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==== ORATION AT GILL, JUNE 1823 ====
 
==== ORATION AT GILL, JUNE 1823 ====
  
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'''ORATION PRONOUNCED AT GILL'''<br>
 
'''ORATION PRONOUNCED AT GILL'''<br>
 
'''BEFORE [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=Republican REPUBLICAN] AND [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=Harmony HARMONY] LODGES'''
 
'''BEFORE [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=Republican REPUBLICAN] AND [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=Harmony HARMONY] LODGES'''
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'''ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, JUNE 24, A. L. 5823'''<br>
 
'''ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, JUNE 24, A. L. 5823'''<br>
 
'''BY [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MASuppNecrologiesNR#PHELPS.2C_ANSEL_1789-1868 ANSEL PHELPS]'''
 
'''BY [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MASuppNecrologiesNR#PHELPS.2C_ANSEL_1789-1868 ANSEL PHELPS]'''
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</p>
  
 
The glory of the warrior consists in having subdued armies and empires — in having carried terror, desolation and death into the peaceful abodes of industry and virtue — in having slain thousands and tens of thousands of the human race. For deeds like these he has been celebrated in song, and magnificent monuments have been erected to his memory. But different, far different from this, my Brethren, is the fame of St. John the Baptist, the illustrious individual, whose nativity we are now convened to celebrate. His claim to our remembrance, our love and respect, rests upon another foundation, as variant from this, as the mild and forgiving spirit of the Christian is, from the fierce and sanguinary temper of the warrior. His fame was not acquired by the sword. It was never stained with blood, or by a single act of injustice or oppression, and therefore, is immortal. He sought not human applause or distinction by a cringing obsequiousness to the wishes of the great. The glitter, the pomp and the glory of the world, had no charms for him. “In the plain coarse garb of the penitent” — in the solitude of the wilderness of Judea, “lie held the holy tenor of his way;“  
 
The glory of the warrior consists in having subdued armies and empires — in having carried terror, desolation and death into the peaceful abodes of industry and virtue — in having slain thousands and tens of thousands of the human race. For deeds like these he has been celebrated in song, and magnificent monuments have been erected to his memory. But different, far different from this, my Brethren, is the fame of St. John the Baptist, the illustrious individual, whose nativity we are now convened to celebrate. His claim to our remembrance, our love and respect, rests upon another foundation, as variant from this, as the mild and forgiving spirit of the Christian is, from the fierce and sanguinary temper of the warrior. His fame was not acquired by the sword. It was never stained with blood, or by a single act of injustice or oppression, and therefore, is immortal. He sought not human applause or distinction by a cringing obsequiousness to the wishes of the great. The glitter, the pomp and the glory of the world, had no charms for him. “In the plain coarse garb of the penitent” — in the solitude of the wilderness of Judea, “lie held the holy tenor of his way;“  
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Who of us, and how many, will be called hence before the return of another day like this, is known only to him in whose hands our breath is. Hut in all probability, this to some, is the last anniversary they will ever behold.Let us then give heed to our steps—let us remember that we “are animated with a heavenly flame, which the chill damps of death cannot extinguish” — Let us remember that our conduct here, is to be tried hereafter by the square of the ''Grand Overseer'' — that he is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity. Finally, brethren, let us cultivate brotherly love, “the foundation and the cap stone, the cement and the glory of our ancient fraternity,” and so live, that, when we have performed the “task assigned us here, we may be called from our work to the refreshments that can alone satisfy immortal desires; be arrayed with the garments of glory — put on the jewels of light, and shine forever in the sublime arch above.”
 
Who of us, and how many, will be called hence before the return of another day like this, is known only to him in whose hands our breath is. Hut in all probability, this to some, is the last anniversary they will ever behold.Let us then give heed to our steps—let us remember that we “are animated with a heavenly flame, which the chill damps of death cannot extinguish” — Let us remember that our conduct here, is to be tried hereafter by the square of the ''Grand Overseer'' — that he is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity. Finally, brethren, let us cultivate brotherly love, “the foundation and the cap stone, the cement and the glory of our ancient fraternity,” and so live, that, when we have performed the “task assigned us here, we may be called from our work to the refreshments that can alone satisfy immortal desires; be arrayed with the garments of glory — put on the jewels of light, and shine forever in the sublime arch above.”
 
