Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-12-19
Inhuauca of Masonry.


The singular fidelity of the Major Gene
rails in the American service, in the war oi
the Revolution, to their illustrious chief,
and to each other, with but one exceptios
conduct so unusual in revolutions, re
the principles of loyalty is of course weak
and unsettled, is explained by the fact that
all were Masons Their constancy and al ION.
promoted as it was by the influence OF
Masonry, greatly contributed to the success
full issue of struggle the most memorable
the world aas-seen, and history fails TO hsaa
: fk1e Invisible agency. Masonry has been
power beneath the surface for so many
| centuries, and has been so widely diffused,
that we should naturally expect to find some
traces of its general history. 1t does not,
however, stand prominently forth in any his
rory, but comes in incidentally, to explain
some important fact to correct some impOr-
/ tant assumption, to throw some problem in
| h lmGn affairs. The studentin Masonic lore,
in turning over the pages of history, will oc-
casionally meet with fact, incidentally To-
ticed, of little significance to the world, but
to him of great value, as explaining some
event of hitherto insoluble mystery Hence
its influence
THE CARDINAL VIRTUES.
treemasonary very prominently se's forth,
for our esteem AID practice, the Clrdin.
Virtues. Let US leave for time, the usual
definitions of these as our lecturers now give
them and look at them through the lens Of
the writings of that most learned of the Ro-
mans, the immortal Cicero. And first in his
order, let US see what he says Of PRUDExcE.
THE proper Office of prudence" SAYS he,
lis the searching and finding out the truth.
And he who best perceiyes the truth in ev-
/ uUn MT fN hoa acfn o1 fhn -
prudent man" How appropriate the detail
y tiQn of Prudence to FreemasoLrvl T. ath is
the very end of all the science of Fr, ema-
sonry, and by enforcing the practice of this
Cardinal Virtue, it takes direct care that its
votaries shall search, and by searching find
} out the truth. 1t is grave mistake t. sup
pose that imitation makes the Freemeson.-
+ The preparation in the heart is necessary
: first of all Without that foundation, there
7 is nothing wbereon to build the knowledge
e of Freenasonry But he who is prepar Ell
a is ever inquiring, ever searching after the
r truth The Cardinal Virtue, Prudence, there
f fore, is most important one for the Free
c mason to practice, and wisely does FTeema-
e sonry inculcate i. In the order of Cicero
d the Cardinal Virtue, JUSTICE, is placed next
e which he calls the mistress and queen of al
n the virtues the very brightest Of them all
l. and holds to be Of rare attainment Among
W the Greeks, he says, we hear of but one Az
1t istides, surnamed the JUST Justice look.
il only to itself for its reward. In its very ma
IS ture it can know neither friend nor foe
er There is no greater reward for Just action
,r tlNn It is Just. If we mean to be 1st in GU
lie actions we must be so, fearless of conSeqGen
ces. We agree with Seneca when he say
: that man would lose his reputation Fl
to goodness, rather than sacrifice his conscience
as Freemasonry, as every brother kEogs, I
TX careful to commend this virtue to the stric
ie observance Of every Son of Light. The mex
IN Cardinal Virtue, according to Cicero, is kor
I'd titude, which he defines to be of tw fold ia
r ture. The one consisting in a despi,in
er of external advantages, when these ,oph:s
with the demands Of honor and justicn, an
st the other in the endurance Of labor and III
er risking of danger, when great AMI us,f,
lis deeds are required of u.s. however ardl)us
Y, Fortitude, however, is far removed frJf
rit rashness, than which nothing can be so foo
Id ish TO run into danger to show our Fort
tudes is raShness-is folly; but to meet an
Ill overcome danger, when it opposes US, is tn
Id part of the wise. Forttude may be exhi
tn ted in domestic, as well as public life Ir
Id deed, it is as much homely as it is mi!
tary virtue. In the affairs of life, it keeT
be JUS steady in purpose and impregnable
he principle. In the sffAirs of Freemasonrr
} a? it preserves us from the seductions Of all il
in novators, however g eat their pretcntion
and unterrified by the clamors ofther follow
re- ers. Its Importance to the Freemason is we
es, set forth and illustrated in the ritual of tt
Society. Lastly, as Cicero places i, is Il
fo7 Cardinal Virtue TEMPERANCE Temperate
as he says, is the moderation of all the emotion
in of the mind, restraining from lust, nor pc
tly mitting indulgence in any empty pleasures
be giving peace of mind, and advising us 10
lin reasonable in our pursuit or avoidance
fe- business in it is to be found self respeC
he modesty, eveness of temper, and mo1.rafi.
h of all things. And in this moderation
Ter places all the happiness of this life. No'
ice SO great is the regard of Freemasonarj f
SO this Cardinal Virtue, that in most of o
dol manuals it is placed first in order of arrane
she ment, if not in degree. The Free mason
led exhorted, at every step, to be moderate
'ed his DESIRES counting at their true valle q
ife- things of This world, for he is tiught to lo
bot onward and upward to a Celestial Lod
led above, where he shall obtain rest from b
fell labors, in temple not made with hant
rn- eternal in the Heavens Temperance, Or
a.. dence Fortiiude and Justice, and therefr
fal well named the four Cardiuai Virtues.-E
ing change
.