Arkansas democratic banner., 1851-07-01
Deooteo to lDoIitirs, .Eorel9n aud

those winch cOapel the particles composing the granite, the quartz, and the diamond to chrystal- lize in their peculiar and invariable shapes. This law is the antagonist of that Tepulsiye force, the instinct of selfshness, which, uncontrolled by it, would have forever kept mankind in their original condition of isolated savages. a mere horde of IshmaelS, each with l.is hand against every other
 Therein lies the true secret of ali reverence, of all aggregation, of all government Sometimes for good but quite as often for eyi from the earliest ages men have associated themselves togetheT.- Before the great waters came upon the earth, and the Ark rode over the Asian mountains, and the bow of promise was set as covenant in the skies, men had banded together for mutual assistance and comfort, Of flor purposes of offence and au- noyance. The mysteries of Pythagorss, and those of Eleasis, of Egypt and of the Brahmins, grew out of the same necessity, and their inventors merely obeyed the same law. What was there taught, we do not distinctly know. Much of good, undoubtedly;-for no large number of men can long remain so cohDectedItogether, for evil purpo ses, and teaching evil lessons. Such a society would carry in its bosom the materials for its own destruction. Sympathy, kindness, mutual regard, disinterestedneSs, beneyolence and generosity are the only foundation that can make the edifce eternal. They are the solid rock, indeStructible as Time, and firm and fixed as Truth. Falsehood and vice are more unstable foundation than the qaieksands.
 Upon this solid and primitive rock our ancient fathers built up Masonry; plain, simple, severe as work of the old Grecian Art, when art was laoSt God-hke. And though Tn later times large and more showy additions, of more questionable taste and style, have been attached to the original building, yet the solid foundation still remains, and that building continues unimpared by time, none of its fair columns broken, moulderng or de- faced, no stain upon it from the seasons and the storms. The tide of ages that has swept by it and dashed unceasingly against 1t, has moved not a stone, nor worn furrow in it's walls.
 1 There must be some good cause for this uupar- alleled endurance. Without going back to grope in the profound darkness that settled upon the earth when the Roman empire was tottering to it's 1 fall, we may safely aver that amid the barbarism that rolled it's tumultuous waves over Europe for many years after the commencement of the tenth century, Masonry stood firmly up and battled with those weitering waters, like great light set finn upon rock in the middle of stormy ocean: for upon its career from that time downward, History sheds clear and brilliant light
 Her mission upon the earth has been that of great Teacher of knowledge and morality. As to the former the moveable types of Faust have re- lIeyed her from the necessity Of laboring but as to the latter that mission IS scarcely begun. Her tenets shine more and more brightly as the revolv- ing years roll onward.-her principles glitter with calm radiapce, like multitude of stars Keeping watch at midnight in the broad blue field of Hea- ven; and like
 "Olions shoulders and the Pointers serve
 To be our load stars in the lingering night" Teaching obedience to the laws and submission to the civil magistrates, s,-denouncing plots and conspiracies, she is of the rmest supporters of free government. She enjons, not only charity toleTaton and truth. but temperance, sobrety, pa- tience and industry. Every companion and broth CT who does his duty Is an armed soldier warning always against vice land immortality. To subdue their own passions, is the first great lesson;--to protect the oppressed relieve the destitute, and keep careful watch and ward over virtue and in- nocence are the service in which they have en- listed.
 Within the walls of Lodge room, no political or sectarIan dispute or debate can ever inuude;- nor any other contention than the noble emuat ion of who can best work and best agree And on the floor of Lodge, the rich and the poor, the lofty and the low stand upon one level; and worth and intelligence are the only true passports to dis tinction. Such has been the case from the begin ing. To Masons in all ages, the level has been emblem of equality. This lesson Masonry has ever taught to Nobles, Pnnces, Kings and Empe- rofs It taught it when the name of Republic was forgotten word, when the earth lay help less, shrouded in barbaIity and ignorance, and mankind was divided into two classes only, the rulers and the slaves. At the door of the Lodge, the couqueror land of his mail, the prince his scarlet, the emperor his purple and gold; and ad mission being gained, they stood there on level with the poorest of their subjects.
 Whenever all this ceases to be the case there will be no longer any true Masonry Whenever there are wranglings and disputes within, or de- traction and evil speaking without; whenever charity ceases to be practsed and ioleration be- comes mere pretence. whenever rank and wealth aFe tawned upon, and poverty and humble station held in contempt, let the grave be dug for the dead body of the order, and the bells toll for it's funeral.
 That such IN, in some places, and to some extent the case IS to be lamented, but not to be wonder cd at Anxiety to increase m numbers or to re- crall their Treasuries. has too often persuaded Lodges to admit improper men, incapable by their very natures of becoming Maseas in any thing but the name: out of which have come dlssensions and dissgreements, sinking such Lodges m public examination, and disgusting worthy brethren: so that these Lodges have dwindled away in num- bers, and ceased to be of any service to the eraf,
 Int he who makes this reproach to Masonry. and taanis her with it as if she herself weie in fault is neither fair, lngenaous or wise. No wise and just man charges upon christianity itself the