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JOSEPH JENKINS 1781-1851

Junior Grand Warden, 1819
Grand Master, 1830-1832.

TERM

1830 1831 1832

NOTES

ADDRESSES

AT THE LAYING OF THE CORNERSTONE OF THE NEW TEMPLE, OCTOBER 1830

From the Boston Masonic Mirror, New Series, Vol. 2, No. 17, October 23, 1830, Page 131:

It may not be required, but I think we owe it to ourselves and to this audience to explain the motives, which have led to this enterprize; to shew the reasonableness of the undertaking; to declare the objects, which we hope to attain; and if practicable to convince all that the effort before us commends itself to the judgment, the benevolence and the entire approbation of this enlightened and liberal community.

It is seen by tbe inscription on the plate just now deposited in this corner stone when and by whom Free Masonry, which in this country began in Boston, was here established, and by whom it has since been conducted and inculcated; and it may seem somewhat singular that the Grand Lodge, governed by such men, should have remained so many years without an appropriate building for its own accommodation. But to those who understand the peculiar character of Masonic funds, the fact is readily accounted for.

It may be still more surprising to some that the present period should be selected for such an enterprise. This too, is capable of very easy explanation. The Grand Lodge for the last ten years, has been eligibly accommodated in one of the City buildings and for that space of time at least, having fitted up the building at its own expense, has had no inducement to change its quarters. Recently however the parts of that building occupied by the Grand Lodge have been appropriated to the use of the City Government, thus compelling us to seek other accommodations.

For several years there has been a desire expressed by many to erect a Masonic building in Boston, but from various circumstances there has been no time so favourable as the present for such an undertaking. The price of land has considerably fallen, materials for building are reasonable, and the price of labour is lower than our benevolence would lead us to desire. If any suppose that, at a season like this, when our institution is somewhat interrupted in its prosperity by the attacks which have been made upon it, and the mischiefs which have befallen it, this is an act of mere desperation and bravado, I am bound to assure them that nothing is farther from the fact.

Still, as actions aways speak louder than words, we are willing that this transaction should speak, and speak the truth too; and that truth is,—that Masons have the most entire confidence in the perpetuity of their institution, in the excellency of its principles and in their adaptedness to the wants and woes of the world. With these views and sentiments, the Grand Lodge at its quarterly communication in June inst., resolved to proceed forthwith to procure a suitable site and to erect thereon an edifice for its own accommodation, and that of other Masonic bodies in Boston.

From the belief that other Societies in the City want accommodations, it has been thought a wise and judicious investment of our funds to extend the dimensions of our building beyond our own immediate wants. We have felt assured that the location of the edifice is such as will command a constant occupancy of such public halls as are needed at the present day. The respectability of the neighborhood, the great convenience of access — the salubrity of air, the inimitable classic beauty of the prospect in the scenery around, all unite to confirm us in such an expectation. The Grand Lodge therefore enters upon this work with the most confident assurance: that its funds (which are sacred to benevolence) invested here, will receive a better income than can be expected from any public stocks now in the market.

In the constructing of this building, we shall not indulge our ambition or our folly in a profusion of useless ornament, and while we desire to erect an edifice which shall not disgrace our metropolis or detract from the taste of those under whose care it is erected, — we intend to maintain a rigid regard to that economy which the circumstances of the case so imperiously demand. Thus much I have felt bound to say in re
ference to the propriety and expediency of this 
project.

The ceremonies which have now been wit
nessed may appear to some as unmeaning or cabalistical; and though they are all capable
 of satisfactory explanation, the occasion does jnot allow me to enter on the task. Suffice it to say that these ceremonies, like the peculiar titles and badges of our Order, are essentially such as have been transmitted to us from ages Iong gone by, and if we have a right, we 
are not much inclined to dispense with or essentially to change them.

The work in which we are now engaged, although in itself simple and apparently of little moment in its relations and consequences, is full of interest. It is so to us as Masons, — This is not the ephemeral work of a day to be forgotten to-morrow. The building we now commence is to stand a perpetual monument of the wisdom or the folly of these through whose instrumentality it is to be erected. A monument of the utility and excellence or the perfidy and worthlessness of the institution under whose auspices it is reared. We then, who know the character and design of that institution, must rejoice or tremble as we see those walls arise.

And are we differently constituted from other men? Are we not selfish? Have we not a regard to our own honor and interest? Hath not a Mason, "eyes, hands, dimensions, organs, senses, affections, passions; are we not fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons as other men?" And are not our characters at stake, in a transaction, which thus publicly and palpably proclaims our opinions, and our attachment to the principles and objects of this institution?

The transaction is interesting to us as citizens of a free, enlightened and happy community. What language does it speak to those amongst whom we live and move, and have our being, with whom all our interests are blended and identified, from whom we expect every earthly joy and honor, to whom we lank to commend our virtues, or to condemn our vices; from whom we expect our only returns in the affections and civilities, and courtesies of life?

The doings of this day are interesting to us as fathers, as husbands, as members of our several domestic circles. In view of this, does not every Mason make these inquiries; shall I cast a blot and a stigma upon the character of my family? Shall I wound the reputation and peace of the wife of my bosom, the children of my love, the sisters and the brothers of my affection?

