Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-03-03
ROBrT JENKINS, D 6. N.
JOHN ROWE, s. G. W,
WM- COFFIN, j. u. ".
By The Grand Masters command.
JOHN LEYERETT, g. Sec.
nAsONRr THE APOSTLE or PEACE.
LEY BRO.'. ALDGS7 PIKE.

lBI bhOs ALDEnE PIKE.
II we have not coveted and sought for,
we have at least voluntarily accepted the
high places we occupy, and the lofty
titles we wear, in Scottish Masonry.
The assumption of these titles is q pledge
continually renewed, that we will faith
fully perform the corresponding duties,
the duties implied in the titles them
selves. As Masons and Members of the
Order of the Holy House Of the Temple,
we have taken upon ourselves solemn
obligations and uttered solemn vows. 1t
is rot to individual Masons only or
chiefly that we owe the duties guaranteed
by these vows, but far more TO Society,
the Country and Humanity
We are especially devoted to the cause
of civil and religious liberty, and it il
our sworn duty to Oppose everything, in
every quarter, that violates or attempts
to violate either. Just and equal laws,
plainly enacted and known to all, and at
all times in force, and administered by
impartial and legitimate tribunals, under
the great Constitutional Sanctions and
by the wholesome forms approved by
experience and wisdom, are alone consis-
tent with civil liberty; and in universal
liberation only Is there religious liberty
but though these may exist, yet men are
not really free, politically, civilly&r re-
ligiously, unless they are intelligent and
instructed.
Liberty is imperilled in secret, long
before it is destroyed and when it is
assaulted by open violence, it is almost
always too late to make successful de-
Tense. If the late war has taught US
EOtbing else, it has at least forced us to
See that errors and heresies in theory are
never harmless but that, when preached
and practiced upon by those who COM
mission themselves to think for the peo-
pie, they chrystalize into calamities.
The Ancient and Accepted Scottish
Rite is a protest equally against Error
and Intolerance. Ii we who administer
ii do our duty, by enlarging its infu-
ences and enforcing its principles, it will
become a Power in the world. The
truths it teaches have in them the virtue
to avert disasters from republics, to
make men capable Of self government
and to crush Tyranny, ImpOsture and
Persecution; If they can make their
voices heard, and be accepted and
obeyed. 1t is impossible to Measure the
power of an Idea, of a Truth, or Of a
FalsehOod hat pretends to be a Truth.
It is true that Masonry was powerless
to avert the bloody war that has lately
desOlated so many States but it at least
endesvored TO prevent it, not dividing
against itself, before the first shot, aud
establishing separate organizations North
and South, in order the more to embitter
controversies, to increase angers and in
flame the passions. It remained One,
aud labOred for peace and reeonci-
liatiOn, while all those wrangling
religions that claim to be Christian,
with few exceptions, toiled to widen
the breach and make reconciliation
without war impossible. And now
that peace is restored, and still the
ministers of these religions cry aloud in
their pulpits for blood and for stTangula-
tions upon the scaffold, and insist upon
the savage presidents Of the days of
Moses and Joshua, instead of the gentle
and benign teachings of the Son of Man,
Masons lately in arms against each
other clasp fraternal hands, and forgive
and forget the angers of the past. 1t was
not the Religions, but Masonry alone,
that for four years was preached, and
that still breaches "Peace on earth and
good will TO men,"
The Son of Mar prophesied, when he
said, al came not to bring peace upon
earth, but the sword.n Himself preach
ing peace, mercy, and love, He foressw
that those who should in after ages and
in other lands pretend to expound the
simple and sublime creed He taught,
would breathe intolerance and hate, and
urge the People and the Powers TO saw
age and inhuman revenge. Thus it is
that these religions lose their influences
over men for good, while they pharisaic-
ally draw close their robes that they may
not be defled by contact with Masonry,
while with a scowl and a sneer they cry
to her. "Stand aside for l am holier
than thou!"
Masonry taught none of the doctrines
that helped to make war inevitable.
She maintained the feeling Of BROTH
while the war ragged; the
combatants met in peace around
her affairs, and brother administered
10 the necessities Of brother, and res
ponded TO his appeal eve in the hour Of
battle and she Is now engaged in heal
the wounds inflicted, and ending the (
batreds engendered, during the terrible ]
strife. Nowhere within her Temples, {
does any Mason whom any q looks
mon with respect, demand vengeance as {
4 duty, and the offering OF blood as a ne
eessity. It leaves that 10 the Press and l
The Pulpit, and necessarily repeats the |
dictated by Christ, and uttered
by Saint John, "Little children love one ,
another :" Z
LIBRARIES FOB LODGES /
The subject OF speculative Masonry, .
turing the last thirty years, has not re- I
,eiyed That general attention its impor-
demands; and its consequences are '
most clearly marked upon the workings
n our Lodges, and are fraugbt with re- :
,ults of a character which every observ- I
~ Neon will daDl0ra and which mn 1