The Yazoo Whig and political register. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1840-1842, 1842-01-07
Masonic Address,
DELIVERED BY DIR. HAYDEN LEAVEL
At the Meeting House, YasoO City.

At the Meeting House, YasOO City.
1t is not our purpose on this occasion, to
60 into an account Of the origin of Masonry,
or 10 trace its history through the several
thousand years Ofits existence.
We are ever disposed to venerate institu-
tons of antiquated origin, and when it is
seen that an institution survives the reVOlu-
ton of empires, the wreck Of governments,
and Times Wondering influence, still re.
naming unchanged, stamped with it's priini-
tive identity, unframed in its strength, its
beauty and its proportions, we are at once inn
pressed with the conviction that il bears the
hallowed preservation of the Supreme Ruler
of the Universe.
These distinguished characteristics Of Di-
vine protection encircle Masonry in every
step of its existence, but we ask not your
favorable estimation of this institution simply
because il has been thus sustained in by-gOne
days, or in consequence Ofits first principles
being clearly communicated in the Book Of
Genesis, or from its unnumbered honorable
votaries in every period Of It's history.
Assuredly it were delightful engagement
to call into recollection the tender concern
our Heavenly Father has condescenGingly
manifested in preserving the institution Of
Masonry, and also to dwell on its influence
over the human mind in all the different
ages of the world; but more especially during
:hose dark times when it stood as a spot of
yerdure amid the wide expanse Oesterile DESC
lation, sublmely raising man TO the elevated
observance of social duties aud moral obliga-
lions. when governments of a civil character
proved powerless and Intellectual in subject
ing man to a regard for the rights of his fell
lows.
In these particulars, Masonry might be
presented with very imposing influence, al
i once exciting the admiration and winning
upon the feelings.
/ We are, however, persuaded that the prin-
Ciples on which Masonry is founded, are so
| firmly fixed in the constitution of the human
mind, and it's adaptation to supply an import
ant link in the chain of relations existing
between man and man are so clearly obvious
i when examined into, that we prefer revert.
ing directly 10 first principles, in order to
impress community with the conviction thai
men really need such an institution as Ma.
sonry.
i We come then 70 the inquiry, what need
have we of Masonry in a land like ours where
the light of revelation reaches almost every
mind, and where Christian Churches are or.
1 ganized, and the hallowed precepts Of Gospe
II Truth taught and enforced from the pulpit
inculcated in our seminaries, academies and
colleges; migrated in our domestic discipline
and where civil government has attained tC
such high perfection in protecting our indi'
vidual rights, and in pressing upon man the
obligations he owes TO his fellows!
Were the precepts of Christianity innately
found in every heart, and were all mankind
under the protection the same civil govern
ment. and that government moulded in the
pure and perfect light of this sacred volume
, Tthe Biblel or the whole human family re.
stored to that communion Adam enjoyed
with his Maker in Paradise, then would We
cease to feel necessity for such an institu
ton as Masonry.-As long, however, a.
Christianity continues divided into sects, and
its boundaries are confined TO certain districts
and portions of community fail 10 come into
subordination to its doctrines and ordinances
and as long as mankind are separated into
different civil governments, such an institu
ton as Masonry will continue to exert sal
utary influence in promoting the happiness
Of mankind.
In civil governments, we view commu.
nifty surrendering certain privileges and