Are we Christians, — the event lias interests deep and high; they stretch beyond the vale of time and take hold on eternity's hopes and retributions. How does this transaction tell upon the cause of Him, who died to redeem our race from death eternal? Do we here erect a temple for the worship of idols? Do we expect here to inculcate sentiments subversive of Christianity? Is any object to which this building shall be devoted adapted to impede the progress of that Gospel, which brings peace on earth and good will to man?

These are considerations which shew that the event has responsibilities which must weigh upon every man with a power that will either drive him from the work, or cheer his heart and nerve his arm for the labour before him. My brethren of the Masonic Fraternity. What do we say to these considerations; how do we answer these questions?

Permit me to assume your feelings and to give your answer. I trust, that, in a figurative sense at least, we have not begun to build without sitting down first and counting the cost. I trust as we examine onr motives and review our principles, we have no misgivings of conscience when we put our hand to this I work. I trust we are able to give an answer to every reasonable man, that asketh — satisfactory to him, and to ourselves, that our work is honorable and our motives pure.

I feel a pride in declaring in this public manner that the spirit which has been manifested in the various incipient steps in the projecting of this enterprise is alone sufficient to convince me that the great body of the craft under this jurisdiction are firm to their principles and rejoice in this opportunity of demonstrating to the world their determination to protect and defend them.

It cannot be necessary, were it proper on this occasion, to go into a consideration of the principles of Free Masonry. Tbey have been stated a thousand times and all who are disposed have abundant means of knowing whether they are good or bad. For the present I will assume that these principles are good, and that our institution, in all its legitimate bearings, is happily adapted to our fallen nature.

I will now ask this respected auditory to consider for a moment the peculiar nature of this institution. It is of little moment here to inquire whether it originated with Solomon King of Israel — or with a company of bricklayers in London. 'Tis enough for the present to know that it exists, and that too, in every civilized country on the earth. That it embraces within its pale men of every class, from the king to the humblest citizen, the only test of character being that of moral rectitude and a belief in God.

There is no department of human society in all the civilized world where Masons are not to be found. Its language is the same throughout the world — its obligations are binding on all its members, without regard to nation or language, or any of the adventitious circumstances which effect the various relations and divisions of men.

Probably in all political parties, (except one of modern and monstrous growth, which shall I now be nameless,) of whatever contrariety, there are Masons. Look through the parties of our own country: Federalists, Democrats, Administration and Anti-administration, Tariff and Anti-tariff, Jackson men and Clay men, and in them all there are many Masons. Look at the religious sects — the Catholic and the Protestant — the Episcopalian and the Presbyterian — the Orthodox and Universalist — the Baptist and the Methodist – the Trinitarian and the Unitarian, and in them all there are many Masons. Look at the other innumerable associations of men i» the world formed for literary, scientific, mechanical and other laudable purposes, and in them all there are many Masons.

I hnve taken this view — that I may, in a word, simply inquire of my fellow citizens — whether it be possible in the nature of things, that an institution whose members are thus diffused through all the ramifications of human society and human interests, and whose own appropriate associations are ordinarily of every variety of temporal condition and political and religious sentiment, can ever be made an engine for the subversion of government or the dereliction of the happiness of man?

It would be awarding to us an influence vastly beyond our claims and pretensions — to charge our institution with such results. We are brought then to the conclusion that if our principles are pernicious — it is an evil, spread through all the fibres of organized society, an evil which mast be borne until a power stronger than man shall sweep it from the earth; a curse, which from its very nature man has not the power to remove or avert. Nor let him undertake the work.

But turn the tables; suppose, as we aver and are able to demonstrate, that our principles are good, suppose they inculcate charity and philanthropy, suppose they are at war with bigotry and superstition and give no truce to persecution and proscription, and then estimate if you can their salutary influence in all these conflicting sects and parties. Compute if you can the evils averted or the good actually effected in all these various relations. In such a society there can be no monopoly, no combination,—

To bless itself, it blessed all mankind;
To curse the world, itself must feel the curse.

In all other associations not strictly religious, you find men of the same class or profession uniting in their respective societies, the farmer, the mechanic, the physician, the lawyer, the merchant, the manufacturer. We find the community also divided by common consent into various classes. All indeed uniting ns has recently been most beau tifully illustrated (Buckingham's Address before the Mechanics Association) — like the various hues of the rainbow. Not so Freemasonry. It is no sect, it is no party, it is no class,—it forms no distinct stratum in the iris of human society — but mingles its light or its darkness, its beauties or its deformities with each and all of them.

But I have said enough. — It remains only that I acknowledge, and I do it with profound respect and most grateful emotions— the marked decorum, and apparent interest manifested by this interesting group of friends and citizens around us. We stand before you as Masons; you know us as men, as friends, and as neighbors. According to our character and deportment in these relations we expect to be estimated. Judge us by our works; love us for our virtues, condemn us for our vices.

My Brethren, I congratulate you on the event which has brought us together. It is indeed auspicious in its character, but let me remind you that it brings with it new obligations and responsibilities,— we have again before the world borne testimony to the usefulness of our ancient institution. In this act we have proffered new vows on the public altar, that our lives shall conform to our principles. We have given new pledges to day, which I trust we are prepared to redeem. I thank you for your obedience to our call to assist in the ceremonies of the day. May you return to your respective homes in peace, and "may the God of love and peace delight to dwell with you and bless you," and yours for ever.

CHARTERS GRANTED

None.

RULINGS

• 1832

Grand Masters