Page:Oration Delivered on the Occasion of the Dedication of the New Hall of Cooper Lodge.djvu/19

Rh like a little religions, when men are satisfied therewith, only tends to make them meddlesome fools and hateful fanatics and bigots. My brethren, avoid all this. Show to the world that there is something grand, great and good in Masonry.

And now, Sir Knights, my companions and brethren, I call upon you this day, by the ancient fame and renown, by the wisdom, virtue and gallantry of your Order, that shed a lustre of fame and glory over so many plains and battle fields in Europe and Asia, to emulate the virtues and heroism of those men in private life and public acts. And though you are not called upon now to wield the sword and the lance as they were, yet in all that is noble and virtuous, generous and good, your duties and obligations are the same. And should the time ever come, when, in defense of all our sacred rights, our liberties and our country, you should be called upon, then like the ThebeanTheban [sic] warrior brothers, pledge yourselves never to yield and never to fly from the post of honor and duty, truth and right.

The field of man’s moral duty and occupation is ever the same, and on that field bear away the palm of all that is most noble and manly, virtuous, gentle and charitable. Of the honest, be the most honest; of the honorable, be the most honorable; of the faithful, be the most faithful and true; of the patriotic, be the most patriotic; and as lovers of law and order let none excel you. In short, Sir Knights, “Let all the ends you aim at, be for your God, your country and for truth.” Then God will protect you, your country will sustain you, and truth will guide you into all well-doing here and to all well-being hereafter.

And now, brethren, and ladies and gentlemen, I thank you for your kindness, and for your attention this day. And in conclusion, when our labors and meetings on earth have ended; when for the last time we are called from labor to refreshment and rest, then, in the language of Scotland’s most gifted, and Masonic bard, Robert Burns,