Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-07-19

dug bounds his habits and divest his
mind and conscience from all the vices
and supernuities of life, steadily pre-
serving rectitude of principle; prudent
ly and cautiously regulating his actions
by the dictates oil reason; rendering unto
all men the Just reward of their merit.
He will endeavor to walk uprightly be-
fore God and the world in his several
stations in life-sqnaring his actions by
the square Of vlrtue-rememberi that
BE is travelling on the level of tirie to
Mat undiscovered country from whose
bpurne no traveller returns.
And being thus admonished that the
hour glass of life is rapidly running down,
and that soon the devouring hand Of time
shah call the body to return to the dust
as it was, and the spirit to God who gave
it; and while dwelling on this solemn
theme the sprig of faith points him TO
the gluries OF resurrection day.
Perhaps some who have assembled to
witness our ceremonies on this occasion
have suffered selt-inquiry on the in
trinsic worth of masonry, and are ready
to exclaim and say, why is not an insti-
tuition of SO much worth made matter
of universal participation. To these we
answer, that all are benefited, inasmuch
as it tends to cultivate society, and " i'll
the better fl men for statesmen, citizens,
or subjects; the better domestic friend
father, husband, or brother; and although
Tor reasons to ourselves well known,
which are sound, and based en- morality
and justice, the female sex cannot he mi
tla'ed INTO our mysteries, yet are the be
nofts Of the order extended TO them il
being one OF the fundamental principles
of the institution 10 foster and protect tho
the rights of the weaker portion OF the
family of man.
But to return to the inquiry. A know
ledge of our mysteries would in no wise
benefit those who would not be govern
ed by the obligations and principles Of
the institution. But all who seek adnis-
sion in proper manner, and are found
worthy and well qualified, are permitted
to enter, while the atheist and the irreli-
glous llberslne are excluded.
But the objection may not stop here,
and the inquirer may say we have mem
bers whose morals and department are
a, variance, and do not correspond with
the institution before described. This
charge is admitted, and alas it is too
true. Blu, let it be ascrbed TO the de-
pravity of human nature, where il pro-
perly belongs, and not 10 the institution.
In the Jewish church " all were not Is
rael that were Of Israel" In the chris
tan church the tares are permitted to
grow among the wheat; and but FIVE OF
the ten virgins that went out to meet the
bridegroom were found with oil in their
lamps.
II is even so with masons. +, is not
the initiation or profession that makes
the real mason; neither will name add
to his merit, while he holds at nough,
the great principles of right inculca,ed
in divine writ.
But, my friends, it is, alas! melan-
choly spectacle to behold an unworthy
brother tramplng under foot bis sacred
obligations, and making shipwreck OF
his professions, by an openly immoral
and prohigate life. Should we not con-
denim, or rather turn with disgust from
him, who protesting to be disciple OF
Emmanuel, was nevertheless an habitual
in,oxicator-openly profane, or a de
banched ibertine And should we coun-
tenance in a mason, that which we would
condemn in protesting chris,isn
Or are the obligations Of mason to lead
a vir:uous life less binding than those OF
a christian
But, my brethren, let the ultimatum
Of our endeavors be so to apply the work
ing tools and implements of the craft,
that when the Grand Master above shall
call US off from our labor, we may be
found like the perfect archer, fitted ant
prepared for that spiritual house, tha
house not made with hands, eternal in the
heavens.
MXSCEIAAAA sHEOVS.