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

ted to King Solomon from then till the
birth of Christ, they were dedicated to
Zerrubabel, a prince of the house Of Ju-
dab, who was mainly instrumental in build
ing the second Temple. After the birth
of Christ. Lodges were for period dedi-
Gated to ST. John the Baptist, in honor of
his mission and his virtues. He was the
forerunner of the Savior. His was the
voice, crying in the wilderness, to tell of
the coming of that Lamb Of God whose
blood should wash away the sins Of the
world! John the Baptist was man who
stood upright before the world, who passed
his life in doing good, setting an example
of virtue in his conduct, and reproving
vice in whatever form he saw it surround
ing him, and who was at last beheaded by
the order of Herod, Tetrarch Of Galillee,
because he reproved his licentiousness.-
Ninety-fve years after the birth of Christ,
ST. John the Evangelist, who had just re-
turned from the island of Patmos, where
he had been banished during the latter part
Of the reign of the Emperor Domitian,
became the patron of Masonry. He held
the inspired pen which wrote the Book of
Revelations, and by his example and teach
ings made many proselytes to Christianity,
reaping the abundant harvest, of which
the seeds had been sown by John the Bap-
fist. After the decease of st. John the
Evangelist, Masonic Lodges were dedica-
ted to both the Saints John, and so con-
tinue to the present time.
No man can become Mason unless he
believe in the existence Of the GREAT
BUILDER Of the Universe, the Supreme and
Intelligent Ruler of all created things
The Mason is taught to walk in the divine
light of inspiration cleaning from the
pages of Holy Writ. In our Lodges that
Book Of Truth is never closed. The vir-
tues it inculcates, Masons are taught to
practice the vices it condemns, we are
warned to avoid. 1t must be admitted,
therefore, that the order of Masonry is
closely allied to Religion and Christianity;
holding forth as it does, to its members,
the Holy Bible as exhibiting rule Of mo-
raj conduct, and claiming for its patrons
the two Saints John, of whose works |
have briefly spoken, and whose virtues it
strives to initiate; how an opinion could
have gained belief that it is founded in, or
tends to irreligion, is more confess, than
can attempt to fathom.
need not relate to you the later history
of Masonry, in order to show that its char
acter is not inimical to our duties as citi-
zens or as Christians. An order boasting
an antiquity beyond that of any other hui
man institution now in existence, and
which has held its position in the world
amidst all changes, must have in its COM
position and nature, something essentially
and intrinsically good. While dynasties
have risen and become extinct, while EN-
pires have aourished and passed away, and
the proudest monuments Of age after age
have crumbled into dust, time has but i'm
parted new lustre to Masonry, and each
succeeding year has added to it enduring
strength. 1t has outlived the prosecutions
of Kings it has survived the prejudices
of bigots its altar fires continue to burn
clearly and brightly, unextinguished by
the breath of popular calumny, which has,
at some periods of its history, blown so
fiercely against them
Why is it that Masonry has thus sus-
tanned itself, and has become spread abroad
to the uttermost ends of the earth? 1t is
simply because it is based upon Truth and
Charity-and those principles are eter-
nal. Were it founded in delusiOn and err
ror, long since would it have mouldered
into decay; no matter what amount oil
power and influence a temporary prosper
ity might have given it, that power would
have waned, and that influence would have
melted away, like the unsubstantial morn
ing vapor before the MONDAY sun. In
stead of this being the case, it has, after
passing through every ordeal to which il
has been subjected, come forth stronger
brighter and purer. The clouds have
passed away. and it shines forth in ar
efulgence whose briIliancy we trust and
believe shall know no setting. Well may
we exclaim,F n ~ =, 3rs,u s. -.
"Truth crushed to earth, will rise again
TIL eternal years of God are hers
But Error, wounded, writhes in pain,
lssia And dies, amid her worshipers. 50
l. Masonry has its motto Faith, Hope
i and Charity ,''--Abut the greatest of these
is Charity" Taken in its most compre
hensive sense, it is strong bond of union
Throwing aside the narrow feelings and
prejulices which divide sects, parties AND
4 ,creeds,i it embraces under its broad -Kgis
the whole human. family !. il teaches Us t.
regard all mankind il 'brotherly spirit
keeping in mind the precept that we arr
to love our neighbor as ourself; for is i
; not written, HE hath made of one bloot
all nations Of men, to dwell upon the fac,
: OF the cart" And in view of the uni
versatility of masonry, the true Mason is ;
:. true cosmopolite, and should be able II
q say with the poet ss.The world is, my coun
! try-ny, nduhtfylhen, mankind Hence
: sharitahae and forgiving spirit sheqh
: characterissOur intercourse with the werlt
3 at large; we should be mindful and watch
) 'ful of our own conduct, that no thought
| lessness on our part may wound the feel
: ings of others, and that no act of our
may unjustly injure them In judging Q