Oration Delivered on the Occasion of the Dedication of the New Hall of Cooper Lodge

by Leander Ker

Oration

Delivered on the Occasion

of the

Dedication

of

The New Hall of Cooper Lodge,

No. 36,

A. F. & A. Masons, of Boonville,

September 2, 1857,

by

Rev. Leander Kerr.

 

 

Boonville:

A. W. Simpson, Printer.

1857.

MASONIC HALL, Boonville, Mo.,
September 2, 1857. $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$

Rev. Leander Kerr: Dear Sir—At a meeting of Cooper Lodge, No. 36, of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, a resolution was unanimously adopted, appointing the undersigned a committee, on behalf of the Lodge, to express to you their high appreciation of the able and appropriate address, delivered by you, on the occasion of the dedication of the new Masonic Hall in this city; and to request a copy of the same for publication.

We hope it may suit your convenience to comply with their request. With sentiments of the highest request, we are,

Yours fraternally,
W. D. MUIR,
H. M. CLARK,
G. R. KEILL.

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Boonville, September 3, 1857.

Gentlemen—

Your kind and polite note was handed me yesterday evening, requesting a copy of my address. I am gratified, gentlemen, that it has received your approbation and of the Lodge. I herewith send you a copy of the same, with my kind regards and thanks for all your kindness and attention to me while with you.

Yours fraternally,
LEANDER KERR.

ORATION.

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Brethren, and Ladies and Gentlemen,

In ancient Thebes a phalanx of warriors was formed, numbering a thousand members composed of veteran soldiers and youths. It was called the Sacred Band of Lovers and Friends. They were pledged never to forsake one another no matter what the emergency. In a battle with Phillip of Macedon, they all perished together—side by side like brothers with piles of their foes around them. After the conflict, Phillip who recognized them as they lay dead together, was so affected by the scene and the sublimity and grandeur of their devotion, that he exclaimed with tears in his eyes—“The simplest and plainest as well as purest policy only requires that the whole world should become a sacred band of brothers to stand by, defend and die for one another; helping each other, and assisting each other. Then,” adds he, “the world would be a vast brotherhood of love, friendship and peace.”

And now, my brethren and audience, this is the subject of my address to you this day—called upon as we have been by your courtesy and distinguished consideration to address you on this interesting occasion.

And what subject so appropriate for the tongue or pen of the minister of the Gospel that speaks love and good will to all; what subject or theme so suitable to the statesman, the patriot, the moralist and the Mason, as that uttered by Phillip of Macedon on the occasion referred to—as love, friendship and peace?

And now, my brethren, were there ever a time, in the history of our world, when these heavenly principles were so much needed as now? To be as brief and summary as possible, what, my brethren, is the greatest want of the age, of our country and the world? Is it science, intelligence and education? No, my brethren, science, intelligence and education were never so active, so successful and widely diffused as at the present. Is it the want of moral and religious instruction? No, there never was so much of activity, labor, zeal and money expended in a single age, for religious and moral purposes, as in the present; and yet what is the result? You all know—the world knows, if the statistics and records of crime are true, that in the midst of all this march of progress and improvement proclaimed aloud to the world by its leaders—that in the midst of it all, there is more crime, more poverty, more discontent, more lawlessness and open rebellion, as well as infidelity, than in any former period of our country’s history. And as a necessary consequence of all this, men in church and state will say and do things that our fathers would refuse to entertain a moment in the most secret recesses of their hearts.

My brethren, it is not by the diffusion of science or knowledge alone; not by an increase of colleges and schools; not by the extension and multiplicity of rail-roads; not by commercial enterprise and industrial activity; not by any or all of these alone can individual and social happiness reach its culminating point of perfection; but by the extension and diffusion of Brotherly Kindness and Charity. Let these prevail among men, then all the other appliances will become instruments and agencies in extending and promoting universal peace and happiness among men and nations.

