Contemporary Letters On The French Revolution.

of so many little republicks , and the militia as their respective armies . The Municipality of Rennes have declared that their Militia shall march no more to protect the neighbouring country . The division of the kingdom is likely to receive some alterations , the number of municipalities and

districts Avill be diminished . I do not know Avhether I have observed to you that Avhere any difficulty arose on the determination of Avhich toAvn Avas to have the preference as chief of a district , the choice Avas left to the first general Assembly of the Electors . Since I wrote the above I find the ansAver

of the president ( lEveque D'Autun ) to the deputies from Bourdeaux occasioned great clamors amongst the Aristocrates and particularly the deputies of Guyenne , who are named in all journals as enemies of liberty , and the citizens of Paris are ordered to remember the Bonnets they Avore on the

13 th and 14 th of July . The Gascons Avould not patiently suffer any ill usage of their compatriots . The Aid du Camp of M . Dela Fayette Avhom you mention as married in London , is a Avorthy but Aveak young man AVIIO is

his relation ; his name is Boiinille , he quits this country on account of his debts and a deficiency in his accounts as Treasurer of Metz . Send me the names of the French AVIIO arrive , I shall be able to tell you Avhat they are and what they Avant . There is a

club established here for the propagation of the principles of liberty . I did not forget Dr . Price ' s letter , but the author of the journal , who is M . Robespierre , never fulfilled his promise of printing it . TheAssemblyyesterdajrabolishedaniongst other Feudal rights " le droit d ' ainesse . "

Oration

ORATION

Delivered by BRO . PETER RENTOUL , at the Consecration of Canterbury Kilwinning Lodge , Lyltclton , New Zealand , December 2 nd , 1 S 75 . Right Worshipful Installing Master , Officers and Brethren , —I have been asked on this occasionto deliver an Oration on

, Masonry . I can assure you , that Avhile sensible of the Avide and extensive field that lies open before me , and . one that has been frequently discoursed by more eminent and able Brethren , I feel my

incompetency to discharge such a responsible and important duty . As a young mason I hesitate in tendering an address in presence of so many old and Avell-tried Brethren , Avho have been conversant with the Masonic Constitution for years . I trust therefore , you Avill bear with me in the few

remarks that I have to make , in connection with Masonry . Although there is ample scope to dwell on its ancient history , even from the building of the Temple , tracing it through various vicissitudes up to the present

time , I Avill content myself in making a fe \ v observations on its . nature and principles as it now is . It has been asserted that Freemasonry is a Reli g ion . This is a fallacy , and is calculated to attain serious results .

Its arms are open to all denominations alike , who believe in the existence of the G . A . 0 . T . U ., and are morally qualified to become its members . It is truly " a peculiar system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols . " It may be said to be co-existent

Avith religion , and every Brother Avho acts up to its several teachings , who strictly adheres to its principles , Avill we class as a good member of society , and as one eminently fitted to be a member of any purely religious body . The Masonic Lodge

is that neutral ground on Avhich all meet Avith love and unity , freed from the many petty differences that effect the outer world , where no political religions or national controversies are to be heard .

Whatever may be our social position in life , there we meet on the level , and are all bound together by the common ties of brotherhood . In every Lodge room is to be found the volume of the Sacred Law . In that we recognise the Divine Law Giver . The

sacred Avorkings are handed doAvn to us , to direct and govern our faith , and by them we are constantly reminded of the existence of the G . A , 0 . T . U ., and by the tenets oftbe order , we are directed in our public and private avocationsto live and act

, consistently therewith , as peaceable and loyal subjects , and discharge our duty to the Creator with fervency and zeal , and again , in many parts of the mystic lore , ^ we are taught to practise the princip les of brotherly love , relief , and truth .