, 1864-01-09

sibility. If any man, more especially Ma
son. has ever harDored the idea that by be.
coming a Mason a man is instantly converted
from evil to good-that by the teachings
and precepts of the Order, and his connec-
ton with it, be is at once diPested Of the
vices of life, or the nature which he preyi-
ously bore-that he thereby undergoes a
moral transformation, casting off the chrys-
alis form Of vice, and emerges a full-hedged
specime, of morality and virtue, let him at
once disabuse his mind of this erroneous
impression, for an error it surely is, and one,
too, which, if tolerated by Masons even to a
limited extent, would prove subversiye of
our principles and destructive to the Order.
No man should everapproach the Masonic
threshold without some understanding of
the general principles Of the Order and the
duties which it entails upon its members
nor until, by careful and rigid self-examina-
tion into his own heart and character, he is
satisfied that he is worthy to be identified
and connected with all that is high, pure
and virtuous, and firm. conviction on his
0lon part that he can and will always strictly
live up to that standard.
1t is true, and " pity It's, It's true" that
many men are attracted within the Masonic
pale with view to the personal benefits
which they expect to gain by the connection.
1t may perhaps be harsh to denominate their
motives as selfish and mercenary; yet there
is so subtle, delicate and shadowy line of
demarkation to be drawn in order to prop
erly characterize the precise spirit by which
they are influenced, that were I to attempt
the task, should find myself wholly made
quate to its representation. This class of
men never make good Masons they fail to
accomplish or realize that which they
ed The novelty soon wears off, They do
not form correct estimate of the principles
or intentions which underlie our institution,
and, while they preserve the name, their
general department would never betray to
the world that they were Masons.
Another class of men are influenced by
the honor which they expect to receive from
their connection with the Order And
while it is true that this honor is one that
is dearly priced by Masons-one that money
will not buy, nor exalted station demand, it
is also true that by the honorable conduct of
each member, the Order becomes honored
and esteemed.
In talking Masonry, however, this class
generally excel; that is, so far as proclaim
ing to the outside world that they are Ma
sons, is concerned allowing opportunity
to escape them 20 impress this fact upon the
public miad, more especially on occasions Of
public parade, when they usually wear the
finest regaia, adorning themselves with the
various enblems and insignia of the order
the moral eachings of which they often un-
derstand bat little better than those who
have nevel crossed our Threshold This
class are tie holiday Masons, first in parade
and display, and last in work, or practical,
living interest in the order-moral drones
in the masonic hive, who like the butterfly,
Systematically exhibit their brilliant plu-
mage, and then pompously fold their wings
until some similar occasion calls them forth
again, leaving to others more humble and
less pretentious, the care and labor Of the
hive. Now, Brethren, while in the eyes of
the world, a man may and should be hon
orcd because he is Mason, (for no dishon-
orable man should ever receive the name)
yet, this fact alone is not sufficient to place
him above suspicion, reproach or censure,
or above a correct public estimation Of his
character, based upon his own life and con
duct.
Masonry is no cloak, shield or protection
for the base and unworthy, nor should its
members so regard it, and the mason who
thinks to employ it as such not only per-
verts and debases it, but, degrades himself
in the estimation of all good men,
We sometimes hear the objection raised,
especially by ladies, that Masonry is too ex-
acting, that it demands too much of its
members, that it requires them to be present
at all its meetings, and under all circumstan-
ces, sometimes even leaving their families
when their presence at home is required +;
and in refuting this error and explaining the
facts in connection with it, | necessarily
touch upon another class of Masons, differ
ing materially from those already described.
In the first charge which a Mason re-
ceives, this language is used; "And al
though your attendance &C., &C., mark you,
on no account is your family to be neglect
ed" and so far as l know anything of Ma
sonry, this charge is never varied or changed
in any respect whatever.
1t happens, unfortunately, however, that
there are some minds which are only sus-
ceptible of impressions of one-ideaism.
This class Of men, on becoming Masons,
are entirely carried away by its eztrinsic ap-
pearances and external decorations, amount
ing almost to monomania, so earnestly do
they speak Of its merits and descant upon
its beauty; and, unlike the former classes,
they are prompt, punctual and regular in
their attendance at Lodge meetings, ever
ready and jealous to $50 far as their capaei-
ties will permit share in the labors of the
craft, and this not unfrequently happens
when a thorough understanding of Masonic
principles by them, would teach them that
their place for the time was notin the Lodge,
but in the bosom Of their families, or, at
tending to their business avocations. This
class, though very jealous, are not unfre-
quently an incubus on the body of Masonry,
their misguided ardor and untempered en-
thusiasm leading them to neglect the ordi-
nary business affairs of life, involve them
selves, impair their pecuniary credit, and
vitiate public confidence, both in themselves
and in those with whom they are associated.
This class sometimes make moderately