Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-01-12

tleS have thelr festivals, and Masons in inita- ting, general custom. have continued through successor of centuries to celebrate the auni- Versarles ot their em, eut patrons with zeal and enthusiasm. The Greeks had their O!ymnc games; the Romans, their Satlunaiia, their sacred Natat and funeral games. Before the knowledge oi ietlers became generally known among men, ",s custom was necessary to preserve the re- collection of eventiul periods in the history of nations, and although the knowlcdgs of le,ters by means of the art of printing, Is now widely dlttused, and has, in a great degree rendered unnecessary, such celebrations and vet. when kept within reasonable limits, they are of ser vice to refinement, knowledge and virtue. The concourse ot individuals collected on such occasiohs, mngle their sympathies and glow with one general sentlment-even religion catches new inspiration when multtudes are pouring out their thanksgiving and praise to the Lord of Heaven and earth
 | The history of our institution, for period of centuries is involved in ooscurity from the Christian era until its introduction into Great Britain which s fixed by some writers at the year 674 A. o. As old records prove that many Gothic buildings were erected bv men in com panies, who styled themselves free, and who were governed by their own laws and regula tons, while others are of opinion that the insti- tuition of the order Is derived from a combina- ton of people who agreed not to work without an advance of their wages. Thi, is presumed to have been the case in the reign of Edward the third, who directed the sheritfs to assist in re- building and enlarging the castles, as also the church and chapel of St. George, at Windsor. As already promised, the origin of Masonry is traced from the creation.
 | Brother Preston, in his treatise on the order. pub h Sha in C Era began and harmony displayed it's charms. our order has had being He also supposes its | introduction into England prior to the Roman invasion. The remains of works of architecture of stupendous character gives as convincing evidence of the existence of our order in Eng land, at that early period.
 The Druds, 1t Is said, had many customs similar to Masons and it is said derived their government from celebrated patron of the order Caesar and other Roman generals en. couraged the order in Britain by building many magnificent buildings, as also dld the celebrated St. Albans; the first celebrated as a martyr for his Christian faith in Britain.
 The progress of Masonry was unfortunately interrupted by invasion and it was not until the introduction of Christianity, and the arts that Masonry began to flourish in a greater or less degree, untl the establishment of a lodge at York, Tn the year 926, by Edwin, brother to King Athelstane, who obtained d charter from Athelstane. By virtue of that charter all the Masons in the kingdom were assembled, and Grand Lodge was established for the future go- vernment ot the fraternity. Kings and Princes were initiated, aud the restitution derived the | appellation of Ancient York Masons From that period down to the present tune the history ot the Institution is we'll known to the reading f ft,, tf,.r, | .s ted; and ir the different periods of it's history subsequent to its establishment al York. Many grand works oi architecture had been erected by thc order hch < tew centuries ago was of inuci more operative to.m thuu al the present dav.
 Those tools and implements used bv opera tive na5onsIn constructing Inaterla. edltices, are uoN usea by Us as speculative masoIs to i'm press upon our mldS, wise and serious truths, illustrative Of tenets and principles We profess The impressions made Iron the heart aye cal cniated to increase the svciaj virtue, by the les soro taught Us ot morality and brOtherly love-
 There Is a prevailing curiosity existing iu the minds of the initiated t. know the secrets of our tlme horored institution, al is summed up into the query, What is Masonry aud W hat are her sacred principles, and boasted secrets?' To satisfy the enquirer would say read our monitors for knowledge of our principles and you will find brotherly love- relief, and trut h.. To be the tenets of our profession, with the car dnal virtues Temperance, Fortitude, Pru l dence and Justice, in the first degree; whilst | secrecy, that truly commendable virtue, is strong y enjoined, and as we proceed additional virtues strongly inculcated, showing the foun- datlon upon which our stately fabric is erected. We may mention that integrity to each other | nl, IL I charity, are duties enjoined on Masons: and a study of the liberal arts and sciences so we'll calculated to polish and adorn the mind, an recommended to our consideration, and at the climax of blue Masonry, the third degree, many other Masonic duties are enioined, some of which are not proper to be mentioned self evident to the worthy recipient of the cementing power of Masonry in preserving peace and har- mony ln her portals, and showing good will to men.
 In the various degrees in Masonry there are imposing ceremonies of no recent invention. and ot traditional origin and cannot fail to impress upon those to whom they are communicated the mark of inspiration.
 Thus far we can proceed in communicating a knowledge of Masonry but an acquaintance with our ancient ceremonies, and our tokens of recognition can only be communicated in a lawful manner.
 Our institution has met much opposition on account of its secrecy; but, were our secrets made known to the world, and the sanctitv of our temples invaded by the profane Masonry would lose the charms its mysteries possess. And we could find abundant proof in Holy Writ to prove secrecy commerdable virtue
 There has been time within the history of our country. when Masonry was silently per- forming her devotons around her sacred ltars. and drawing her grand designs from the great Masonic Trestle Board for the construction of her Grand Mystic Temple, when she was un. suspechngly attacked by hybrid combination of persecution, opposition and threatened annih- iatlon of the order; who unworthy wished to possess themselves of her secrets but Masonry rlgldiy ao hered with fidelity to her trusts, when the inturated combination seemed almost to deprive her of her vitality, at least for a time, but by the strong grasp of her Divine principles she was raised to position beyond the reach of | her murderous assailants
 Masonry is truly conservative institution. rlgidly adhering to the time honored landmarks handed down from the days of Solomon, and are considered as beyond the power of man to make innovation or change. Governments may change, radcallsm may have its sway in bring Ing about hoasted reforms for remod cling socie- ty. But Masonry, like religion, stands upon a foundation as immovable a, the rock of ages.- Masons profess to be warm admirers and gallant defenders ot the gentler sex, and many trifne foasons have been gwen them, why they are not admitted into the order, and 1t has been unJustly sad, because woman could not keep a secret This is as unjust to he sex as false to the order. NO evasion ,oi the true reason Is neces- sary. One of our landmarks torbids it. While adaptive Masonry IS given to he wives and daughters ot Masons, a means of communi- eating her right to the protection and charity o the order, 1t is to be hoped that no modern doctrine of woma,'s rights will induce her te claim the right to be Mason, for as Masous we believe that the woman who has good Masor for husband has her share of woman,s rights
 The unsuccessfulness of your speaker. thus far, in addressing the ladies, induces him to ap proach this subject with hesitation, but hope in the future, he may be more successful: ant hopes that ere long he may be able to carry hi
 Masonic doctrine of woman's rights into effect