, 1864-01-09

and with their mystic ceremonies, cut from the stur
dy oak the mstletoe-the emblem Of Immortality
which forms necessary part Of the Masons belief
and faith.
Astronomers may assert, and we must admit that
the procession Of the equnOXes has carried our feast
backwards several days in the lapse Of centuries and
progress of cycles but this, while showing the CORE
sp0ndence of system demOnstr es also the great
antiquity of the institution And as this timehonored
custom has been handed down to us from ages so re
mote that the pen Of the historian seeks in vain for
its origin or inception, as has been practiced and
observed by the craft for many generations so we,
on the return Of each Winter SOlstce assemble to.
gether to commemorate the memories of our distn-
gnished Patron Saints, TO strengthen the bonds of
fellowship, to unite hearts by the mystic cement
OF brotherlY love- relief and truth and to enjoy those
innocent pleasures which only MasOns know how to
properly appreciate, reciprocate and enjoy. Thus
answer the question, Why are we here to-day?
But what is Masonry
To answer this question in detail, to answer it
truthfuly and satisfactorily to myself, would
require more time than could be reasonably employed
in an ordinary address, and more knowledge of the
subject than l claim to possess; but in my humble
shall endeavOr briefly and plainly to notice
some of its leading principles.
Masonry, originally, was both operative and specu
latve-or, in other words, it was not only a school
of instruction in geometry and architecture, con-
nected with the rules of science but of practical
experience in the execution of those sublime archec
tural designs which still stand-the wonder and adj
mration of even the present progressive age. In
connection with this, it was also school for moral
which quality or pfuclp6 SJ remains one or the
leading traits of the Organzation and here venture
the assertion that more perfect, consistent and
harmonious system of moral ethics ever was invented
or laid down than nculcated and taught in the creed
and precepts Of Masonry.
Let us bray examine some few of its leading prin-
ciples and if am not borne out in my assertion
We will first notice one of the prerequisites to be-
coming Mason n man can become a Mason who
is not a firm believer in the One Almighty God; for
without this belief man would not only become free
moral agent in the unrestraned sense Of the word,
but being held in check by no higher power than the
fear of physical punishment, which would follow
violation of the laws of the land from the fact that
he recognized superior power, no law but that Of
necessity which, through fear Of consequences com
pes him to conduct himself with certain degree Of
recttude, obligation would be held as binding by
him. and from this fact alone he could never cross
the Masonic threshold
Masonry further requires to act upon the square,
which is fgurativey the representation of that Cold
en- Rule Whatsoever ye would that others should do
unto you, do ye even unto them; to keep tongue
of good report maintain secresy and practice char
ity.n 1t teaches us never to mention the name Of
God but with that reVerentia awe which is due from
the creature to the CREATOR to esteem Him as our
chief good, and implore bis aid in all our audable
undertakings.
Another prerequisite to admission is, that man
must be possessed of a good moral character and
we're it possible that this rule could be strictly
forced and carried out, the Order would never have
cause to blush for the unworthy conduct of its mem
hers To iudoe infaihly of human character, to
stand and analyze all its mainsprlngs Of action,
could only be done by the unerring knowledge and
understanding of God himself. No human mind IS
Tins ofted-nO human power can discriminate De-
tween the good and pad, the pnre and impure ana
Ar ar 5Rg and and Tegd59955o 595oMS oa aS ana M
political corrupt men are found whose conduct casts
the stigma of suspicion and reprOach upon all with
whom they are associated. The world is prone to
Judge of any cause by the conduct of its vOtaries
disciples and often condemn the institution Of what
ever cast or order for the conduct Of its individual
members. And especially is this the case with Ma
sonry: and, brethren Of the mystic tie, tell you that
to this cause alone--the admission of bad material
is 10 be attributed those results which naturally pre-
iudice the public mind against the institution. The
man who understands Masonry, who loves it. and is
governed by its laws and precepts thinks not of him
self Alone in his conduct and intercourse with man.
kind but constantly bears in mind the fact that not
only his personal character and reputation at stake
but that all with whom ne connected must bear the
disgrace and odium of bis misconduct. The world is
prone to condemn rather than to approve and while
but very little credit is awarded to any organization
by the mertOriOus acts of one Of its individual mem
bers, the other hand, it is ready to condemn the
whole organization for the unworthy base conduct
Of one single man.
Although in Masonry we are taught to
subdue the passions, yet, under some certain
peculiar or aggravating circumstances, men
lose sight of and for the moment forget all
moral restraints and obligations, and plunge
madly into the vortex of ungovernable pas
sion-frenzy for the time usurping the king
dom of reason and reigning in wild, impetu-
Gus madness. This is human nature-nor
will all the restraints of civil law, the regu-
lations of society or the moral teachings of
the Bible suffice to prevent it. Can it then
be expected that the obligations of Masonry
are so powerful as to throw an insurmounta-
BILE barrier or restraint upon the actions and
passions of all its members and under all
circumstances And, admitting this, should
every institution, as a whole, be judged
strictly and entirely by the conduct of afew
of its members Justice would surely de-
termine otherwise, and so should mankind
1t may be said where such cases exist, purge
yourselves of the unworthy, cut them off
from among you-shOw to the world that
you are what you profess to be, and that
those who transgress your laws mustpay the
penalty of their bad conduct.
But hold While this mode of procedure
is not only advisable, but actually necessary
in some cases, there are many others in which
it would effect more harm than good-not to
the Order, perhaps, but to the individual
1t is far better, by the gentle influences Of
good example, fraternal admonition and mild
discipline, to reclaim the erring, than at one
blow thrust them forth as outcasts, and say
to them by the act, Z" you are past redemp-
ton and unworthy any effort on our part to
reclaim you" This would not be in har-
mony or consistency with that charity
which is at once the Mason's duty and his
pride.
If finger or a limb be diseased, does not
the skillful surgeon exhaust all his resources
in attempting its cure before he proceeds to
amputatiOn-to entire dismemberment? And
should not this treatment, sanctioned alike
by Divine, physical and civil law, govern
such organizations as ours And, this point
admitted, the world should study principles,
and take the general conduct of Masons as a
test of Masonry, rather than condemn it for
the unworthiness of few
Masonry never was designed to be refor-
matory in its practical workings; but, under
certain circumstances, it may be and is re-
clamatory. BY reformotory mean that it
is not designed or expected to make the bad
man good; for the experience of mankind
throughout the long ages of human exist