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U  Yourprayers,RightWorshipfulSir,andthoseoftheBrethrenpresent,willbejoined 3  withoursthatwemayyetgoonandprosper,andthatournobleCraftmayfinda a  notunworthyhomewithinthesewalls.Andnextwehavetothankyou,Right ?  WorshipfulSir,andourBrethrenoftheProvincialGrandLodge,forhavingcome,at  nolittlepersonalinconvenience,toexpressyoursympathywithusonthis  auspiciousoccasion,andtoincreaseourjoybysharingitwithus.vVV݌  ЌXT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ  E\  &7z%}&%%&7zE\\݌̌XT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ  ^]  &7z%}&%%&7zSir,ifIhavereadtheprinciplesofFreemasonryaright,thisverygatheringoftoday E isaproofofthesoundnessofthoseprinciples,andtheirvitalityamongstus.Forit #s isnoselfishpleasurethathasdrawntogethersomanyBrethrenoftheCraft,but Q rather,Ihopeandbelieve,asinceredesiretocongratulateus,whoareinsome / senseaninfantLodgeaninfantLodgebyforceofuntowardcircumstances,though   somewhatoldinyearsonthefairprospectofMasonicworkandMasonic  usefulnessthathassohappilyopenedoutbeforeus.Thisandothersimilar y gatheringsgofartoprovethatweallrecognisethefactthatMasonrywasordained W (amongothernoblepurposes)forthemutualsociety,help,andcomfortthatone 5 Lodgeoughttohaveofanother,bothinprosperityandadversity.^]]݌ c ЌXT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ  _b  &7z%}&%%&7z_bb݌̌XT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ  xc  &7z%}&%%&7zPermitme,RightWorshipfulSir,todrawtheattentionoftheexcellentBrethrenwho  arewithustodaytosomefeaturesinthepositionofFreemasonryatthepresent    timewhichIbelievetohavegreatclaimsonourconsideration.Sir,thelastfew !! yearshavewitnessedagreataccessiontoourstrength;notonlyaremenpressing i"" intoourranksinincreasingnumbers,notonlyarenewLodgesbeingconsecratedat G## home,andinourgreatIndianandColonialpossessions,butotherlandsIwas %$u$ goingtosayforeignlands,butforeignerisawordunknowntoourMasonic %S % vocabularyotherandfardistantlandsarestretchingouttherighthandof %1!& friendshiptoourinstitutions.While,therefore,menareeverywherepressinginto &"' ourOrderinnumbershithertounknown,itoughtnottobeamatterofsurpriseto '"( usifthosewho,eitherfromignoranceorfromprejudice,havealwayslookedcoldly {(#) onus,shouldnowmanifestananimosityfarexceedinginbitternesstheirformer Y)$* dislike;whileothers,notaltogetherunfriendly,shouldbechallengingourposition, 7*%+ andaskingusforanexplanationofthosepointsinourconstitutionwhichappearto +e&, themofaninjuriousordoubtfultendency.xcc݌ +C'-  XT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ  oj  &7z%}&%%&7zojj݌ ,!(. ЌXT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ  k  &7z%}&%%&7zTheseobjectionsbroughtagainstourOrderrevolve,forthemostpart,roundtwo   pointsinoursystem,viz.,itsSecrecy,anditspositionwithregardtoReligiousFaith  andWorship.And,RightWorshipfulSir,itseemstomethattheseobjectionsare l notanswered,northesedifficulties,wheretheyexist,removed,bypointingtoour J vastandwidelyextendedcharities,nobleastheyare;tothemutualgoodwilland (x brotherlylovewhichexistamongus;ortheloyaltyinvariablydisplayedbytheCraft  V tothepersonoftheQueenandtheInstitutionsoftheCountry.These,Sir,arethe  4 ornamentsthebuttresses,ifyouwillofFreemasonry,butnotitsfoundation.   