Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1851-07-03

lost. Though religion and art seemet
both for awhile to have been buriet
among the ruins of the temple, ye
as the one was recovered from thosI
ruins after long night Of captivit.
so the other was preserved ami'
the ages OF darkness and barbarisn
which elapsed and is now connectet
with an order universally known
and Ievered.
1t is not however the antiquity o.
its preservation that constitute IL
merits, for were these all it had 4
recommend it meager indeed woul
be is claims. Some things are very
ancient that are not very honorable
others are very ridiculous and absurd
If not detestabIe. Time does not ne
cessarily confer honor on any thing
/ Ii must have other attributes thar
age TO inspire our admiration and es.
TEEN. "The hoary head is a crown
of glory if it be found in the ways oI
righteousness" otherwise old age is
a crown OF shame. That which is
essentially good is good abstractly
and permanently. 1t may be but
the offspring of yesterday yet if it
have the elements Of goodness it de-
mands our esteem and is worthy our
regard.
The Masonic Institution does not
claim anything because it can boast
high antiquity. The "grand olo
woods" derive greatness from age
because it is age that gives TO :hem
their grandeur. Some things dete-
riorate bv age and become super
ANIMATED, loosing all their freshness
and beauty and strength; other things
may be venerated on account Of the
associations connected with them
We love TO linger around the old cot
or mansion where we were born, and
the ole oak or elm that shaded US
from the sun or screened US from the
storm in childhood's happy hour is
dear to our remembrance. The old
family picture that hung on the wall,
the old arm chair or the old family
Bible, dingy with age and soiIed with
use which contains a record Of our
birth and the sad mementos Of dear
departed ones, cannot easily be for
gotten. In hours OF silent thought
and meditation they crowd upon the
memory and awaken interesting re-
flections. To the American patriot
The old State House where the de-
cIaration of lnde yendence was read,
and Fanuel Hall, that old Storm
wrecked cradle OF liberty, Lexington
and Braddock's fields and Bunker's
and many other places con-
nected with our colonial history,
what, we ask, possesses more thrill
ling INTEREST," But what would they
be without these associations.
The claims OF the Masonic lnsti-
tuition are commended 10 regard not
because il can boast an antiquity Of
nearly three thousand years, and has
embraced in its brotherhood the
great and good OF all ages, but be-
cause OF IFS essential nature and
character.
We do not claim for il considera-
lion or patronage because it is a re-
igious institution Of divine appoint
nent, for it is neither the one nor
The other. 1t is simply an associa-
lion founded upon religious Princi-
pies and its specific object is to ame-
iorate the condition Of man, TO ex
tend universally the blessings of lib
erty, equality ard fraternity. To ac-
complish this she has planted her
stakes on the utmost verge o(the earth,
from which she has extended her
cords and over which she has thrown
her broad pavilion, all enclosing and
| am aware that some worthy
brethren in their zeal for the order
have invested il with sacerdotal
robes and baptised it with the sacred
name OF religion. Further reflection
will doubtless convince them Of the
improperly of such a designation
For though it inculcaies the strictest
principles of morality and urges up
on lis members the faith, virtue,
knowledge, temperance, justice, pa
tience, brotherly kindness and chari-
ty, Of the Bible, it is not of Divine
origin and authority, otherwise all
ages, sexes and conditions should be
entitled to its benefits as members
which is not and cannot be the case.
Founded upon the Bible none of its
principles or secrets can be incom-
patible Herewith and none Of IFS OBJ
legations can interfere with its re
ouirements. None OF its secrets,
however mysterious, none Of its OBJ
legations, however binding, involve in
the remotest degree any interference
whatever with the duties we owe 10
our God, our country, our neighbors
or ourselves, and he who persists in
asserting that they do, claims the
OF every humans Ma