Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-05-26
MASONIC INTELLIGENCE.


EALAAGG
From the Liturgy OF the Ancient ans
erH Jurisdiction Of the United states
now in Press.
INTIMATE SECRETARY.
Duty is the moral magnetism which
controls and guides the true MasOn'i
course over the tumultuous seas Of life
Whether the stars of honor, reputation
and reward do or do not shine, in the
light of day or in the darkness OF tht
night of trouble and adversity, in calm
or storm, that unerring magnet still
shows him the true course 70 steer, anc
indicates with certainty where-away lies
the port which not TO reach involves
sbipwreck and dishOnor. He follows 10
silent bidding, as the mariner, wher
land is for many days not in sight, ane
the ocean without path or landmarf
spreads out ali around him, follows thu
bidding of the needle, never doubling
that il points truly to the north. Topper
form that duty, whether the perform
ance be rewarded or unrewarded, Is hi;
sole care. And it doth not matter though
of this performance there may be nt
witnesses, and though what he Goes vii
be forever unknown to all mankind.
Every man hath his Own sins enough
in his own mind trouble enough, in hi
own fortunes evil enough, and in per
fornance of his offices failings more
than enough, to entertain his own in
curry; so that curiosity after the affairs
Of others cannot be without envy and an
i'll mind
Tt should be objection sufficient to eX'
elude any man from the society of Ma
sons, that he is not disinterested and
generous, both in his acts and in hi;
opinions of men, and his constructions
of their conduct. He who is selfish and
grasping, or censorious ahd uBgeherous
Will not long remain within the strict
limits of honesty and truth, but will
shortly commit injustice. be who loves
himself too much must needs love 9TH
ers to little; and he who habitually gives
harsh judgment will not long delay to
give unjust judgment.
The generous man is not careful to re-
turn no more than he receives; but pre-
fers that the balances upon the ledger OF
benefits shall be in his favor. He who
hath received pay in full for all the
benefits and favOrs that he has con-
ferred. is like a spendthrift who
laments over an empty exchequer. He
who requites my favOrs with ingratitude
adds to, instead Of diminishing, my
wealth and he who cannot return a
favoR is equally poor, whether his ina
bility arise from poverty Of spirit, sordld-
ness Of soul or pecuniary poverty.
If he is wealthy who hath large sums
invested, and the mass Of whose fortune
consists in obligations that bind other
men to pay him money, he is still more
SO 10 whom many owe large returns OF
kindnesses and favOrs. Beyond a mod
crate sum epeh year, the wealthy man
merely iHUcSts his means and that
which he neUer uses is still like favOrs
unTehIrned aud kindnesses unreCipro-
Gated, an actual and real portion Of his
fortune.
GENEROSITY and liberal spirit make
men to be humane and genial, open
hearted, frank and sincere, earnest TO do
good, easy and conteRted, aud we'll
wishers Of mankind. They protect the
feeble against the strong, and the de-
fenseless against rapaciuy and craft.
They saceOr and comfort the poor, and
are the guardians, under God, OF his in
noeent and helpless wards. They value
friends more than riches or fame, and
gratitude more than money or power.
They are noble by Gods patent, and
their eseuteheons and quarterings are to
be found in heavens great book Of her
aldry. Nor can any uu4n any more be 8
Mason than he csH be gentleman, un-
less he is generous, liberal and dislnter-
ested. To be liberal but only of that
which is our own; to be generous but
only when we have first been just to
give when to give iepriyes Us Of q lux
ury or comfort, this is Masonry indeed.
He who is worldly, covetous Or sensual
must change before he can be a good
Mason. II we are governed by inclina-
ton aud not by duty il we are unkindi
severe, censorfOus or injurious, in the re-
lations or intercourse OF life; if We are
unfaithful parents or undutiful children
il we are harsh masters or faithless ser
wants: if we are treacherOus friends OF
bSd Eeighhsrs or bitter competitors OF
cOrript or unpuuyiHlSrI politicians OF
overresching dealefslih buk1res,,, We aaf
wandering st q great distance from the
true Masonic light.
Masons must be kind and sffectiOnate
one TO another Frequenting the ssms
temples, ~kneeling st the same altars
thew slf. Sd feel that respect and that
kindhess fo- each other, which then
common relation ana eOmmOn approach
to one God should inspire. There need;
10 be much more of the spirit Of the an
cieat fellowship among US more tender
derness FOR ssel others faults, more for.
giveness, more solicit4de for each others
! improvement and good fortune,