Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-07-07
TERMS OF ADVERTISING.
MASONIC ADORE ESS,
Delivered at CarrOIltOn, Carroll Co., o., on
the 9th June, 1918,
BY REV. BROTHER HOSES T. JAMISOX,
OF WelIsVilIe, Ohio.

BRETHREN OF THE ORDER: ID is with no ordi-
nary degree of embarrassment that appear be-
fore you as public speaker; for although am
accustomed TO speaking before men of every or
der, persuasion, and character, yet, the latitude
and diffusive character Of the subjects on which
| ordinarily dwell, are such as to generate that
selEpossession, which is essential TO ease, and
which is so prominent condition OF success,
both in the pulpit, and before the pupular assem-.
bly,.
The themes embodied within the limits Of
Masonic address, must be comparatively triIe to
the members of the Order, from the frequency
with which they are brought TO their view, both
in our mystic ceremonies, and public oraIions;
while, to those not acquainted with the sublime
ceremonies of our ancient and honorable Order,
they must be somewhat wrapt in obscurty, ow-
ing 10 the caution with which they must be han
died, in their peculiar relations and bearings.
To enter upon an examination of The history
of our Iime.honored institution, or to investigate
its heaven.born lessons in all their minuleness,
or TO dwell upon its highly suggestive symbols,
would be a reflection upon the modesty becom-
ing my age and opportunities, and would argue
that had sat for while in the oriental chair Of
King Solomon, to but little purpose.
Masonry is nothing more than merely hu.
man institution, without any inherent power to
Tenovate the nature, or to purify the heart Of
fallen man. 1t can, therefore, be but mere in
s,rument of good acting in subordinalion and
subservency to the great principles of natural
and revealed religion, and depending, for its SAL
uary tendency upon the blessing theg great AM.
Nor does Masonry experience any morlfca-
ion in the recognition and acknowledgment Of
this truth, in as much as il does not, like the
"man of sin :" exalt itself "above all that is call
ed God" or lay claim to any light independent
of what he has revealed. But, while il is true
that Masonry is an institution of terrestrial birth,
it is also true that the great principles which it
involves, are purely celestial, having God for
their Author, moral virture for their object, and
the heaven Of heavens fer their consummaton.
If Masonry did not recognise the existence of
one living and true God, and preach moral vir-
tue as the grand condition Of acceptance before
him, aud as the only way 10 the realms of bliss
which he has prepared for the faithful; the walls
of its Lodges might be the home of infdels, and
the retreat of the licentious, but could never
shield the night meetings of the beieverin Rev.
elation, nor be successful in their silent invita-
lions to the virtuous and heavenly minded.
Masonry is invested with number Of charac-
terlstics, some of which are peculiar to it, as u
human institution, aud others of them it bears in
common with various other associations. Among
those distinctive features Of our Order, may be
numbered the catholicity Of its spirit, teaching
the differences of men on the minor points oi
what is technically called Christian Theology.
II embraces some of all the sects OF protestant
Chrstendom; and even the Jew, the Mohomme'
dan, and the Thest, Of every variety Of opin'
ion, mingle in the sublimely harmonious ranks
of Masonry. Nor can this be made an oblec'
zion TO our Order, by any one who will give him
self the trouble and exercisethe patience, which
full and candid examination Of the subject re-
Qures. Butt any one is unwilling thus to look
into The subject, then let him, for consisency's
sake, only say of Masonry, that ii is subJec
which he has no disposition to investigate
In as much as Masonry lays no claim to being
an ecclesiastical organization, and does not
therefore. profess to be set apart of God as re
pository of evangelical truth; and. seeing th0
it does not assume TO publish and defend tht
scheme of revealed truth, in all It's genera ant
species; it has conceded TO it, oy the practice o
nations and individuals from time immemoriaI
the right of receiving men on the admission o
few general principles, for the Accomplishment
of its highly useful, and truly Phanlhropc pur
poses.
Suppose, forthesake Of illustrating this point
that have set out upon the laudabe enterprs
of establishing an International Brotherhood, 70
the praiseworlhy purpose of securing and pre-
noting a universal peace;-must |, in order t
the accomplishment Of the particular end drav
up stringent system Of political faith, to whic
every crowned head of Europe, and every NOR
arch of Asia must subscribe! Would not th
be superhuous to the end in view, and aside fror
the object proposed? Would it not be quite su
ficient TO the purpose contemplated, 10 get me
enlisted, who are supremely impressed with III
importance of peace, and who are willing to CT
operate in its promotion? Now, if Masonry hG
good object to effect which can be accomplish
ed as we'll by general, as by particular Goa
escence Of religious faith; is it not entirely col
sistent for it TO open the doors of initiation to
who believe in the object to be effected, and VIII
subscribe to the fundamental principle, by whic
it is to be securedl
wish to establish an institutian for intele,
tual and moral training of youth: | cannot r.
celVe any who deny the eXpansibility of the HI
man intellect, or who record their unyeldiI
dissent from the moral accountability Of ma
for these are great fundamental truths, indispe
sable alike to the consistency and practicable
of my design. But, while am bound to r
qure assent to these cardinal principles, | ne
not cling to the minute details of any particul
system Of mental philosophy, nor exact an a
solute faith in the conclusions Of any theolog
cal school. Men may believe in the great pri
clple OF national policy, which imposes duti
on ioreIgn imports, without agreeing as to VIII
ther our Constitution designed those duties
revenue alone, or for both revenue and the pr
lection of home manufactures.
Hence wesay that, uni, Masonry claims to
abranch of the Christian church. contemnIat
all the purposes of the church, that it has an
disputable right to teach its symbolic ceremon
.nd r1,hlinnn truthn To rnnn nfo o,,o... :.