak, which law could not, or would not do, to protect the widows and fatherless, and female virtue. And to this they devoted their lives, under the most solemn vows. And most nobly did they do their duty, and vindicate their pledged honors and truth, at home and abroad. Time would fail me to tell of their gallantry, their noble deeds,

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their heroism and chivalry, and their generous self-sacrificing conduct. What time, when with the crusaders, they marched to Palestine, to redeem the ancient home of Masonry and Christianity; when the proud, insolent and taunting crescent of the false prophet, paled and sunk beneath the milder and brighter splendor of the Cross. And what time the swords of the Knight Templars, in avenging wrath, smote through turban, bone and brain of the brutal Turks; and rescued Europe and the Christian world from Mohammedan barbarity, violation and slavery. And it is for the defence, protection and support of all who need these things, that our order of Knighthood is still maintained, and to which our vows and obligations bind us. And while we do this, you, ladies, in your sphere, can do much to aid, cheer and encourage us in this good work. Your office and mission in this world are the same as ours: not in the same way, nor by the same instruments and arms; but by the same great principles of heavenly charity, kindness and goodness. By these woman holds her power and empire over the minds and hearts of men, and over the destinies of the world, a power and dominion that kings and emperors may envy, but cannot obtain. And why is this so? It is because, that in your sex there are more of these principles, we have this day dwelt so much upon, than there are in ours. Your Creator has given you this high and glorious privilege, and given this to you, when He created you a "help meet" to man. The true meaning of the original, is a guide, a counsellor to man, that is, by her love and devotion, her gentleness and virtue, she should cheer, guide and counsel him. But when woman forsakes and forgets these; when in her ambition for a higher position, she looks upon this station, and these qualities and duties, as unworthy her, and her "strong mind", then she loses all that power and influence that charm and captivate heart, mind and soul; that rainbow of heavenly purity and divinity that like an arch of faith, hope and love enshrines every good and lovely woman. She ceases to be an object of adoration and love, she ceases to be a help meet, a guide and counselor to man; she becomes a

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wandering star in pursuit of vain and idle phantoms, which
she never can grasp. What we want and what the world
wants, is not "strong minded women", but strong hearted
women, full of pure and sincere love and charity—faith,
hope and good works. These control men and guide them
aright; these form and correct our manners and purify our
morals; these reclaim the wicked and reform the erring;
these strengthen the weak and confirm the wavering; and
last, but not least,

"These lure to heaven and lead the way."

Daughters of Missouri, may you ever prove to be such.

And now, brethren, a few parting words to you, and we
are done. And first to you my reverend brethren in the
ministry of the Gospel of peace and good will to all men:
let me entreat you to follow the example of our Lord and
Master in heaven, in gentleness and meekness, in kindness
and charity. Do not, for his Gospel, substitute politics,
treason, rebellion and Sharp's rifles. If you do you may
rest assured that you will do more injury to Masonry and
Christianity—the true lights and pillars of society and the
world, than all the combined efforts of their enemies can
achieve. Permit me to express in poetry what I feel on this
subject:

Let politics alone, leave that to others;
Be to the world Samaratonic brothers,
Preach Him alone who came to save mankind,
Be firm but gentle, prudent, good and kind,
Remember his advice who rules the skies—
As doves be harmless, and as serpents wise.

And to you, Entered Apprentices, Fellow Craft and Mas-
ter Masons and Royal Arch, one word of advice. Be not
satisfied with any attainments you have made, but press
onward and upward. You have not yet attained to perfec-
tion in this sublime order. It is too common, my brethren,
for persons to grow weary in the first steps of science and
truth of every kind because their first lessons are uninter-
esting. And hence too many become only superficial in
all departments of truth and science. A little knowledge,

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like a little religion, when men are satisfied therewith, only
tends to make them meddlesome fools and hateful fanatics
and bigots. My brethren, avoid all this. Show to the
world that there is something grand, great and good in
Masonry.

And now, Sir Knights, my companions and brethren, I
call upon you this day, by the ancient fame and renown,
by the wisdom, virtue and gallantry of your Order, that
shed a lustre of fame and glory over so many plains and
battle fields in Europe and Asia, to emulate the virtues and
heroism of those men in private life and public acts. And
though you are not called upon now to wield the sword
and the lance as they were, yet in all that is noble and vir-
tuous, generous and good, your duties and obligations are
the same. And should the time ever come, when, in de-
fense of all our sacred rights, our liberties and our country,
you should be called upon, then like the Thebean warrior
brothers, pledge yourselves never to yield and never to fly
from the post of honor and duty, truth and right.

The field of man's moral duty and occupation is ever the
same, and on that field bear away the palm of all that is
most noble and manly, virtuous, gentle and charitable. Of
the honest, be the most honest; of the honorable, be the
most honorable; of the faithful, be the most faithful and
true; of the patriotic, be the most patriotic; and as lovers
of law and order let none excel you. In short, Sir Knights,
"Let all the ends you aim at, be for your God, your coun-
try and for truth." Then God will protect you, your coun-
try will sustain you, and truth will guide you into all well-
doing here and to all well-being hereafter.

And now, brethren, and ladies and gentlemen, I thank
you for your kindness, and for your attention this day.
And in conclusion, when our labors and meetings on earth
have ended; when for the last time we are called from labor
to refreshment and rest, then, in the language of Scotland's
most gifted, and Masonic bard, Robert Burns,

"May Sisters, Brothers all unite,
In that Grand Lodge that's far awa."