Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-07-06

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operations OF the Craft. The Grand Lodge of Massachu
Se.,s was the first to in the grand design In o.
10 that fundamental principle efthe Craft which
TO the constitutional authorities of the
IN winch they reside, it assumed elective aubor
Ivy, ana appointed Grand Officers. This examnc ,y,s
lonowed IN other parts of the Union At present indie
pendent Grand Lodges exist in every State
Inc history OF the order our own State s so wen
known, that 1T would be needless consumpt;on of
10 dwell on It, The Grand Lodge of Virginia BEGAN its
operations on the 3Oh of October 1878 Its course has
oeen prosperous one, characterized by lofty indenen
dence OF action that has preserved its dignity p;d
oy the violent storm that has swept over the northern
P2uons OF our country Perhaps one of the causes to
n nis result may be attributed, in addition to her
enforcement OF the regulations of the Graft NAV
ne FOUND In the iact that she has always stood aoo from
associations nor suffered her zeal overstep the
bounds OF prudence.
The designed appropriation of her grand charity fund
SUBJECT IN which the heart every good Mason is i'm
terested IT successful in its issues will have still more
decided tendency to convince the world of the benevo-
lence of her character and the wisdom Of the councils M
which she has been guided.
In reviewing the history of institution we shall find
IA our fathefaad, and in country few of their
distinguished sons III the cabinet the field or the b;ober
VI literature and science, who have not laid their
oiengs on the Masonic Altar and pledged their names
40 OF lis purity and innocency. And at the pres
brs no ASSOCIATION OF men bears upon its roll of
eiS' SO many distinguished Yet with all these
evidences its character no institution has been
~ o ohy assaed Political demagogues have attempted
and because she has spurned their advances
L
nave sgmazed with the charge of RAISING and bein
closely connected with, the author of all Evil and with
pious horror turn the unframed battery the tongue) a.
gainSt us The Church too, actuated bv we'll meant
Dut misguided zeal, has driven fom its com,oun;on
ana denied its ordinances and consultations to those
whose only crime was connection with order teaching
,he Pracuce OF universal benevolence Some too who
nave been admitted by holy ceremonial tn our emnl
WIN udas- like spirit have betrayed their trus, and not
possessing wisdom to discern the character of the nsti
"",e anec-ea 10 laugh at our pretensions, they
Ma .!4l--x
the true line OF the institution has been lost
% ana 100 much Importance attached to ceremoniaIs
mas oeen' and ever will be, when this is the
"Se hat what was valuable when united becomes sense
less when dlsolned. Do not understand nc nc Inb.I
Ieeihg our expressive ceremonies. would not suffer
70 "eieiiSouS hand OF modern innovation to touch one
sanitary act IN performing them We regard them as re-
ics OF antiquity the OF disointing them from their
moral IS wha; we Think YOU that the sent;c,s
~ d. me simple ceremonials of Christianity would be
tho "ao uleanng mlrth, they separated from
e great vents they designed to teach So with our
own ana the man who ects the weiehty because he
cannot appreciate the lighter matters of the order
but poor evidence the soundne &C of III 49,, So
of his heart. ' "a Sooo'
we have always regretted the opposition from The
ceS hamed because ofthe often Responsibility of the an
ana IN oher matters, honesty of purpose founded
as Isl however, IN ignorance it evidences rcckessn.ss
OF disposition highly reprehensible II would h Ill
100 II the conduct of bad Masons did not often f,rneb
ior charges like these; for, however pure our pre-
I smal, De regarded only for practice and by
case the communion should be blamed for the fnlts
us MEMBERS unless those faults are the results Of s
teachings. l the sky one vast Whispering oaIie
~ ana the groans and cries of the different branches Of
the Church could be gathered therein how mn oh }t
'on and woe would fill our courts to-day They mourn
OF the nlquity of their sons and the record like
EzekielS roll, would be written within and without viii
mourning. Shall we dare hope then, that any human in
sutuon shall escape unscathed, while the Church of the
living God suffers Surely there is no lesson tauobt in
he rituals OF Masonry, that is calculated TO make men
thern hor, &c
hoes not h breathe the purest is not
uoheo oy the Word of God, and the approval Of rood
men believe us, my BRETHREN when we saw that mans
entering Lodge makes him Mason than enterino
oh9Tch makes one Christian; for unless his heart be pre-
pared by holy DESIRES and vrtuous affections the lessons
VI Pa.y we teach will be to him 'he sounding brass
Masonry may be regarded science moral virtues
e"Iih9 Oy tools and implements of architecture wise
ana santary truths and duties. Through all the degrees
% ue o[ae this important point is steadily kept in view
Una; as Masons we are bound by paramount Obligations to
Socy2 and as component parts in the social compact
a,e TO the support of the laws by which its gov
ennShtiS directed. No act which would in any decree
disturb the perfection of the civil moral code can find
one approving smile from the Genius of Masonry Ar
h0ld IN his Clutch Dictionary, has beautifully remark