Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-11-16
Messrs. SHlrMAN, Harris, AND CLARKE.

| CHAS. II. LEWIS.
Messrs. SHipMAN, llARRIs, AND CLARKE.
a ID lDi& iASSo
We are told by one of the historians in the
peninsular war, Of an incident that, for the honor
oil our nature, deserves 10 be recorded in letters of
gold During one of those obstinate conflicts be-
tween the cbivary of France and England, which
distinguished that period, the combatants were fore
cd by The empowering rays of southern sum- TO a
temporary suspension of hostilities; not far from
the field OF battle noble fountain sent forth its
crystal stream, and there the blood-stained vete-
rams of the contending hosts, met TO partake of
lis refreshing waters here the fierce and yindic-
| 1--we passions Of hereditary enemies, inflamed as
they were by recent conflict, Yielded 10 pentler
and nobier emotions hands were clasped in to-
Ken OF respect, and rude acts of kindness per-
formed Tor each other by men opposed but mo-
ment before in deadly combat So amid the tur-
MOL engendered by ardent contests for the wealth.
the honUrs and the distinctions of the world does
freemasonry send forth her pure and noseless
stream, 10 subdue the fiery passions enkindled by
coniiicnng interests,-to cool The heated brow Of
angtr-to calm The fevered pulse of ambition-to
soothe The corroding cares of poverty and toll
and to refresh and invigorate the weary wanderer
IN the dreary desert Of the world
In thls unitarian age, when the merits of in
shtutions are too apt TO be measured by a specie
standard, or at least TO be popular only in proper.
advantage they hold out TO their supporters, il is
cheering to observe the steady increase and wide
! ~ diiiused usefulness of our beloved and time
honored order; an order whose glory is in the
Pracuce oil unostentatious charity, and whose
most excellent tenets are Friendship, Morality ana
Brofheriy LOce. And this too when she appeals
10 no one OF the grosser passions of our nature
leans Tor support on no deep-rooted prejudice
employs no herald to proclaim her venerated
Prihcipies-sounds no trumpet before her deeds
oil charity-but pnrsues the noseless tenor of her
way, secure of being justified OF her children and
satished with THE UNPUBLISHED ACT or DOING
GOOD
10 trace the history of our institution, follow
ing It's varied fortunes from its foundation by the
wise kiEg Solomon, and dwelling on the incidents
that establish It's claim to the gratitude and vene-
ration OF mankind, would be a grateful task; |
regret that 1t is one upon which the proper limits
oil an address and diidence OF any ability i'm
me TO do justice TO the subject forbid me to enter
IL may not, however, be inappropriate 10 the oc-
caslon which has called us together, or wholly
! undressing to those who have assembled to
witness our soemnities, TO advert briefly to the
!oundatIon and to The original objects of our
order.
1t was In a rude age, when the PRINCIPLES OF
justice were imperfectly understood when ply
Steal strength and brute courage ever ranked
amongst The highest virtues,-when the strong
| arm and the lndomitable will enabled their pos
OF Their weaker or more tlmid neighbors-when
kings were robbers, and nations were hordes OF
piunderers, that Freenasonry had It's origin A
nation under the peculiar guidance and protection
OF JehoVah, placed as an oasis in The moral de-
sert that surrounded them---and governed by a
prince wiser than all who had gone before or anv
who should come after him, were engaged i'm
erecting that Temple to the Most High, which
was TO elicit the admiration of succeeding aUes
10 mat point was attracted the highest archiiec-
tural skill of which the world could boast, and
cunning artlicers were drawn from every craft
and cline to beautify and adorn this splendid edi-
hce. 10 prevent disorder and ensure regularity
In the discharge of the multifarious duties de-
volving on this heterogeneous assemblape, Kino
Solomon enacted the rules and regulations and
| prescribed the forms and ceremonies which laid
| the foundation Of ancient craft masonry 1t was
the object of our first Grand Master. whilst the
workmen were employed in the erection of this
/ temporal building, TO teach them also TO erect d
| moral and spiritual building agreeably 10 the de.
signs lad down on the Grand Tresselboard oil
Divine Revelation. Twas thus the design was
| formed OF spreading the knowledge of revealed
religion through the world and enforcing those
imnutabe principles of Justice which it incul
Gates. In order to convey this instruction at 2
tiine When the art OF printing was undiscovered
and writing was tedious, laborious, and expen-
sive process, 1t was natural to seize upon the "a
nlliaT objects of handicrait which beinu ever be.
fore the eyes of the workman, were as CONSTANT,
reminding him of the virtues they were selected
to represent Thus by the common gavel OF
malet, their minds were directed to the necessit,
OF g Investing their hearts and consciences of tn,
vices and superiuiiies OF life" BY the whit,
bambskln they were reminded of that purity o.
heart so essentially necessary to their gaining adj
mission to the presence of the Supreme Architec
OF the Universe. Thus the "square became an
emblem Of morality-the level, of equality an,
the plumb, OF uPrightness of conduct, and b,
by them the craftsman was eXhortcd to- square
his actions by The square of virtue, remenberin,
that he was travelling upon the level Of time {,
that undiscovered country from whose bourne n,
waytarer ever returns" And especially wer
they enJoIned whilst spreading that cement which
united the various materials of the building int
one common mass, to be careful also TO spFca,
amongst themselves that cement Of brotherly Low,
and affection which united them into one glorious
society or band of friends and brethren. Con
scious OF the danger and difficulties that AWAITED
them In that turbulent world into which thc-
were to enter upon the completion Of the Temple
society was formed for the double purpose o
IPorPctuatlng the religious and scientific princi