Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1829-04-16

he cheek OF It's humblest follower with = soi,,s.
y oiu'h: Not, my brethren, but tina, many Of
IT'S members have in every age disgraeed ,hs
name, and dishonoured the profession of ma
sons; Tor thai. however, the institution Itself i
no more responsible, Than patriotism is for The
teachsry OF Arnold, or ehristianit, for the
vile aPostacy of Judas.
| The names of the several grand master. who
nave presided over the grand lodge OF snsland
rom winch ours originally derived its charter.
are preserved, from Austin the Monk. in 5e7.
'ong anteriosr TO the reign Of Alfred, down to
I"e present re'gnlng monsreh--s period Of
more 'Esn WE'VE hundred years; and, during
"ss r'"e, 'ne most iliustrious princes who
men who have figured IN the pulpi, ,he senate
and the field, are included among ,hsir nn,,ber
The same remarks will appear with equal force
20 the nasonck institution in this country dn
| ing the short period Of our nationsl existence
'hs youthful patriot who poured forth hrs
o'"od IN I've commencement, of our revolution.
ary struggle on BsGkef's Hill, the gallant War.
en-, was The hrst grand master Of our order.
,ae father OF MS country succeeded 40 that
distinguished post, and was master Of the lodge
VI ms vicinity, wien the grim king OF terrours,
Closed his bright eye, and eurbed hi. high ca.
Clinton, recently translated TO another. and. 7
nope, 10 better world, was The las, TO preside
over an institution, venerable from its high an
'iaai'ys sho iiius'rous from tie multitude. of
all r-hxs ana conditions who have sought solace
pfoeA.n ''s BANNERS Although, my brethren,
| mere - charm IN celebrated nsmes, they will
noi, IN an age like this, and hope not in any
Q her, preserve an institution contsininp in !,
,Rit the etQmanta nf
decay.
Let US then FOR momeH, pause. Let -.
| INQUIRE of our hearts, whether tae,s il .nv
ihi"s foolish, or corrupt or depra,ed, in The
Institution Itself; and Il there is, let US reform
or abandos IT without delay.
IL IS SAD toat our cere monies are ehildisb -
were the ihhaohant OF anober planet TO be
fanspoTtsd to THIS earth, ard were he TO wit
ness the ceremonies OF cur Hoiy Religion
'"hoct regard 20 he thing signIfied, would lie
probably be filed with that solemn awe with
which they inspire the humble follower of the
crossf Would The administration of ,be sacre
nent ill his bosom with pious enthusiasmi--
Weuid the spriukiing of an infant babe. or The
immersion of an aged convert, at once untold
TO ms astonished VISION the meaning thereby
intended and would lie return to bis native
seat with MAD enlightened, and bear, ex,
pSnoeo, by sucbs scene'-Stiil, my brethren.
experience and observation teach u.s. that there
IS something IN the performance of religious
fites which The most hardened infi,lel cse not
witness, without emotion. suppose, however,
That the charge be true il must ee SUSTAINED
against the lives and practices of such men ~
Alfred the Great of England, Frederick of
Prussia. ana NAPOLEON 8uonaparte, such men
az Locke and Newton, and in eur own country
such men as Washington and Franklin. Lafay
cite and Ham'lton, Madison and Monroe. the
venerable Jefferson and our late illustrious
Grand Master, together with host of others
llnost equally distinguished on the rolls of
tame, who have assembled ia lodges. and inlui.
ged in folly, at the risk Of exciting the scofFs
md sneers OF an inquiring and censorious
world. Every brothey, however, kuews per.
'ectiy well, that there IS not single point or
secret IN masonry, which does not illustrate
some valuable Truth. or recommend seme NOR.
al Or religious principle. The very furniture
oil our lodge. The garb we wear. plainly init.
mates that 'he object of cur researches is tha
glory OF God, and the end of all our iIlusifa
IONS, happiness in future world. The lamb.
SKID white apron, of late the subject OF SO
much rldcue, ''reminds US Of that purity OF
life and conduct So essentially necessary to
our gaming admission into that celestial lodge
ABOVE. where the Supreme Architect OF the
Universe presldes.' The square tesehe. us
to square our actions by the rule of virtue;
ana the compass 10 circumscribe our desires
ana keep our passions in due bounds with ell
mankind; the plummet sdmonshes u. to walk
opfisbtiy IN our several stations, before God
aud man; and the level reminds US that We are
travelling on the level of time, to
That undiscovered country, from whose boarn
No traveller returns:
while the biszing scar, embIema,ick OF ths Star
OF Bethiehem, which directed The wise men of
he east to the spot where our Saviour was
born, IS ended as guide to our footsteps on
our journey through life, till we shah have
passed the Jordan OF death, and landed on the
shores OF blissful immortality, where the
wicked cease from troubling and the weary are
at rest. l need no., howevev, ny brethren,
multiply instances OF this nature, as ths time
which had prescribed to myself Is wasting
rapidly away, and mus, hasten to the consid.
srsiion OF more important charges.
II IS said that mssonick principles are at
war With morality end religion, and danger
Gus TO The liberties Of our country. This, nv
brethren, IT true. 10 an important charge, aud
deserves the consideration of every christian
md Of every patriot Before, however, sen
tence otcondemnalion is pronounced upon so
many distinguished worthless of other times;
before the whole Dasonick fraternity are brsn-
oed as traitors to iheis coantry, and as enemies
10 its religion and it's laws, will il not be well
to pause for moment, and endeavour, If pos.
sible, 10 ascertain wha, their principles are.
know OF none other than what are contained in
| he different masonick charges and lectures
Permit me, then, 10 introduce on this coca
ion. an extract from the charge delivered TO
| IN entered apprentice on bis initiation TO the