Masonic Oration.

the earth , we are happy to rank in that list many names which do honour to their own—would have done honour to any age . To enumerate them would be a task abundantly pleasing ; but the time allows me not . It would , however , be inexcusable to omit particularizing that hero king , that bri g ht and northern star , whom thc admiring world allows to be one of the greatest princes , and of whom we may justly boast as one of tho first and most

distinguished friends and lovers of our art—that ancient honourable art , for whose promotion and dignity Lodges are opened in every quarter of thc globe . For I cannot but remark with peculiar pleasure , that in whatsoever else men may dispute and disagree , yet they are all unanimous to respect and to support a singularly amiable institution , whicli annihilates all parties , conciliates all private opinions , and renders those who by their Almighty Father

were made of one blood , to be also of one heart and oiie mind , brethren , bound firml y , bound together by that indissoluble tie"the love of their God , and the love of their kind , " S . This alone mi ght well be judged a sufficient reason for the extent , ancl , if we may so say , ' universality of tho Craft . But , when to this wc further add the comprehensiveness ofthe institution , and the vast circle of arts and sciences which it takes inwc

, shall no longer wonder at that extent- , but be satisfied , "That Masonry must and will always keep pace and run parallel with the culture ancl civilization of mankind . " Nay , wc may pronounce with strict truth , that where Masonry is not , civilization will never be found . And so in fact it appears ; for , in savage conntries and barbarous climes , where operative Masonry never lays the line nor stretches tlie where skilful architecture

compass ; never plans thc dome , nor rears tlie well-ordered column ; on those beni ghted realms liberal science never smiles , nor docs ingenuous art exalt , refine , embellish , and soften thc mind . But , give Masonry once to exert her heaven descended talents , even in realms like those ; let her roar the dwelling , and teach the lofty temple to emulate thc clouds , sec what a train of arts

immediately enter , and join iu ample suite to give thoir patron architecture completion and glory . Lo ! at their head , sculpture with his animating chisel bids thc forming marble breathe ! See , painting with his vivid pencil steal nature ' s fairest tints , while tbe glowing canvas starts beneath his touch into hcatitv ' and life I See thc long labours of thc loom ; thc storied tapestry , and the rich wrought silk , employed to decorate the habitation which art and

every every exertion of tbo mauufucUu'cr and mechanic are busied to complete . ^ But not the manual arts alone attend : hark I through the finished dome divine music pours her soul commanding sounds ; witli her artful hand ami finely varied tones sweetly enforcing the lofty and histruetivc lessons of heaven born poesy , which , whilst it wraps the deli ghted mind in deep contemplation ^ gives birth and to those

being sage , those civil , those Icajslativc and moral plans ; or , in one won ! , to all that round of speculative Masonry , ivhich secures , adorns , and dignifies society , and represents iii s ( rom > - contrast the savage and the civilized in an . ° Thus comprehensive is the noble art we boast : and such are the triumphs of architecture alone , in whoso ample ' grasp arc contained such numberless benefits fo human natureand ivhich

, mav justly bo deemed the peculiar and favourite child of civilization ' as well as the unerring mark and criterion of that civilization , ami ofthe progress of the fine arts in every state . Wore I to proceed had '

, or I assumed for my proof thatwonderful , all-informuv scienceon which Masonry is built : nay . and which , proud mistress ol arts ! issues forth her commanding laws , not onl y those arte , nut even to nature—even to nature ' s amplest round—the solar systcni itself ; had geometry boon my theme —the time ivould have failed mo to have recounted cven ' a part of that comprehensive extent and reach of instruction : that inexhausted fund of information

and knowledge , of improvement and advantage , which it imparts to its studious votaries . Happy votariesadepts m the true Masonry—ever the zealous and ' most ardent admirers of natural and moral beauty ; for they arc csncchlly sensible of the beauties of that world , ivhich , amongst the intelligent Greeks , knew no other name . And well indeed mi ght it " he styled kuir / ici ,-, essential " beauty ; " for it excels at once , in all the regularitof orderthe

y , exactness of proportion , thc slow of colouring , the source of expression , and thc strength of design . -I , But future and more extensive discissions of this hi gh and entertaining theme may , perhaps , through your honourable sanction engage my pen , For the present , after what hath been already advanced , can any man doubt a moment of " the excellence and utility of Misonry , " thus deep in antiquity , boundless in extent , and universal in its comprehension of science , operative and speculative ; thus , in its wide bosom , embracing at once tiie whole of arts and ' morals .