Grantedthatthefoundationoftheedificeissecure,wemaywellcallonthe   bystandertoadmirethenobleexpanseofroof,theunityoftheclusteringcolumns, ~   orthestoriesofloyaltyanddevotiontoldintherichlypaintedoriel;butwhowould \   caretoadmirepinnacle,orroof,orbuttress,ifthefoundationonwhichthewhole :  fabricdependsforitssecurityandstabilitybeunstableandinsecure?Andthese h  twoquestionsourSecrecyandourrelationstoReligiousTruthdolie,inmy F  humbleopinion,attheveryrootandfoundationofourentiresystem.Tothe $  BrethrenofourOrderwhohaveimbibedsomethingofitstruespiritandesoteric   teaching,thesethingspresentnodifficulty;ourdifficultyliesnotinsatisfying   ourselvesastothetruthandsoundnessofourprinciples,butinexplainingthose n principlestothe"popularanduninstructedworldwhoarenotMasons."kk݌ L ЌXT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ  Yt  &7z%}&%%&7zYtt݌̌XT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ  ru  &7z%}&%%&7zSufferme,therefore,RightWorshipfulSir,toaddressmyselftothesetwopoints X briefly,forImustnotdetainyoulongfromtheceremonynowawaitingitssolemn 6 performanceatourhandsbutyetwithsufficientfullnesstosuggesttoBrethrenof  greaterpowerandmoreknowledgethanmyselfthoughtswhich,sofarastheyare  ofanyvalue,theymayworkoutmorecompletelyatsomefuturetime.One  objection,then,urgedagainstusisthis:"Thatweareasecretsociety."Granted. ^ But,Sir,ifyouwillpardonmeforusinganexpressionwhichhasalmostpassedinto < theregionofslang,therearesecretsocietiesandsecretsocieties.ruu݌ j ЌXT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ  y  &7z%}&%%&7zy z݌̌XT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ  z  &7z%}&%%&7zTherearesocietiesinhappyEnglandweknownotoftheirexistencewhose & objectsaresecretbecausetheywillnotbearexposuretothelightofday;because  thoseobjects,beingaimedeitheragainstthepeaceandgoodorderofsociety,or  againstthelawsandestablishedpolityofthecountry,areinthemselves p   reprehensible,andthereforemustneedsbekeptinobscurity.Ofsuchsecret N!! societies.Ineedhardlysay,Freemasonryknowsnothing;withsuch,Masonryhas ,"|" nothingincommon,naymore,bytheveryspiritofourobligations,andeventhe  #Z# letterofourfirstMasonicinstructions,weareboundtorepudiateallsympathywith #8$ them.z#{݌ $ % ЌXT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ  %  &7z%}&%%&7z%~݌̌XT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ  >  &7z%}&%%&7zItmaybethatinothertimesandinothercountries,menbelongingtotheMasonic &!' bodypersecutedbytheirpoliticalopponents,anddriventodesperationbyan `'"( odioussystemofpolicehaveavailedthemselvesoftheirMasonicprivilegestohold >(#) illegalmeetingsandthereintoplotagainsttheState;Isayitmayhavebeenso: )l$* butthisisnotFreemasonry,itisratheraviolationofourentireconstitution,a )J%+ prostitutionofourwholesystem,anutternegationofoureveryprincipleofaction; *(&, anditisnolessanactofinjusticetoattempttofastenonFreemasonry,asa +'- system,suchaviolationofitswholeteaching,thanitistoflingtheGunpowderPlot ,'. ortheMassacreofS.Bartholomewintothefaceofeverymemberofthereligious r-(/ communityinwhosenamessuchcrimeswereperpetrated.Ourobjects,sir,areno  secret.TheveriesttyrointheCraftwillsaythatMasonryhasforitsobjectthe  cultivationofpietyapietyfoundedontheteachingofGod'sholylaw,andmorality l