Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1852-10-15
WM, T. BRYANT


To Nessra. v. J. JACOBS and others, Committee
ADDRESS,
BRETHRE; In attempting fulfil the bY Won
signed me- Of advocati the Of Masonry lie per-
mitted to thank you for estoemng worthy Of this high
honor At the time must express my ditidence
Of my ability properly prepare for the discharge Of that trust
10 the honor Of order Tie little time, which the
sornoss Of your notice has allowed me. Still in dependence
upon that charity and orbeaance, which characteristic OF
Masonry, and trusting the Indulgence Of those without
fraternity, VINO have favored with their presence proceed
without further apology. present few thoughts suitable
the occasion which has rms day called Us t5-ataec.
TAgag. the spirit Of Masonry Las been opposed -
contentious maintenance Of the principles By which it is guided
lat has rather recommended the patient endurance OF
and persecution charging TO pearls before
swine; still. permitted to within certain
bounds any ques0ns which NAV proposed US BY
did minds in serious and uncetenti0us spirit We con
cude from the number Of friends here present unconnccted
with our order that there are + least some aoono Ms who
from interest which they feel in the fraternity and the
good wall which they have towards derous Of rece
ing such information concerning organization
he allowed communicate For their akes may speak
very briefly upon one or two points.
The great book respected friends from which the rules
and foundation principles Of Masonry drawn is the Holy
bible " lny OF her ceremonIas signs and symbols strike
the mind Of the intelligent members Of the brotherhood who
with the Bible having been suggested by its
Pera and as having their origin and phseology IN the
study and understanding Of the book These things
- show that this institution Is not only to be yeneracd for It's
antiquity, bat respected esteemed and patronized for the
great and beautiful moral lesson it teacheshe aneUraton
Of human Woes and the undoubted truth ncucates that this
ure beevoea with which surrounds the objects Of its
synpathia has It's origin in the Bba book be it known,
without which, could learn his duty to his God
his neghbors Maeonc Lod4e organize 0ykt
IN addition this fact not perhaps generally known by those
who are not members OF cur Order we may mention another
that there is degree conferred socev from the first
70 the astthe duties design and practical requirements of
which, not enforced by prccepts rules and eXhOrtatOns
from the Inspired Word of Truth: and still further that
individual, however eminent in the world, respectable
among men become member OF the Masonic fraternity,
who does emphacay declare his trust in God and
have the great and necessary duty Of prayer to that God en-
forced in most positive manner upon entering the Lodge If
31He duleS Is lie nd
periUred heart before God and man -
The objection that who united with IN the
Mystic Tie unworthy be Of weight with the
candid for the objection lies with equal weight against
very church organization and is urged with equal nusticc
The Minister Of the Gospel and the private Christian have
en been called upon to mourn over the crimes of those who
are with them brethren in the profession of faith
TRENDS Is the christian religion justly CONDEMNED for
the wicked conduct Of Of its professors Certainly tits
not 50 also Masonry is Qniustly condemned account Of
iA@ un"oFtinness OF some OF It's adheEents
But may further remark that the workings Ct Masonry
being hidden from the world large those who without
the order have no means Of knowing either the real useful
ness Of the institution or the degree Of its vitality whereby
able to rid itself Of offensive members. Many persons
Tho have been known Mason have interest
IN the association than they had been connected with
IT. The world does not know them expelled members for
the charity Of Masonry hopes for their reform and will
not publish their degradation On the other hand have
known instances OF persons beng recovered from the deepest
vice and dissipation through Masonic influence. The wife has
wondered at the thoughtful diligence Of dsspaed
and careless husband and has been yet aonhed
see him quietly take down the old family Bible and perusc
its sacred pages by which he has been converted to God
but she knew that this change originated in the Masonic
Lodge Some may be surprised what have here said for
! know that this sect Masonry is everywhere spoken
against But such results have often followed upon forming
the Masonic connection. The world does not know this hut
it IS nevertheless true Thus have l. it were raised
Of the veil Of Masonry showing you that charity which
h0peth all things the same time that modesy which
seeks to hide her good deeds from the gaze Of the word
From address by the Rev John c. McCabe
No plea OF the ungOily against religion is more
common, than that which they derive from the unworthy
and at repeled by the Ct him
urges it,
Since this address deligored have been asked certain
questions which think well TO introduce here with answers
follows
Do you allow your members become intoxicated ?"
The spirit Of this question be nsnuation that
Masonry what is claimed for it. because Masons
are guilty OF notorious vices, unrestained by Masonry
answer to the spirit Of this question would simply ask my
catechlst TO show that institution, either political
gious, civil social among whose members there are no
denquents which offenders always receive their deserts
Such institution cannot be shown earth grant sor
rowuly, that there unworthy M&sons, also
that there unworthy professors the christian religion
But to the letter OF the question -aeomy Is opposed 10
erery such rice!
" Do you suspend expei Incorporate This is
often done Instances Of expulsion for this come
under my observation. Persons expelled though they
cease be Masons they cannot 3edeprved
Masonic knowledge and they still bound by their Masonic
obligations yet they deprived of all claim to the benefits
Of Masonry. We do not publish their to the world.
Many professed Alasons unconneced with any Lodge
Others are borne with through human nrmtes compass
sion.
Here also may state fact not perhaps generally known
that about from fourth third Of the ae members
of all the lodges Of which have knowledge professors of
religion This testimony is of no small value