The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1865-01-27
d with which the


That vague sentiment of bcncyo-
lence, which is bestowed equally upon
all men without special regard for any,
is quixotic and visionary theory i'm
possible to put in practice.
"God loves from whole to parts, but human sold
Must rise from individual to the WHOLE
Freemasonry then is not exclusive
in any offensive or Objectionable sense.
1t admits only voluntary, elected mem
bcrs, who are duly qualified. And to
open our doors and bid all to come
Internationally, would be to abandon
and dissolve our Order, as truly as n
christian church would be abolished
by opening the doors and admitting all
persons irrespective Of faith and char
actcr Discrimination, selection of
means and adaptation Of instruments
to the end in view, are necessary CON
ditions Of success in practical affairs,
Some visionary theorists have MAIN
tanned that all friendship is prefelring
the interest OF fiiead to Che neglect,
or perhaps against the interest, of
Others. But while we are required to do
good to all men, we are especially
bound to them who are of the house
hold of fIitlE Our Savior had twelve
apostles but there was one whom he
loved and III whose bosom he reclined.
1t is necessity of human nature that
we should have special attachments,
and that among the miscellaneous null
titudes to whom one is bound by gem
eral benevolence, he should select ac-
cording to his taste the special objects
of confidence, friendship and fellow
ship. Friendship is the wine of life.
1t is something more than general
good will to mankind, though not con
trary to it. Does any one object that
our ordinary meetings are secret
That is our right and privilege, as it is
Of any Society. May not any man in
vite few friends into his private par
lor to spend an evening and lock the
door against all the world? Whose
business is it, while the purpose is
lawful and honorable? Who shall in
terfere so long as they violate no law
of the land and trespass on no mans
rights?
Our secrets are for our own conven-
fence, and for protection against nm
worthy men, and q passport to the
hospitality and sympathy Of brethren,
whenever and wherever in the wide
world, brother may be in dis
trees or in need of anything They
are not the jewel, but the mere cask-
ct containing II ~. Tho lfa.,r ava l-av
guarung 1t from falling into improper
hands; or, to change the figure, they
may be said to bar the gate to the
Sanctuary, but do not constitute the
Temple itself, for less the object for
which the Temple was built.
The private tokens of our Order
from universal language by which its
members may recognize one another
everywhere. They form bond OF
sympathy and fellowship binding to-
gether men Of all ranks, from the peas
ant to the prince, in mutual confidence
and affection. But the secrecy OBJ
served by Freemasons in their eere-
monies and tokens of recognition can
be of no worth to any one who is not,
i'll good faith, a member of the Order;
because they are not the end of the
organization, but only means to an
end. To attempt to obtain the secrets
of the order clandestinely and derive
any advantage from them, is as hope
less as to seek for the secret Of the vi
tai force Of the animal organization by
dissection. The moment the vital ma
chinery ceases to act the secret has
fed Besides, the man who violates a
pledge, voluntarily given, proclaims his
own shame. A man must have II very
sharp and penetrating eye indeed TO
see mischief, heresy or treason in Il
particular mode of wearing white
apron, or spelling proper name.
But in any offensive sense, Freema-
sonny isnot asecret Societyat all. This
very meeting here tonight proves
I that it is not. Our members are all
known, or may be known by any one
who is curious enough TO inquire.
There is no attempt to conceal their
names. Our place and time of meet
ing any one may know who chooses.
Our constitution and bylaws anybod,
may read. There is not working
tool, nor q piece of furniture but may
be inspected by any who choose. The
charitxof the Institution is accustomed
to flow silently to its proper objects,
according to the Gospel rulo of Civ
mo aims viz, DT of moi vaoar left hand