 
 
  
 
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=== LINKS ===

Revision as of 19:06, 31 March 2021

GILL

LODGES

BUILDINGS

ADDRESSES

ORATION AT GILL, JUNE 1823

ORATION PRONOUNCED AT GILL
BEFORE REPUBLICAN AND HARMONY LODGES ON THE ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL OF
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, JUNE 24, A. L. 5823
BY ANSEL PHELPS

The glory of the warrior consists in having subdued armies and empires — in having carried terror, desolation and death into the peaceful abodes of industry and virtue — in having slain thousands and tens of thousands of the human race. For deeds like these he has been celebrated in song, and magnificent monuments have been erected to his memory. But different, far different from this, my Brethren, is the fame of St. John the Baptist, the illustrious individual, whose nativity we are now convened to celebrate. His claim to our remembrance, our love and respect, rests upon another foundation, as variant from this, as the mild and forgiving spirit of the Christian is, from the fierce and sanguinary temper of the warrior. His fame was not acquired by the sword. It was never stained with blood, or by a single act of injustice or oppression, and therefore, is immortal. He sought not human applause or distinction by a cringing obsequiousness to the wishes of the great. The glitter, the pomp and the glory of the world, had no charms for him. “In the plain coarse garb of the penitent” — in the solitude of the wilderness of Judea, “lie held the holy tenor of his way;“

"The moss his bed, the cave his humble cell,
His food the fruits, his drink the chrvstal well,
Remote from man, with God he pass'd his days,
Prayer all his business, all his pleasure praise.”

In contemplating his life, and the many virtues that adorned his character, we find much tljat is worthy of all praise and imitation. He was particularly distinguished for his piety, and the truly Masonic, virtues, Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice; and also for that friendship and brotherly love, which arc, the brightest among the jewels of Masonry.

In proof of his temperance, we have the declaration of our blessed Lord and Saviour, that he came "neither eating bread nor drinking wine.” He belonged not to the class of those who fared sumptuously every day. His meat was locusts and wild honey. Clothed in raiment of camel’s hair, with a girdle of a skin about his loins, an emblem of his meekness and humility, he came preaching the baptism of repentance, and inveighing against the follies and wickedness of the age. The tables of the wealthy, the luxurious and the gay, had no attractions for him. He despised their feasting, and bore testimony, by his example, against their debauchery and excess. Influenced by a divine, and holy principle, he set at naught the power of the tempter, and thus triumphed over the world, its lusts, its pleasures, and its vanities.

The Baptist was also as much distinguished for fortitude, as lie was for temperance and self-denial.

Though of a meek and humble spirit, and unsupported by the power of the great, he was prompt to reprove vice and immorality, whenever, and wherever found,—whether in the person of the prince or the peasant. This was exemplified when he stood before the tetrarch of Judea, and boldly reproved him for his errors. He well knew the corrupt character of Herod, and that in addressing him upon the subject of his crimes, he ran the risk of bonds, imprison�ment and death. Yet none of these things moved him. He had a duty to perform, and he did not shrink from its requirements. He was no respecter of per�sons. Vice, whether clothed in the line linen of wealth, or the, mean attire of the beggar, was all the same to him.

His reproofs provoked the displeasure of the guilty paramour of the tyrant, and on this account she sought to kill him, but could not, because Herod “feared John, knowing that he was a just man and a holy.” “Could a more striking instance of the majesty of virtue he adduced? The haughty, the powerful ruler of Judea bowed before it, and it was not, until in a moment of high festivity and intemperance — at a birthday supper, when he was surrounded by “his lords, high captains and chief estates of Galilee,” that he could be brought to consent to his death. At this time, when the wine sparkled in the cup—when the sighs of the poor, and each act, of wrong and oppression was drowned and forgotten in the general revelry, he uttered and adhered to a rash vow, that has covered his name with everlasting infamy. It is unnecessary to give a more particular account of this murderous transaction, for it is known to you all. Suffice it to say, that Herod commanded, and John was beheaded in prison.

Thus lived and thus died St. John the Baptist, one of our first most excellent Christian patrons of Masonry. Well may we venerate his memory, and esteem it worthy of being held in perpetual remembrance, since He, who best knew the hearts, the character and the motives of men, said concerning him, that a greater had not been born of women.

Pardon this digression, my brethren, if such i may be called, for who is there, to adopt the sentiment of another, that would not, in passing, pause for a moment at the tomb of St. John.

I would now call the attention of this respected audience, to a brief exposition of the nature and design of our institution.

