Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1821-07-03

will Judge of the tree by IFS fruit. 1t
unworthy members sometimes recline on
our pillars, the many are not 10 be Judg-
ed by the few. Imperiection is the sad
lot OF iiamenity, and "man is naturally
prone to evil therefore, ifsome Of us
sAhou id, at times overstep the bounds OF
prudence, it is the duty of every true
mason to reprove him for his fault---but
should he persist in his folly, and his con-
duct become immoral, he is expelled
from the lodge, and no longer enjoys the
privileges of masonry But let me ask,
is there any society, or any body of men
on earth whose members are all spot
less Could all OF them bear to have a
strict inquiry made into every action OF
their lives presume not. And let me
say, that the society of masons affords as
few unworthy members as any other.
We NEEDLE not, as society, with the
affairs OF church or state--lhe monarch
ist, the aristocrat or the republican, pro-
vided his character is fair and his con-
duct spotless, with equal ease, finds seat
among us. AS the aim OF all religions
leads to the same great end, all arc equal
ly admitted TO take shelter under the CO.
YER of our lodge.--No religious or poll
teal test, is, or ought to be, made a cri-
terion of admission. The Christian, the
Turk and the Hindoo, with all the SUI
coordinate branches arising from either
of them, together with the nations who
follow the religion of nature, all pay
alteration TO the same God, and their
great desire is the souls Immortality
and should one be rejected, because on
points OF minor importance, he differs
in opinion from another? The greatest
divines of all denominations, have not
thought it beneath their calling to add
masonic to theological learning; the
most profound statesmen, in all ages, have
leaned on our pillars, and to the honor
of our order be it added that Locke, a
Franklin, and a Washington, have graced
the columns of masonry.
But it is asked, if this be good in
stitution, why not open the lodge for the
admission of all !" The worthy man,
with proper qualifications, who makes
application, is never rejected; but that
we should diyulge our secrets to those
who are incapable of approaching their
value, or open our doors to the knave
and the hypocrite, would be furnishing
the purity of the institution.
That females are debarred the lodge,
is rathera complim to, than a neglec,
Of the sex. Their delicate frames could
but lily forego the tolls and hardships
incident to masonry-their fascinating
charms would have too great a tendency
to attract the attention of the craft, and
call them from labors and studies hich
are Incompatible with thai nice and deli
cate attention due to natures fairest Or
nament.---woman.
O thou Almighty architect! who
presidest over the destiny of the uni
verse--whose all-seeing eye pcnetrates
the hidden recesscs of our souls--and
through whose love, goodness and mer-
cy, we have our being and existence F.;
protect this our order and mystery, and
keep it pure and undeiiled, as the lamb
skin, the badge ola mason.--Let no evil
propensities prevade the bosoms of our
brotherhood. Let union, concord and
brotherly love be instlled into the hearts
of the craft around the globe. LET chari-
ty, and universal philanthrophy be the
polar star of every mason.--May we
look to thee alone, as the supreme grand
master who protects the masonic world /;
and when our immortal parts separate
from this tabernacle Of clay, in which
they are inclothed, give US, then, 0 Lord
seat in that Grand Lodge, "where the
wicked ceaseth from troubling, and the
weary have rest" Amen.