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

every well instructed Mason sees good reason for believing
the deeper he decend the mysterious art the more
clear does the evidence become But this internal evidence
the great antiquity of Masonry permitted to Law
before promiscuous assembly There are however some
points of external evidence which may refer In Eng
and it ancient order in the reign of Henry Gth who
enacted against masons, statute prohibiting them from
meeting IN chapters Its history be clearly traced in Eng
land far back as the year 303
MIR Locke the celebrated English etaphysician discovered
IN the Boden Library paper prepared in the reign of
Henry the 9th This paper Peter Cover, Grecian
ouneyed for knowledge in Egypt and in Syria and in every
land where the Phenicans had planted Masonry and winning
entrance to all LODGES of Masons he learned much and re-
turned and worked in Greca Magma, becoming a mighty
wise and greatly renowned and here he formed lodge
Groon and made many Masons whereof did journey
into France and made many Maons werefrom process Of
me the art passed INTO England Upon this name Peter
Cover, the great Mr.. Locke remarks: " was puzzled at
first to guess who Peter Cover should be- the being
perfectly English; or how Greek should come by such
name: but | thought of Pythagorae / could
forbear smiling find that philosopher had undergone
motempsychoss he never dreamed OF We need only
sider the French pronunciation Of this name Pythagorc that
is, P0tegore conceive how easily such mistake MIGHT he
made by an unlearned clerk That Pythagos travelled for
learned and that lie initiated into several different orders
OF priests who in those days kept all their learning secret
from the vulgar Is well known. Pvhagoras also made
every geomerca the0rem secret and admitted only such to
the knowledge Of them had first undergone Ave years
silence. +
This then clearly connects Masonry with that great phos
opher Pyhagos, five hundred years before the birth of
Christ and ne found 1t an ancient eastern institution We
need not consume time IN following its contguity further
We have said enough show that it is far from unreasonable
believe that Masonry did have its origin where tradition has
assigned It, name during the erection Of the first temple by
Solomon. But thought when look the scrip
Gr account Of the building Of the temple that there were no
less than hundred and fv three thousand six hundred
persons engaged the work various capacities cannot
but the necessity for organization whereby due sub
ordination r1;a,r 5 nan4ain.f and hat cacI, ,;..r+ -
ms work. free from The nqu&ve scrutiny of others That
useful Institution masonry originating with the wis
est man earth knew should continue the end Of time
Is not wonderful. That it has long continued hold as a
pledge that II will still remain until the Garth itself shall he
dissolved
This much have thought we'll to speak for the information
OF our friends who have been pleased to favor with their
presence must yet speak particularly my brethren
of the Masonic Order.
Brethren, to-day this Hall is dedicated by threed ded-
cation First, TO Masonry, place where the craft may
work dsGnng and aDreating for their each others
here pray and PRAYER should eryent and sincere
to virtue that may gain the victory our ourselves
and have helping hand and feeling heart for every brother
or brothers family, in distress science that we NAV here
improve our understanding Of every masonic art prove
ourselves worthy practitioners Of the Thirdly this
hail Is dedicated to Universal Beneyolence that the cry
o distress JfGm any source 'roere may meet cheerful re
sponse from those who acknowledge their obligations to
commensurate with the Of May the principles in
which we are instructed from that book Of books find deep
place IN your hearts and influence your conduct Make that
book your study 1t will gode you all true knowledge of
that God IN whom profess Let Faith Hope and
Charity ever reign in your bosoms: Faith, which will be-
tray the secrets Of order, brothers confidence Faith
which finds in every brother friend in whom we NAV confde
by Hope we look for the restoration Of fallen brother for
although we are bound to that and keep masonic
company with him, still must not treat him enemy
patient endurance OF the contempt which has been upon
the order which and love- and by living up
masonic principles, to overcome, eventually that oppos
ION which for centuries has been maintained against as but
which has been met in quiet spirit Of silence and for
7carancc That Charity must be which suereth long
lnd Kind which envieh not which seeeth own
lo easily provoked hnkeh evil reoech not in niquitv
u rloiceh in the truth which bcareh all things and never
aeth. brother in distress should apply to us in
ain Each Of brothers widow and the orphans cry
ire pleas which should reach hearts and move us to re-
leTe Masonry requires that seek the objects of our
Charity.
Our Charity must however extend beyond the brotherhood
all mankind That principle which The great Apostle Of the
}cntles lays down for the guidance Of Christians We as Ma
ons Acknowledges; " Do good ali men," especially to
hose who Of the household Of faith Masonry likewise
ommands that do good those who hate us but then
Ike Christianity It requires first exetons be put forth
favor Of those who united with in common bonds
But stops here Masonic Charity bounded only bv
he extent OF the human family and ability relieve
The widows tear, the orphans cry
All wants-our ready hands supply
As far as power is given
The naked clothe, the prisncr free,
These arc thy works, sweet Charity
Revealed to us from Heaven -
But Masons guided by Holy Book of Constitutions,
seek TO Eaifb