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Australia.
that it was only at a very late hour that he had been aware that it would devolve upon him to deliver an oration , and that for want of time he had not been able to complete what he intended to say . "The question is often asked " AA'hat are the objects of Masonry ? Of what good is the Order ? and it is in all cases difficult to answer the question satisfactorily , not being permitted to explain in detail
the nature and principles of our Society . I do not now allude to those cases in which the question is put by the ignorant men who despises everything which he cannot understand ; or by the scornfui man who has a sneer ready for every thing which aims at a truth and a nobleness which ho cannot comprehend : but I allude to cases when the question is put earnestly and seriously , by men who are ready to admit that they have always heard good of
the Order , to acknowledge the extent and largc-mindcdness of Masonic benevolence , but who cannot understand why Masonry , if good , should not be made public , that all might partake of its benefits . The objections brought forward by persons of this class are entitled to serious consideration , and should be met hy a truthful and candid answer : and it will always , I think be found that full allowance will be made for the difficulties necessarily incident to the defence of a system which cannot be described . It will not
be out of place to night , when wc are assembled to lay the foundation of a new lodge , to consider a few of the characteristics of Freemasonry which might fairly be brought forward in an argument of this kind . And one of the first things that strikes us is the complex and comprehensive character of Freemasonry , as compared with other Institutions . It- is complex in its history and in its constitution ; complex in its objects and the means of obtaining them ; and most comprehensive in the basis upon which it is built ;
and surely when wo consider how complicated a being is man , the material on which the work of Freemasonry is wrought , we shall see that this complexity has been one of the conditions of its success , which has enabled it to flourish in all regions and in all ages to survive the changes of dynasties and the wrecks of empires . AVithout entering into any metaphorical discussion of the mind of
man , but taking only those points which must be obvious to every thoughtful observer , we may say that man is a being capable of love and veneration , with inherent moral principles of justice and a knowledge of right and wrong ; with intellectual powers leading him to search into the nature and origin of all things , and above all with a strong love of self and desire to gratify his own inclination . Add to these that he has certain animal wants and desires , the satisfying of ivhich is necessary for his existenceand that he is
, withal , when alone and unassisted , less capable than the lower animals of protecting and preserving his life . These principles of a man are more or less at war with another , and evil is sure to follow if one is allowed to gain undue prominence over another . Veneration uneholced by intellect and justice degenerates into superstition , and who could stand before justice unmitigated by love or mercy , separated from love and revenge , has been set down as a
characteristic of the fallen Angels , and Avlv . it can be worse than tbe inordinate gratification of the love of self . And yet these in their places arc all necessary for human existence . And it is because it tabes cognizance of all these , because it allows to each its proper scope of action , while it regulates and controls all excesses , that Masonry is so well adapted to human necessities . In comparing Freemasonry with other institutions time will onlv allow me to glance briefly at sonic few classes whose avowed objects are analogous to our own , so far analogous at least as
that they profess to be instituted for the benefit of humanity , and in so doing we cannot fail to perceive that they miss their aim from taking account only of a part of Iranian nature . The expressly charitable institutions will perhaps first claim our attention . 1 ivas about to speak at length on this point , but 1 pause at the outset , for the very word - ' charity" ( ivhich has so far changed from its original meaning of "love , " as now to imply some degradation in the recipient ) itself proves my case . Surelthere must be
somey thing wanting in associating for doing acts of love and kindness ivhich are necessarily accompanied by humiliation and a loss of selfrespect in the person benefitted . As for institutions founded on the intellect alone , it is unnecessary to do more than allude to the failure of every attempt , except when the objects were very special . The utter failure of the system of Fourier in France , and " Owen in England , are warnings against such attempts . And of those systems
which are based on the principle of veneration ; can v , e say that they have succeeded . Have they not , in too many instances , mistaken the means for the end ? Have they not magnified their differences from one another to the clouding , if not ' to the total obscuration of the object they have in common ? Have they not spent their energies in mutual antagonism till the rancour of " theological controversy has become a bye-word ? And what shall we say for Freemasonry ? It demands from all a belief and trust in one Almighty Being , who has revealed bis will to man ; who is at once our creator , our friend , and our judge . Recognising the
natural helplessness of man , it teaches him the necessity of relying on others , and that to secure their assistance , he must be ready to help them in turn , that he must regard all men as members , with himself , of one large family . The strictest and most unswervingjustice is carefully inculcated , tempered only by love and mercy to others . But with all this he is encouraged and stimulated to cultivate his intellectual powers . He is taught that with all his hellessnessand all his bodily wantsthere is in him a vital
prinp , , cipal , a germ of true nobility , which it is his duty to develope to tho utmost . Self-respect , and self-reliance are thus produced . But while the claims of duty , the claims of others for assistance , the claims of his own mind for education and developement , are put foremost , still he is taught that his creator has surrounded him with blessings ivhich he is permitted and encouraged to enjoy . Above all ho is taught the great principalself-sacrifice ; that the
, true mason will ever be ready to undergo labour and danger for his brother . Finally he is taught by a noble example , which is far from being alone in the annals of Freemasonry , that to the just and uprig ht man death hath no terror which can be compared with tho stains of falsehood and dishonour . " After this the Masonic Anthem , "AAfien earths' foundation first was laid , " was sung with marked effect and organ accompaniment .
