Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1844-07-20

~ and barren deserts NJ Africa, and amid The
proud temples n European grandeur More re-
Gently iis affairs have been reared ON M,
shore of the now world. The IDENTITY
u The language and ceremonies practiscd in eve
~ nation IL evidence that the Institution M /
exists throughout the earth sprung from IN,
samo original II In impossible 10 account fo
this universal existence throughout the world o
masonry, unless we assume that II owes ia orr
gin TO an ago long since past away.
Masonry has been known 10 exist IN Enplant
for over nine hundred years Tho first CRANE
Lodge of Free masons was established by char
ter derived from King Athelstane in 02i, at In,
royal city York, who was elected first Crane
Master at which time n book of constitution
was compiled from various manuscripts in dif
ferent languages brought together on that occa
sion by the members Of their fraternity for tn,
government Of the Lodges in England. In tn
year 1870 the grave of st. Alban primitive
Chris tan Martyr who suffered in England A. ID
22S was opened at st. Adams, therein wa
found manuscript containing these words, g II
ban loved masons well, cherished them much
and made their pay right good and he got then
a charter from the King and his council to hole
general council and he called it an assembly
and thereat he was himself and idhelp to max
masons and gave them good charges" Herr
then is masonry carried back for more than 1861
years without the aid of tradition and this re
cord speaks Of its having existed still anterior,
1t was introduced into this country by the early
colonist from England. Previous to the yea
1920, its history is barren and meagre. At tina
period regular constituted Lodge deriving It's
charter from the Grand Lodge of England, wa.
established in the city of Boston. Afterwards
lodges sprung up in every direction and in eve
ry section of the country, until the institution
has attained its present giant proportions, spread
ing abroad its arms of brotherly love until the
East and West, the North and South are encir
cled in its embrace, Such is brief and rapiC
sketch of the origin and progress of masonry
There is something in its history attractive anC
Interesting, Dating its establishment in ages long
.llss past away, progressing without extran
eous aid amidst the revolutions oil empires and the
shocks of time, and sustaining itselfby its own in
herent excellence, in the times of fiery persecu
ton and tribulaton and through the storms anC
tempest of human wrath and Indignation; it ha,
been handed down through long line of gener
atoms to the present an institution, venerable
for its antiqutV--venerated by its votaries-
lovely in its principles, scheme of practica
benevolence dispensing refreshing blessings L
the afflicted and unfortunate throughout thu
earth. Other institutions have crumbled befor
the touch of lamentations have been buried i,
ubliyiun--thU boosted memorials OF human yen
JUS have faded away-the gorgeous temple be
meath whose proud dome its infancy was Graded
has been blotted from the map of earth, yet ma
sonry has frightened with every succeeding age
been Strengthened by every persecution and re
mains monument of moral beauty, worthy tn,
the admiration of the philanthropist and chris
tian.
We do not however claim for the institution
any particular regard solely on account of its
antiquity. We know that age cannot dignity
error, nor render that reputable and respectable
which in itself is worthless. We only boast of
its antiquity as it affords evidence of inherent
excellence and of the solid and valuable basis on
which it is established. That institution which
like masonry could survive the wreck ofmatter,
triumph over every opposition, and secure and
maintain the affection of its members through
succeeding ages must be worthy of regard and
be founded upon principles of eternal truth.
Masonry relies alone for the favorable opinion Of
enlightened public sentiment on the principles il
advocates, the precppts it inc alcdteS and the prdc.
ice it enforces. These have never been kept
secret, but at all times have been proclaimed o
the world. The disciples Of masonry are and
have ever been anxious thatits principles should
be scrutinized, knowing that they are capable
of sustaining the most rigid investigation. Up.
on its merits let the institution be tried When
properly conducted and rightly appreciated ma.
sonry is moral school, affording advantages for
mora! improvement, and for the promotion of
human happiness equal to any other human in
sttuton. The moral improvement and conse.
quent happiness of man depends upon the cul.
tivation of virtue and the destruction of vice 1t
is virtue alone which enobes human character.
and confers lasting happiness in this life, and
our Improvement in moral sense arises from our
love and practice of it, Vice on the other hand
is the fruitful source of misery-the parent Of
all the ills which af1ct us in lfe--a dreadful
scourge which converts our Joys INTO sorrows, and
render this earth vale of tears. If virtue then
brings moral happiness to its possessor, and vice
misery the cultivation of the one and the sup
preston of the other, must be the primary object
of every institution having for its aim the welfare
of man. Masonry seeks the accomplishment OF
this exalted object. 1t desires to influence its
votaries to a lone Of uirtue, and to the practice
Of those precepts which serve to elevate the NOR.
al character of man. To effect this it presents
to its members beautiful system of morals
which can but claim their admiration, and which
it requires them to adopt and to practice. Mate.
rial objects as we'll as the contemplation of alb.
stact subj ects bring the means by which knowl.
edge is communicated or derived, this system OF
morals is elucidated by Symbols derived from
operative masonry as well as by direct lectures
and charges. The association of some impor.
tant principle or truth with some tangible object
serves to impress its force or power upon the
mind more strongly and durably, andi it is upon
this principle of mental association that mason
ry, seeks by omblematic representations origina,
ting in physical masonry to communicate mpor.
Lant lessons of morality. The system of morals
nculcated by masonry is divided into three great
branches, LIST. The duties we owe to God, Cd to
our fellow men, and 3dly to ourselves Under
these different branches ar3 embraced all the
tuties men is called upon to perform. The du.
les weowe to God claim the first attention of
he mason. The existence of Supreme Being,
'ur dependence upon Him. and our accountable
y to Him for our actions are taught as the first
principles of masonry. Without protesting toI
'elieve these important truths, no one can gain
Idmittance into the masonic temple. We areI
instructed to reverence Him, as the source OF