And while we are neither the eulogists nor the propagandists of Masonry—but only her defender, we must and can say in truth, that she, of all systems and associations the world has ever known, has preserved and exhibited in their highest and purest degree and character these divine principles of charity, peace and good will to men.

What time, when and where in her history did she persecute, or attempt to enforce or extend her principles by the fire and sword? What time, or in what land or 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, revolutions and desolations of time. Masonry alone, of all the systems and associations on earth, is still the same. There is a vital spirit, principle and power, that survive, and preserve her where all else is change and decay. And that spirit, principle and power, are love, truth and brotherly friendship. These constitute her power and the secret of her power. She needs not the sword for herself or her cause; she asks no government for support or aid. She has no missionaries or agents to compass sea and land to make converts and proselytes—but go where you may, you will find her children holding to her ancient faith, nothing added thereto, and nothing abstracted therefrom: still the same from age to age, from land to land, from clime to clime—

“And, though deep still clear—
Though gentle, yet not dull;
Strong without rage;
Without o’erflowing full.
Lives through all time;
Extends to all extent;
Spreads undivided,
Operates unspent.”

This is the spirit and character of Masonry. Deep her sublimity and beauty; she is but clear to all who seek her in her halls. Gentle too she is as the dove, or the lamb; yet no dullness about her. And strong she is in her charity, meekness, kindness and patience, that never fail; that never grow weary in well doing—like her author and architect in Heaven.

“Strong without rage,
Without o’erflowing full.”

In her there is no violence—no fanaticism—no bigotry—no treason or rebellion against law and government. But strong in reference to order, peace and law, both human and divine. She never sends, and has never sent, any to the stake, the dungeon or the halter, for differing from, or opposing her. Again, it is true of her—that without overflowing—still full; fall of charity, kindness and goodness; and these she exercises without ostentation and show. She uses not the trumpet of the ancient Pharisees, nor the newspapers of the modern Pharisee, to proclaim to the world her deeds of charity.

Again, Masonry lives through all time, and extends to all extent. This is true, she has lived through all time; and will live—for founded on truth and love, virtue and goodness, she must and will live through all coming time. These great moral qualities will never leave the earth: if drawn from all other places and associations, in the halls of Masonry they will ever find a safe and sure hiding place. And not only so; but she will extend to all extent; that is, as far as the wandering and weary footsteps of man in his earthly pilgrimage may extend.

And not only so, but she spreads undivided and operates unspent. Undivided, after the lapse of thousands of years. This is her glory, her grandeur and power. Still undivided—can this be said of any other association, or faith, or system, in the world, political, moral, philosophical, or religious? No, my brethren, no, it cannot. I appeal to facts, I appeal to universal history, sacred and profane—the accredited depository of facts. What empire, nation, and kingdom, on earth, have not been divided, and torn to pieces by factions hostile to each other; or what nation, empire and kingdom, now in the world, is not suffering from the same cause? You all know these things. Statesmen and politicians, you know these facts. Moralists, philosophers and ministers of the gospel of peace and righteousness, you all know, or should know these facts; and the causes that produce this sad and painful state of affairs. What are these causes? The want of brotherly kindness and charity. They do not keep the unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace, But they keep up the spirit of division in strife and war.

