Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-08-26
get there bt Tiigbt,
EXTRACTS FROM A MASONIC ADDRESS,

DELIVERED BY Rev. b. JOHNSON, At LoWNDEs-
WILLIE ABBEvILLE DIsTRICT, S. G., ON THE
s 24rH JUNE LAST.
:; "The mission of Freemasonry! A subject
embracing all that is profound in philosophy,
beautiful in poetry and valuable in morals, bat
fling research by its very magnitude and sub
Unity, how shall justify the presumption OF
thus hastily approaching it, Suffer me to en-
plain my arrogance, and fore-stall your criticism
by an Eastern Apologize. In the baths OF the
East perfumed clay is used for publication. A
poet is represented on one occasion, as eSpreN-
sing enthusiastic admiration at the odor OF a
lump of this clay. Alas answers the clay,
am but piece Of ordinary earth, but happen
ed to come in contact with the rose, and have
borrowed little Of its fragrance. Thus. we
have come in contact with Frecmasonry, and
though but ordinary earth, would gratefully
breathe forth to-day, according to the humble
measure OF our attainment, the fragrant spirit
of our beautiful order"
"Masonry has been defined to be the SCI
ence of morality yelled in allegory and llius!ra-
ted by symbols.n This has been its mission,
whether under the system of nature, under the
Mosaic dispensation, or now under Christianity,
VIZ. Nv SSluUUllSdl llloll w AN-~N
al truth upon the minds of nen-it is science
of moraluu that morality which springs from
love or charity and maniiests itself in peace and
Righteousness, for all else is an cmptyness and
delusion. The language in which she delivers
her oracles, is that most ancient of all known
lancuage>-svmbois In these, the first learn
inc of mankind was couched. These the an
cent philosophers used to represent truths and
A., For
rything that strikes the eye more Immediately
engages the attention, and imprnts on the
memory serious and solemn truths, Masons have
therefore universally adopted this plan OF incul-
eating the tenets Of the order by typical 1lg-
ures."t So under the Jewish economy, types
and figures were used to denote intellectual
things and moral duties. And this manner OF
teaching by signs and symbols, exhibiting
thoughts to the eye and raising corresponding
ideas to the mind, distinguishes especially the
Prophetic writings of Scripture. + And dperhaps
no book of Scripture furnishes more impress
sive example tLan the Book OF Revelation.
"The whole machinery Of the Apocalypse (Says
chinery Of the ancient mysteries" And above
ALLIE "wLo spake as never man s:paie," ack
nowledged the value of this impr essivc ian
euage in communicating moral truth. The con-
structi0n and preservation Of the symbolic Ian
puaec of Masonry, is in itself noble achieve
menl, result worthy Of all the exp snditure
OF its pcrpctua,on; Il language, through which,
despite tho endless dirclslties Of tongues itnl-
bers OF every portion of our race, may and dC
hold iraterllal communion with each other.
.The celebrated John Locke (belore his IN
itiatioll) recorded this important opinion. AN
universe. language has been much desired ny
the learned Of many ages. 1t is II thing r.'ttlel
to be wished than hoped for. But, it st ems,
MaSons pretend to have such thing among
them.- A man who has all these arts and adj
vantages is certainly to be enrcd. But we are
told this is not the case with oil MaSonS; Tor
though these arts are among them, and all have
right and an opportunity to know them, yet
some want industry and others capacity to a,:-
uuire tncm." True, but Masonry 10 where un-
dcrtakcs to furnish Jrai~S, and religion itself
often fails to overcome this wretchcd Incidence
of our fallen nature. But tie sage reelection oil
the great philosopher is simpy jacf This Is
the genius OF Masonry, that her language, like
her life is something apart from, abote, the art!-
fetal distinctions independent OF the dl-
ycrsifeI forms of thought and expression which
distinguish and divide mankind. She has
It is due to the author 10 state that THIS az
dress was hastily thrown together, upon orlei
notice, and under the pressure OF extraordinary
duti in his sacred profession.
+ preston.
Tie Prophet EZEKIEL abounds i'll the most
striking symbolism. And thus JEREMIAH torcte!ls
th. complete destruction OF his people, by break
ino in pieces Potter's vessel, (Ch. XIX and
qOears a yoke, to symbolise their approaching
bondage. (Ch. xxyil 81