The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1841-07-03
CANTON, MISSISSIPPI, SATURDAY, JULY ,. 1s4,

alone by the avowed enemies of the in
stitutIon,-those disconnected spirits who
irown upon all social order, and seek TO
array against US every passion and pre-
JUDGE, ever engendered in the human
mind. Woman, on the contrary, has
been often found the modest but enc rnetic
defender of our Fraternity. She herself
has contributed to stem the tide OF PRO
scriPtion and persecution. And when.
in portion Of our own free country.
fanaticism was arrayed against us-when
whole communities were agitated and
convused with the anti masonic dclusion
when the ballot-box and even the holv
sanctuary ofthe church were resorted to
as instruments of popular vengeance
when hatred and malignity sought to fix
upon the Brotherhood the lasting stigma
of treason TO their country, and infideIity
to Heaven-the mild voice of woman was
raised to soothe, TO mitigate, to control
the rage of popular delusion, the injustice
of misguided bigotry. She sought not
to penetrate the inviolable mysteries Of
the Order.-She only knew, and only
sought to know, that an object of affec-
tomato solicitude-a father-a brother,
or husband was an honored member Of
the Fraternity. To that portion Of my
respected audience, therefore, need not
adduce the usual arguments against their
participation in the labors and mysteries
of our Association. | need not inform
them that, in ancient times the labOrs of
the Fraternity were onerous, and wholly
untitled to the physical condition, the de
licacy and refinement Of the sex; and
that their admittance now, would cause a
radical change in the organization and
structure of the Institution. | will only
add, upon this subject that woman has
ever been and will ever continue to be
an object Of the active benevolence and
respectful regard of the whole united
body of the Fraternity.
Throughout all the changes that have
occurred in other human institutions
amid the Commissions Of States and En-
pires, Masonry has pursued the ever
tenor Of its way--the same In It's obliga
tions--the same in its objects. The du
ties Of Mason have always been the
duties of man to man, and Of man TO his
God. The language of the Institution o
former century is this: The MasoI
is bound TO obey the laws of morality
and if he understands the principles o
the Society, he will neither be an atheis
nor a pronigate. Masons are bound t
that religion alone, in which all mel
agree, and each is left to his peculiar OPT
Mons. They are to be men of PROFIT,
and and honor, whatever may be thel
differences in name or opinion. Mason
ry thus becomes the central point Q
union, and the means of establishing
friendship among persons, who, wlthou
it, would live in continual separation
The Mason is to be a Peaceable subjoc
or citizen, and never TO allow himself t
be involved in riots and conspiracIe
against the public peace and welfare c
the nation. No private hatred or feu
shall be carried to the threshold of tn
Lodge, still less religious or political di:
putes" Such was the language of Ma
sonry in former times, and such IS II
language at the present day.
But what is our proof that Masonry
what it professes?-" Judge the tree b
its fruit" We invite your most rigi
scrutiny into every act of the institution
We appeal to the numerous recipients
its ever active charities,-to the wid0'
and the orphan whose tears have bee
wiped away by its effective bu! unoster
tatious beneyolence. We would poIr
YOU to the life and character of Frank
lin-a Washington Lafayette
Clinton, and host Of other Distinguish
luminaries of this and other countrie
whose honorable connection with the Il
, stitution, and constant adherence to i
rites and regulations, furnishes incontes
ible evidence of its purity and virtue.
( With such character, it is not pc
] haps remarkable that Free Masonry "a
/ so long withstood the constant and POwe
: full assaults of its enemies. The anath'
: mas of Rome, in the height Of her Po"e
: were Illuminated against it in vain Dc