Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1859-01-25

render IT comparatively easy, If the prop
per course was pursued, 10 again raise
them to the high standard OF our Order.
With this end in view, and this knowl-
edge in their possession, I am happy to
state that brother Buchanan has met with
eminen1spccess in prosecuting the syS-
tenn 50 happily Introduced by brother
Pierce. Reservations with proper lodges
have been set apart for the accommoda-
lion and instruction Of all such Of oar un-
fortunate brethren as give the grand
hailing sign of distress and ask to be tn
ken in. And | can aSsGre you that
have met with several natives in the grand
lodges Of Washington and Oregon Terri
tories 0ho were eminently qualified to fill
the high position In which l am so far
honored as to be placed for second term.
1t would be unbecoming in NE to close
these remarks without some special ref
| erence to the Ilustrious Grand Seignior
OF the two hemispheres, Whang Hong
am happy 10 state that through the unit
ed efforts of our Order, and in considera-
ton of the fact that a large majority of our
people have been initiated into its myste-
ries, His Inefable Sublimity is abou, 10
open the gates Of China to our nation.-
We look forward with the ,iveliest hopes
for the good effects of this close inter
course, and scarcely entertain doubt
but that our order will have gained the
ascendancy SO far in the course of a few
years as to obtain the universal adoption
of the Oriental costume.
1t is also proper upon the present occa-
I sion to call the attention Of the brethren
to the domestic affairs Of our own lodge,
SO far as it can be done in the presence Of
the uninitiated. Within the limits Of the
United States, the imitation within the
last Oriental year Of three millions Of new
members into the mysteries of our Order
presents a gratifying pledge of It's future
strength and prosperity.
The nett receipts into the Treasury do
ring the same period, after deducting the
I salaries Of officers and the expenses Of
the lodge police, amounts to the handsome
sum of SIX hundred and ninety-seven
/ thousand eight hundred and forty-three
dollars and thirty-two and three-fourths
cents, thus swelling the quarterly divi-
dcnds three and one-quarter per cent
OF the disbursements for charitable pur-
poses, amounting IN the gross to one
hundred and thirty seven thousand three
hundred and ninety two dollars and seven
cents, only one fifteenth of one per cent.
has been applied 20 the relief Of brethren,
thus exhibiting one Of the most forcibe
illustrations Of the benign influences of
the mysteries of our Order upon the tenn
poral prosperity of its members. AS in
past ages, we have been subjected to the
Misrepresentation and SANDERS of the ig-
norant and malicious and | regret 20
state, in this connection, that there are
certain persons in this community vino
are so far devoid of that high-toned self
respect (Which l am Happy to believe is
not in all cases peculiar TO the members
of our Order as to make 4 public boast
that they have by sinister means, such as
climbing trees and peeping thro' cracks,
witnessed certain portions Of our sublime
mysteries. | mention this subject from
the purest motives Of philanthropy, and
beg to assure all persons Of this character
that the prudence, caution and wisdom
which have preserved the secrets Of our
Order involate through the darkest ages
of persecution, will not Surrender them
into the hands Of common eaves-droppers
/ The Eyanic rites are so perfectly con-
trived for this purpose that were il posi-
ble for a stranger TO witness the whole
ceremony Of imitation at distance, and
without instruction, he would be unable
at It's close to comprehend Il, meaning or
application Of the first sign or symbol 50
that those who endeavor TO gain info-ma-
ton in this surreplitious manner are GER
tain to acquire the character Of spies and
eaves-droPpers, without a possible chance
Of benefuing themselves or injuring US.
In this enlightened day, when every
tub stands on its own bottom, and the
characters Of men are judged By their in
dividual actions rather than by the creeds
which they profess, it can scarcely be ne
cessary to say that it would be an act Of
injustice to hold Us. as a society, respon-
sible for the individual character CT every
member Of our Order, and equally un-
Just to single ont such Individual members
as as may have rendered themselves OBJ
noxious 70 the charge OF being unpleasant
neighbors, or bad citizens, for the purpose