Fanatical priests—I speak without reference to any one sect or party of the priesthood—who have forsaken their holy mission of love, peace and good will to man—in concert with selfish and ambitious demagogues who cease to be patriots—rival each other in the unholy work of dividing, distracting and destroying the harmony and union, peace happiness of the country. Thus has it ever been. This is the dark, sad story of the world. Look at the present condition of the political world; look at the present condition of the religious world—in proof of what I say. Is not the church of the great Redeemer, planted by his own hands in humiliation and poverty, sorrow and tears, and which he consecrated with his blood, now, at this day a copy of the Jewish church, as it was seen and denounced by the same Saviour, when on earth: as much or more divided is the christian church, than was the Jewish, and now as then, each claims to be the true and only church. But charity requires us to draw a veil over such scenes, and we refer to them, only to enforce more impressively upon you the necessity of preserving, in all their purity and beauty, the Masonic principles of charity, brotherly kindness and good will to all men. Masonry, alone of all associations in the world, has obeyed the apostolic precept, of keeping the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. What spirit, my brethren? the spirit of love and good will to men—the spirit of God the Father, and great Architect of the universe—who so loved the world as to give his only son a ransom for it; and the spirit of that son, who so loved it, as to die for its redemption. This is the spirit we wish you ever to preserve in unity, harmony and peace. For this is the only spirit that can produce peace and brotherhood in the world. All others are the spirits-of discord, dissension and strife.

The potency of this spirit, or rather its omnipotency, is not sufficiently understood and appreciated. It is not limited by latitude or longitude—it is not bounded by geographical lines, or effected by climates; it is not weakened, or impaired by extension or diffusion; nor is it expended by operation; no, it gathers strength and influence, in proportion to its influence and extension. It regards alike all subjects beneath its control and power—pomp, and titles, and grandeur, wealth and fame, have in themselves no attractions for it; and poverty, obscurity and wretchedness, have no repulsion for it: but to these she would rather wind her silent and gentle way—like the sun, the dews and the rains, that shine alike upon all, visit all and nourish all; from the modest flower, that blooms and dies unseen on the mountain bosom, and wastes its fragrance on the mountain winds, up to the lofty oak and the stately pine.

Again, my brethren, remember that the law of love and kindness is to the moral universe, what the law of gravitation and attraction is to the material. It is the latter that binds and keeps in harmony the material universe of God; and under its control all is order and peace. No part of matter, how minute soever, is beneath its notice and care, and none too great for its power and influence.

“That very law that moulds a tear,
And bids it trickle from its source,
That self same law controls each spheres
And guides the planets in their course.”

And thus it is with the law of love and kindness. God, who is love, has ordered this law to govern and preserve the moral universe, as he has ordained the other for the material. And what is wanting to bind the whole world together in bonds of amity and concord, strong and firm as that which bound the Thebean warriors to each other, in life and death, but the spirit of brotherly love?

Masonry has been often assailed and accused by her ignorant enemies, as anti-christian in her principles and tendency, and yet she has ever shown more of true christian spirit than any society or association on earth, except the christian church in the first stage of her pure and primitive condition and character.

And, my brethren, if we have been tedious and redundant on this subject, it is not to praise Masonry, but to impress upon your minds the necessity, and at this time the great and increasing importance of preserving this spirit of amity and kindness in the bonds of peace. Do this, my brethren, and much as Masonry is despised by her foes, she yet may be the conservative power of the social and moral world. She yet may say to its stormy elements—“peace, be still;” and they will obey her.

Brethren, when did acts of kindness and brotherly love, and charity and gentleness, meekness and forbearance, make an enemy, or repel a human heart, and alienate a human mind? When and where? Echo answers, when and where? And when and where did selfishness and pride, bigotry and persecution, political and religious, make a friend, soften the heart into love, and the mind into affection and esteem? Echo again, in a low response, answers, when and where? And to illustrate and enforce this great truth, let me refer you to the Bible—the Mason’s chart and guide; who, of all the sinful race of a fallen world, would have loved God, if He had not first loved us.