The Provincial Grand Secretary then read the dispensation ill favour of the " St . Clair Lodge of Victoria , " The jewels , clothing & c . of the lodge were then handed to the R . AA ' . Prov . G . M ., and the Master and other officers elect , were presented by the Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; the brethren having duly signified their approval of these officers : the secretary read the minutes of the meeting that resulted in the birth of the St . Clair Lodge . This being done the XCA . psalm was chanted , verses 1 to 7 ,
after ivhich during solemn music , the members of the new lodge passed round and did honour to tbe Provincial Grand Lodge . The Prov . G . Dir . of Cers ., hereupon being duly instructed , proclaimed the "St . Clair Lodge , " announcing that from that time forward the brethren of the New Lodge of Free aud Accepted Masons were empowered to exercise all their rights and privileges , agreeable to the tenor of their dispensation , the laws of the Grand Lod and the ancient usages of the fraternity .
ge , An appropriate chapter of the Holy Scriptures was then read . Another Anthem having been sung , The officers of the St . Clair Lodge were then invested by the R . AV . Prov . G . M . dep . in the usual manner and according to ancient custom . Bro . Thomas Reed , P . M . 337 as R . AV . M . „ Fredk . AValsh , P . M . 337 , as AV . S . M .
., 1 ) . E . Thomson S . AA ' . „ AV . Garrard J . AV . „ Frederick Barnes S . D . „ John Grant J . D . „ C . E . Clark Treas . „ G . AV . Stokes Sec . „ J . AVillev I . G . ., A . J . Chirk Tyler .
After ivhich the R . AA ' . Prov . G . M . dep . addressed the Masters , AYaniens , and other officers in a general manner . The U . AA ' . M . then returned thanks to the 1 ! , AA . Prov . G . M ., expressing his anxiety to act in the high office in which he had been placed by the choice of the lodge , in such a manner as to ensure the well being of that lodge , and of the Craft generally . The Hundredth psalm was then sung , followed by the Masonic Anthem and thanksgiving by the acting Prov . G . Chaplain .
The Prov . Grand Lodge was then closed in due form , and the Prov . G . officers retired , when the St . Clair Lodge was opened in the first degree , and immediately after called off for refreshments . Instead of crippling the funds of the lodge by ordering an expensive banquet , the St . Clair provided a light refreshment , consisting of fruit , pastry , cakes , sandwiches and the like , with the accompaniment of good light wines ( some colonial , and of a
verysuperior class ) , to which about eighty brethren set down , including the I ' rov . G . Officers . After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts had been given , the R . AA ' . M . proposed the "The Health of the R . AA . Prov . G . M . " "The Hon . AV . C . Haines and his Officers , " and in doing so alluded to the high positition the R . AA ' . Prov . G . M . had most creditably filled in tbe colony , and to the high honours which had been most deservedly
eonferrcd upon him , he also congratulated him upon having the assistance and co-operation of so eminent , zealous , and efficient a brother as Frofessor AVilson , to whom all credit is due for the very efficient manner iu which he had discharged the duties of his office since the establishment of the Provincial Grand Lodge . The R . AA ' . Prov . G . M ., in returning thanks , said that he regretted much is being compelled , from the defective state of his health , to leave for Europe almost immediately alter the honour of being appointed Prov . G . M . bad been conferred upon him . His absence
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Australia.