Were there no other evidence to tell us the fact, our own observation would be sufficient to show, that man is continually exposed to sorrow, suffering and disappointment — that lie is inclined to lord it over, to op�press and take advantage of his fellow man. This is no idle theory or creature of the imagination. It is supported by the history of the world from the earliest times, which is full of deeds of violence, cruelty and blood. Ever since that memorable period, which

"Brought death into the world, and all our woe,”

be has been (be subject of malignant passions. Some�times revenge places the dagger in bis hand, and the earth is stained with blood. Sometimes envy and the lust of power take possession of the heart, and under their influence, the flourishing village and (he populous city are given up to the flames, or devastated by (he sword. At others, avarice tills the soul, and the poor and the defenseless, the widow and the orphan, are stript of their possessions and consigned to misery and woe.

It was to remove these spots that darken and degrade the human character — to bind up the wounds of the brokenhearted — to open the prison doors of the captive — to give relief to the sons and daughters of misfortune, and to bring a contentious, a jarring world nearer together in the bonds of love and good fellowship, that Masonry was instituted.

Yes, these are the principles of the Society, that has sometimes been spoken of as a thing of yesterday - that has been called the hot-bed of sedition — the nursery of vice and immorality.

Little does that person know of Free-Masonry, who supposes that it consists in hollow professions — of high sounding words, or in an ostentatious display of ribbons and jewels. And equally far is he from the truth, who thinks that our emblems and various ceremonies, answer no other purpose than to impose upon the understanding of the weak and credulous. Were it proper to draw the curtain, and exhibit the interior of our temple, and tell of our proceedings, the prejudiced and all those who call in question the excellence of our art, would soon he convinced, that Masonry is, what it professes to he, the school of benevolence, morality and virtue. But as none but the craft can witness an exhibition of this kind, the world must judge of the tree by its fruits; and by them we arc willing to be judged.

Look into yonder dwelling! It is the house of distress; the abode of the widow. She lies upon the bed of sickness. Her measure of corn, and her cruise of oil are expended. Her children are asking for bread, and shivering with the cold. She turns upon them the look of pity, and it is all that she has to bestow. The wind of winter whistles through her humble shed, and wafts the cry of suffering to the son of affluence. He hears, but he regards it not. Though his tables are covered with profusion, and his fields wave with the golden harvest, yet, the frost of avarice has settled upon his heart, and he has nothing to give. ’Tis night. The rich have retired to their beds of down, and the poor to their pallets of straw. The moon beams glitter among the trees, and nothing interrupts the general silence of the street, but the distant halloo of the watchman. Look! an object is approaching — it knocks at the door of wretchedness— at the dwelling of the unfortunate. ’Tis a Mason! Like an angel of mercy he hastens to restore peace to the troubled breast. He is the messenger of the Lodge, bearing with him the fruits of their benevolence. He feeds the hungry, clothes the naked, and causes the widow’s heart to sing for joy.

“Thus it is,” in the language of a respected brother, "that the institution which we support, and the principles that we adopt, inculcate the bestowment of relief upon the poor, the unfortunate, the stranger and the fatherless, not for the sake of obtaining the worthless and short lived applause of the world, hut the satisfaction of a good conscience, and the approbation of that Almighty Being, who beholds every deed of charity that is performed in secret, as an imitation of his own perfections, and who will reward it with the blessings of his everlasting kingdom.”

’Tis true that there are some who bring discredit upon the order by a licentious life and conversation. But does this prove that Masonry is corrupt and dangerous? Would it he just to condemn a town or a state, because there happened to be a few loose and disorderly persons in it? The presence of a few vagrants does not show that the great mass of the people are idle and dissolute, neither does the irregular conduct of a brother prove that the craft are unworthy of confidence and and respect. If the whole were to lie judged by the conduct of the few, even the religion of Jesus, so pure and so heavenly, must he denounced and fall to the ground, for who is there unacquainted with the fact, that there are many who bring discredit upon the religion they profess. Yet, where is the man, that in consequence of this, would presume to call in question the excellence of its principles? If it would he wrong to adopt this standard of judging in the one case, would it not be equally unjust, absurd and ridiculous, to make use of it in the other?

Some have endeavored to bring reproach upon our institution, by connecting it with the Society of the Illuminati, that spring up in France and Germany about the period of the French revolution.

