The banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1844-1847, 1846-09-02
Masonic 1M. Address
Duire,el htorc CLIN7UN LODGE No. B. on 2lh Juu lslt;
By MAJ. MAT J. WILLIAMS

and crc"mspcon: for then proper public d<c'xson than
Speculative Masonry Its an,iq",y been
unsparngIy assaulted, 10y species weapon ingenuity
could invent magnity rontwiIe the and
rest criticism H. then who may be cll, upon dcrr pub
licly, Masonic address, should crpncuy be ser
tore thu, actr,cd ,l" nnnrird honor nn la I, '' @
atirctat'on OF modrsy assure rirn! and iIowr;z
that am great, oppressed! with the difficulties mlnass
nrn my posoo and deep OF uninsS for cpon
slbl" duty
The consideration Of Speculative Masonry .nv be l,
vidcd into general heads: Tia, OF which i, has
lawful to write and speak: and its mystic and
interests CT h'"y tie second is designed exclusively ior
great family of Al,>on$
The enlightened "voucS OF Masonry. do contend that is
religious nsl.u ion 1t claims divine power elevate
from his fallen condti'n wipe from his soul pol!u,io
guilt 1t seeks no rivalry \" A the peculiar rrosa'ivcs of the
christian religion 1t asks only to be Regarded, in light
bencvo"n! institution king by human and human,
srn"rnalIr< 10 render rational iScr and cttrro press
upon Him. by the almost clss force Of affiliated his
social moral evil "n' religious duties In the words o' (e'r
NAsl!NtT'f,vho> patriotism and Spotrss purity
life cast such acr< lnstrn upon his immortal nam,-a
aws %n @ ami % c Hasav '% '"T v cG nj su no %I1D ]
and if Sonslng less ncn"s. essential and
c"y al nf cn" (" the stc "n y S%"' and and % G!n n
SIM but hs soolcd the bitterness OF grc- puckcd from the
rooted orrowil"d the crcencss and turbulence
human paSSInwpe, the orphans ar-and presented hand
generous ans, rs day TO 'eng Charity Tic christian learns
ms duty and path 10 Heaven from the great light Of ultc
Bible The teachings OF Masonry bind duty upon heart
and press, with unang and abiu carnc$tnc those essential
dignity mans clMraccr and wipe from his
oulest bloss which degrade humanity The Gospel of Peace
centuries and yet it undeniabc fact, that mans
humanity man" still "makcs countless millions mourn" The
ences however gratifying to human pride and the hopes of the
rhantrops, have Still much accomplish before savage
city, the rulencss of barbarm and the pail ignorance shall
to throw their dark shadows upon the face of society
The genius and sp, of free ,stiu,ns-thc awakening
of throwing of the icttcrs which would circun.
scribe It's and bind everlasting rotation same cir
ce"vc gone far to dconstr'te mans natural equality ;,
yet the tendency social and civil csnc,osto cr!on ,
favored and privileged classes, and the formation OF uycu3Iy
declaration, sclicvicnt truth that I'LL born
antiquity which, like Mount ATLAS, resting upon broad, deep
foundations lifts its lofty head in calm grandeur and simplicity
amid storm and institution which teaches un'i-
mental lncc reverence to God and love institution
in which all ranks meet level" Such institution
commend itself TO the respect and a,consuyr, the admiral
ton of good AMI virluous citizen capable rightly
peciang the elevated in sentiment tic beautiful excellent
virtue We believe tia" of Free and Accepted
Mason sac institution The this
proportions from the East TO the West and from high meridian
South to the No open every Of sound mind free born
and OF good report.
The prayers used at the initiation Of candidate the different
degrees OF Nasonythc solemn and affecting passages Of Scripture
read, and the Impressive charges given such occ.$ior
beautiful and s'rkn. have this day float upon
our b"nncshe unicigned vcnca,on and respect pay the
cred oraces Of ru,thc very description working
applied speculative Nnsonrya laid without DISGUISE
mystery standard and authorized works--conGm if they
do not concusivey demonstrate, that spirit and OF
Masonry as have asserted them 70 be- ! ~ ,I. s
tendency be honestly mparaly examined in ,n l 81
uth-let the institution be Judged by ftx-s fair and cci
mote influences mans moral and social condition. wherever
and whenever allowed fairly Let object and
design be suhecl"d TO the closest scrunyl the moral f.
brio be measured by the square, and the eternal immub
principles Of justice and truh will award to that tribute praise
which nothing but prejudice, wu Ignorance,
mined hostility could withhold 1t is admitted that in origin
Masonry association of operative mechanics Such bod,
OF united for mutual aid and protectionocton
their rights and privileges advance their and elevate
their calIng would any of the world command respect
fool whom charm accident has the world above