North East Corner Part 1

It is customary at the erection of all stately and superb edifices, whether intended for sacred or secular uses, to lay the ‘chief corner-stone’ in the north-east corner of the building; you being newly initiated into Freemasonry, are placed in the north-east corner of the Lodge, figuratively to represent that stone; and upon the foundation which we have this day laid we trust you may hereafter raise a superstructure, perfect in all its parts, and honourable to the Builder. You now stand to all external appearance a just and upright man and Freemason; and I earnestly exhort you always to act up to that character. Indeed, I shall immediately proceed to put your principles in some measure to the test, by calling upon you to exercise that virtue which may justly be denominated the distinguishing characteristic of a Freemason’s heart, namely, Charity. I trust I need not here dilate upon its excellences; doubtless it has often been felt and practiced by you; it will be sufficient for me to say that it has the approbation of Heaven and of Earth; and, like its sister, Mercy, it bestows a double blessing: ‘It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.’ In a Fraternity so widely extended as Freemasonry is, having its branches spread over the whole habitable globe, it cannot be denied that we have many Brethren of rank and opulence among us; neither, on the other hand, can it be concealed that among the thousands who range under its banners, there are many who, perhaps from circumstances of unforeseen misfortune or calamity, are reduced to the lowest state of poverty and distress. In their behalf it is our usual custom to awaken the sympathies of every newly-initiated Brother, by making such a claim upon his Charity as his position and circumstances in life may fairly warrant; anything therefore that you may feel disposed to give towards the relief of your distressed Brethren you may deposit with the Junior Deacon; and I assure you it will be thankfully received and faithfully applied.