Weekly Trinity journal., 1857-07-04


surate with the space of our globe. 1t embraces
within its ample and fraternal folds the human
being of every language and hue, locality and
social state. The swarthy Egyptian, emerging
from the gloomy architecture that sleeps on the
banks of his native Nile, recognizes and embra-
ces n brother under the shadows of ST. Pauls, in
the heart Of London and so the Nomadic Arab
travelling away from his Aeet-iootcd camels and
his arid deserts, demands and receives susie
nance and protection from the rough clad woods
man on the banks of our own Mississippi. Once
entered within the sacred precincts of our holy
and mystic Order, ana a mysterious and holy
tie links and binds each member, regardless OF
space or climate 1t is gratifying reflection to
those of our Order who are familiar with its his
tory that much of the urhanity and amenity
generally attributable to ancient chivalry may
be traced directly to that generous emulation
and kindness which flows from the institution OF
Masonry The burly Richard of England, with
his lion heart, was ever ready to be courteous to
the leaders of the Saracen forces, and amid the
frequent truces which characterised the contests
over the Scpulehre Of our Saviour, Saladan, aud
the mighty King Of England oft met in chivalrlc,
and fratcrnal, perhaps Masonic Commune. In
the unwritten annals of Masonry are to he found
all the amenities and kindnesscs extended by
foreign princes towards each other. 1t was the
tie of Masonry alone that bound to acts Of mercy
and justice the respective warriors of Europe
and Asia in these prolonged and bloody conflicts
AS We descend in the history of our Order to
more modern times, the more numerous and
more manifest are the demonstrations Of its beau
ties and usefulness, and its good effects upon
mankind. An instance of most noble and unpar-
allelcd magnauimity of recent date now flashes
upon my memory. 1t was not many years since
that portion of country now embraced within
the territory of the United States was the scene
of a most rcmorslcss and violent struggle in arms,
a numerous and well caparsoacd army from II
neghbouring Empire was sweeping over that
country with carnage, distress, and destruction
in its train. The leader of that army had foatcd
in blood from his earliest years and knew no mcr-
cy to his foe, for he had been tuorcd in the
bloody school of barharous warfare. \ small
torous march, until driven to the very wall, de-
tcrmined now to stake their all on the hazard Of
last and forlorn battle. That battle was fought,
n second Marathon the most brilliant of modern
times The proud foe bit the dust, and its naughty
and merciless leader was fleeing away in disguise
Upon his trail was heard the frantic shouts Of the
victorious and pursuing sodery, smarting to re-
venge the wrongs Of dasolated fields and butch
cred friends and kinsmen The Dictator of Mex
ico BUNDLED and trembling for his very exist
ence was brought before the hero Of San Jacinto.
About him were flashing the glanccs of infuri-
atcd men who clamorcd for sacradce to the
names Of murdered brother or father, or dis
honorcd sister. Each Of that brave Texan army
had his wrongs, and all demanded the life of their
illustrious though merciless prisoner. 1t is not
for me to say by what particular means a secret
sympathy between two leaders Of hostile armies,
who had never met before, was developed. 1t is
net for me to say how man Of dark battle deeds
was rescued from the just wrath of an infurlated
and victorious soldiery, Suffice it to say that the
wrongs and horrors of Goliad, and the Ala
mo were for the moment forgotten the rules
Of honorable warfare were enforced and the life
of Santa Anna was preserved. Masonry is vital
and springs triumphant above the horrors Of a
battle field even 1t inculcates brotherhood and
friendship even among the bittercst foes, and
amid the most violent aud rcmorsolcss alterca-
tions.
Among its many distinguishing characteristics
must particuarise that of equality. The inso
lence and ambition of our race ha, inflicted upon
us most invidious and irritating distinctions that
ascend in gradations from the poor slave whose
limbs are lascerated by calling fetters. to the
purpled Emperor whose nod is death, and whose
smile is existence. But there is no title nor po-
siton however elevated, that will afford a pass
port across our sacred ycstibule, there is no sta
tion however degraded in the worlds eye, that
excludes the virtuous man from the benefits Of
our honest craft. One Of our emblems, the badge
and the jewel of the Senior Warden in all our
Lodges, continually reminds us of our equality
" that we are all descendants Of the same ances-
try--partake Of the same nature-share the same
hope" and that no eminence Of station should
make us forget that we are brethren that he
who is placed on the lowest spoke Of fortune 3
wheel may be entitled to our regard, because the
time will come, and tAe wsest knows not how
soon, when all distinctions but that OF goodness
shall cease and death the grand leveler Of human
greatness, reduce us all to the same state. 1t is
the internal not the external qualifications of
the man, which Masonry regards 1t is the
manhood Of the hcart-the God essence OF vir-
tue alone that knocks at our discriminating por-
tails and passes the scrutiny Of our faithful sent-
nes. But when the entrance is once effected,
the scrf and the king-tlie humblcst artizan and
the Presidont-ihe merchant prince and the vcpi-
est tar that ever WALKED j * ese ca ;bA sane