Southern telegraph. (Rodney, Miss.) 1834-1838, 1838-09-26

which was delivered by gentleman who
has attracted great attention and acquired
yreat fame as a minister of the Gospel of
Jesus Christ.
The Grafton 20 which refer was deliver
ed by JouN NEwLAND MAFFITT, on St.
Johns Day, 2Sth of June, 1888, before the
Royal Arch Chapter, the Harmony aud An
drew Jackson Lodges of Free and accepted
Masons, in the City of Natchez. In this
there are some things of which disapprove.
If | understand his language, he puts a much
higher estimate upon Masonry than have
ever heard put upon it even by It's advocates
or those who profess to be Aasons. We shall
notice but few things which we consider
Objectionable. He tells US in his introduce
ton that "Union is the only true philosophy
of llte," and occupies near two pages in de-
scribing aud setting forth its beneficial eff
lects and woodworking powers, and then
tells US "Masonry is Union." Now who
knows any thing more about it from his say
ing that it is union than they did before?
What kind of a union is it2 Is it such
union as exists between husband and wife?
Between parent and child? Between broth
ers and sisters2 Or is it such a union as
exists between all the members of the same
family or between the members of the hui
man family constituting them one great
whole? Or isit the union Of a few individ-
uals Of the human family for the purpose Of
promoting their own welfare individually
and collectively? True philosophy teaches
that the human family is one great whole,
and consequently whatever association may
be introduced with which all can not, or may
not, ii they choose, ante and which has not
for its object the good of the whole, is cal
cuIated to do mischief, to create dscord be-
tween man and man, and produce dSunion.
Why are not the doors thrown wide open and
all invited to participate in the blessings of
this "UniOn?" Perhaps we shall be told
that this would destroy it. That it would
then be worthless. If this be true, the de-
sign Of it must be to promote the welfare
of few only. But he tells US of mans be-
ing turned loose upon the warning theatre of
matter with his bosom bare to the pililess
storms-of his being the desolate orphan of
creation, needing something to shelter him
from the hurricane, the dew, the rain, and
the sunbeams, sc. An angel meets him
and teaches him how TO shield himselffrom
all the raging elements. This angel, he
says, was art, masonry is art; therefore, ma
sonry is this angel. But he does not say
that masonry is this art, but this is evidently
the conclusion that will be drawn: We
presume he cannot and will not say that ma
sonry is that art of which he is speakng,--
He proceeds to speak of the necessity and
happy Influences of charity-that it cover
eth a multitude of sins--ttdt IL is tie crOWR-
ing grace Of Christianity, and in tho next
sentence he says ".NdSOary is Chariy."-
Now what is the conclusion that three-lourths
of his readers will draw from this, but that
Masonry is the browning grace of Chris
ianity2 His language, thrown into syllo-
CYSTIC form, would run thus--Charity is the
browning grace of Christianity
IS NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., Masonry is the crown
ing gnce of Christianity. But perhaps this
is not What he intends to communicate, and if
it not, should like to know what he would
communicate; aud if he means to say this,
then nc must use the word charity in q diff
ferent sense to what the apostle does when
he says--"lhough give all my goods to
feed the poor and have not charity, it profit
eth me nothing" | love fountain where
all may drink, if they will. Such is Chris
tianity, and it needs not any human institu-
ton to crown it, for it stands as far above
every human institution as heaven is above
earth. ANXIOUS.