Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1858-08-05

N4iA't4Nas - ia A44t Nd Nt4~ A4ot ArH pir
was dedicated. the heavenly flame. Il
that period should ever come, which
we pray never may come. when within
our walls an alter shall be erected to
the unknown God, when there shall be
no recognition Of Supreme Being. or
our responsibility to His law. it will
only be when the Holy Scriptures arc
banished from the Lodge room. and
the lights of Masonry arc extinguished.
Masonry has had her trials, as well
as her triumphs. The discipline by
which she has been led thus far
through the wilderness, has but tested
her principles. Whatever her enc
mics may have written against her in
past times, we leave the vindication of
her character to those who know her
best, and have felt something OF the
blessed spirit she imparts.
In the relentless spirit that pursued
the Order in former years. there was so
much bitterness. mingled with igno-
rance; SO much political seliShness.
combined with what we believe was
really hollow profession. that the re-
suit Of all those efforts has been to es-
tablish still firmer our claim TO the
confidence and esteem of every rational
mind
The ordeal through which the insti-
tuition was compelled to pass, was
alike searching and severe Wit.
learning, and even religion were in
voled to crush it; power, patronage.
and political expediency were united
to dishonor and destroy it; but the fur
mace, however fiercely heated. was
passed in safety. while not even the
'smell of fire" is on the garments of
the faithful who walked erect through
the flames.
We believe the day of prosecutions
has passed; clearer light has disarm-
ed enmity and dispellcd prejudice.
though there are and will be, as it is
a part of the present dispensatlon,
those who can not appreciate our prin-
ciples nor sympathise with our chari
ties. The standard is too high for
them to reach, the effort too unselhsh
to attempt; hence it is, the cold. the
calculating. the mercenary. can not
understand how philanthropy expands
the heart, and baptizes the intellect.
We meet with the opposition of indif-
ference, which, like the priest and the
Levite in the parable. passed by on the
other side, leaving to the initiated the
ministry of love, to bind up the
wounds, or pour into them the oil and
the wine. They permit us to enjoy
alone the luxury of doing good. for it
would seem to be no part of their duty
to travel from Jerusalem 10 Jericho
They anticipate no rugged paths, no
peril by the way. in life's journey, AMI
are competent. they believe. to protect
and sustain themselves But how
often are they doomed to disappoint-
ment; they have no rod or staff to lean
upon as they climb the mountain or
descend into the valley. aud move too
often, we fear, where the shadows OF
death gather round them.
Our form Of government. Our whole
system Of laws. as we'll as their popu-
lar exposition, are impressed with the
learning, the integrity. and he patri-
otism of the American Mason His
mind has assisted not only in shaping,
but in giving substance to all our in
stitutions. His voice has been heard
in the national forum. and his valor
left its shining mark on the battle
field.
In every epoch Of our Republic, heI
fame, her prosperity. her glory, have
found no nobler or trucr champion
Shall We not sustain. in the Future,
what has been so proudly achieved in
the Past. and receive now a new in
spiration from its memory?
If the Old World is convulsed, lei
us not forget the heaving OF the earth
quake may yet be felt on our OWN
shores a war of caste on the banks
Of the Ganges may be, ere long, trans
ferred to the heart Of Continental Eu.
rope. When that day shall come, the
last hope of struggling Freedom viii
be our Republic. AS we preserve and
maintain constitutional liberty, am
, acknowledge the rights of man, the
, patriots of the Old World will bt
) cheered-a new vigor inspire their ef
, forts for social as well as politica
emancipation, and they will echo bacl
to Us their gratitude.
To the craft, in no humble nessur.
be it said, is entrusted the destiny 0
our beloved country. and with it, per
chance. the ultimate peace OF the world
Ii the Orient Graded our race, Europ'
beheld Its vigorous youth. but OF.
iani .,,ll u,,,uzcs ;.e Gnlliks -hco3