Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-01-02

lert, that no political discussions may
ever enter the haHowed Sanctuary offhi:
Lodge. In periods of public calsmity
happy is the brother whose conscience
approves him, who carries with hitn the
supporting rejection that he has been
faithful in the sphere assigned him; and
that be has lasored according to bis pow
er, to avert the ruin which may threaten
his country that he has not hasteacd Or
| aggravated nasional suffering by abusing
the rights of citizen, or violating tie
duties of a Mason. Tie charge given
you on your First entrance into tbeLadge,
was, that in the state Mason was to be.
have as a dutiful and faithful citizen,
conforming cheerfully to the laws OF the
government under which he lives and
it may not be Incompatible with my pre-
sent duty, TO urge on you the important
duty of cberising respect for civil go.
vernment, and spirit Of obedience to
the laws. Ii becomes ,Masons to re-
member that government is among the
noblest and most valuable of human In
stitutions, essential to the improvement
of our nature, the spring of industry and
enterprise, the shield Of property and
life, the refuge of the weak and cypress
ed. 1t is to the security the laws afford,
that we owe the successful application
of human powers, the progress OF the
useful and elegant arts and the secret
security under which we tile the Mason
ic door. Government, we know, has
frequently been perverted by ambition
and other selfish passions. and Masonry
for time obscured, but it still holds
most distinguished rank among all those
institutions, by which man has been res.
cucd from barbarism, and conducted
through the ruder stages Of society to
the habits of order. and into the DIVERSE
fed employments and dependencies, the
refined and softened manners, the intel,
lectual, moral * religious Improvements
to that oft age in which we live F; and
whilst we as citizens encourage the tree
expression of opinion, let US unite Us
Masons in MISUNDERSTANDING slander,
whatever be the cause it is designed to
maintain, when wanlonly Inflicted on a
faithful brother. My brethren, let rs
close the doors of Masonry against the
discussion of politics with the sacred du-
ties of our order aid in the day of dis
cord, let US cherish and breathe around
US the benevolent spirit Of Masonry let
Us reserve to ourselves this consolation,
that as brethren we have added no fuel
to the flames, no violence to the storms
which agitatc the political world. Thus
living. we shall not live in vain, and IN
the most calamitous times we shall bail
each other with fraternal benevolencc,
and carry with US conscience void OF
offence, and we shall be able to look
those entertaining suspicious Of Mason
ry being ininical to government, tull IN
the face with clear hands and exultiDg
conscience.
Were | my brethren, on this OCCASION
to unfold to you all the anxious feelings
Of the Grand Lodge. on the many Inter.
est;ng topics connected with these vlsl-
tations, | should weary yonr a,teotion.
One subject, however, claims mo-
ment's observation, because It's lmpor-
lance has in some instances rot been
duly estimated and the consequences ot
this error have been deeply telt' | a!
Jude to the proper conduct OF the table
of retro shments. We are none OF US. l
presume, enemies to Masonic banquets,
under proper government and re&u!a-
,ions-the most enlivening pleasures de.
rivahIe from social intercourse between
conpenial minds-we all feel in the
swift passing moments OF innocent en-
ioymcnts with our brethren. The saiu
tary restrictions imposed on all during
the hours of Iabour, require to be fol-
lowed by those harmless rclaxations
and every Mason possessed OF the ge-
nuine feelings Of the Craft, highly
aDpreciates the happiness they bes-
Tow. l would increase this plea
sure, by never suffering them to be
carried beyond a rational extent
Let the same discipline be exerted
In restricting the duration OF the hours
Of re(rcshment within as suitable limits
&C are used with respect to the hours OF
Labor. thew should always be undor the
imme diate guide of one OF the officers
who should see them closed with the
same precision, as to hours which our on:
regulations prescribe for commencing
and closing the labors of the Lodge; and
It should be their particular care. never
to let the Precincts of the Lodge be vio'
lated by iptemperance, or debased by
the Intrusion of discord or disorder
The period being at hand when this
odcr. ,v;ij have to turn shelr attention
70 the selection Of suitable brethren, as
officers for the ensuing year. ! must DC
INDUCED with this opportunity OF return
| l.,u =. Il ~ 6eitS TO the DjclDTCii