that it was only at a very late hour that he had been aware that it would devolve upon him to deliver an oration , and that for want of time he had not been able to complete what he intended to say . "The question is often asked " AA'hat are the objects of Masonry ? Of what good is the Order ? and it is in all cases difficult to answer the question satisfactorily , not being permitted to explain in detail
the nature and principles of our Society . I do not now allude to those cases in which the question is put by the ignorant men who despises everything which he cannot understand ; or by the scornfui man who has a sneer ready for every thing which aims at a truth and a nobleness which ho cannot comprehend : but I allude to cases when the question is put earnestly and seriously , by men who are ready to admit that they have always heard good of
the Order , to acknowledge the extent and largc-mindcdness of Masonic benevolence , but who cannot understand why Masonry , if good , should not be made public , that all might partake of its benefits . The objections brought forward by persons of this class are entitled to serious consideration , and should be met hy a truthful and candid answer : and it will always , I think be found that full allowance will be made for the difficulties necessarily incident to the defence of a system which cannot be described . It will not
be out of place to night , when wc are assembled to lay the foundation of a new lodge , to consider a few of the characteristics of Freemasonry which might fairly be brought forward in an argument of this kind . And one of the first things that strikes us is the complex and comprehensive character of Freemasonry , as compared with other Institutions . It- is complex in its history and in its constitution ; complex in its objects and the means of obtaining them ; and most comprehensive in the basis upon which it is built ;
and surely when wo consider how complicated a being is man , the material on which the work of Freemasonry is wrought , we shall see that this complexity has been one of the conditions of its success , which has enabled it to flourish in all regions and in all ages to survive the changes of dynasties and the wrecks of empires . AVithout entering into any metaphorical discussion of the mind of
man , but taking only those points which must be obvious to every thoughtful observer , we may say that man is a being capable of love and veneration , with inherent moral principles of justice and a knowledge of right and wrong ; with intellectual powers leading him to search into the nature and origin of all things , and above all with a strong love of self and desire to gratify his own inclination . Add to these that he has certain animal wants and desires , the satisfying of ivhich is necessary for his existenceand that he is
, withal , when alone and unassisted , less capable than the lower animals of protecting and preserving his life . These principles of a man are more or less at war with another , and evil is sure to follow if one is allowed to gain undue prominence over another . Veneration uneholced by intellect and justice degenerates into superstition , and who could stand before justice unmitigated by love or mercy , separated from love and revenge , has been set down as a
characteristic of the fallen Angels , and Avlv . it can be worse than tbe inordinate gratification of the love of self . And yet these in their places arc all necessary for human existence . And it is because it tabes cognizance of all these , because it allows to each its proper scope of action , while it regulates and controls all excesses , that Masonry is so well adapted to human necessities . In comparing Freemasonry with other institutions time will onlv allow me to glance briefly at sonic few classes whose avowed objects are analogous to our own , so far analogous at least as
that they profess to be instituted for the benefit of humanity , and in so doing we cannot fail to perceive that they miss their aim from taking account only of a part of Iranian nature . The expressly charitable institutions will perhaps first claim our attention . 1 ivas about to speak at length on this point , but 1 pause at the outset , for the very word - ' charity" ( ivhich has so far changed from its original meaning of "love , " as now to imply some degradation in the recipient ) itself proves my case . Surelthere must be
somey thing wanting in associating for doing acts of love and kindness ivhich are necessarily accompanied by humiliation and a loss of selfrespect in the person benefitted . As for institutions founded on the intellect alone , it is unnecessary to do more than allude to the failure of every attempt , except when the objects were very special . The utter failure of the system of Fourier in France , and " Owen in England , are warnings against such attempts . And of those systems
which are based on the principle of veneration ; can v , e say that they have succeeded . Have they not , in too many instances , mistaken the means for the end ? Have they not magnified their differences from one another to the clouding , if not ' to the total obscuration of the object they have in common ? Have they not spent their energies in mutual antagonism till the rancour of " theological controversy has become a bye-word ? And what shall we say for Freemasonry ? It demands from all a belief and trust in one Almighty Being , who has revealed bis will to man ; who is at once our creator , our friend , and our judge . Recognising the
natural helplessness of man , it teaches him the necessity of relying on others , and that to secure their assistance , he must be ready to help them in turn , that he must regard all men as members , with himself , of one large family . The strictest and most unswervingjustice is carefully inculcated , tempered only by love and mercy to others . But with all this he is encouraged and stimulated to cultivate his intellectual powers . He is taught that with all his hellessnessand all his bodily wantsthere is in him a vital
prinp , , cipal , a germ of true nobility , which it is his duty to develope to tho utmost . Self-respect , and self-reliance are thus produced . But while the claims of duty , the claims of others for assistance , the claims of his own mind for education and developement , are put foremost , still he is taught that his creator has surrounded him with blessings ivhich he is permitted and encouraged to enjoy . Above all ho is taught the great principalself-sacrifice ; that the
, true mason will ever be ready to undergo labour and danger for his brother . Finally he is taught by a noble example , which is far from being alone in the annals of Freemasonry , that to the just and uprig ht man death hath no terror which can be compared with tho stains of falsehood and dishonour . " After this the Masonic Anthem , "AAfien earths' foundation first was laid , " was sung with marked effect and organ accompaniment .
