Weekly Trinity journal., 1857-07-04

mankind throughout endless ages 1t has with
stood the lapse of time, the ruthless hand of igno
rance and the devastations of war, and now look
ing back through the mists of thirty centuries,
its old age shows no decreptude nor decay-no
seer or yellow leaves luttcr on the oak, but rich
foliage beauties and increases its majestic trunk
its branches spread still further and wider with
each revolving year.
In that conglomerate and condensed assem-
blage of the human family, collated from the
various sections Of an immense extent OF terrific
ry, at the bidding of the Grand Master of the
Tn iycrsc, and under the superintendent of the
wsest man Of antiquity, do we see the necessity
for, as we'll as the usefulness of our Order. The
daring impiety of our race at the Tower OF Babel
had been visited by confusion Of tongues, and
mankind, bowling in their discordant jargon,
were forced to sever from each other and form
different associations and governments. Here
now was an opportunity offered for some such So
cety as ours, to stretch to heaven an humble ap-
peal for pardon, and by humility. exemplary vir-
tue, and chaste morality, wrest away the ban
upon mankind. 1t was reserved for Masonry to
re unite in one grand brotherhood the scattered
fragments of the human family Summoned as
they were for the construction of God s own tenn
pie, the most exquisite and magnificent work of
ancient or modern times, the architects and build
ers were Afforded most excellent scope for re-
uniting the virtuous Of all nations into mystic
organization recognizable by signs words, sym
bols and tokens, known to themselves alone
Such an order, assert, was there and then formed
under the direction of King Solomon, aud the
two IIirams but it had objects in view other
than merely furnishing to these workmen the
means of recognition in fore yn lands. King
Solomon Lad conceived the idea that the orgaui-
cation Of artizans and builders who had reared
that famous fabric, might be made willing in
strumcnts and powerful agents in disseminating
truth and mighty principles 10 the dark and vast
ing world around them Before they were al
lowed to part and separate, the great organi-
cation Of Masonry was perfected, and this was the
mission with which it was charged 10 encourage
tie iJeri arts and sciences to carry to remotea
lanis and agss copyof lie moral Tar, anil to uaite
in one nm eersaI brotherhood the ,rho'e human fini-
W. 1t was grand conception, worthy of the
renowned Monarch of Israel and his noble asso-
ciates in the great work. 1t was the holy mar
riage Of religion and art, and from such glorious
consumation has flowed in rich streams nnumer-
able blessings the whole human family in
every part of the wide spread earth for more than
thirty centuries. From this grand association,
and by the conservation of virtue among us, our
Order dating so far in antiquity, is destined to
descend with increasing glory and usefulness to
remotcst postcrity.
The liberal arts and sciences, and the higher or
ders of mechanism, are the very corner stones Of
our organization. Contrast the red man in his
rude wigwam, his race almost extinct, vanishing
before the advancing tread of civilization like the
morning frost before the sun--now near famish-
ing from his inability to pursue the fleeing objects
of his chas'--a reckless mprOvident,and almost
insensate being contrast his deplorablc position
with the amenities and comforts Of becoming at
tire, intelligent association, and comfortable dwell
ling and means for rapid intelligence which en-
girt and envelope man in state of civilization.
His art, is improving mechanism, which so much
rebounds to the elevation and comfort of our
race 1t was to much extent the dissemination of
this useful and intelligent art which induced the
great organization of our Order to bind mankind
together as with baldrc OF that art which
in more modern times is plowing old ocean with
stately architecture, and rapid and complicated
machinery that art which is transmitting thought
on the lightning's wing and making The very el-
ements subseryient to our Wills that art which
has raised poor fallen man from the instincts of
the brute to the dignity of an angel, aud allies
him to Deity.
Masonry, by the genius of its organization, and
by the glory of its precepts and injunctions, has
done much to elevate and give dignity to honest
labor. From Creations dawn two hostile spirits
have warred with each other the Que Of indo-
lcnce, the other of industry. The former has been
mainly fostered and supported by arisiooratic tt
tie and hereditary wealth, bat he who tolls with
his hands, and eats the bread earned by honest
labor. has been frowncd upon by that other class
in all ages. The brawny maehinist whe bends to
utiltarian purposes the rude ores of the earth,
and the skllful architect and constructor of the
stately edifce have been ranked as inferior and
subordinate ia The scale of society. Pride, igno-
rance and Incidence have sought to rample in
the dust aud crush those who toll and labor for
their daily bread but the benlgnant spirit of Ma
sonry true to its mission, has rushed to their res
cue and sanctifed labor. 1t has caught up the
sons of toll, and impressed upon a scorniul, aris
tocratic world this healthful lesson-that labor
is honorable that lie alone possesses true heart
and noble mind whose sinews and limbs are dis
tended and made strong by invigoratng toll
Masonry is the genius Of art. and protects, cle-
Yates fosters and digniies the humble laborer
ard artizan.
Masonry means t-oh4 Far nor. ancient