The Present Influence And Future Mission Of Masonry.

the internal qualifications , can only be discovered by the statements of the candidate himself , and therefore human wisdom can provide no adequate safeguards from imposition . But that lodge is inexcusable which receives material not possessing the

external moral qualifications required by Masonic laAvs . No question of convenience , no ties of friendship , no fear of offence , no desire to advance the pecuniary interests of a lodgeshould ever induce a lodge to

, overlook a lack of the moral qualifications of a candidate . A disregard of the physical , intellectual , and political qualifications would be no greater an innovation upon the landmarks , constitution , or laivs of the Order , and would be far less

dangerous in its results . With such a comprehensive standard of morality , it is idle to attempt to specify Avhat are Masonic offences ; as Ave haA r e seen , they include not only all violations of the laAvs of human society , but all infraction of the universal law of

good and evil , which reason and the enlightened sentiment of the age discovers . Thus it is that Avhile the Masonic standard of morality is unchangeable , being no less than that fixed by the Grand Master of the Universe Himself , the reason and intelligence of one age may neirertheless discover and condemn that

as an offence against the Iaiv Avhich may have been tolerated in another . But in the present aAvakened state of public sentiment I feel more than justified in mentioning one Masonic offence which I fear more than any other calls for Masonic discipline hi some of our lodges

, and Avhich if tolerated in any degree cannot fail to lessen the efficiency of our Order , if not to threaten its perpetuity . I refer to the Masonic offence of

intemperance . As temperance is one of the cardinal Adrtues of Masonry , so intemperance , of necessity , is one of the Avorst of Masonic offences . It is so because it is the fountain from Avhich flows corruption , and the source from Avhich crime receives its inspirationbecausewhile Masonry

la-; , bours for the elevation of man , the improvement of his physical , mental , and moral condition , and is engaged in practical charity—feeding the hungry , clothing the naked , burying the dead , and .

educating the orphan —intemperance degrades man , destroys the physical , intellectual , and moral qualifications , Avithout ivhich a man can never cross the threshold of a lodge—impoverishes and ruins its votaries , makes widoivs and orphans , blasts the

drunkard ' s hope for the future , and entails disgrace upon his posterity . This is a question upon Avhich the voice of Masonry , of true philanthropy , of morality , and of the enlightened sentiment of the age , give no uncertain sound . Consistency , duty ,

the perpetuity of our institutions , the law of setf-preservation , the spirit of our teachings , and the laws of our Order require that " the outer door of our temple be more guarded , and the inner temple purged , if need be , " from this vice . But to bring the Order up to a higher standard of Masonic excellence it is not

only necessary to be more exacting in our tests of fitness of candidates , but if , Avhen the Avorking tools are applied to the rough ashlar , it is found Avholly unfit for a place in the . symbolic temple of Masonry , the " strength , " "beauty , " "harmony , " and stability of the temple demand that it

should be cast ivithout the outer wall . The material Avith Avhich Ave as Masons build is prepared material ; the Avails of the temple Ave build should never be marred with unsightly stones . Cyclopean , Phoenician , and rubble masonry are

unknoAvn hi speculative Masonry . As operative Masons hev to the plumb-line , so in speculative Masonry should the gavel of instruction and discipline be applied until the minds and consciences of its' votaries are fitted as living stones for the Masonic edifice . It is better that the growth of the Order should be sloiv and healthful _

built to the plumb-lhie of the ori ginal landmarks and the square of the constitutions and laAvs of the Order , than that a more rapid and less healthy groAvth should be secured by innovations upon our established usages , or a relaxation of Masonic discipline .

In conclusion , brethren , Avhile Ave contemplate Avith pride the past history of our Order , and claim for it so large a share in the civilisation of the Avorld and in the development of the philanthropic institutions of the age , and with the imagmation vieAV the still untrodden heights beyond , and survey the hopes that line the sky of its expanding destiny , let us not