That a Society of this kind was formed, and that it had a powerful influence in bringing about those days of anarchy and blood, I have no doubt, but, that our Society formed a regular confederacy with the infidel philosophers and revolutionary partizans of those days, and for such a purpose, can never be admitted.

A few corrupt Lodges might have joined their standard. I say corrupt, because Masonry, as it is known and practiced in every regular and well governed Lodge, is at war with every principle of illuminism. Masonry requires obedience to the laws, and denounces disloyalty and rebellion; but illuminism, aims at their destruction, and encourages treason and disaffection. Will it be believed then, can it be credited by those who know any thing of our principles, that the Masonic Society was engaged with the Jacobins of France, in a work so base and so criminal? In a plot for the overthrow of the altar, the throne and all social order? As well might virtue smile upon the operations of vice, or the true disciple of Jesus substitute the Alcoran of the false prophet, for the Book of Life, as that Masonry should form a union so strange and so unnatural.

Notwithstanding the volumes of Barruel and the assertions of Robison, it still remains to be proved, as remarked by one of our brethren, that “Freemasonry ever was, is, or can be favorable to infidelity and insurrection.”

If any of our fraternity were engaged in the horrid plot, it furnishes additional evidence of the depravity of man, and shows conclusively, that no society, however good and meritorious, is sufficient to correct his vicious propensities. If it were, then Masonry would have no occasion to mourn over the errors of her sons, for no human Institution was ever raised upon a better foundation, or inculcated purer principles of morality and virtue. We do not pretend that Masonry operates like the fabled charms and talismans of the ancient magicians, and renders all who profess it proof against the vices and corruptions of the times, but this we do say, that he who is governed by its precepts — who makes them the rule, of life and conduct, cannot materially err — that such an one of necessity, must be a good man and true — a loyal, an obedient subject, a blessing and an ornament to society.

Masonry teaches us to square our actions by the square of virtue — to subdue the rough and angry passions of our nature — to cultivate peace and harmony among men. “It is so far interwoven with religion, as to lay us under obligations to pay that rational homage to the Deity, which constitutes at once our duty and our happiness. It leads the contemplative to view with reverence and admiration the glorious works of creation, and inspires him with the most exalted ideas of the perfections of his divine Creator.” He, therefore, who encourages infidelity and irreligion; who sets the laws at defiance; who takes measures to overthrow the pillars of government and social order, acts contrary to every principle of our profession — is a disgrace to the fraternity and fit only to be thrown over among the rubbish. With such, Masonry holds no fellowship or communion.

I should draw too largely upon the patience of this audience were I to attempt a full-length sketch of our institution, or to describe the advantages that have resulted to mankind from its establishment. Suffice it then to say, that it boasts of a renowned antiquity — that "we trace its footsteps in the most distant, the most remote ages of the world. We find it among the first and most celebrated citizens of the east — we deduce it regularly from the first astronomers on the plains of Chaldea, to the wise and mystic kings and priests of Egypt — the sages of Greece, the philosophers of Rome, and even to the rude and gothic builders of a dark and degenerate age, whose vast temples still remain among us as monuments of their attachment to the art.” It has stood the test of persecution and the sword; of those mighty revolutions that have, at different times prevailed and overturned states, and changed the condition of men.

Other societies have had their day — have flourished and decayed, but, Freemasonry still survives, and will survive, because its foundation is durable as virtue — eternal as truth. It will stand, because it rests upon the pillars of Wisdom, Strength and Beauty — it will secure the approbation of the wise and good, because it teaches peace on earth and good will to men. Because it is calculated to ameliorate the condition of suffering humanity, and to hasten the arrival of that glorious day, when the clash of arms and the sound of the war trumpet shall give place to the heavenly note of peace — to the glad song of universal praise and benevolence. Such is Freemasonry — such its scope, and such its design.

Right Worshipful Master, Wardens and Brethren,

Through a kind Providence we have been permitted to behold the return of this interesting anniversary: to meet in this Temple, sacred to the Great Divinity whom we adore — to truth, religion and virtue.

In the life and character of the venerable Baptist we find much that is worthy of our attention and imitation. Though dead, he yet speaketh.

He was celebrated for his pure and holy life; Herod for his crimes and debauchery. While we reflect upon the virtues and manly fortitude of the former, let us draw instruction from the history of the latter. It should stand as a beacon to direct us in the journey of life; to caution us to beware of giving the reign to passion — of that intemperance and excess which has proved the ruin and the curse of thousands.