Єamoralityfoundedonthegreatprinciplesofbrotherlylove,relief,andtruth.If, J Sir,ineviltimes,thesegreatobjectsandprinciplesofourCrafthavebecome (x obscuredorevenlostsightof,itisasourceofdeepregret,buttheprinciplesare  V therenevertheless,embodiedinourlectures,andenshrinedinourritual;andthe  4 mirrorneedsbuttobecleansed,thespotsofdustandaccretionsofrustremoved,   andonceagainitsfacewillbebrightwithreflectedraysraysoflightemanating   fromtheAuthorandTeacherofallgood.Inevilandcorrupttimesthenoblest ~   institutionsbecomecorrupted,andifreligioussocieties,whosemembersbelieve \   themtopossessamorethanhumanorigin,arefoundtoobeythisgenerallaw,it :  wouldindeedbeamightymarvelifFreemasonry,whichboastsonlyahuman h  origin,thoughshroudedinthedarknessofthehighestantiquity,shouldescapeits F  operations.ItmattersnotmuchtousMasonsofthepresentdayifitbeurgedthat $  thesegreatanddivineprincipleshavebeen,intimespast,toomuchlostsightof;   weneednotbecarefultoanswertheaccusation;beitoursrathertolabourinour   owngenerationandhanddownourprinciplesandourinstitutionsbrighter,purer, n andmoreunsulliedthanourforefathersintheCraft(evenifthechargebetrue) L bequeathedthemtoourselves.>݌ *z ЌXT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ  Ҍ  &7z%}&%%&7zҌ+݌̌XT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ    &7z%}&%%&7zSofar,then,asourobjectsareconcernedwearenosecretsociety.Andthisfactis 6 acknowledgedbythelawofthelandtothisextent,thatFreemasonsarespecially  exemptedfromthelawspassedintroubloustimesforthesuppressionofsecret  societies.InpointoffacttheStateofEnglandholdstheloyaltyandpatriotismof  MasonstobesoindisputablethatsherequiresalistofthemembersofeachLodge ^ tobereturnedeveryyeartotheClerksofthePeace,andthatveryreturnreleases < thementhereinnamedfromthepenaltiesofthelawtowhichIhavereferred. j Thus,Sir,thewholequestionatissueliesinanutshell.Aforeignvoicewhich H ChurchandStatealikehave,forthepastthreehundredyears,declaredtohaveno & jurisdictioninthisRealmofEngland,condemnsMasonrybecauseitisasecret  society;thelawsofEnglandespecially,andbyname,exemptusfromthelaws  affectingsuchsocieties.Idonotthink,therefore,thatEnglishmenneed,fora p   moment,hesitatetodeclarewhichofthesetwoconflictingvoicesdemandstheir N!! attentionandallegiance.D݌ ,"|" ЌXT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ  ]  &7z%}&%%&7z]݌̌XT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ  v  &7z%}&%%&7zBut,sir,wepossesssecrets,manygreatandvaluablesecrets,asdeartousaslife #8$ itself.Andinwhatdothesesecretsconsist?Weall,fromtheHeirApparenttothe $ % Throneofthismightyempire!maytheG.A.O.T.U.granthimaprosperousvoyage % & andahappyreturn!tothehumblestMasterMasonamongstus,haveentered &!' Masonrybythesamenarrowgate.Thesolemnityofthattimeasolemnity `'"( increasinginintensitythefurtherweadvancedtheremembranceofthosehours, >(#) canneverfadefromourmindswhileMemoryretainsherseat,andbythese )l$* memoriesweareboundtogetherbyanindissolublechainofthedeepest )J%+ associations.Truly,sir,asecretbondsuchasthisneedsnoapology,forsimilar *(&, bondslieattherootofourpurestaffections,andpermeateeverylinkinthechain +'- ofoursociallife.What,sir,letmeask,constitutestherealbondofunionbetween ,'. manandwife?notthemarriageserviceonly,ortheweddingring,butthehidden r-(/ lifetowhichthesewerebuttheoutwardentrance;thethousandandonesweet  secrets,begottenonlybyyearsofsympathy,ofjoyandsorrowbornehandinhand;  sothatwhiletheirheartsknowtheirownbitterness,yetnostrangerintermeddleth l withtheirjoy.So,too,thereisamysteriousbondbetweenparentandchild, J betweenfriendandfriend,betweenteacherandtaught,whichonlythosecan (x understandorappreciatewhohavethusbeenbroughtintorelationshipwithothers.vϕ݌  V ЌXT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ    &7z%}&%%&7z݌̌XT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ    &7z%}&%%&7zAndourothersecrets,whatarethey?Meansofinstantaneousintercommunication   knownonlytoourselves,arisingoutoftheseassociationsofwhichIhavealready   spoken.Again,Iask,dosuchsecretsneedanapology?Toreferagaintothe ~   nuptialbondofwhichIhavealreadyspoken.Whowillventuretofindfaultwitha \   husbandseparatedfromhiswifebyathousandmilesofocean,ifhechooseto :  inventacypherbywhichhemayholdintercoursewithher,whichnonesaveshe h  shallunderstand?Andifasocietyofmen,otherwiseloyalandhonourable,choose F  toinventasystemofcommunicationfortheirprivateuse,Ifailtoseewhereinthe $  worldatlargeisinjured.Icannotrecogniseanyrightofcomplaintonthepartof   thehalfmillionreadersoftheDailyTelegraphiftheyareunabletodecipherthe   mysteriousadvertisementsofMr.IgnatiusPollaky,ortointerpretthe n announcementsinthe"agonycolumn;"neithercanIfeelindividuallyaggrieved L because,thoughaFreemason,Icannotpenetratethesecretsandmysteriesofthe *z OrdersofForesters,OddFellows,orGoodTemplars.݌ X ЌXT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ  >  &7z%}&%%&7z>݌̌XT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ  W  &7z%}&%%&7zSir,ifobjectionstoFreemasonryhavenofirmerbasisthanthis,wecanwellafford  tosmileatthem,andthebitternessofourdetractors'denunciationsneednotfora  singlemomentdisturbourserenity,astheycertainlywillprovepowerlesstoimpede  theonwardmarchofourOrder.W݌ ^ ЌXT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ  ݨ  &7z%}&%%&7zݨ6݌̌XT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ    &7z%}&%%&7zIpassontotheotherclassofobjectionswhichIhavementioned,viz.,those j foundedonoursupposedindifferencetoreligioustruth;andthisobjection,tomy H mind,ifitwerecapableofbeingsustained,wouldbefataltoourpositionfatal, & thatis,intheestimationofallmenwhoreallyvaluereligioustruthasbeinga  revelationfromGod,andthereforebindingontheconsciencesofmen.Ipropose,  therefore,touchingonthissubjectverybriefly,astimewillpermit.Theobjection,I p   takeit,maybefairlystatedthus:"MasonryadmitswithinitspaletheChristian, N!! theJew,theMahometan,theHindoo,theParseeinfact,everymanwhoadmits ,"|" theexistenceofapersonalGod,andbelievesinafuturestate;hence,Masonry  #Z# declaresthatitdoesnotmatterwhichoftheseconflictingcreedsamanmay #8$ profess;thatallare,sofarasMasonryisconcerned,equallytrue;which,ofcourse, $ % necessarilyinvolves,tothemindofthelogician,thefurtherverystartling % & propositionthatallareequallyfalse."O݌ &!' ЌXT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ    &7z%}&%%&7zn݌̌XT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ  .  &7z%}&%%&7zBut,Sir,Iconceivethatthewholeforceofthisobjectiondependsonwhatsortofa >(#) societyMasonryreallyis.IfFreemasonrywereareligioussociety,professingto )l$* teachordefinetheologicaltruth,ortocombinemeninformalactsofworship,the )J%+ objectionwouldbevalid.ButMasonryisnothingofthekind,andprofessestobe *(&, nothingofthekind.Masonrydeclaresthatsheis"apeculiarsystemofmorality, +'- veiledinallegory,andillustratedbysymbols;"anditisnomorepartofherdomain ,'. tolaydowntheologicaltruththanitisthepartofthemusiciantoprescribethe r-(/ visibleformsofartisticbeauty,thoughmusicandpaintingaretwinsisters,evenas  religionandmoralitymustgohandinhand.Freemasonryisareligioussocietyso  farasthis:shedeclaresthatunlessamanbelievesinapersonalGod,andafuture l state,andthatinthatfuturestatehewillbeaccountableforhisactionsinthislife, J heisamannottobetrustedwiththesacrednessofanobligation;justonthesame (x principle,Ipresume,asourcourtsoflawrefusetoaccepttheevidenceofaman  V whorefusestobindhisconsciencebythesanctityofanoathorsolemnaffirmation.  4 Furtherthanthisshedoesnotadvanceintothedomainoftheology,notbecause   sheisindifferenttoreligioustruth,butbecauseitisnotherprovince.Sheconducts   us,asitwere,tothethresholdofthetemple,bidsustakeourshoesfromoffour ~   feet,letsuscatchafaintechooftheworshipwithin,aglimpseofthebrightlight \   surroundingthesanctuary,butfurthershedaresnotgo;sheiscontenttoplaceus :  inthehandsofmorecompetentguides,whomshebidsusfollow.NotthatMasonry h  iswithoutreligion,forourceremoniesaboundwithreligiousteaching,andthat F  neithervaguenoruncertain,ofwhichImaybepermittedinthisplacetogiveone $  instance.Doesshenotteachusthatfallenmaninhislowestateisutterlyand   entirelyhelpless,thatOneonlycanraisehimtorenewedlife,andthatOnemustbe   noneofsecondaryrank,howeverhigh,buttheLordofLifeHimself,comingdown n fromHishighplace,stooping,bending,andcondescendingtothelevelofhim L whomHedesirestoupliftandrestore?These,andsuchasthese,arethereligious *z teachingsofFreemasonry,touching,indeed,onlytheoutside,asitwere,striking X butthekeynoteoftheinspiredharmony..݌ 6 ЌXT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ  ݽ  &7z%}&%%&7zݽ6݌̌XT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ    &7z%}&%%&7zFormalactsofworshipare,ofcourse,impossibleamongstmenofconflicting  creeds,butoutsideandbeyondallformalandpositiveworshipthereisavastdeal  ofinformaldevotioninwhichallmayhaveapart.IcouldnotenteraMosqueand ^ joinintheworshipoftheMoslem,butifaMahometanandmyselfwererescued < fromimminentperilbyshipwreck,GodforbidthatIshouldrefusetokneelwithhim j ontheshoreofourdeliveranceandthankourcommonGodandFatherforHis H commonmercy.Thereisbutonemanwhocouldnotjoininourthanksgiving,and & thatisthemanwhowouldattributehispreservation,nottotheoutstretchedhand  ofawatchfulProvidence,buttotheoperationofablindchance;theman,infact,  whowouldnotbepermittedeventoopenhiseyesinaLodgeRoom,orcrossthe p   verythresholdoftheFirstDegree.O݌ N!! ЌXT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ  6  &7z%}&%%&7z6݌̌XT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ  O  &7z%}&%%&7zThus,RightWorshipfulSir,Ihaveattemptedveryfeeblyandimperfectly,andnot  #Z# withoutmuchfearlestIshouldmarwhatIhavedesiredtomakebuttothebest #8$ ofmyabilityandtheopportunityaffordedme,Ihaveattemptedtoreplytothose $ % objectionswhich,incertainquarters,areraisedagainstoursystem.HowfarIhave % & succeeded,you,Sir,andmyexcellentBrethren,canjudgefarbetterthanmyself. &!' ButifIhave,inanydegree,beensuccessfulinprovingthesecurityofour `'"( foundation,letmenow,andinconclusion,askyoutoraiseyoureyeswithmeto >(#) thesuccessivestagesofthenobleedificeitistheboastofourCrafttohaveerected )l$* inourmidst.DeepinourinmostheartswelaythefoundationoffaithinGod,and )J%+ obediencetoHisholylaw,and.onthatwebuild,firstofall,devotiontoour *(&, Country,andloyaltytoourQueen;"neverforgettingtheallegianceduetothe +'- sovereignofournativeland,everrememberingthatnaturehasimplantedinour ,'. breastsasacredandindissolubleattachmenttothatcountryfromwhencewehave r-(/ drawnourbirthandinfantnurture."LoyaltytoQueenandCraftisastheveryair  webreathe;howwetestifyitourlivesmustshow,whilewerejoiceingiving  expressiontoitinsuchacclamationsaswelcomedourRoyalGrandMasterwhenhe l paidusavisitinourownprovince,andthestillloudershoutswhichgreetedhimon J thatevermemorabledaywhenhemountedtheThronetowhichourunanimous (x suffragehadelectedhim.O݌  V ЌXT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ    &7z%}&%%&7z݌̌XT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ    &7z%}&%%&7zLetusraiseoureyesonestagehigher,tothatfeatureinourInstitutionofwhichit   becomesustospeakmodestly.IrefertoournobleMasonicCharities.Weneed   notinthismatterspeakofourselves:thetonguesofagedBrethrenandwidows, ~   supportedandcomfortedintheirdecliningyears;thevoicesoforphanswhofinda \   shelteringhomeinourInstitutions;thesewillspeakthepraiseofourCraft,andjoin :  inthankingtheG.A.O.T.U.fortheestablishmentamongstusofasocietywhich h  considersthemaintenanceofsuchworksofcharityitsspecialprerogative.-݌ F  ЌXT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ    &7z%}&%%&7z݌̌XT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ    &7z%}&%%&7zAndyet,Sir,thesecharities,nobleastheyare,arebutastreamletwhencompared   withtheoverflowingtideofbenevolencefromBrothertoBrother,ofwhichnotonly   thepopularworld,butevenourselvesknownothing.Andtothis,Sir,Iwouldpoint n asthecrowninggloryofourOrderthecapstonewhichsurmountstheentire L edifice.TheMason'searisneverdeaftothetaleofaBrother'ssorrow;theMason's *z handisneverwithdrawnfromaBrother'sneed;theMason'sheartisneverclosed X againstaBrother'sweakness;inwealorwoe,injoyorsorrowalike,theMason 6 knowswheretolookforsympathywiththecertaintyoffindingit;andthatnotonly  inhisownland,butwhereheneedsitmostindistantclimes,andamongstthose  who,butforMasonry,wouldbestrangersandforeigners,but,who,thankstothe  Masonicbond,arenowonlylinksinthegloriouschainwhichunitesBrotherto ^ Brotheroverthefaceofthehabitableworld.'݌ < ЌXT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ    &7z%}&%%&7z݌̌XT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ    &7z%}&%%&7zMaysuchastructure,builtonsosureafoundation,standforeverinourmidst.It H isourprivilegetobethepresentguardiansofthefabric;beitalsoourprideand & constantendeavourtomaintainitunhurt,andtohanditdowntooursuccessors,  bearing,indeed,onitsbrowtheimpressofhoaryantiquity,butuninjuredbythe  ruthlesshandoftime.݌ p   ЌXT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ    &7z%}&%%&7z݌̌XT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ    &7z%}&%%&7z݌̌XT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ    &7z%}&%%&7z݌̌XT X%&X%XXXT   ۨXX%}ۨ    X7X}X%XXX7