The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1841-09-15
AN ADDRESS,
sSDelipered on tic 2lth Juae, before Oar
q 7ey Lodge, Fart Gaines, Ga.
RY LEONIDaS KING, ESQ.

ed customs OF Free Masonry. lhcI are
points upon which we may stand, whilst
we review the past history Of our order;
study the present situation of our noble
institution: indulge i'll the pleasing contcm.
plation of those future tyiu:nDhs winch II
we are but true to our principles shall sur
pass the enthusiasts hope, or the prophets
dream. Their use is not TO dazzle the nn-
initiated BY an idle pagcantry, or a VAN
display of pomp and splendid ceremonial,
but 10 inculcatc our rreccpts, and impress
upon the mind ofthe Mason the high ma
ture of his duties, and bid him in their per-
formance, fear no danger, spare no eX-
pense and remit no exerton.
On such occasions it is usual for some
member of the craft to deliver an address
revealing as much concerning our order
as should be known, bythosc who are not
of the brotherhood. That duty has on
this occasion been assigned to your hum
BILE speaker, and permit me in the outset
to remark, in the language of another,
"that for the consideration of that portion
ofthe community who have suffered their
preiudices to cloud their reason, to poison
the source ofthcir judgment who have
hastily formed and indulged opinions con-
cerning our order without the information
necessary for the award of a just decision,
we have no equivalent inducementto offer
for the tender Of their attention. Their
opinions VIC leave as we found them, float
ing like bubble on the fountain created
by the slightest commption and dissolved
by the slightest effort" But to those of
this assembly who enjoy not the high prl-
vileges of Masonry. yet are disposed to
investigate with cand,r and decide with
Justice. we would tender our personal &C
acknowledgements for the honor their pres
encc has conferred on our institution more
sinned againSlthan sinning,
The origin of Masonry is the subject of
frequent enquiry, and if we conline our
selves to the principles upon which it is
founded, the problem is easily Solved
"lt rests in the bosom of God, its vnlce is
harmony of the world, the universe is its
sanctuary, carthisits alter, truth its spirit,
Jehovah the object of its alteration. Il
is the life of religion, the light of love, the
crown of wisdom. 1t is the beauty ofvr-
tue, the brightness Of no or, the blessing
of reason and the Joy of faith. Its essence
is in God, It's dwelling with his servants,
its will is his wisdom, its work to his glory.
1t is admired in patience, in charity bcIn-
we'd. II hath pure eye. PLAIN hand and
apcrtecf heart 1t is wis l2m's walk in
the way oi holiness, takes 10 rest but in
the resolution ofgcodness. It's hand aev--
er fails, It's faith never fears, its lodge is
without schisin, It's city without fraud and
its courts without vanity. Its principles
are eternal, its morality comprehensive,
its mysteries sublime. its promises encour-
aging, its hopes heaven born, and Its fruits
faith in God, charity to the poor, peace
onearth and good will to all men,
When the ancient Of days spake into
existance this mighty universe--when he
first fixed The planets III their orbits, and
in the region Of the stars placed taber-
nacle for the sun, the spirit of Masonry
was then living and was impressed upon
his handiw,rk by her first Great Grand
Master, Jehovah, Lord over all. And
whcnthe mornmg stars sang together for
Joy, they chantcd the natal song of our in
institutions, and the Music of Planets, sur,
and adamantine spherer, wheeling unbro-
ken through the wide expanse, sounded
the earliest and the noblest triumph of
Masonry. The Harmony which charac-
terises and pervades the whole Of natures
beauteous temple is the true spirit of Ma
sonry, by which all well regulated lodges
are influenced and governed. Here is
the foundationuponwhlch the whole mag
nifcent superstructure is erected, and
where is the Mason who has not felt his
intellect expanded his heart warmed with
benevolencc, when, with the eye of
faith he has look d through natures work
up to natures God! Yes, when he knows
that the principles ofhis order are co-ex-
tensive with the universe and as ilnmuta-
Bile as the great AM who is the same
yesterday to-day and forever, and shall be
as lasting as eternity.
Hail Masonry! "when yondcr spheres sublime
Peaed their first notes TO mark the march Of time,
ssThy joyous youth began but not TO fade