nation did she teach rebellion and treason against the powers that were? When she was persecuted she suffered in silence and in patience; when she was reviled, she reviled not in return; when she was slandered, she forgave; and when cursed and abused by her ignorant enemies, she blessed, and returned good for evil. But again, and better still, when did her sons divide and subdivide themselves into opposite sects and factions, to persecute and hate one another, as has been done in the church and state from time immemorial; and with what sad, bitter and direful consequences to church and state, the pages of general history, written in blood and stained with crime and tears, is the true and mournful proof.
Go, my brethren, when and where you may through christian and heathen, civilized and savage lands, you will find your ancient order, your brothers, who will give you a brother’s greeting and welcome: you will find everywhere the same pass-words, signs and symbols, the principles and sentiments—the same love, friendship and good will—how much so ever you may differ in all other rerespects. This is no fiction or exaggerration: we know it to be true; and what the thousand Thebean soldiers were to each other, who fought, and fell and died on the same bloody field; lovely in their lives and inseparable in death; bound together by love and friendship; such and so are the millions of Masons scattered over the world, though oceans roll between them, and continents divide them; and languages and laws, religion, manners and customs, separate them, yet when they meet on the square and recognise each other, from that moment they are brothers: a brother’s heart and a brother’s hand, a brother’s home and a brother’s life, are at a brother’s service. There is seen, in all the grandeur and beauty, the perpetual and inextinguishable power of Thebean devotion and love.
It is these divine principles, my brethren—for divine they are, that has preserved your order in all ages and in all lands; and that have won for it, its glorious fame and immortal renown: that have preserved her in all her ancient purity, truth and beauty, amidst the convulsions,
