The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-06-26


supposed however, that Masonry designed to
nsurp the place OF religion, although intimately
connected with her "a tabe properly called her
handmaid nor that it promised to those who con.
form to its teachings and requirements, biissful
Immortality beyond the grave so far from Il,
that Masonry protested to be efthe mord and for
The oorli, and looked not to the enforcement oil any
particular religious creed or faith, but united men
OF every religious sect and opinion; that around
its affairs Jew and GENTLE, Christian and Mahome
tan, may meet brethren and offer their sacrifices
That it equally car eful to abstain from meddng
with the political opinions of its members. Whilst
it enjoined upon all the duty of being true TO their
government and Just to their country, and COM
manded them to discountenance disloyaltv and
bellion and patiently to submit to legal authority
and TO be peaeeable and quiet citizens, it yet pre-
scribed no platform of political principles or arti.
cIes of religious faith but left every free to
his God and his country according to the die
tates of his own judgment and conscience 1t was
for this reason that the din OF political and theolo
eical controversy was never heard IN Masonic
Lodges. The waves of party and sectarian strife
might beat high and angrily without but when they
reach ed the Mason fraternal retreat it encounter
ed barrier it could not pass
He declared that Masonry was moral and not
religious Societythat its was to enforce the
whole duty of an elevated and pure morality. And
to this she taught wise and useful Lessons OF mo-
rality by means ofthe various symbols and emolems
borrowed from operative Masonry Here the speak
explained in full and clear manner, number of
the Masonic emblems. For example, he said the
by operative Masons to prevent selling their Clothes
but pictured to the speculative Mason the necess
ty of preserving his character from spot or bemsh
1t was of skin because in all ages the lamb had
been deemed an emblem of innocence. Therefore,
he who wears it is continually reminded of that rec
titude ofcodu aud purity of life essentially
cessary to his happiness in this life and to his gaining
admittance into the Celestial Lodge above, where
the Grand faster of Heaven and Earth in His glory
forever presides.
Tha square, the level the plumb, the trowel, the
pot of incense, the three steps. the ladder &c. &C.
were all duly explained in their order. The speaker
then explained the torn of the Lodge, which demo.
ted the universally of Masonry; for, said he If you
take the wings of the morning and fly to the utter
most parts Of the earth, 10. Masonry Is there
Whether amid Alpine rocks, Polar SHOWS, burn
ing sands, you bend your steps. you will find those
who have beheld ''that hero glyphic bright which
but craftsmen ever saw and the proof will be
afforded that the fires upon affairs burn brightly
and the heart of brotherly love beats warmly,
amid the SHOWS of the North upon the sun-loving
savannahs of the South The three principal pillars
of the Lodge, the Mosaic Pavement aud the Clouded
Canopy the Three Steps, and the Trestle Board,
were next appropriately explained.
The speaker next considered the objects professed
by Masonry viz: Truth Relief and Brohterty Lore,
dwelling upon each one show the duties they
enoined upon all Masons.
When the speaker came to the consideration of the
third topic 'what do Masons practce?' he admins
tered severe rebuke and reprimand to those whose
of life haC brought disgrace and reproach up
on noble order, and also those who had been
prompted to solicit initiation into its mysteries from
desire to be ufeful to their fellow men, and from
rable opinion conceived of the use funess and
VaIu6 OF put SOitiy from desire TO
crafty an idle and ignorant curiosity Masonry, how
ever, should not be blamed for this for it did
suit from any defect in the purity of her principles
that in the Christ ian Church to be found those
who 'hsd stolen the livery Of the court of Heaven
to the devil in,' who yet
''Cau pray upon occasion, talk of Heaven,
Turn up their gogsling eye balls, rail at vice,
Dissemble, lie. and preach like any priest"
Yet who would disparage the Religion of the cross
spise the 70 lowers of the meek and lowly Naza-
rene and repudiate the only means of salvation de-
Inv DiNiu because therA q ba
in the Christ an Church, unfortunately, too many
who he hsI Ike the good
tan, practiced what he professed In all the rea-
lions of life, as husband father MASTER neighbour he
was exemplary-When diseased, Frustrated, brother
he found, keeping the ght vigil beside his
bed, administering to his comfort and pillowing his
aching head on his faithful bosom-with what ten.
derness he pours the balm of consolation into the
cherries and riven heart of the weeping and help
less widow. and with what pure and holy love does
he eneircle the lone and unprotected ,orphan-wher.
ever human suffering and human sorrow to be
found there you find him the incarnation OF truth
and goodness.
