Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-09-24
MASONIC.

Extracts from Lecture, spoken before the
y Brethren of Union Lodge, New-'ondon,
on the Nativity of st. John the Baptist, on
the Oath Of June, a. l.. 5325. by VIM. F.
Brairard, Esq.
"Masonry comprises all the lodges in
all parts of the world, and that too,
from the commencement OF the institu-
ton, whenever that was, to the present!
time, and especially lodges now in be-
ing: masons, property speaking, ale
those only who act in character as such.
"Masonry is disseminated generally
through Europe, through North *
South America, in the West and East
Indies, and in Asia elsewhere, and in
some parts of Africa 1t comprizes
Christians, Jews, Turks, Greeks, A.
rabians, and o,hers.-You find the MA
son Oh the deep, and in the desert, on
the deck of the ship, and on the back
of the camel, and making himself
known Notwithstanding every diversity
of tongue; you find him of opposite
and cortending faith; OF religions en-
deavoring to make converts OF one "a
mother; owing allegiance to every dit
fercnt form Of government under hea-
ven, and scattered through those gov
crnments from him "that stitch on the
throne, to him that grindeth behind the
mill" Yet such is the nature Of ma
sonry, that all these differences ofgov-
eminent, language, religion, form no
impeachment to its progress, and ii may
become universal, Notwithstanding
them all for all lodges are one: the
object in them is not only the same,
but it is one; and masons may differ,
Oh all other subjects but one.
At the door Of the lodge, the mason's
claim for admittance cannot be refu-
sed, whether he come from across the
street, or across the ocean-in robes
or in rags. He may wear the turban, or
the crown, the tiara, the mitre, or the
black cap Of Geneva; the military hat
with lace and feathers, or the broad
brim of drab colour; ifa mason, he is
admitted and when he has entered the
door, i, is too late for him 10 find fault
with his company. AS he shall not be
molested himself, SO he shall not dis
turb others.-There the Greek and the
Turk must lay aside their quarrel, and
sit together with the Jew, the Chris
tan, the Indian and the missionary,
where the sword, the sceptre and the
crosier submit to the mystic influence
of the ,cel-Like the grea: fabric OF
human society, this too must contain
the poor, the weak, and the wicked tor
to do good il is as necessary there should
be those to whom it is to be done, as
that there should be Others able to 40
it "therefore, we have the poor always
with u.s." Among individual masons,
one may confer an obligation and ano,
Their may receive it, the benlhcence OF
the one and the gratitude OF ,he other'
are acts both of them grateful, and e.
aually contribute 10 ornament the
lodge-but the collected lodge is al
ways giyer and never receiver: On
the admission of a member OF the high
est rank an honor is bestowed, and a
favor is conferred on him, and not oy
him. The monarch himself accepts II
not with profession Of thanks, or by
an equivalent in value that cancels the
debt, but by an act of unequiyocal hu-
mility; for one great landmark OF ma
sonry is, that it is free. 1t sollc,ts no
aid and asks for no converts, but Is
anxious rather that the inexperienced
and thoughtless, who may be actuated
by curiosity, or operated on by sympa,,,
thy or outward show, should De well