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

superstition, u Righteousness or opinion,
has spread throughout the Christian world,
to dissolve the bands, by which
society Is held together, to destroy princi-
pies, sanctioned by the wisdom and expe-
rience ofages, and to propagate theories,
existing only in the disordered magma
lions of the visionary. These principles
are IN direct opposition to the laws ofAla-
sorry; and, whatever progress, they may
make in the world, cannot enter the sane
uary Of Lodge. ALT masonic duties
are extracted from the sacred instructions
of Revelation; and every mason, who is in
duenced by the principles he processes, is
bound to acknowledge the supremacy Of
Deity, and faithfully discharge the moral
duties imposed upon him, by his relative
situation. In the Lodge, another tie Is ad-
ded to the obligation of Christianity; the
pride Of consistency, ambition and every
feeling, that can possibly influence the hui
man heart, are enlisted IN the preservation
of those principles, that were once esteem
ed sacred.
SO long then as Masonry endures, a
hope, pleasing expectation may be cher
ished, by those acquainted with ITS organ
ization, that although in6dellty may sue
coed Truth, and scephcism triumph over
Christianity ITSELF yet those sacred Prin-
ciples. VIII find their last refuge, within
the bosom ofthe lodge.
How pleasing then is the recollection,
and how Aauering to the pride Of mason,
that while those opinions have subyerted
thrones and revoluuonised nations, involy-
inc them in the horrors anarchy and con-
fusion, and letting loose upon Society, all
the deadly passions ofmaice and revenge,
masonry has remained, unchanged and al-
mos. unchangeable.-And yet these tea-
lures are confined to no age or country.
They are universally the same, wherever
the institution has been established. No
matter what variety of character may have
marked the history of mankind, this order
has always been identified with It's present
existence, and Is governed by the same
laws and pursues, the same objects ia the
despot,c, as in the republican Government.
And it is the primary duty of every ma
son To observe these ancient landmarks oil
the institution" and transmit them, the
same as he received them, to his success
sors.
think, then, Fellow Citizens, we may
be warranted in concluding, "that a Socl
ETY. thus constituted andwhjch may be rem
dered so admirable an engine of improve
ment, far from meuting any reproachtul or
treatment, deserves well of
the community; and that the ndicule and
contempt which it has sometimes expert
enced, can proceed only from ignorance,
or from arrogance; from those, IN fine,
whose opposition does ithonor, whose cen
sure is panegyric, and whose praise would
be censurc "
Friends and Brethren.
You are distinguished by your connex-
ion with an order, that has been alternate
Nv, the subject of the censure & admlration
It iuculcates q system OF mo
rality, scarcely attaiEable IN practice, by
human impertechon, It has adopted the
working tools of an useful craft, as the en-
5lcms of duty. All these emblems have
their appropriate, moral instruction; and
and when properly appreciated, produce a
happy effect upon the mind. These sym
5oIc representations present a lyelier view
to the mind, and address themselves direct
by to the understanding, through the medi-
am of the senses. Abstract truth perplex-
as, and is only understood by the scientlf-
.c, while the meanest capacity IS instruct
ed and enlightened, by well chosen meta
1hor and allegory. The transition of the
mind from the natural to the moral world is
easy and congenial to its disposition.
The mason has awaited himself of this
disposition, and rendered even the works
0fnature subserWeut to his moral improve
ment. The lowest grade ofvegetable eco
lomy, as well as the more sublime opera
tons ofthe planetary SYSTEM afford him
serious and moral instruction, and urge
him forward in the performance ofhis duty
BY observing the immutable laws of
vegetation, the annual course and daily
revolution of the planets, with their sys-
tenn and harmony, he is admonished, to.
as far as possible, the same
qualities into the moral system.
But no emblem affords a better Illus
ration of your duty, than the ceremonies
of this day As the the keystone" sup
ports and strengthens the Arch, so do the
virtues strengthen and adorn our
moral system. Refined moral sPecula-
ton and the most intimate knowledge of
human nature, are useless, worse than
useless, if not based upon the improve