Our institution was designed to benefit and enlighten the world; to regulate the passions of men— to extend the sphere of our usefulness — to improve the mind and purify the heart, and, from the contemplation of nature’s works, to lead us to the contemplation of nature’s God.

If then by the light of Masonry these noble objects are placed before us, how important is it, that our conduct should correspond with our professions!— that mankind should see that Masonry is what it pro�fesses to be!

As Masons, the duties we owe to ourselves, to society and the fraternity, arc various.

To each other, we are bound to be kind, affectionate, charitable. To aid and assist a brother in all his lawful undertakings—to relieve him in sickness, or when the hand of adversity presses heavy upon him — to defend his character from the aspersions of his enemies, are duties, so far as we are able to perform them, particularly enjoined upon us.

To the fraternity, in so living that it shall not suffer reproach by any conduct of ours, letting our light so shine before men, that they, seeing our good works, may be convinced that “Masonry is an establishment designed to enlarge the circle of social happiness, by contributing to the improvement of personal virtue, and by extending the most endearing cordialities throughout the world.”

Time is of infinite value. Summer follows spring — autumn is succeeded by winter, and spring again returns covered with verdure. Not so with man. He alone runs lightly to his end, and almost ere lie is aware, the spring of life is succeeded by the winter of age, and he stands on the verge of the grave. The seasons revolve, but, not to him return the days of youth. Once past, they are gone forever.

This fact should teach us wisdom — it should remind us of the value of time — it should induce us to ask the question, do we divide and spend it according to the Masonic rule, which requires us to devote a portion to the service of God and a distressed worthy brother? Are we sensible how fast it is passing away, and how much of it is wasted in idleness, folly and sin?

"Take from the period of thy life,” says an eminent moralist, “the useless parts of it, and what remaineth? Take off the time of thine infancy, the second infancy of age, thy thoughtless hours, thy days of sickness, and even at the fulness of years, how few seasons hast thou truly numbered?”

Brethren, if we have been prodigal of the past, let us be wise for the future, remembering that the night of death will soon come, wherein no man can work.The warriors, the celebrated men of ancient times — the kings, the princes and the lawgivers of Israel, where are they? Where is proud Babylon, once the seat of empire, of splendor and of wealth? The night wind whistles through her ruins, and the hiss of the serpent, and the roar of the beast of prey is heard within the decaying palaces of her kings. Nothing remains of her former splendor, but broken columns and tottering walls. Jerusalem, also, is no longer clothed with magnificence and glory. Her temples, and her high places have been destroyed by the hand of violence, and her sons and daughters sold into captivity. They now wander in a strange land—they are scattered among the nations of the earth, the objects of persecution, of hatred and contempt:

“The wild dove has her nest, the fox his cave,
Mankind their country, Israel but the grave.”

In view of these things; in recollection of the former magnificence, and the ruin and desolation that has overtaken the mighty men and the cities of former times, well may we take up the lamentation of the son of Hilkiah, “How doth the city sit solitary that was full of people ! How is she become as a widow! She that was great among the nations and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary!”

These reflections, my brethren, arc introduced to remind us (hat the glory of this world is like the light dust of the balance; it will soon pass away—(hat the hand of time will soon level all the works of human genius that now gladden (he eye and administer to the pride of the sons of men—to remind us, that the time of our continuance here is short—that the period will soon arrive when we must retire to our “eternal resting place”—when we, must join the mighty congregation that lived before the flood— When we must go

“To mix forever with the elements,
To be a brother to the insensible rock,
And to the sluggish clod, which the rude swain
Turns with his share, and treads upon.”

Solemn and important is the thought. We have life and health to-day, but this is no security that we shall enjoy them to-morrow.

Who of us, and how many, will be called hence before the return of another day like this, is known only to him in whose hands our breath is. Hut in all probability, this to some, is the last anniversary they will ever behold.Let us then give heed to our steps—let us remember that we “are animated with a heavenly flame, which the chill damps of death cannot extinguish” — Let us remember that our conduct here, is to be tried hereafter by the square of the Grand Overseer — that he is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity. Finally, brethren, let us cultivate brotherly love, “the foundation and the cap stone, the cement and the glory of our ancient fraternity,” and so live, that, when we have performed the “task assigned us here, we may be called from our work to the refreshments that can alone satisfy immortal desires; be arrayed with the garments of glory — put on the jewels of light, and shine forever in the sublime arch above.”

LINKS