Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-01-06

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minds US that justice will sooner or later
over take US; the Hour Glass admonishes
) US how rapidly our lives are drawing to
close; the all devouring Scythe OF
Time warns us that we must soon be
gathered into the land where our faith
ers have gone before U.s." The Pot OF
Incense is emblemalical Of pure heart
which is acceptable 10 God. The Holy
Bible, which is always open, and the
Square and the Compass point out the
mode by which that acceptable purity
Of heart may be obtained, and the scythe
of death disrobed Of its terrors. defy
the most hardened in immortality and
crime to enter the sacred precincts of
Lodge without feeling awakened in his
bosom a livelicr sense Of his dependent
condition, of his responsibility as NOR.
al being, and of his duty to be active in
the cause Of virtue. And it is highly
beneficial to most might say all
men to be the recipients, frequently, OF
those moral impressions with which the
scenes Of Lodge never fail to inspire
them.
Charity, have said, is the greatest Of
Masonic virtues. The frequent practice
of 1t BY our fraternity, tends to liberal
ize, purify and ennoble their minds,
while, at the same time, the cup of con.
ISOLATION is extended to the distressed
widows and orphans OF deceased broth
ers, who are The recipients of its bles.
sings. ! might point you to countless
instances in which this heaven-born vir-
tue, land other virtues, too,) have been
brought into action BY the institution Of
Masonry. | might point you to unfortu-
nate brothers, who with their families
have been relieved from the heavy hand
of adversely; to the orphans, who have
been snatched from penury and the
haunts Of vice, and edu Gated to virtue
and usefulness; to the defenceleas fe-
males. who have been guarded and pro-
tec,ed, and whose characters have been
vindicated from the envcnomed tongue
Of sIander. But 10 do so would be I'M
becoming. Masonry is mild, unobtru
sive and unostentatous, in her opera
lions; she permits not Pharisaical dis
play of her charity: she prefers that it
should be felt, rather than, in order to
be praised of men, it should be proclaim
ed from the house-tops
Masonry is not only thus beneficial to
those who give and those who receive
its blessings; but it is highly useful to
society in many other respects. 1t i'm
proves alike the mind Of the philosopher
and Of the mechanic. In large cities, es-
pecially, hundreds and thousands Of mon
are drawn into the active duties Of the
Lodges, and thus made useful to them
Sc yes, their families and to society, who,
but for Masonry, might be prowling
around the haunts Of dissipation and of
crime. In addition 10 this, need scarce
Iy remind this intelligent audience Of
the fact, that Masonry has exerted, and
is now exerting, in various parts of the
world salutary and powerful influence
in the cause Of education. 1t is, as il
ever has been, q co-laborer with the
Christian Religion in the great work OF
enlighten'ng the human mind. And this
is a glorious, q holy cause!-a cause,
without the benefits of which man would
relapse into that barbarous candition,
which incapacitates him for civil society
or religious enjoyments.
But notwithstanding our institution is
thus holy in its purposes and beneficial
in It's effects upon mankind, there are not
wanting those who caviI at its pretep,
sions, and sheer at its badges and cers-
monies. And it has been CUSTOMARY
with those of our brethren VINO have
filled the place now occupy. to endea
vor 10 obviate the objections which might
be urged against it, As much in defer.
ence to this custom, as in the hope that
! may remove the false impressions that
may have been made upon the minds
of some who NAV be disposed to Judge
lmpa rtially, nov undertake TO notice
some of those objections. Masonry is
4 IL