Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1851-07-03
Whole Number s1I.

toSs uud y tu tnc SCcletV OF Diners,
while away the tedium Of weary
f hours, | would say "Procul, o pro-
: Gull este Profanip' As in the erec-
! uon OF the temple the rough blocks
, were taken from The quarry, and the
PICK, chissel, level and square were
applied before they were fitted for a
place. So in the erection Of the mo-
raj edifce. the rough points brought
from natures quarry, must be kuock-
ed ef and the whole wrought into
form according to the design Of the
architect, otherwise the work will
not be fit for use in that building
above, that house not made with
hands eternal in the heavens.
In the language OF Tertulli, one who
defended the Christians from the
attacks Of Pagans, made on the
ground that they committed abomi-
nations in their secret meetiags:-
"That the nature Of our secret &C.
tIons may be known by those which
appear in our every day intercourse
with our fellow men, permit me to
direct your attention TO some OF those
principles of the order, which are
Of acknowledged importance, and
which should be carried out faithful
y in all the departments Of liGe."
The true elements Of a Masons
viltue and power, consist in a just.
appreciation Of the nature and worth
Of the principles of the order. Fur
nishing him as they do with the
,oiSdOm TO conIrive, the strength TO
support and the beauty TO adorn, he
may erect his moral edifice, and Sav-
ing friendship, morality and brother
iy lore inscribed upon his heart and
temperance, patience, fortitude. pru-
dence and justice exemplifed in his
life the world shall know there is
something in Masonry more than
the badges and emblems and titles it
assumes.
Every true Mason is phiIanihro-
pist. The liberty, equality and fra
ternity inculcated in her principles,
are Of the most elevated kind. Her
constant aim is to promote a liberty
without licentiousness, an equality
without agrarianism, and fraternity
Homogeneous in lis character. 1t
seeks to unite all men in the alliance
Of common brotherhood,
"Where names and secis
And parties fall"
IL allows not OF the enslavement
and degradation Of the many 10 the
elevation and support Of the few
Perhaps from this cause more than
all others she has elected the pro-
scription Of despotic governments
and churches. She is as decided an
enemy to spiritual as she is 10 civil
despotism. She has ever contended
ior freedom OF speech, freedom of
the press, the rights of suffrage and
the rights of conscience. This has
characterized her movements in all
ages and will continue her motto
throughout all coming time. The
Bible is the great charter of her
rights. In that she learns the true
nature and worth Of liberty. And
what is true Of Masons Is equally
true Of every nat on that makes the
Bible its rule Of faith. None such
ever have or ever can be enslaved.
You might as well attempt TO suffo-s
cate a man who had the pure
atmosphere 10 breathe as to chain
down the mind and conscience of
that man who has the word of God
TO read. That volume contains the
true secret Of liberty for the world.
He is the freeman whom the truth makes free,
All else are slaves besides"
| cannot conclude my remarks with
out a word to my fair auditors. The
ladies' may very justly tell us, that If
our Order is founded upon the affections
of the heart and governed by motives Of
so pure and holy import, and encoura-
ges all the virtues, why should they be
excluded In the language of one.
''ihe question has often been asked, and
in the spirit Of a-dignifed rational Curl
osity too, why this peculiar exclusive
nessi Why should that being, whose
very nature and sensibili:ies are the ami
mated, living apoiheosis of the most en-
iearing virtues Of Masonry, be perpetu-
ally shut out from the rites Of the tenn
pie which was fashioned 10 portray them.
The reason is obvious. The ancient
degrees or mysteries Of the Order were
Instituted during the erection of Solo,
mons temple, and none were initiated
herein, but practical, operative archiiec-
ural Masons. These degrees were in.
ended as allotments Of reward for those
who had proven themselves ski lful and
in their work. The exc'u.
lion of women from the tolls incident
o these degrees should be regarded ra.
her as an exalted tribute of respect to
he retiring sensibiIities Of her nature,
Is well as to the delicacy Of her pnysl-
,aI conformation. When operative Ma
,onry ceased, and speculative, symbol.
,aI or moral masonry took possession
If the throne, there was no change made
IN the manner of comforting the degrees.