The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-07-17
SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA, WEDNESDAY, JULY Il, 1861

winged W0rQS, ana like q WdsS tHt uEfdM guy
ana On until they reached the fafthest shore But
Masonry still exists ind am constrained to- believe
that it will continue through all time Though storms
may:rage and portentious clouds may lower around,
vet under the guidance of the unerrng hand of the
Deity, it will stand amid the general crash Of worlds
and the ruins of the fall Yea; It has proved more
powerful than the wintery blasts OF lnurlaed millions
You may plant your batteries and try 70 demosh it,
but it will stand like the old wall of Christianity, sup
ported BY the strong arm of Deity himself
In ages long since gone by when the bloody blade OF
Mars was crufnbling thrones and kings and princes
were being butchered, and when Masonry was almost
extingushed then it that the Bishop Of Ephesus,
ST. John the Evangelist the christian mason and pa
ron of ST. John the Baptist the birth OF whom we COM
memorate the present occasion, took upon himself
the arduous duties of Grand Master and became the
chosen instrument of God to foster and keep alive our
holy order which is the handmade of the christian re
zion constantly leading its rotaries thitherward like
the Star of the East that guided wise men to Beth
lehem to proclaim the advent OF the Son OF God.
Yea ii time should be prolonged million Of years,
this venerable institution would still exist with all its
beauty and grandeur. Though the storms and wild
blasts may break around it and the angry waves may
rush against it higher than the towering Alps yet like
the rock of ages will continue through all time until
the voice of our Supreme Architect shall call US up in
the grand lodge on high. Those of who are then
found worthy can proclaim to our Supreme Architect
in the language OF DerzhaEln,
"Thy light thy love in their bright plenitude
Filled me with an immortal soul, to spring
Over the abyss Of death, and badeit wear
The garments of eternal day, and wing
Its heavenly flight beyond this little sphere,
Even to Its source, TO Inee, ltS duLHOF tHtfe
God IS its autsor eBeginnang and the eading, the first
and the last Hence, good men and Masons we love
one another We love our brother when found wor-
thy, the land and on the sea; IN the Norh South
East and West in Greenland's icy mountains well
as in the land of continued roses IN whatever cline
we may find him we love him. We love him on the bat
tlefeld hence, we md when brother alscovers per-
chance another through mystic language, though
an enemy engaged in this dreadful contest that the
missile of death is instantly arrested am happy to
find in the reports Of the respective grand bodies
<l,r fha tod
Masonry have been observed in our behalf as to those
who participated in the late for Southern ndepen-
found in Sir Sol D. Bayliss G. Commander Of the 6
Commandery of Indiana, for A. D. 1862 for which this
Comp. and Sir Knight has been severely rebuked by
his erjurisdctons and that MONITOR the con
science which doubtless has admonshed him suh-
cently for this departure from the teachings of the
order. But the child unborn may live to blush over
it is human err divine to forgive. Doubtless ndi
ana if she has not already done So will long cor
rect her record in this respect.
But in order to show the feelings of Masonry this
subject will read short extract from the II. M. OF
the G.. Lodge Of Michigan at her last grandsconvoca
! ton
Michigan
i" But you ask what can Masonry do. 1t can, IN the
true spirit and genius Of its original design and its sub
lime lessons forgive the past where it sees fault IT
can in the superabundance of its charity sympathise
with our unfortunate brethren of the South. 1t can
mourn with them their devastated plantations,
their razed mansions, and the smoking ruins of their
cities and villages. 1t can drop the tear with them
over their bloody batteeds and che graves OF their
sres, their sons and their brethren albert they fell IN
arms against the North This last, 1t is human TO re-
member, but not to cherish is Masonic To forget II
is nobleto forgive ii is divine Perhaps 1t IN the pure
spirit of Masonry we were to put ourselves under the
same stringent rule OF accusation and condemnation to
which subject others, we might, IN many respects
become supplicants for forgiveness. Have We all sc
far satisfied our consclences, individually, as te
enable look up to the throne of God with conf
l. ~ and
US trespasses as we forgive those who trespass
against u.s. Then let us not repreheno 100 severely
our brethren Of the South
Also from the National Free Mason, published II
New York:
Masonry, while favoring healthy and safe pro
gress, exerts conservative influence md striH
ing illustration of this in country since the clost
of the war. Politicians, lawyers, preachers ane
churches too often elements OF dscord ane
strife and through the press, pulpit synods confer
ences legislatures and courts, may have retarded OF
both sides, union, delaying construction ana render
ing reconciliation more dithcuit.
IF the question Of reconstruction had been submit
ted to body OF Freemasons, governed alone ny tns
promptings, impulses, and practical wisdom of the
craft it would have been decided long since, and the
Union restored as firmly as before the war Ih'
churches have been divided the pulpit prostltuteo ut
erature poisoned justice prevented, leglstatioh cor
Irupted, the Judicial ermine soed put ffeenasohry
has not been nor the wonted courteses ano
intercourse lnteriupteu -. ),
+" The country has been divided, churches parted
famllles and brethren separated, sca'
tered the strongest ties OF society broken out the
MASONIC family and reiationshlp remain III then hleS
rty When men WI hoid intercourse 1 IN no othel
way, Wheh they VIM hol speah "en y .he go ~
st ID thi same pew III ene mouse " uou, ho heei a
the same altar OF prayer apProach .ne sale sse M ae
tai table, nor worship IN tne same temple oi oiifis'
they VIII ana 90 SIT IN N lhe M same l
Freemasonry IS the most caihonc anu yel the mos
excusve lnsu1on 10 ~ M t
seen IN its general and It's sei-love IN us aims
bringing INTO union al ha1ions anu races,
ing all d'scofds' al anu
IN one WORK all conie.ins 1ats no seo se
tarlansm recognising no posry ". nb os se.
beating and throbblng IN the universal neaf .ne con
;at,. oprd The ,n;5btv Low or of universal nro9ress
!. What would hs ths moral and social condition O
the 1nted States at nresent but for the restrann.
and nnserrative inHnence of Masonic truth and prin
;Io i,,N od nreanixatinnss II brinps men and hold
tbe tooetheI in union It is moral stimulus prolong
inc; the fe of the natient sick from the miasns with
n7 heo;nnno at the lower and advancing towards tn
bri b; on of moral social md snritua deyel
rsent ns7en y =
pTh;s 4; +l sn;r;t nfMasonrv that nrevails throuph
49,. .is tha % oonntrp mn ~ -
o1 Rt .t NC r tid that tba ladies are excluded from
mi @raat institution Tn answering this question,
Nil ;mnly saw that Il was never intended that the
should ba bewers of wood and drawers of water 1t
g. th Mason ~ nranare the ronph ashler and polis
- Ca VA. ,h hndar|s rsa and for the ladies' to shar
;,h hin, ali tho blessings of this house of God whe
; thns ~, aractad lr e
Rnt in conclusion the profanc NAV tell us that