And now, brethren, may the Hall we dedicate to-day, be, while it stands, exclusively sacred and devoted to these great principles of charity,—brotherly kindness and truth. These are the pillars of Masonry, of christianity, and of the universe. Let no bigotry enter here. Let no sectionalism, political or religious, disturb the peaceful sanctity of your Hall. However you may differ in all other things, differ as brethren: but as the Turks, when they enter their mosques for prayer, leave their sandals and slippers at the door; thus leave all your peculiar opinions and prejudices outside. Meet there as brothers meet. Meet as the thousand Thebean warriors met, to stand by each other, to assist, defend, and, if necessary, to die for each other. Oh! my brethren, I call upon you this day to exclude, as they have ever been excluded, from the halls of Masonry, political and religious intolerance, fanaticism and bigotry. Bigotry, the child of perdition, malignity and darkness; that in the name of Heaven marks the deeds of the infernal pit. Bigotry, that respects nothing, pities nothing and spares nothing; neither the parent the child, nor the child the parent, nor the brother the sister, nor the sister the brother. Bigotry, that respects not the sanctity of wedded love; that intrudes into the domestic circle, as Satan did enter Eden, and there blights all, blasts all, and curses all, with the mildew of death and hell. Bigotry, that enters into the earthly sanctuary of the Most High, and entwines its slimy folds around the altar; and gathers more virulence and venom there, to issue again through the walks of social and political life, more fatal to the peace and happiness of the same, than the malaria, that in sickly autumn, ascends from the dying vegetables of the world. Oh! brethren, I beseech you, in the name of the great Architect and builder of all things, to make your Hall a fountain of peace and truth, a home of love and good works.

We have said much upon the spirit of Masonry, and now let us speak of its fruits. In one word, its fruits are to do to others as we would have them do to us. Did the world act upon this principle, we would have a world of peace and righteousness. Man’s best security would then be in the society of his brother: and then instead of “man’s inhumanity to man,” making countless thousands mourn; it would be man’s humanity to man, makes countless thousands smile. Then wars would cease, and contention and strife, and all of their evil results, would disappear from earth; then the North would not harass and vex the South, and the South would not hate the North, but each seek to promote the welfare and prosperity of the other.

A word now in reference to Cooper Ledge:

Cooper Lodge, No. 36, dates her charter on the 9th of October, 1841. Her first officers were Andrew Gibson, Worshipful Master; R. S. Leveridge, Senior Warden; B. Hart, Junior Warden. Brother Leveridge is dead. Brother Hart resides in Philadelphia, and brother Gibson lives in this place. Gibson, Harley and Kelly are the only resident members of the Lodge from the time of its formation. All the rest are dead or have removed to other places.

The charter for the Chapter is dated October, 1847. R. S. Leveridge was High Priest; A. Gibson, King; and C. D. W. Johnson, Scribe. Of these officers, A. Gibson is the only remaining one. Thus, brethren, passes the generations of men away. Let us be ready, for at such a time as we know not, and think not, the summons for us will come. Be always ready, brethren, for your final call from labor to endless rest—where toils and cares no longer perplex, and where the wicked cease to trouble and persecute.

And now, ladies, it is my pleasant duty to address a few words to you, who have honored me by your presence and attention, though I feel I am unable to do justice to so fair and interesting a subject.