Such as have feebly and family depicted her. the
iupersonaton of all the cardir al virtues OF the hui
man heart, Hear her precepts and scrutnize her
practice-all her ways are peasantness and all her
paths peace. Behold the beautiful crown that
adorns her brow-those sparkling gems that send
forth such briiancy and beauty hide the glory
of the brightest koeh-i-noor of the earth What
are they? They the crysalizsd tears of the wi
dow and the orphan, the flow of which has been
checked by her relieving hand their radience
is the approving smiles of angels who, in choral har
mony, hymn around the throne of God the triumphs
of mercy and of love.
The speaker next alluded to the opposition which
he'd sometimes been manifested to Masonry by the
ladies'.
He said that ''yvoman was not excluded from Ma.
sonic Lodges because lack confidence in her dis
erection secrecy but because her gentle nature
lifted her for the duties of calling. We exclude
her as would from the harvest field, in tender
ness but only lay her feet the fruits of the har
vest, as tokens of our love-" Masonry he said was
n Orvlgn and
none who participated so largely as she in the be-
nefits of the Order
duct themselves TO win for Masonry the friendship
and love of woman--thst love which, through sun
shine and Storm through sickness and sorrow through
glory and shame, knew no hhnge-which, like the
faithful needle to the pole, however shaken and arr
ed by the Injustice and feebleness of man, came
trembingiy, like that needle, to the point-that
love which carried Mary to the Saviour's feet to
wash them with her tears and wipe them with her
hait-that love which sent the weeping ones to the
sepuichre on the third day morn, and which struck
from the harp OF poesy the just and noble need of
praise.
mot she, with traterous kiss her Saviour stung
Not she denied him with unholy tongue:
She, while apostles shrsnk, could danger brave,
Last at the cross and earliest at the grave"
At the conclusion of the very interesting address,
Dr. DOVE suggested subscr pion on the part Of his
brother Masons in behalf of the new church the cor
ner stone of which had just been laid by them,
which met with cordial response, and two three
hundred dollars was Immediately subscribed.
keV. Mr. BOGGS returned THANKS 10 his brother
Nasons for the services rendered his congregation
that day; and was responded to by Master F. w.
Roster of Loge Franchise, who stated that the
French Lodge is in itself epitome of the institu
ton ofFree Masonry, there being scarcely nation
in the known world who is not there represented.
The congregation was dismissed, the ladies
retiring TO their homes highly delighted with what
they had heard and seen; and the Masonic craft
forming into line and marching to Grifhns Springs,
near Rockets, where a Committee of the Order,
had prepared an excellent dinner, in honor OF the
day.
.Je1oeI Presentatioa.-HsviDg arrived upon the
dining ground, the Fraternity were formed into q
circle by Col. Bigger, around the Rev. Phillip Court
ney, DR.. Dove, and Mr.. James Evans, when Dr.
Dove, in behalf of Lodge No. Sc, presented NJ. w.
b, James Evans, with magnificent jewel, as
token of their high appreciation OF his services to
that Lodge, well as to the craft at large Mr.
Evans replied in appropriate terms and returned
thanks for the high honor thus conferred upon
him.
The Dinner was very handsome affair." and the
Fraternity and their guests partook OF itwh decid-
ed RELISH after their long march beneath the seorch
ing sun, Speeches were made and sentiments civ
en-, until late hour IN the afternoon, when the
Fraternity again formed into line and marched to
the French Lodge, corner of 9th and Main Streets
having spent most agreeable day in social enjoy.