benefits, because this venerable institution, like Charity, is "twice blessed :" not only does she pour forth her Gospel treasures before the heathen-not only does she labour to Christianize distant lands, and exalt to all the glorious privileges of man those who, without such privileges, are unworthy of the name of man-but, by the advocacy of her claims at home, by witnessing against the cold, the lukewarm, and the scoffer amongst ourselves, she gives a depth of vitality to our religion, and shows us how vain and profitless is our creed if we cry, "Lord, Lord!" "and do not the will" and the work "of our Father in heaven." God moves in a mysterious way. This is indeed true, and from small and trifling events He ofttimes produces events the most momentous. Who knows what the advertisement which has called us together this day, or the very placard on the walls announcing our meeting, may, under His blessing, have effected? Who knows what eye may have been arrested, what heart touched? and who can say that the Holy Spirit has not selected these means, so small, and to us apparently so casual, to implant in the hearts of some, good thoughts and desires, holy aspirations, longings after better things, which may spring up and bear fruit hereafter with eternal life? These, I think, are pleasing considerations when we meet on occasions like the present; indeed, the constant feeling of an ever-present and all-seeing Providence ordering all things for the best, bringing good out of apparent evil, joy out of distress, prosperity out of calamity, ever working for us, and the most in seasons when we think all things are working against us, is the greatest consolation we can enjoy. One word more the great, the International Exhibition is now open-a glory to the country and our countrymen ; yet who can forego the wish that there was "such a heart" in

them that they would take only equal pains in the advancement of true religion as in the advancement of art and science, that while they spread over every clime the knowledge of luxury and the means of ameliorating external condition and increasing earthly comfort, they would unite with as much zeal to spread the knowledge of the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour, and His truth, teaching goodness and true faith both at home and abroad, and enabling men to "lay up treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal?"

MISSIONARY STUDENTSHIP ASSOCIATION OF THE
ARCHDEACONRY OF HEREFORD.

August 4th, 1862.

I hope I may say something with regard to the Bishop of Cape Town, and the trouble he has taken in coming to address this meeting. I beg to put in, as it were, a plea on behalf of our African friends who are now present. On behalf of themselves, and on behalf of their country, they appeal to their religious friends in England to do all in their power to strengthen the hands of their esteemed and beloved Diocesan on his return to their land. I am certain that if these young men were sufficiently acquainted with our language they would tell you of the labour and zeal and love of the Bishop of Cape Town, and of the affectionate interest he had taken in the welfare of themselves and their brethren. They would tell you of his college and school; of the exertions which he, in his humility, refuses to make known; they would tell you much that would interest you; and they would ask you now not to allow their beloved Bishop to leave the meeting without some

material proof of your love to the cause to take back with him to the country in which he labours, to assist him there with his clergy, students, and college, or in any other work he may have in hand. I must express my agreement in all that has been said respecting the high character that had been given to the two African youths who have resided with me during the last fortnight their conduct has been such, that I have told the Warden this day that if they should again visit in this county, I shall be most happy to receive them for a still longer period.

FREEMASONRY.-GRAND CENTENARY FESTIVAL.
November 17th, 1862.

ORATION BY R. W. D. P. G. M.

Brethren, The expression of a wish, on the part of the Palladian Lodge, that I should address them on the present important and interesting occasion having met with the approval of the R.W. the P.G.M., becomes a command to me, which duty, no less than inclination, leads me to obey. Howbeit, I speak before masters in the craft better fitted to be my instructors than I their teacher, howbeit I sit in the presence of the luminaries of our science, before whom my utmost knowledge is as the darkness of the glow-worm beneath the meridian sun, I enter upon my task without scruple and without diffidence, because I have learnt that obedience is the first duty of a Mason. It is, however, to my younger brethren, such as have been but lately initiated in our mysteries, that I would more particularly address myself; and there is another class from whom I would invite attention, those brethren, I mean, who, having entered

into Masonry, have neglected to pursue its studies; who, having stepped within the portal, have lingered near it without spirit to advance; who have satisfied themselves with placing their foot on the lowest round of the ladder, without courage to ascend its summit; who have remained idle and listless in the outer court when they might have penetrated into the sanctum sanctorum; who have heard. only the first whisperings of wisdom when they might have learnt the hidden mysteries of science; need I say to such that a man's worst foes are those of his own house, drones in the hive, idlers in the commora, sluggards who, while they neglect the genuine fruits and freely-offered benefits before them, by their apathy and ignorance cause Masonry itself to be evil spoken of? Do I speak hastily? I trust not, but it is sad to see men trifle with solemn obligations, sad to see men rashly take upon themselves the performance of duties with which they never make themselves even acquainted. If a pursuit is to be estimated according to its legitimate results-I mean those results which ought to spring from it-Freemasonry may be safely classed amongst the most comprehensive of human sciences, and therefore the best adapted to the state of man on earth, and it is idle to object that its fruits do not appear in every initiated brother, for if it were worth while to investigate the number of mere dabblers in any science, we should find that those who really excel bear no greater proportion to those who fail than may be seen in Masonry. I admit that there are Masons who are contented with very trifling acquirements in the art. It is their loss; but it will not follow that we possess no shining examples of excellence; although, from the nature of the institution, they are necessarily confined to the atmosphere of their own peculiar localities, for no lodge can flourish for any length of time unless it possesses

some intelligent master spirit to conduct its proceedings. Freemasonry is not a science that admits of itinerant lecturers, and therefore it cannot be expected that the uninitiated world know much about it, and consequently their conjectures are very wide of the truth-they shoot their arrows wildly, and never hit the mark. Freemasonry is a great institution, and its peculiar benefits are limited to its own body, and although we act upon the ancient principle of inviting none to join us, yet our lodges are open to all good and worthy men, such as alone ought to be Masons, and our mysteries are hidden from none but those whose presence would be a doubtful benefit either to themselves or to the Order. We do not invite adherence, and therefore none can be disappointed; but we rejoice when men of name in science or literature solicit admission amongst us, because we may confidently anticipate that the expectations of every person who possesses taste and judgment will be fully realized, and the pursuits of Masonry be congenial to his mind. I spoke but now of the secresy and fidelity required of Masons-virtues difficult to be maintained, but ever held in high veneration by the wisest and best of men. And here I would venture to occupy your time with an anecdote of much interest, as related by a Roman historian, Aulus Gellius, and given by the late Mr. Preston, in his "Illustrations of Masonry:"

"The senators of Rome had ordained that, during their consultations in the senate house, each senator should be permitted to bring his son with him, who was to depart if occasion required, but this favour was not general, being restricted to the sons of noblemen only, who in those days were tutored from their infancy in the virtue of secresy, and thereby qualified in their riper years to discharge the most important offices of Government with fidelity and wisdom.