F.W. Pender C. 1888
Brethren,

Not long ago I was informed by a brother that I should be expected to deliver an address on this occasion. Although I appreciate the honor conferred upon me, I feel a little diffident, not being gifted with that eloquence with which the brother was, who proceeded me last year.

But I trust you will be patient for a time and listen to the few words that I may say.

One year more has the Grand Architect spared our lives and permitted us to meet again. Thanks to His loving care and goodness. Before proceeding farther, I desire to express my deepest gratitude to the members of Friendship Lodge for the kindness rendered me during my recent illness, and shall always feel it a duty encumbant on me, to render such assistance as I am able to others as freely as they have to me.

Tonight we have assembled to review in a measure the work of the last year and to take council together for the future, a future which I sincerely trust will be as happy, prosperous, and harmonious as has been the past.

Our ranks the past year, as far as I have been able to learn, have not been invaded by the grim destroyer Death. It is certainly pleasant to think we have not been called upon to speak or write "In Memoriam" over a brother. As the old year is dying, such thoughts come to us with unusual force.

Masonry is veiled in doubt and has given rise to great speculation, it's antiquity is so remote. A distinguished Mason writer, Rev. J.R. W. Bell says that tradition claims there was a society called Essenes (or Masons) which originated forty years previous to the building of King Solomon's Temple. and that our patron St. John is said to have belonged to it. There are many different opinions on this point. We do not claim that Masonry is a religion. It is not conferred to any particular sect or people, but embraces within its fold all nations religions and opinions. It is some thing that must live and you cannot destroy it. It's influence for good is felt throughout the entire world. It teaches us love, benevolence, charity, what higher principals than these three! Freemasonry finds it's way into the homes of the poor as well as the rich. It goes beyond the "narrowness of thought." It elevates a man, makes him generous hearted, large minded, and full of charity in his judgment towards others. It tramples on selfishness. A man who despises a person who does not exactly accord with his own opinions on worship, faith or daily practice, is a Mason in name only. For he most certainly "has not been baptized with the free generous spirit of the fraternity."

Masonry should and does lead to friendship. It brings its followers together in thought sentiment and loving kindness. Often times the oldest and strongest ties between men have been formed through Masonry. And in after years those ties are among the pleasantest to dwell upon. Longfellow beautifully illustrates it when he says "you may build more splendid habitations, fill your rooms with paintings and with sculptures but you cannot buy with gold the old associations."

What a glorious mission has Freemasonry throughout its influence for good everywhere. What loftiness of purpose. It is one of the grandest "human institutions" the world has ever seen. Lofty and pure in thought and character-elevating when it's principles are carried out. It strikes down envy and hate and enthrones charity and love, and like mercy as the poet expresses, it is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from Heaven upon the place beneath; it is twiced blessed; it blesses him that gives and him that takes. It is an attribute of God Himself!

Masonry has come down generations to the present time unchanged, and as years roll by, mightier it becomes in strength.

In the last century and a half all what it has accomplished from being outlawed, persecuted in every country in Europe, now our institutions are tolerated at law though still prosecuted to some extent by their opponents. One hundred and fifty years ago in no country of Europe except Great Britain, was a Freemason's life or liberty safe for an hour. And even in Great Britain his Lodge was a legal offense. Records in writing were rarely kept because "Records" were death warrants to the fraternity. Freemasonry was slow in making progress in Russia. Not until the year 1771 was the first lodge organized at St. Petersburg. Masonic history tells us that under the reign of Catherine II, it would have been difficult to find in St. Petersburg a noble that was not a Freemason. It is true that the Empress often manifested some chagrin when often finding out a single Chamberlain in attendance upon her, she inquired for such and such a one whom she missed and was told he had gone to the lodge; but never the less she was well enough disposed towards the fraternity to have her son, Paul I initiated immediately upon his becoming of age. In few, countries did Masonry rise to the splendor it attained under Catherine II. The Masonic Temples at St. Petersburg were said to be palaces. They were so beautiful.

The first triumph of our principles was when the liberty and independence of the United States was declared. A noble part did our predecessors Washington, Franklin, Lafayette and a host of others bear in the struggle; they bore the "spotless banner of our craft" in the establishment of the first civil government of the world. A government founded on the Masonic principles, love, charity and freedom of thought.

Washington was initiated into the "mysteries of Masonry", in Fredericksburg Lodge, Nov. 4th, 1752, paying the sum of two pounds, 3 shillings. March 3rd, 1753 he was passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft; August 4th, 1753, he was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. The Bible used on that occasion is still preserved: If Washington's Masonic career had been written at the time of the revolution, much might have been said; but at present we have only scattered fragments.

Franklin was master of the first warrented Lodge in Pennsylvania and Provincial Grand Master of that Province; his Masonic career was a brilliant one, and much of interest might be related about it.

Perhaps it might not be amiss and yet prove interesting to some of you if I give a little "Reminiscence of Lafayette." Translated from the French for the Masonic Age.

"The battle field of Bunker Hill witnessed a magnificent Masonic solemnity when General Lafayette came to visit the United States. June 17th, 1825, the fiftieth anniversary of the heroic struggle in which the American patriots triumphed for the first time against the courage and discipline of the English. The Grand Lodge of Boston called all the Masons of the Republic to the celebration of a grand national fete. Over five thousand brothers responded to this appeal. A procession was formed which went spontaneously to General Lafayette's home, whose presence in Boston they desired to celebrate in a worthy manner.

The Fraternity took him in their midst, and conducted him in triumph at the sound of all the church bells and the firing of cannons, through the midst of a million of citizens, from the most distant parts of the Union, assembled here in order to see him once more."

Here, where fifty years before, he exposed his life in the defense of the rights and liberties of America. They laid the corner stone of a monument destined to perpetuate the memory of Bunker Hill.

The Grand Master poured the wine, oil and corn upon the stone, while a minister of the gospel consecrated it under the auspicious blessings of Heaven. Thence the procession went to a vast amphitheater constructed upon the hill, and then the order of the Grand Lodge addressed the innumerable audience, revealing to their minds in an elegant discourse the iniquities and the misfortunes which their fathers had to suffer under the tyranny of England, and the benefits of a liberty which was due to them for their generous devotion and the disinterested help of many noble foreigners.

At these words immense applaud arose from the audience and Lafayette was saluted with the name of the father of the country. This was a delightful day for this illustrious veteran, who shed tears of joy in receiving this the grateful thanks of a great nation."

Many are the examples of Masonic hero's set before us. But lest I weary you-I will close with a few more brief remarks. We certainly have and do count among our craft, men of highest rank and principles. Bright Masonic stars whose light will reflect down ages to come. The teachings of Freemasonry unite with those of Christianity in raising the thought and desires of men from mere earthly hope to the light which reflects from the Eternal City. Let us dear brethren become "living and abiding principles" having the true spirit of Freemasonry of peace and of reconciliation among us. And strive for "that far land, far beyond storm and cloud; that bright land where sun doth never set. Where are nobler mansions than our Craft have made. And all is permanent and all is fair."

F.W. Pender
C. 1888