Virginia statesman. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1828-1829, 1828-07-02

rlvDhics, legible Onlyto the initiated. the
science of Divinity, ofPhysics and of As
tronomv. while their countrymen were IN
volved In the mists of ignorance, and
. Transformed the obnoxious animals of their
country, into objects Of alteration. Even
the Grecian philosopher, who was taught
I'm the schools and associated orders of the
/ day, to reject the popular superstition, and
TO consider the system Of Polytheism a
composition of human fraud and error"
could not disguise q smile Of contempt,
y when assistngiD their rites and sacrifices.
While then the Egyptian Priesthood dis
tinguished themselves by their knowledge,
+ and the secret schools Of Greece produced
q glow of science, scarcely riyalled in sue
/ Ceeding ages, the numerous monuments Of
antiquity win illustrate, how far Masonry
/ succeeded In refining and improving the art
( of Architecture. The stately pyramids Of
Egypt, whether built by Kings for repos
/ itorv of their treasures. or thrO' avain hope
ofperDeuating their memories, demonstrate
/ the power and extent of Operative Mason
ny. The Temples, the PorticOes, the Stat
ues and Public Edl6ces, Of Greece have
rendered her more inusHious, than all her
military achievements. The splendid Am
.pbtheatre of Rome, has revived and invIg-
GRATED. inm0dern times, a taste for archjtec-
.ture. And the Temple of st. Sophia, the
first Christian sanctuary of any extent has
illustrated the name and age Of COnstan-
tine. and almost oblterated the memory Of
his vices.
But what effect these splendid monu-
meuts of mtmay have had on the taste of
mankind, or 10 the propagation of mathe-
d NAUTICAL science, Is now a question Of mere
curiosity. The time has long since elaps-
cd. when the object of Masonry was pc
cularIy directed to their Improvement
or when the hight of science was confined
to- any particular order of men. The dis
coyery of printing, the extension Of com
mercc. and thousand other causes have
contributed TO disseminate knowledge
throughout the human family, and TO car
ry it into the hamlet, as well as into the
residences of the rich. But while these
splendid results of Operative Mason
ny serve TO please the mind and amuse the
imagination, speculative Masonry Is ad
dressed, at once, to the hopes, the pas
sious, and the feelings Ofthe philanthro-
pist.
An impartial examination Of the history
of man must result, nm an acknowledge
meut Of the prostration of every principle,
that once exalted and enDobled his charac-
ter; of the distraction of the resemblance,
that existed between him and his Creator
and of the dominion of the uncontrolled
passions over the better principles of his
nature. luthis state of wretchedness, the
eve ofthe PmIauthroplst Is directed, with
fondness. TO the means of retaining him
from his fallen and degraded situation; OF.
+ again restoring him to his primitive nappl-
ness, and ofrcbuilding the Temple Of har-
mouy and peace, that once adorned the
/ Human Race. But to effect complete
restoration, is placed beyond the reach Of
/ human means. TO amehorate and soften
/ Inns condition, to subdue his passions, and
|eucircle him, In the bonds of amity and
friendship, Is an that can be accomplished
|bv amy institution. And this has always
/ been the proiessed object ofFree Masonry.
/ EXTENDED throughout the civilized world,
founded upon the same principles, and
having the same objects M view, M every
/ age and 10 every place, ITS operations must
I be, almost, unlimited In their effects. Who
/ can estimate the tears, that 1t has wiped
/ from the cheek of the unfortunate, the VIC
inns thatit has snatched from penury and
degradation. the wrctches, that have been
arrested, onthe highway to destruction, and
/ restored 20 the bosom of their families and
. Of their country, reformed men and resPec-
. table citIzonsl
Butas am organized, moral system, it
claims the attention ofevery one, who feels
I amy interest M the happiness ofhis species.
. Any system that promotes good feeling a.
mongst men, that cultyates the moral and
social virtues, and inculcates the precepts
ofiustce, Is founded upon the principles of
reason, and has always commanded the ap-
probation of mankind Pursuing these
benevolent objects, Masonry has been an
+ important engine, IN the work of reforma-
non. 10 has concentrated the eXertiOus of
the wise, the good and the virtuous, IN the
cause of beueyolence and humanity. As
the humble handmade of Religion, It incul-
cafes thcpreccpts ofthe Book ofNature," .
acknowledges the validity otreyealed TRUTH
and aims at the Improvement of the heart
Ira the expressive language ofthe Masonic
constitution, every mason Is TO seek and
acquire as far as possible, the virtues of
patience. meekness, selfdeuial. forbearance