Arizona Grand Lodge Library

George Roskruge & S. Barry Casey Masonic Memorial Library & Museum

Jewels of Masonic Oratory

Published in 1898, this book is a collection of orations given by Masonic Grand Orators in the United States. James Albert Zabriskie, Grand Orator for the Grand Lodge of Arizona in 1882, 1883, 1884 and 1886, has 4 of his Orations shared in this book. This is an excerpt from his Grand Oration, November 13th, 1883:

“

No plant can bloom in uncongenial soil, and no man can become a Mason who has not within him those natural elements of character which ever unfold and expand under Masonic teaching. While the physical danger to Masonry may, in a sense, be past, the moral danger is still apparent.

The record of its brilliant exploits should be kept untarnished by its defenders of the present. To us is confided the sacred trust, and if we permit that already gained through ages of sacrifices and toile to be lost, how justly will we be held amenable to the bitterest execrations. Its power is now established and its influences potent in all the avenues of social, moral and political life.

We are enjoying the fruits of a dear bought victory, and let us appreciate our present position and not fritter away by neglect or personal considerations, the result of such patient heroism. Let us preserve this priceless boon in its pristine purity. Coming down through the ages of darkness, terror and bloody persecution, let us cherish the teachings and examples of a cause hallowed by the memories of the greatest and the best of mankind; enshrouded in a halo of immortal glory, let us defend not the shadow but the substance.

Let us remember with grateful emotions, that a principle which can survive the struggles of barbaric forces, the throes of tyrants, the cunning sophistries of astute and wily counsellors, and the concentrated fury and hate of ecclesiastical power and dominion, must be immortal. Let the light continue to shine with undiminished splendor; let its influence be kept pure and unsullied, and uncontaminated by unworthy association; let its power be felt as of old in the councils of Kings and in the humbler walk of life. Thus will it continue to flourish for the amelioration of mankind, until the darkest recesses of ignorance, and the lowest abyss of misery shall be penetrated by its light and relieved by its charity. “

“In Silence, Steals on soft handed charity; Tempering her gifts, that seem so few, By time and place, Till not a woe the break would see, But finds her grace”

This book comes from the collection of Past Grand Master Louis A. Myers (1940) and is kept in the Reference section of the George Roskruge & S. Barry Casey Masonic Memorial and Library Museum.

About MSAP

Masonic Foundation for Children

Nearly 4,000 educators trained and 30,000 children's lives affected!

What is the Masonic Model Student Assistance Program(MSAP)?

Teachers are not experts in at-risk behavior which is why we developed the MSAP. Our training includes a highly professional and intensive three-day training workshop for Arizona educators to learn to improve their ability to; identify, intervene with, and create appropriate intervention plans for students at risk.

This workshop trains a core team of four to eight educators from a school in how to intervene early and effectively with students that display patterns of behaviors that threaten their success at school and life. MSAP involves practice sessions designed to simulate real events on subjects such as:

• Chemical dependency

• Depression & Suicide

• Conflict, Anger & Violence

• Family Dynamics & Enabling

• Life Skills Development

• Treatment & Aftercare

• Communication Skills

• Group Process & Intervention

How Can I support the Arizona Masonic Foundation for Children?

• Donate to the foundation directly

• Buy Arizona Masonic License Plates