Idaho semi-weekly world. (Idaho City, Boise County, Idaho Territory) 1867-1868, 1867-06-29

place In search OF employment sometimes finding Il
readily at others being idle they were oftentimei
compelled to aid and assist each other. The Work
ingmens' Associations of our own day are but
faint copy of practical Masonry centuries ago. They
were enrolled in classes doing the various styles
labor according to their profciency-some being en-
tered apprentices who performed the ruder portions
OF the labor, and who on acquiring sufficient pro
hc1ency IN the art were advanced to the next class
VIZ: Fellow Crafts, and finally Masons-Msster Ma
sons or workmen-each being entitled to the wages
and benefits of his class and liable to their respective
duties. If was sick and unable to perform labor
his comrades took care Of and supported. him, and
his family if they needed aid if he died. the latter
were the care of his surviving brethren. One can
easily understand why people who we're going into
strange land to engage in their calling as mechan
les, should be solicitouS to band themselves to-
gether to be safe from the accidents of sickness
and misfortune which might come upon them in a
foreign land. With such class of people, charity
would naturally become one of the leading charac-
teristics of the society and when the orgniza
ton became domiciled the value of it would to
perpetuate it. And when Masonry ceased to be op-
eraive and the social and benevolent features were
preserved the system was which had been proven
to be so effective and thorough that change was
attempted, and these characteristics, which at
first mere incidents, are now the vital elements OF
utility in the ORDER The finest specimens of archi-
lecture, churches; public buildings, palaces the
continent of Europe, erected in times past by
these societies. They went from country to country
and from kingdom to kingdom, encouraged by the
Church and welcomed and employed by public rulers
on account of their industry and skill. Why the
church which at one time gave them countenance
and employment without any ban upon their organ
ization, should ostracise them leave it to ex-
plain. When their services in erecting catnedrals
and decorating affairs useful, they highly
avored-they to have fallen into disrepute after
they ceased to be servants. That the perfect and
complete system of charity which the organization
practiced showing its superiority to any other of the
kind, had much to do with bringing down upon it
the opposition OF the clergy, who sought in some
countries, in England especially to be the sole re-
postories of charity and almoners for the destitute
Thinks clear. Masons may have been too proud of
their excellence in this feld-nay have provoked
much Of the enmity which they have met. But
will not pursue this line of remark further and close
my reference to the charitable features of the order
by saying that to the Mason there is great comfort
in knowing that If he should be unfortunate and in
distress he never will be permitted to suffer in reach
OF his brethren. If death should snatch him from
his wife and children, they will not be turned out on
the cold charity of the heartless world, but wlfnd
shelter from the fierce storms of life beneath the
Masonic Temple. The honor of his family is pro-
tected, as they protect their own and these dear in
mates of home have father and brother in every
Mason. 1t is pleasant to have confidence in some
body; to knoaU IN aOhom to trust 1t is one of the
noblest traits in order that the confidence of
brother is never abused Here we may rest without
fear of our fellow; and while will not affirm that no
instance OF its abuse has occurred do say that
such to detract nothing from the esti-
mate present of this virtue in the craft We chal-
lenge the world to show merit in the intercourse of
man with man which is loftier and more ennoblng
than this.
designed to answer some of the more popular
objections to our order, but find that am taking
more time than anticipated. L will briefly notice
q few of the most prominent.
One of the first elections almost always presented
that it is secret society that it shuns the light
Of day, and holds its meetings inside of doors that
are sealed by sentinel and walls padded with saw
dust impenetrable to the curiosity of the evesdrop-
per- We told that prefer darkness rather than
light because our deeds are evil; and that we shun
the sunlight of truth fearing that our denominations
q lrQQ dV CHI not
is great element of power, will try to answer
the objection to using it, secrecy is power, then
to use secrecy is right provided it is IN doing good
In other words it is usinga known element of power
TO accomplish goodend. So that when we use the
power in good cause it must be right. The harm
Of using secrecy, is in aSng ii for eOrong purpose
and to bad end. And we are told by Christ that
some things should be done IN secret He says sswhen
shou doest aims, do not sound trumpet before thee
the streets as the hypOcrites do that they may have
glory OF man. but when thou doest aims let not thy
eft hand know what thy right hand doeth that thine
aims may be in secret" Hence so long as we use
his element in Masonry TO do good, if by using it
We can accomplish more and greater good than in
my other manner is not the objection answered
Is Masonry then doing good Judge it by its fruits
Jan you show where it does harm? We point to the
rood it does you detect the evil? If its enemies
annct find the evil its friends should be pardoned
or thinking that it does not exist Is there evil in
the principles of morality and virtue in
compelling its followers to act on the rules of Justice
nd kindness towards one another; in keeping the |
paternity out OF DrOllS ana StreS; teaching its
,ers to circumscrbe their passions and keep them in
ue bounds with all mankind Is there evil in the la
or of relieving the distressed and destute in feed
ng the hungry and clothing thenaked in visiting the
ick and closing the eyes of the dying; in burying
he dead and caring for the widow and the orphan |
IAN there be evil in institution that yields such
ruits? And Masonry can say of these as the Roman
natron said, when she set her children before her
isitors: These are my jewels She has worn
hem long and well, and even in this God forgetting
Gammon- worshipping age, their luster is undimmed
q her royal crown.
But it is said that while it may be true that our
eaching is without reproach that Masons do not all
ractiee our principles, that on members are some
ines immoral, incorporate, profane and vicious !
We might offer the trite reply that bad and unwor-
ny men are found In every organization, even that
rhich is specially devoted to the relation of man to
is Maker-but that only proves that some men re- |
st the best teachings, and not to blame if in
tances discreditabe to us do occur. If all en were
0 constituted that none would go astray, then Ma
Onry would not be needed-mankiad would be good |
nough withoutit The exceptional cases only prove
ne NECESSITY of the order for if some, despite all
restraints, violate our principles, how many more
ould do if they freed from their Influences
Masonry does not make men act in perfect accord
18th her teachings, it is because man work is like
imse imperfect and full of error The all sufficient
eason for the mystery of order is found in the
eceSSitg of protection. If subject to the
all Of every beggar who chose prey upon our char
y, or imposter who wished to profit by our organ
led hberaty, all the benevolent of the craft
ould be exhausted on the unscrupulous and mod
poverty and honest distress would go unprovided
,r. By preserving mysteries sacred, at least
IN identify deserving want when found in our own
anks and thus obey the injunction of St. Paul. do
God unto all men as you have opportunity, ana es-
ecialy unto them who are of the household Of
18th.
Another very common reproach against Masonry is
lat women are not allowed t. become Masons. This
Djectiou properly enough from lady friends
eng the prescribed class they have the right present
le grievance and TO require good explanation We