Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-07-10
wbv Masonry has Lived So Long.

Masonry contends for tie absoluteness Of
Truth. The tendency of the times is greatly
averse to this fundamental principle of all
knowledge, all morality, as well as ali relig-
ion. And so'our,sraterni'y arel like the build:
ers on the temples wall: whilst they WELD
the trowel they must also bear the spear.
We are compelled withstand all those lines
orthought which would depreci2te the sim
plicity aud fxedress Of truth. The mary
new discoveries OF science lave discrcdltel
old and long accepted theories.
The result, Of all such thought is the annhha
ton Of that which is the corner Stone of our
temple. Somewhere there is that which is
inyariable, inhexblc, and most stable; to be-
lieve it is to be iiaithlul-to deny it is TO be
iuGdel; to act upon it is to be virtnous-to
depart from it is to become vicious. There
is no uncertainty in the teachings Of our Or,
der, where this mach despised yet sovereign
truth is enshriped. But tie fact of It's eXis.
,cnce is all that 4 Just now affirm. what is
the testimony of cur antiquity" We are not
banded together simply tOr.the purpose cf So
cia recognition and mutual support We
have iioti;heri'ed merely nnmeaning forms
of ritualistic display, which have nothing but
their mysterious secrecy 10 commend them.
Think YOU there is enthusiasm enough in hu-
.i,anity to continue Tor Sc many centuries,
amidst all sorts of perils and prosecutions
such an organization as this, designed only
or even chiefly, for selfish ends You make
masonry a far greater mystery than we claim
by so snpposing. And you have problem
10 solve in the existence of this. coniessedly'
ancient Order, which will battle al expert
ence and negative all knowledge Of tickle hui
man nature. Nay, it is tue love ofthe truth,
the adherence to the truth, which has consi.
tutcd Masonry the miracle it is among all the
debris of mans social structures. Here it
stands, lust as glorious as when, in the first
TEMPLES time the widows son gave the bind
iug word. But what's the meaning of all
symbolism This is not continued for tho
purpose of qualification or amusement. These:
tools of our Craft and jewels Of our Order,
have very solemn meaning. The officers of
the lodge, from tbe~1i!cr at the door to the
Worshiplul Master in the East, are engaged
in yerv earnest work. This is no nursery for
child's play or leviiy. We wear our aprons,
and display our three great and three lesser
lights with very serious ends in view. These
are aleeforts to preach the truth. Each is.
a crystal face of the purestgem. And alfare
occupiedin the manifestation of that of which
each symbol tells part. How comesit, |
ask again, that, after such long jJurneylugs,
and amidst SO many adverse influences, this
traditional ritual remains so pure, SO unal.
tered? Other schemes Of mans device have
had their day, and have risen orise no more.
What is the talisnsn which explains their
destruction and the preservation nof this an.
cient? Everything In the Lodge answers,
Truth" divine attribute, and the sfoun-
dation of every virtue" For, " 10 be good
and true" to buy the truth and sell it not,
"is the first lesson We are taught in Masonry.
IS. q. Tying, Jr.