An Oration

devoted to intolerance ; that , on the contrary , we respect the opinions , the faith , the religious convictions of all our brethren , in the name of that libert y inscribed on our motto ; that to avoid mutual chafing , and never to trouble the harmony Avhich ought to exist among usall

discus-, sions to this effect are rigorously interdicted in our lodges , and scrupulously respected ; that if Freemasonry had any religion , it would have to make it prevail , and that thus it would violate our great principle of liberty ; that it must be secularbut not

, Atheistical ; and that the confusion between these two terms , though so different the one from the other , is a want of logic and of good faith . Vainl y have Ave ansAvercd all these things ; they do not wish to understand , and , it is to be feared , they will never

understand , because they don ' t wish to do so , this language of good sense and of reason . Our conscience , that only critic of all our actions , imposes on us the obligation of showing ourselves under these grave circumstances up to the height of our mission . In fact , I am not indisposed to believe that these polemics , this persecution , perhaps , mayeven beprofitabletous . Danger

has , for a consequence , the awakening from indifference , the exciting of devotion , the giving to our spirits a greater activity , a greater enthusiasm to our minds . We are no longer living in a time , thank God , Avhen thousands and thousands of men paid Avith their life for the crime of heresy

, that is to say , the revolt of their reason against the despotism of a reli gious sect . Resistance is to-day less dangerous , and Avere it otherwise , could Ave hesitate ? Already I see , men , honourable by their charactertheir talentstheir services

ren-, , dered to science and their country , coming and asking for entrance into our temples . It is a characteristic sign which ought certainly to strike you , and make you conceive a firm hope of our approaching triumph .

When allies of this Avorth come to ask spontaneously to fight under the Masonic banner , as Avell as by an emotion of the heart , of which they may be proud , Ave h-xve the right to say boldly and with an elevated front that our course is that of

right , of truth , of eternal justice , because it is embraced by those who have made justice and truth the constant end of their efforts and their labours . A modern

philosopher , Herbert Spencer , in the course of his remarkable work , " Introduction to Social Science , " makes use of a comparison , the justice of Avhich has struck me , and which I AVIII tell to you , because it bears Avith it its own instructionand is applicable

, to our situation . When a man undertakes the ascent of a high mountain , before he gives to his artist-sig ht the noble and majestic spectacle of the beauties of nature , he begins his journey alert and joyous , sack on back and stick in hand . But the

hours speed aAvay , his march slackens , the ascent becomes more rough by degrees , his strength is exhausted , his enthusiasm is quenched , and he sifcs down , weary , on a stone , ready to abandon his project , discouraged by the unceasing difficulties , and the numberless obstacles Avhich at every

instant appear in his way . All of a sudden he straightens himself , he regards the road already traversed , he sees that he has achicA-ed more than the half of the distance , that the top is less far off than he just IIOAV judgedhope is re-born in him , he

dis-, covers new strength to resume his march , and thinking of the ideal joys which aAvait him , he makes the last effort Avhich . conducts him to his goal . We also , my brethren , we have our mountain to climb , on the summit of Avhich Ave shall find the

realization of our wishes , and the end of our labours . It is a long time since Ave began this trying voyage , and according to all appearance it will yet last for a long time . But is it the fitting time to alloAV ourselves to be beaten back , Avhen the dangers are most formidableand most

, pressing , when we require more coolness , audacity and energy , when we ought to bring into play all our living powers ? Is that the moment to allow ourselves to g ive Avay to a dangerous prostration ? Certainly not ; let us cast our regards

behind ; let us look at the road already traversed , thedifficultiesalreadysurmoun ted , and let us say , that by every step AVO approach nearer to the goal towards which Ave are moving . Then , with hearts high , and braced-up energies , Forward I

Very dear Masters and Delegates , you are about to return to your respective lodges . Do not dissimulate to our brethren the gravity * of present circumstances ; quicken their zeal , combat indifference , appeal to their Masonic sentiment , if they are really such in fact and in heart . We