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

1t would be useless Tor us to attempt
to fix with precision upon the period oil
the establishment of our order.
Nor will we attempt 10 prove here
whether Solomon or any ether man was
the founder, nor can we be required
TO point out the very page OF history
which tells the exact time when, and the
very spot where, masonry commenced
| II the object OF masonic institutions had
been warllke, or had they been used as
means TO overthrow governments, pro-
baby history would have shown its rise
and progress. But as masonry, Invested
of the terrors or cruelty Of religious Ia
naticlsm, and-ot the ensanguined glory
OF warlike achievements operates on
man in the still and private walks OF
HE, the blood stained pages OF histo-
ry may be searched IN vain for notice
OF lis existence and taking the data tur-
Dlshed by the enemies OF our institution,
we can still boast of greater antiqui.
ty than any other institution on The lobe
Countless generations have been waited
into eternity :-Empires after Empires
have alternately risen and lallen, whilst
masonry still survives the moulderlng
hand of time, with the mum Der of ner vo-
taries undiminished. An Alexander,
and Ferdinand with edicts and inquisi-
lions have been unable 10 storm her bat
tlements-tbe masonic banner still floats
above tyranny, superstition and envy,
and the truth of her existence continues
TO command The respect OF mankind.
Yet masons should never be understood
on this point as beng possessed OF any
peculiarly OF merit. The errors, the
misfortunes, and The weaknesses OF man
kind are common to all human insltu-
lions, and IN this they claim no particu-
lar exemption.
The portals of our institution are open
10 all who approach them with proper
recommendations The Christian, the
Laplander, the Hotlenot and the In.
dian, may each alike participate in its
beneis. There is here no distinction
made IN country, language, or religion.
The antipathies and barriers mat divide
and keep nations at distance from each
other, and wither, or entirely destroy the
intercourse oil other societies, are sran-
gers to masonry, and are entirely dlsre-
garded by this family; who profess to
view the whole species as brothers. Ma.
sorry was orig iually established without
reference TO any particular faith, and re-
CURES no other religious qualification
than belief in God yet let Ii not be sup
posed that there is any thing IN the ten
cts Of the society inimical % christianity,
or that fosters disbelief 10 that religion:
for at the same time that it leaves every
member free TO the profession OF any
faith subordinate to the Deity, is precepts
have a close connection with the Holy
Scriptures. But why use argument on
this subject, when the presence OF reve-
rend brethren of all religious societies in
our Lodges should satisfy the most scru-
pulous.
The main pillars Of the whole fabric
of masonry are Brotherly Love and
Charity, and we conceive that no better
cate moral virtue, as inculcated by Holy
Writ none so eminently calculated 10
obtain mans happiness here below, as
brotherly love and charity. For man
must be dependent on the affections ct
others, on their sympathy in the hour OF
distress, and their rejoicing in his pros.
periry, for half his happiness, in this vale
of tears; and it is thus that the rough
path Of life has here and there been
smoo,hed and adorned by Providence with
flowers, the beauty and fragrancy of which
cheer US onward in the way. BY a
wise organization Of the human mind,
brotherly love increases our joys and d.
minishes our sorrows by participation
yet with all, charity is the brightest Jew
ell that adorns masonry, and stands pre-
eminent among the virtues which God
calls on man to pra ctise: and by charity,
united with faith, he is better qualified
for admission into that mansion not made
with hands, eternal in the Heavens.
BY what does a man attain so nearly
to moral perfection, as by regarding the
weakness, and i'm projections of his fell
low, with pity and charity, and by screen
ing his faults from public gaze, with
fixed conviction that all need the exer-
else OF mercy, that cheering attribute
OF God.
When the weakness and error Of man
have conducted him, to the very thresh
old Of wickedness and despair,a angel
ic Charity and Brotberly Love are seen
hand in hand swee,ly winning him back
to the path of virtue and Joy, we are