"THE LOVELINESS OF LOVE.”

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 14, 23 October 1871, Page 2

"THE LOVELINESS OF LOVE.”

A Sermon preached by the Rev.. Tames Hill, at the opening of the Sir Walter Scott Lodge, Thames, on the 15th September, 1871. Published by desire of the bretlicrn present. We have before Us, in neat pamphlet form, a sermon by the Rev. James Hill, preached on the occasion of the opening of the Sir Walter Scott Lodge, on the 15th September. Taking for his text Phil, iv., 8, “ Whatsoever things are lovely,” the reverend authorjargucs that love is identical with the very nature of God himself —“ God is love,” and that no elements of human character can make up for the want of love. Instinct and reason, and observation, Mr Hill argues, teaches us that the emotions take rank according to the presence or absence of self, and herein lies the superiority of love. Experience also adds its testimony, for what heart is there that has not itself helped by sympathy or aid to make others happy. The Masonic Brotherhood are under the most solemn obligations to cherish love to each other, and to render counsel, sympathy, and succour to all, and to act towards all mankind in a spirit of charity. The charitable institutions of Freemasonry, says Mr Hill, “are before the world—it has lightened the burden of the afflicted and smoothed the path of the aged—it has often received the widow’s blessing, and the orphan’s prayers, and in all circumstances and conditions —yea even in the presence of death, its bonds of mutual fidelity have been inviolate. To an institution with such ati object it might have been supposed there could possibly have been any demur. Yet in the minds of many there is. Some for instance, regard it as if it were meant to be a substitute for religion. To such an assertion those connected with the brotherhood are best able to give a reply. And in every case this is, and must be. an unqualified denial. The way of salvation is one, it can have no substitute, and Masonry is not meant to furnish one. The secrets of Masonry are meant but to make the union the more perfect, and to exclude effectively all who come not under its obligations, and whatever may have been done under its name, its essence is in harmony with all good order, submission to lawful authority, and “goodwill to all men." The Reverend author concludes a most eloquent discourse by urging ail to “ Let brotherly love continue,” and above all things to put on charity which is the very bond of perfectedness. The proceeds of the sale of the pamphlet re to be devoted to the benefit of tho Thames Hospital. The pamphlet is very creditably printed by Messrs. Hopcraft, McCullough and Co., Grahamstown.