Inaugural Address.

R . A . Freemasonryj and Ave feel sure that this , the latest effusion of his mind , will receive that attention its importance demands . Worthy aud Eminent Sir Knights Companions , It has been customary amongst Freemasons

from the earliest period to the present time to inaugurate Avith solemn ceremonies the erection of temples set apart for the celebration of their mystic rites ; and we have , therefore , after the manner of our ancient brethren , assembled to-day

within these Avails to lay the foundation of a moral edifice based upon the sublime principles of our knightly Order—faith , unity , and zeal .

We have unfurled to-day the banner of the Cross—the highest and holiest ensign ever lifted up for man to follow and to revere . We bear aloft the standard of our illustrious founderwhereon is delineated a faint resemblance of the sacred

Adsion of old which startled the solid phalanx of the Roman legions and bowed the heads of princes to the dust . With this divine symbol before usthe remote and marvellous past seems recalled from its shadowy grave . Again— " the Cross

triumphant blazes in the sky" —its influence as great—its inspiration as exalted iu our own day and generation as Avhen Constantine , clad in resplendent armour , charged at the head of his warrior knights ancl routed the host of the tyrant .

The labarum or device adopted by Constantine was a monogram of the Chi ancl the Rho—the two first letters of Christos in Greek characters—this emblem Avas placed on the battle-flags of the Roman empire , and in after years the Red Cross

Banner led to victory those pious champions of the Cross who devoted their lives to the rescue of the Holy Land from its infidel oppressors .

Since the period of the Crusades , no less than 34 princes of the Imperial House of Comnenes have been Grand Masters of our Fraternity , and the most illustrious men in England , including the royal Sussex , and our present noble chief , have

been found amongst its rulers and sovereigns , aud I trust this will ever be the case Avith an Order of kni ghthood , which the Abb 6 Gim ' stiiiiani declared , in 1092 , to be the most ancient iu the world .

On this auspicious occasion it may not be eemed inopportune briefly to consider tho precepts that are taught , and the objects desired to be attained by all who have entered sincerely into communion with our Christian Order .

Faith is the first principle inculcated—a belief in the Omnipotent Ruler of the universe—the Sovereign Father—the eternal God—this belief , through the influence of the Spirit teaches us to take up the Cross and follow the footsteps of the Lamb

in perfect love and in implicit obedience to his Divine Will—by these means alone we hope to rebuild in our hearts the mysterious temple of the triune God .

Unity is the mighty chain hy Avhich we , as brethren , are bound together ancl enabled to achieve great things . It is the support and bond of friendship—the cement . of brotherly love—the wondrous lever by Avhich immortal Truth is raised

out of the chasms of darkness , where error and superstition hold sovereign sway . Without unity we cannot become a happy and prosperous community ; let us therefore strive to preserve this vital principle by being kind and forbearing to

all ; by forgiving injury , and overlooking injustice j by a readiness at all times to stretch forth a helping hand to the unfortunate , to sorrow with those overcome with grief , and to rejoice with those whose hearts are full of gladness .

Zeal is the grand permeating fire of the soul which stimulates our desires into action and animates our labours . Without zeal , the j ^ otent thoughts of sages ,- —the profound ideas of philosophers , would remain in obscurity like the

unhewn statue in the quarry ; but kindled into light and life by this o'ermastering- spirit , they assume shape ancl substance , and ripen into glorious realities .

Having thus directed your attention more particularly to the inspiring watchwords of our conclave , I would further impress upon your minds that Charity and Truth are also essential attributes of the Order , and that Ave are bound to

practise in our daily life the holy precepts taught by our Divine and Almighty Sovereign . Again , I Avould entreat you to guard Avell the vestibule of our temple , and suffer none to rjass its sacred threshold but brethren faithful and true , who have

shoAvn a christian disposition towards their fellowmen , and whose future conduct , you feel assured , will reflect no discredit upon the Order . Finally , Sir Knights , let us ever be found in the straight path of integrity , honour , secrecy ,

and virtue , wielding our mystic swords valiantly in spiritual warfare with sin , so that when the pilgrimage of life is over , aud the boundless shores of eternity dawn upon the soul , imperish-