To attempt its encomium ( particularly after what has been already so ably , so elegantly advanced by my worthy brother )* would be " wasteful aud superfluous excess ; " would be , in thc fine language of our first and sublimes t of bards , " To gild refined gold , to paint the lily , To throw a perfume on the violet ; To smooth the ice ; to add another hue Unto thc rainbow ; or , with taper light To seek the beauteous eye of He . iv ' n to garnish . "

For who , in this polished , in this improving age , is insensible of the attraction , the excellence , the utility of the fine arts , thc liberal sciences ? AVho . in this peculiarly humane and philanthropic era , is cold to the call of benevolence—that never-failing attendant on thc ingenious arts—that all-pervading , all-performing virtue , which in one short ancl easy word , "Thou shalt love thy nei ghbour as thyself , " comprises all duty , and consummates the

round of moral perfection . Indeed , the celebrated eulogy which Cicero passed on philosophy , may ivith equal propriety be applied to Masonry , duly practised ancl ri g htl y understood . For in that view it will be found eminently " the improvement of youth , and the delight of old age . " The ornament of prosperity , the refuge and solace of adverse hours it pleases at homeis no encumbrance abroad

; , ; it lodges with us , travels with us , and adds amusement ancl pleasure to our rural retirement . AVith heartfelt zeal ancl sincerity , allow me , then , right noble and worthy brethren , to congratulate you on the advancement , the progress , and present state of our useful , excellent , antique , and mystic lore ! more particularly allow me to congratulate you on this great and festive day ; on this solemn dedication with

high pomp and song , of an edifice , which docs equal credit to its architect ancl to thc Craft ; and which promises a long line of stability and glory to Masonry , in this its favourite land . And while by our sincere goodwill and friendly regard each for thc other ; while by our liberal and merciful relief of the brethren in distress ; while hy thc establishment of a universal language and communication , for the attainment of those two purposes

throughout tho earth , under the seal of most sacred and inviolable secrecy ; whilst thus , ive seem to have amply provided for the interests of benevolence : so let us , by every method , and b ) ' every encouragement in our power , court thc liberal arts to come ancl dwell amongst us : let the mean . ' , of their cultivation and improvement be thc frequent subject of our best and most serious disquisitions : let us endeavour to hold forth every engaging allurement ,

that they may approach and apply their elegant and wonderworking fingers , to finish tho beauties of this well ordered dome ; and to make it , what wc wish , the distinguished residence of immortal Masonry .

An era , which cannot be far distant : for the magnificence of our building , in so short a period , thus wonderfully grown up before ns , speaks in emphatic language , at once tlie zeal and the ability of its friends ; and stimulates—with a force far beyond all the eloquence of the most persuasive orator ; stimulates every noble heart to a gallant emulation , and must inspire a wish to contribute towards tlie perfection of so beautiful and elegant a

design . Nor can the brilliant and generous example of that illustrious nobleman , ! ' who so honourably presides over , us want its due effect ; a nobleman you , my brethren , all agree with me ; not more distinguished as a Mason than as a nihil ; whose love of liberal arts , and whose regard for moral virtue , arc not confined to the Lodge , but accompany and adorn him in all the walks of

life . Under such auspices may the Craft rest happy and secure , and flourish for ever as the palm , and may this hall , awfull y dedicated to Masonry , to virtue , to benevolence , still and for ever behold each ennobling science , each ingenuous art , smile and triumph , soften and civilize beneath its roof . May private friendship and public virtue dignify and distinguish ' the heart and character of every Mason who ' here shall form and ( ill thc mystic

Lodge . I And when the sacred solemn rites are done , when festive hilaril y I assumes his social scat , maj ' decent politeness , and sweetly smiling ! innocence , for ever wreathe the chaplot for Ids brow , crown his I bowl , and command his song . And , while amidst the scientific labours of the Lodge , elevated schemes of improving art engage and enrapture our minds ; while holy and ancient mysteries warm the imagination ivith improvement ' s kindred glow ; while in the mournful investigation of a brother ' s wants pleading p ity melts our eye , and generous com-