The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1867-06-28

On the OCCASION OF inc lnSt ia
ton of the Officers of the Lodge.
Published at the request of, and in pur
suancc of a resolution Of the Lodge.
WoRsu1PFuL MASTER, Brethren,
LADIES and GENTLEMEN:
Light is the grand emanatlon OF
an immortal intelligence. it,
grandest mission is the search tol
light. Men are born with the pow
ers of thought and reason, and
when their reason is appealed to,
they as rational beings should think
and conclude for themS elves, aided
by the light of Science: guided at
every stepin their deliberations by
caution, remembering, while in pur-
suit of the sublime revelations of
light, that they preparing to tray
eli the plane of Immortality.
Freemasonry while founded upor
the sacred truths and teachings re
corded in the Scriptures Of divine
revelation, cschews all intcrming-
ling with the creeds Of scctS, its
design being to promote and chorls h
the personal and social virtues Of
it's members, and of mankind. by
promul eating and intoxicating uni
versal religion of Friendship, Broth
erly love and Truth, inviting all
men by the moral uprightness and
purity of its teachings and practice.
rather than by words, to come and
bow at its sacred altar.
No other organization among men
embraces SO many sEations and
tongues, and extends through So
many climes as our own. Instead
of being exclusive, it is cosmopoli-
tan. 4 member ofany lodge, tray
cling in any part of the world, can
demand and receive the aid and pro-
lection of brethren. Even in a
strange land, with whose langua &c
he is also stranger, be carries wit h
him universal langua ge-known by
all the initiated.
The cardinal virtues of Free
masonry are Brothcrly love, Relief,
and Truth, constituting a natural
language addressed to mans natur-
al impulses through natures God,
appealing to all rational creatures
in language at once impressive and
of unmistakable Specification. 1t is
a language that transforms an enc
my into a friend: that in battle
blunts the keen edge Of the sword.
returning it to its scabbard; finding
in strangers true, trusty ana coniding
brethren. 1t allays political ami
mositics and sectarian antipathies,
inspiring its votaries with love to
God and man, and with, Il holy rev
erencc for Justice, Honor, Prudence,
Wisdom, and Fortitudc. Out Ofthe
fiery elements of an age Of barbar-
ism and persecution of the good and
great, it emerged, crowned with
honor and enthroned in the hearts Of
the best men the world can boast,
because its foundations are securely
laid in the deepest emotions and
tenderest sympathies of the human
heart, and because in its rituals, it
symbolizes the unfathomable truths
of Deity.
Frecmasonry embraces the no.
bless features Of Morality taught in
the civil or divine law. Without
protesting to be a religion, it re-
quires Faith in God, intoxicating
reverence for Him and for His laws.
Without being a Peace Society, it
teaches the principles of Brotherly
Love, admonishing US that in all our
relations in life we walk uprightly
before God and man remembering
that we are marching on the Level
of Time to that bourne from which
no traveller returns. Without be-
ing Temperance Society, it teach
es IS among the cardinal virtues,
Sobriety. Confluence, Industry,
Frugality and Fidelity. Without
being foppish, it incuicates polite
ness and courtesy. Without bigot-
ry it inculcates carnestness, fervcn-
cy and zeal, and without jealousy,
Caution, Secrecy, and Watchful-
ness. Without being political or
ganization, it inculcates obedience
to law, and proper respect for the
legally constituted rules of your
country. Regardless oflincs estab-
lished by differences of speech or
latitude, the brotherhood Of frater-
nal sympathy and love, in the holy
rites and mystic ties Of ancient
freemasonry hail from on every
shore, mountain side and valley of
the world.
All these Masonic brethren, rep
resenting the various forms of civil
and political government every
known system Of religion, and as
many Masonic jurisdictions, as they
represent governments Or Kingdoms,
may, in one grand aggregate, be
compared to the limitless ocean,
each surge constituting wave by
itself, yet all rolling on the breast
of single sea, representing one
universal brotherhood.
Every candidate who knocks at
the door of our Masonic Sanctuary,
must bow in humble reverence and