Masonry, ladies, has ever regarded your sex with the highest degree of respect and esteem. She is second only to christianity in the work of elevating and ennobling the condition of woman. And if you are not permitted to take part in all our ceremonies, it is because of their adaptation to us, not to the softness of your sex—just as you are excluded from the pursuits and labors of men—from the judicial seat, from the executive chair, and from the ballot box—none of which are scenes and places suited to feminine refinement and modesty. But your position, power and influence, in the world and over it, are none the less because of the sphere in which nature and God have placed you. Indeed, that very sphere is the very seat and throne of your power and influence for good. It is from that pure and virtuous station, woman’s sphere of life and action, that a refining, and harmonizing, and moralizing influence, goes forth over the earth, to refine, and soften and elevate man, who, but for that influence, would become rude, wild and savage. And as before stated, next to christianity is your sex indebted to Masonry for support, protection, and to that high position of honor, esteem and respect, to which the sex, in all christian and Masonic countries, have attained. It was chiefly for this that the order of chivalry and knighthood was established, in the dark and barbarous times of the middle ages, when neither church nor state could, or, would not, protect the weak, defend the defenceless—and above all, when woman’s honor and virtue were most unprotected from the lawless licentiousness of the times. Then it was that this order of chivalry and knighthood was formed, as the defenders of the weak, which law could not, or would not do, to protect the widows and fatherless, and female virtue. And to this they devoted their lives, under the most solemn vows. And most nobly did they do their duty, and vindicate their pledged honors and truth, at home and abroad. Time would fail me to tell of their gallantry, their noble deeds, their heroism and chivalry, and their generous self-sacrificing conduct. What time, when with the crusaders, they marched to Palestine, to redeem the ancient home of Masonry and christianity; when the proud, insolent and taunting crescent of the false prophet, paled and sunk beneath the milder and brighter splendor of the Cross. And what time the swords of the Knight Templars, in avenging wrath, smote through turban, bone and brain of the brutal Turks; and rescued Europe and the christian world from Mohammedan barbarity, violation and slavery. And it is for the defence, protection and support of all who need these things, that our order of Knighthood is still maintained, and to which our vows and obligations bind us. And while we do this, you, ladies, in your sphere, can do much to aid, cheer and encourage us in this good work. Your office and mission in this world are the same as ours: not in the same way, nor by the same instruments and arms; but by the same great principles of heavenly charity, kindness and goodness. By these woman holds her power and empire over the minds and hearts of men, and over the destinies of the world, a power and dominion that kings and emperors may envy, but cannot obtain. And why is this so? It is because, that in your sex there are more of these principles, we have this day dwelt so much upon, than there are in ours. Your Creator has given you this high and glorious privilege, and given this to you, when He created you a “help meet” to man. The true meaning of the original, is a guide, a counsellor to man, that is, by her love and devotion, her gentleness and virtue, she should cheer, guide and counsel him. But when woman forsakes and forgets these; when in her ambition for a higher position, she looks upon this station, and these qualities and duties, as unworthy her, and her “strong mind”, then she loses all that power and influence that charm and captivate heart, mind and soul; that rainbow of heavenly purity and divinity that like an arch of faith, hope and love enshrines every good and lovely woman. She ceases to be an object of adoration and love, she ceases to be a help meet, a guide and counselor to man; she becomes a wandering star in pursuit of vain and idle phantoms, which she never can grasp. What we want and what the world wants, is not “strong minded women”, but strong hearted women, full of pure and sincere love and charity—faith, hope and good works. These control men and guide them aright; these form and correct our manners and purify our morals; these reclaim the wicked and reform the erring; these strengthen the weak and confirm the wavering; and last, but not least,

“These lure to heaven and lead the way.”

Daughters of Missouri, may you ever prove to be such.

And now, brethren, a few parting words to you, and we are done. And first to you my reverend brethren in the ministry of the Gospel of peace and good will to all men: let me entreat you to follow the example of our Lord and Master in heaven, in gentleness and meekness, in kindness and charity. Do not, for his Gospel, substitute politics, treason, rebellion and Sharp’s rifles. If you do you may rest assured that you will do more injury to Masonry and Christianity—the true lights and pillars of society and the world, than all the combined efforts of their enemies can achieve. Permit me to express in poetry what I feel on this subject:

Let politics alone, leave that to others;
Be to the world Samaratonic brothers,
Preach Him alone who came to save mankind,
Be firm bit gentle, prudent, good and kind,
Remember his advice who rules the skies—
As doves be harmless, and as serpents wise.

And to you, Entered Apprentices, Fellow Craft and Master Masons and Royal Arch, one word of advice. Be not satisfied with any attainments you have made, but press onward and upward. You have not yet attained to perfection in this sublime order. It is too common, my brethren, for persons to grow weary in the first steps of science and truth of every kind because their first lessons are uninteresting. And hence too many become only superficial in all departments of truth and science. A little knowledge, 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 Thebean 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,

“May Sisters, Brothers all unite,
In that Grand Lodge that’s far awa.”