The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-07-01

the conduct and motives of others, we
should do so in all char:tableness of spirit,
and be not hasty in suspicion. Before we
expose the faults of our neighbors, let Us
look into cur own hearts, and note well if
graver faults do not lie hidden there; and
be sure to pluck the mote from our own
eye before we speak too confidently of
having discovered the beam in that of
another. Meeting thus, upon platform
of mutual forbearance and concession, the
good Mason is prepared to obey the fur
Their charitable injunctions which the bond
of fraternity has placed upon him. 1t is
made his duty to be charitable to all men,
but it is his peculiar province to relieve
the wants, and alleviate the distresses of
those with whom he is more closely and
intimately connected, the brothers of the
Craft. In the hour of misfortune he
holds out to them the helping hand he
breathes to them the friendly counsel and
in their adversely he will not desert them.
When they are borne down with sickness,
though it may be in the land of the stran-
ger, he is ever ready to administer the
soothing draught; to watch by the bed
side; to inspire cheerful hope; to beguile
the tedious, wearsome hour, till they be
strong again. Or if, perchance, the hand
of death be lain upon brother. he is
there to smooth the pillow; to whisper
peace; to bid him have Faith in immor-
tality. He performs the last sad offices
Of the living to the dead, and deposits the
green sprig of remembrance in the grave
of the departed brother; but his kindly
offices do not cease even here. 1t is his
to dry the widows tears, to comfort and
sustain the orphan. These are part Of
the charitable mission of Masonry; and
to these duties should the Mason bring an
open hand, and heart overhowing with
the kindliest sympathies. How holy are
these duties, when performed with willing
spirit, and conscience void of offence to-
wards God and man!
While the practice Of comprehensive
charity is enjoined upon the Mason, he of
us, who is true to his VOWS, will never for
get that in his every action in life he must
keep in view the unwavering principles of
justice. He is taught that he must render
justice to all men, in all human dealings,
and under all circumstances. A stern and
infexible regard for the rights of others
will make him good citizen, in politi-
cal point of view, and good citizen in
all that relates to his social position and
standing. That he is to render justice to
all men does not mean merely that in
worldly transactions he must give to every
man what he owes him; it does not mean
merely that Honesty is the best policy"
It goes further, and inculcates the doctrine
that Honesty is the foundation of all con-
fidence between man and man, and that to
weaken or destroy that confidence by any
act of injustice or dishonesty is a moral
offence which should cause men to be exc
Grated and despised. 1t teaches us that
we are to observe strict integrity Of
principle which will shrink as well from
secret deception and subterfuge, as from
an overt act of wrong. The omission to
do wrong does not constitute justice, unless
accompanied by that inward sense of right
which forbids us to do wrong, when we
have the opportunity. ag q 8 sia
"All are not just because they do no wrong;
But he who ',ciU not wrong me when he
may, So 41A FIT ~ 4Jot
He is the truly just, praise not those
Who in their petty dealings pilfer not;
But him, whose conscience spurns at secret
80 fraud, M sta ilsA4
When he might plumber and defy sus2rise.
His be the praise, who, looking down with
On the false judgment of the partial herd,
Consults has own clear heart, and boldly
To be, not to be thought, an honest man. !"
1t is the aim and object Of Masonry to
nurture and cherish the affections, to ele-
vate and ennoble the sentiments, to refine
and purify the minds, and to call into ac-
tive operation all the better and holier I'M
pulses of mankind. Besides this it is con-
sistent, with the Hottest patriotism, and its
votaries need loosen no bond which relig-
ion or society claims at their hands; nay,
it teaches that to be good MasoRs,s we
must live strictly in conformity to the
laws of our country, we must be. faithful
20 the relations we bear to our kindred
and family, true TO the dictates Of con-
science, and doing good works, place our
Faith in the Hope of Immortality in a
better world.
Brethren, with you rests an important
responsibility responsibility which you
cannot escape. The Order to which you
| have plighted your vows, is one which was
| founded in the love Of right, in the hatred
Of wrong, in the practice Of virtue, in the
shunrfing of vice. Its foundation is Truth,
| its corner stone is Faith, its pillars are
/ Justice, its walls are FOrtitude, its arches
are Moral Beauty. its cap stone is Broth
erly Love; its Halls are the abode of
Christian Charity. Oh! how closely
should you watch the splendid and stately
edifce that has been reared for you by the
love and wisdom Of your ancient brothers.
How careful should you be that this bean.
teous Temple mot, made with hands" b
mot perverted to unholy uses! How faith
fully, like true sentinels. should you guard
the portals, that no evil may be permitted
/ to enter therein? What diligent workers