The Provincial Grand Secretary then read the dispensation ill favour of the " St . Clair Lodge of Victoria , " The jewels , clothing & c . of the lodge were then handed to the R . AA ' . Prov . G . M ., and the Master and other officers elect , were presented by the Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; the brethren having duly signified their approval of these officers : the secretary read the minutes of the meeting that resulted in the birth of the St . Clair Lodge . This being done the XCA . psalm was chanted , verses 1 to 7 ,
after ivhich during solemn music , the members of the new lodge passed round and did honour to tbe Provincial Grand Lodge . The Prov . G . Dir . of Cers ., hereupon being duly instructed , proclaimed the "St . Clair Lodge , " announcing that from that time forward the brethren of the New Lodge of Free aud Accepted Masons were empowered to exercise all their rights and privileges , agreeable to the tenor of their dispensation , the laws of the Grand Lod and the ancient usages of the fraternity .
ge , An appropriate chapter of the Holy Scriptures was then read . Another Anthem having been sung , The officers of the St . Clair Lodge were then invested by the R . AV . Prov . G . M . dep . in the usual manner and according to ancient custom . Bro . Thomas Reed , P . M . 337 as R . AV . M . „ Fredk . AValsh , P . M . 337 , as AV . S . M .
., 1 ) . E . Thomson S . AA ' . „ AV . Garrard J . AV . „ Frederick Barnes S . D . „ John Grant J . D . „ C . E . Clark Treas . „ G . AV . Stokes Sec . „ J . AVillev I . G . ., A . J . Chirk Tyler .
After ivhich the R . AA ' . Prov . G . M . dep . addressed the Masters , AYaniens , and other officers in a general manner . The U . AA ' . M . then returned thanks to the 1 ! , AA . Prov . G . M ., expressing his anxiety to act in the high office in which he had been placed by the choice of the lodge , in such a manner as to ensure the well being of that lodge , and of the Craft generally . The Hundredth psalm was then sung , followed by the Masonic Anthem and thanksgiving by the acting Prov . G . Chaplain .
The Prov . Grand Lodge was then closed in due form , and the Prov . G . officers retired , when the St . Clair Lodge was opened in the first degree , and immediately after called off for refreshments . Instead of crippling the funds of the lodge by ordering an expensive banquet , the St . Clair provided a light refreshment , consisting of fruit , pastry , cakes , sandwiches and the like , with the accompaniment of good light wines ( some colonial , and of a
verysuperior class ) , to which about eighty brethren set down , including the I ' rov . G . Officers . After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts had been given , the R . AA ' . M . proposed the "The Health of the R . AA . Prov . G . M . " "The Hon . AV . C . Haines and his Officers , " and in doing so alluded to the high positition the R . AA ' . Prov . G . M . had most creditably filled in tbe colony , and to the high honours which had been most deservedly
eonferrcd upon him , he also congratulated him upon having the assistance and co-operation of so eminent , zealous , and efficient a brother as Frofessor AVilson , to whom all credit is due for the very efficient manner iu which he had discharged the duties of his office since the establishment of the Provincial Grand Lodge . The R . AA ' . Prov . G . M ., in returning thanks , said that he regretted much is being compelled , from the defective state of his health , to leave for Europe almost immediately alter the honour of being appointed Prov . G . M . bad been conferred upon him . His absence