The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1865-01-27
No. sLtj.


Surely, profaning the sncrcd name of
Deity, intcmpernncc, defrauding my
man of his just rights, are evidences
against any Mason that he knows not
the most valuable secret uf the order.
In the langliage of Inspiration, "The
secret of the Lord is with them that
fear Him, and He viii show him His
covenant. SO, ! say, the secret of
Freemasonry is with them that keep
and perform it's vosss.
1T TEACHES ORDER AND st'poRDrSAr1oN.
The organization and government
of a Lodge exhibit the most perfect
model, both of republican equality and
n strict surbordination of the members
to lawful authority, that was over de-
vised by man. The Master is clothed
with ample powers to preserve order,
to enforce the law, but owing to the
admirable distribution of powers and
duties among his associates and sub
ordinates in ofhcu every member is
protected against any abnsc or excess
of authority by the head of the Lodge.
There is efficiency and yet no oppres-
sion, owing to the balance of powers:
there is equality htiiong the members,
and yet the prerogative of the Master is
perfectly protected. George Washing
ton, the Commander-in-chiuf of the
American Army, visiting Lodge and
taking his seat rs a private member,
when it was presided over by common
soldier, is happy instance of the per-
fiction of organization which can pre-
serve and harmonize the ideas of sub
ordination with freedom, obedience to
constituted authorities with equality
on the level Of our common humanity.
LIMITED no THE Ms.E sen. n
One word on this subject, before /
close, is due to the ladies who have
favored lis with their presence this
evening. 1t can scarcely be necess-
AIRY to do more than state fact or
two bearing on this topic. There are
many purposes of eminent utility for
which men may and must meet
without woman's help. The society
of Freemasons was originally guild
of operative masons and architects,
and their labors were masculine exs
clusively. Manly strength was requis-
lite to handle the trowel, the spade,
the common gavel, the chisel and
mallet. The needle and distaff are
the implements and symbols Of wo-
mans labor. In the domestic sphere,
lin the home, woman is queen by di-,
vino right Har rights, honor and
happiness arc Jealous,s - .
invasion by the fundamental principles
of the institution It is one of the
first lessons that candidate learns,
that peculiar Difference, honor and
sympathy shall be shown to her. But
woman is debarred from our meet
ings because it would ieopardize her
interests and the reputation of the in
stitution if mixed assembly Of both
sexes were to meet i'll q secluded hill,
whose door is guarded BY sentinel
with drawn sword But woman can
trust her Father, Brother, Husband
and Son. 1t would be preposterous
to suppose on tor fear that she lacks
confidence in those to whom she
sistains those near ami holy rela-
tons. Woman delegates hsr powers
as voter, legislator; she can trust her
representatives at the ballot-box, III
Legislative halls, and on the field Of
battle when they go forth to fight
for their country, and from which the
private soldier and the General of
Division come home from scores of
battle-fields covered with scars and
manned for life, but crowned with
undying laurels by n grateful country;
woman can trust her happiness and
honor to her brothers with whom she.
has common interest; her husband,
son, father and brother will not, they
can not, betray the trust.
Brethren, / have done. Pardon the
length of my remarks, for the theme
was inviting and tempted me on.
May the genius of Freemasonry abide
in this, Lodge-the spirit of brotherly
love ABIDE N your counsels and hearts;
and finally may all of you become
living stones, elect and precious, fit,
VII n your labors on earth are ended
70 be wrought into the Temple of the
Living God, in the regitnsof celes-
tial light and glory
SCENERY IN CALIFORNIA The natural
wonders of CalifornSa, which have at
tractod the attention OF the world and
et., in, IND