A Sermon

visit the fatherless and widows , in their affliction , " then is Masonry pure , for that is Masonry . If to acknowledge God in all things—an ever watchful Providence of the affairs of men- —be good , then is Masonry good , for that is Masonry . One of its noblest declarations copied from Divine Revelation being , " except the Lord

build the house they labour in vain that build it . " In conclusion—To those of you who are not Masons , we say come and join us . Masonry uses no undue influence to lead men into its temples—the wish for initiation into her secrets must be the free spontaneous out-come of the candidate ' s own will—but we will bid you welcome , and lead you from the outer court into the inner templefrom the darkness into the lihtand ifas the

, g , , beauty and glory of that li ght rest upon you , and encircle you , the cry goes up from you " More Light , " then shall that cry be hushed in the fulness of supply . True the Neophyte will have to pass through many dangers and over a difficult way before he reaches the temple of light , but willing hands and voices Avill help and cheer him on , and after having passed through darkness , and doubtand fearbrothers who have trodden the same path and passed

, , through like dangers and difficulties will bid him welcome inside the temple ' s gates , and unfold to him the beauties and glories of Masonry , Brother Masons , my closing words are to you . Yours is a noble calling . Remember the eyes of the uninitiated are upon you , and as a clearer view of the principles of Freemasonry is revealed to their minds , the greater will be the

demand upon you that you should mirror forth clearly in your lives those principles in all their beauty and truth . Do not forget that in Masonry character is supreme . That " the internal and not the external qualifications of a man is what masonry regards . " You present a sublime spectacle to those outside the temple of light . " Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unit y "—brethren of all nations , religions ,

kindreds , and tongues—high and low , rich and poor , learned and unlearned , king and subject , ruler and the ruled—the wisest sage and the humblest disciplethe most learned divine and the sincere seeker after truth just emerging from darkness into light—the brightest and most skilful craftsman and the newly received novitiate—all these meeting together on the level , on the ground floor , in the middle chamber , and in the sanctum sanctorum of their Masonic temple of

labour and of worship—alike inspired by faith , hope , and charity—alike seeking the hidden mysteries of nature , science , and morality—alike being taught to practice prudence , fortitude , temperance , and justice—alike enjoined to exemplify in their dail y lives the great principles of loyalty , brotherly love , relief , and truth , and to adore and serve Him who is the beginning , the middle , and the end of all things . Such is the sublime spectacle present . Brother Masonsbe true

you , , be faithful to your vows . Climb higher in the paths of virtue and ri ght . Let not your work consist so much of noise and show as of the quiet silent work that tells and lives . Do not forget that in the great work with which our history so intimately stands connected " there was neither hammer nor axe , nor any tool of iron , heard in the house while it was building , " but it grew ,

and—Like some tall palm the noiseless fabric sprung . So work quietly , but surely . Startling and impressive ceremonials , brilliant and gaudy vestments , may have their ephemeral part in the drama ; but the pure silent teaching of the doctrines of Masonry which lead the thoughts of man through the wonders of nature and the intricacies of science up to the Great Architect of the Universe will alone live and flourish through trials

, persecutions , and discords . Brother Masons , work—While the day hath light let the light be used , For no man shall the night control .