Idaho semi-weekly world. (Idaho City, Boise County, Idaho Territory) 1867-1868, 1867-06-29

beauty to its proportions. But when man mas Deen
fully persuaded in his own mind, and deliberately
resolves that its principles are such he approves
and full of this conviction, takes upon nlmsen tue
obligations and burdens of Masonry, we may expec'
that he will be bright ornament in the proud edlnce
to which he belongs and that his presence there VIII
serve to strengthen, adorn ana DeautIy IL III inc oJoe
of men and Masons. 80,
Next in the order of its merits is the fact that 1t is
secret association maintain that that is one great
element of it's merit and one powerful means OF doing
good. know it is popular notion that anything
that is GOOD should be published to all mankind
tbat truth seeks light and should be hid-and
vet this is not always correct in its broadcast
There are some things that the of men will not
appreciate-pearlS should mot be cast before swine
lest thew turn and rend YOU and revelation informs
us that even the great and good God himself winked
at the wickedness Of in times past because they
were not prepared to receive the truth. Under the
Mosaic code the law of can eye for eyeand tooth
for TOOTH" the law Of vengeance and retaliation
prevailed by the permission Of jehovah and the
Golden Rule that as you would that men should do
unto you, do you even so to the,'' and 'tOu shalt
love thy neighbor thyself" and do good to them
that hate you and despitefully use you," was not
proclaimed till the world prepared for it. 1t does
not follow because thing is good when properly
used that its universal dissemination would produce
the same proportionate result. But the good in Ma
sonry-the principles which actuate the order and
make it valuable, not secret not hidden; and
they are, as we have always affirmed, powerful for
good because they are so. Take the elements OF ma
ure to illustrate this idea. Take hogshead OF water
confne it within narrow space and condense it into
that proudly breasts the waves raised by storm
and tide; but leave it in open vessel and let it
evaporate by the same appliance OF heat, and the
fierce god of steam, whose power made its iron
harness tremble, is harmless and useless and floats
quietly off, like the cloud that shadows the summer
vale as it rises the gift of the morning dew to the
coming sun. Take charge of gunpowder, place it
in Henry rifle and explode it, and it sends the mer
CHESS messenger Of death with unerring force and
precision upon its deathiy purpose; but pour that
charge of powder upon an open surface exposed to
the elements and ignite it. and it will sparkle in
nocently as hoar frost in autumn moonlight; the
booming thunder is harmless the bleat Of the
shepherds fock-tis the silent lightning That rends
the mountain crag AS in the physical, so in the
moral world. Secrecy and power are in alliance.
AS the most powerful forces in nature the most
silent; are impalpable until the shock comes, so
in the moral world the most active and potent are
those which least perceive except in result.
knowledge is power, says the pFeverb. Why? Be-
cause it is not universal it is confined to the few.
The widely it is disseminated the more its rea
tive power is disspated.
With full appreciation of these truths Masonry
IN the manner of it's operations is sAent-in the
means it uses to accomplish its purposes is merit
The principles upon which it is founded proclaim
ed, and the elements that combined in it are as
fully known as the powerful forces of nature,
which develop only in result; while the combination
itself is mystery to ALL the Master OF Masonry
and the Great Master in nature.
In copying nature, therefore, Masons are wise and
have adopted the only scheme which could give them
perpetuity and power TO do the good at which they
aim.
This leads me to an announcement of its aims
and purposes-and these are, as have already OBJ
served, mutual improvement in social life, and mu-
sual assistance in the hour of distress. Man is
social ANIMAL some one has said, with more droll
cry than elegance. He seeks enjoyment in society,
and is attached to his friends. Surrounded by his
fellows, his better nature is developed, his genial
qualities are warmed and nurtured, and the man is
happy. Let him Danish himself into solitude, and
his social nature is destroyed the fountains of happ
ness are dried up and the man becomes moody, mis-
and drags out miserable life that withers
into an early and sorrowful grave. While therefore
man must have society, that has its peris. 1t
must be such as will develop his higher nature and
minister to his elevation in character; otherwise in
stead of beneftting him, he may be betrayed into
vice, dragged into crime, through the very means
that given him for his improvement and the pro-
motion OF his happiness. Hence his society should
be seect-should be such is adapted to his needs
and is calculated to produce the most benign results
This Masonry seeks to dot combines in one broth
erhood class of men who mutually comfort and
aid each other. 1t seeks to- ally men Of common
tastes and noble purposes and vrtuous lives that by
such association all may be improved. For this pur
pose it is exclusive. 1t knows that the mass have not
reached this elevated standard, would not be bene
fitted by what it teaches, and to admit it, would be
only to demoraze the institution and contamnate its
members. This principle is everywhere acted on in
the world.
The great aggregate of humanity is composed of |
series of circles and social clubs where persons of
mutual tastes and sympathies seek to find and to- 4
happiness. So Masons only give per- /
nanency to principle, by organizing upon it, the
benefits of which the whole history OF living society
and of man atteste. This principle of our order,
therefore, is vindicated by the universal practice of
mankind. While this is true, it is finally vindicated
oy the experience of every Mason. What brother is
t that has left his home behind him, and gone out
nto the broad world among strangers, has not felt
ais heart leap he felt the mystic clasp and heard
he familiar " word though the hand and voice had
never met in accord before. Any brother who has
been stranger in strange land, REGAL the thrill
If delight, the sweet thought of home and friends
md brethren, which rushed upon him then. Allow
ne to relate an incident to illustrate this which
Ind in Masonic publication, by travelling brother
ae says 81 grew up among friends, and in my youth
had never travelled abroad. My maturer life had
been passed where almost every face met was as
amilar my own, and in the seclusion of the do
nestle circle. But change of pursuits came, and
started on journey of some thousands of miles
l1one. 10 me it was heavy task and weary yoy-
lge. The people whom l met strangers the
genes around were strange. Even the verdure
# the tropics and the bright blue sky of the toGrid
zone, failed to waken my appreciation my
enthusiasm. was gloomy and brOOded my
oneliness, Like a sentimental Miss pining the
ln of her first love. One evening was sitting on
he hurricane deck of the steamer, gazing vacantly
nut the tranquil and the beautiful stars that
mirror themselves in it from the bright sky of
ropic clime alone, silent and sad. Company had
10 attractions for me- as certainly could have pre-
ented none for company. A gentleman approached
nd seated himself me. few common places
passed anguidly between us; but shall forget
he thrill that beat to my heart when casual remark
impressed me that he a MaSon-and my pulse
most stood still while gave the hail and received
lis mystic reply had found friend and brOtheri
NY whole nature seemed regenerated by the discovery
rom being lonely and sad, Ibecame under the magic
ouch of this fraterna recognition buOyant and hap
w. And finished what promised to be one of the
most distasteful journeys of my life, with zest of
that cannot describe, or ever forget.
What greater happiness is there than that Of dear
onfdIng coInpanionship; some friend to whom you
an unbosOm cankering sorrow, confide COR