The New Masonic Hall At Philadelphia.

And now by impressive and meaningfu l ceremony , for all time this Temple is consecrated and set apart to Masonic uses and purposes . Within these walls , Avhilst our Fraternity lives and the imperishable

granite endures , from age to age AviH the principles AVO profess bo taught and exemplified , our mysteries be preserved and transmitted , and our rites bo practised . Here no stone of offence AVIII be laid in the

pathway of any mortal . Hither will the father load his son , and the son his ^ on , that they may become of the same great Brotherhood , and share in the godly heritage that has descended through a long line of free

and noble progenitors . This Temple is dedicated to that pure system of morality Avhich is taught by symbols , enjoined by precept and VOAV , and Avhich leads to the contemplations of

sublime truths and to the practice of every virtue . In its OAVH Avay , by ritual , emblem , symbol , charge and lecture , Freemasonry

teaches , exhorts , commands . It inculcates - charity in thought , word and deed . It . has the ear listening to the voice of Avisdom , need and confidence ; tho tongue silent to slander , but prompt Avith gontlo Avords for the sorroAving , and quick to the defence of

him who is maligned ; the breast faithful to trust ; the hand open to the relief of the necessitous , tho AvidoAV and the fatherless ; and tho feet . SAvift and noiseless in the hour of danger or distress to bring succour to him who knoAVs and uses its languages . In

whatsoever land it is found it recognizes the supremacy of the laiv and exacts respect to the civil magistrate . It is republican in its choice of rulers , yields to them ready obedience , and makes Avorth and

merit the qualifications for its offices . Its lodges aro the very home of order . It never brawls upon the street , participates in politics , attaches itself to sect , or foments strife or division in the Church . It teaches that this life is not the " be all and the end all , " but that the soul is deathless , its

infancy here , as in a school training for a life wherein , untrammeled by earthly fetters , its highest and purest aspirations shall be realised . It tells us that this body doomed to corruption shall , through the poiver of

the Master , the Mighty One , come forth from the grave to resurrection and put on incorruption . It does not usurp the place , the offices or the Functions of the Church , nor presume to come between the soul and

its Creator , but it claims to be an auxiliary to that true and inspired religion Avhich leads men to Him who taketh aAvay all sin—in this , humble and AA'alking afar off it may bo , but nevertheless an auxiliary .

Among whatever people it exists , Freemasonry has for its first great light their most sacred " Book of the LaAV . " In this and in all other Christian lands that light is the Biblo . This Book of books , it lays

upon the altar in every lodge . Reverently does tho Freemason boAv before this inspired volume . We are not unmindful of its priceless value . It has spoken its ATords of cheer to the pioneer in primeval

forests , and has gone to farthest lands Avith its message of peace and good-Avill . It gave courage and consolation to tho martyrs Avhen the Coliseum rang Avith the roar of the AviM beast and the cruel shouts of tho populace .

The word Avhich has lighted to then rest countless saints and confessors , Avhich has spoken comfort to the captive , peace and pardon to tho penitent , condemnation to the Avrong-doer , Avrath to the hypocrite ,

and joy unspeakable and full of glory to the humble and pure in heart , is the same Avhich is honoured b y the Royal Craft , the Word of the Lord Avhich endureth forever . It is clear , then , that Ave have no

resting place far the " stupid atheist . In the most ancient of our charges extant , the first injunction to the neAvly-initiated candidate is "Be true to God . " In the earliest times Freemasonry uttered noun-