WORK AND LECTURES

     BIBLE LECTURE

Brethren, before arising from our Holy Alter, I desire particularly to call your attention to the Greatest Light in Masonry—The Holy Bible—it will lead you to all truths, direct your footsteps through the Temple of Happiness and point to you the whole duty of man.

          How-so-ever men may differ in creed or theology, all good men are agreed that between the covers of this Holy Book are found those basic principles of Morality upon which to build a righteous life.

          Adopting no particular creed, forbidding sectarian discussion within its Lodge room’s, Freemasonry takes all good men by the hand and leading them to her Holy Alter, points to the open Book thereon and urges that each direct his footsteps through life by the light that he shall there find, and as he therein shall find it.

          If from our hallowed Alters, the infidel, the atheist, the irreligious man or the libertine, should ever be able to wrest this Sacred Book and thus remove or even obscure this Great Light, the Light that has for centuries been the rule and guide of all Masons, then no longer could we claim for ourselves the proud rank and title of “Free and Accepted Masons.” But so long as this Light shines upon our Holy Alter, Brightly illuminating the pathway of the craft with its golden rays of truth, then so long shall Freemasonry survive and shed its beneficent influence upon mankind.

          Guard then and cherish this Sacred Book of Immutable Laws, defend it as you would the Flag of your country, and finally my Brethren, live according to its precepts with the everlasting assurance of blessed immortality.

CHARITY LECTURE

  The giving of alms to the poor and needy, while commendable and necessary does not cover the great field of Masonic Charity. Of far greater importance than this are Charity of Mind, Charity of Sight, Charity of Speech and Charity of Heart.

          By Charity of Mind we mean that you should be broadminded and liberal in your judgments of life and your fellowman. Accept all men’s theories as being honest, even if you cannot agree with their conclusions. Hold yourself open to conviction. Think no evil of man or woman. This will win for you respect and admiration of all with whom you come in contact.

          By Charity of Sight, we mean a disposition to see only the good in your fellowman. Overlook the petty faults and foibles and get at the great fundamental truths of character and worth.

          The marvel of this day and generation is the man who has learned to be truly charitable in speech. If you see another’s fault’s, realize his shortcomings, or hear unfavorable things of him and master, your tongue, you will have harmed no one. Cultivate this virtue, my brethren, early and late. But above all things this night, remember to speak no evil of a woman. A reputation or good name is more delicate than the tenderness plant known to science. One word of slander, one breath of scandal will cause it to wither, blacken and die more quickly than the Rose of Sharon, and no pangs of remorse will bring back the whiteness of its blossom or remove the stain from the bleeding heart. If we can get you to carry this lesson with you in after life, it will greatly benefit you and those with whom you come in contact.

          Charity of Heart is the foundation upon which all good character is Built. Cleanness of Mind, Clearness of Sight, Softness of Speech and Liberality of purse can only be had from a heart overflowing with love for all of God’s creatures.

                    In your daily walks in life, should you come in contact with a brother who, through misfortune and reverses, has fallen into the depths of despair, it would be your duty to stretch forth your hand in material relief and at the same time give him words of loving cheer and encouragement. Be never deaf to the cry of distress. Hearken to the plea of the widow and the fatherless. Remember your own destitute condition and how readily this good brother came to your assistance.