The Final Fate of the Masonic Order

so beautiful a consciousness would be outweighed by the unpleasant sensations which the actual fulfillment of a duty so dear to us arouses, if we still felt our great loss painfully? If you ever required my brotherly encouragement, it is certainly on this day, on which we assemble for the last time as Masons original: "Maurer" — the standard term for members of the Freemasonic fraternity.. Let me also fulfill this, my last dear duty, and let us then accomplish that which is commanded.

I would encourage you, as students and friends of wisdom, to patience and the calm endurance of our present fate, and try to strengthen you through a more vivid development of the advantages to be expected therefrom, which I mentioned at the very beginning. But how could I do that? Does patience not have hope as a companion or guide? And that is entirely gone! Never will our Order original: "Orden" — refers to the Masonic Order or the specific branch to which the lodge belonged. rise from its present fall; never will we assemble here again as Masons. I must therefore seek another source of strengthening and consolation. It is available and so abundant that you will not only recognize the necessity of what we are commanded to do, but will also submit yourselves to it with a willing heart as a wise and beneficial arrangement. Give me your attention.

I will not detain you with the purpose of our Order. For you all know that it is good and