Weekly Trinity journal., 1857-07-04


crush and destroy those fictitious distinctions and
conventionalites which envelope and lascerate
the hearts of the poor, the honest and the virtu-
Gus, in their humble walk through life On this
principle Masonry untcs men of every country,
sect and opinion, and conciliates true friendship
among those who might otherwise have remained
at perpetual distance.
The broad mission of Masonry is to do good
the whole world is its sphcre--a universal bro
therhood its aim. Notwithstanding its grand and
holy mission Notwithstanding the purity of its
votaries, Masonry has at no time been free from
studied Misrepresentation and persecution, 1g
norancc, malice superstition, q perverted rel.
gious and political zeal have continually warred
with Masonry from its very foundation. In Eu-
rope particularly, was it doomed to undergo
variety of malignant prosecutions from the un-
founded fears and jeaousies of few dcspotic
rulers, aud the dcep-rooted superstition aud big
otry of religious fanatics Even in the free and
enlightened government of the United States
Masoary once had its dark day--when it was al
most a crime to be member of the Order Many
here will collect the Morgan excitement, and
the charges that men heaped upon the Order in
connection with his name. But Masonry has out
/ lived her enemies and calumniators, and at this
day her star, sill in the ascendant, shines with
undimncd radiance throughout all portions of
human society. In this country, at this timc no
obstclcs are offered to the diffusion of the bcne
violent principles of our Order, except from
few Liberal and mschevious persons, who are
ever ready to condemn that which they do not
understand. or which they cannot comprehend,
Such persons will assert and myself have
heard it, that Masonry has political objects in
! view that our Order is nothing more nor less
than political organization while others OF u
like character will condemn us because we have
some bad men amongst us. Such assertions in
the presence of intelligent Masons will only pro
duce q feeling Of pity and contempt for the g-
norance or malice Of him who dares to utter
them. 1t would be presumption in me to attempt
to defend our institution that has stood so long II
monument of antiquity and renown- whose great
light aud foundation is the Bible whose patrons
and supporters have been the great and good Of
every age and generation of the world. | shall
not attempt to defend Masonry from any asper-
sion that may ever have been thrown upon it it
needs no defence Yet few words in eXplana-
ton Of any seeming political complexion may
not be out Of place, particularly as organised
secret political societies known to exist
among us. The earliest writ regulation of
our English brethren on this subject cXtant, is in
these words: We are also of all nations, kin
dred and tongues, and we are resolved against
all politics as what never yet conduccd to the
benefit Of the Lodge, nor never winp From
time mmemorial the exclusion of politics from
our Lodges has been strictly enjoincd and at the
present day it is considered an indispensable
condition in their government. We behold
around us organised societies. claiming to be
secret and protesting to be bound by solemn
ceremonies Now would not by word or insn
uaton cast suspicion on any secret society in
the country. They may all be founded on honest
sincere, and benevolent designs, but wish it to
be distinctly understood that they do not belong
to the Order of Freemasonry, which Is of ancient
standing independent, and utterly disconnected
with all other societies whatever. The tcnes we
profess are published to the world-wc claim to
by the principles Of any other organization which
may initiate us in titles or eXtcrnals, yet to whom
we are utter strangers Ours is not political
institution, and should any applicant believe
that the craft are the exponent Of political views
or principles he would soon find himself most
wofully mistaken. 1t is true that many Of the
most emenent politicians and Statesmen of all
parties Of our country, are numbered amongst
the most constant and exemplary Of our mem
bcrs-bnt this only shows that there is no incom-
palability for our brethren to exercise opposite
political opinions, and at the same time maintain
mutual concord and esteem, on the neutral ground
Of Freemasonry. The monster of party politics
has been forever kept without our sacred halls.
Within the past few years the war Of contention
has been heard around us religious denomna-
tions and churches have been dsmembcrcd and
broken up by The agitations Of yexed questions
of governmental policy. AT one time even the
/ government itself seemed tottering from the wild
excitement and bitter dissenson Of the different
political parties-but the hydra-headed monster
dared not invade our sanctuariesl " There is no
/ North nor South in .Masonry." Mason and
| Dixons line lies between us and all other secret
societies" Masonry only is political so far as it
requires its children to be quiet and peaceable
citzens--true and loyal to the government in
which they live. Thus far and no farther is Ma
sonry political. Washington, the immortal Wash
ingion, the pride and the glory Of one of the
proudest nations OF the earth, the father of his
country, was Mason, not merely formal OBJ
server of its requirements, but a Jealous and ar
dent votary Of its principles. What nober vim
dication could We have of our objects, aims and
gnds can that fellowship he without merit