The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-01-30
MASONIC BAPTISM.
Ceremonies and Festivities of Q1itman
Lodge No. rs, F. and A. NJ.

| 4 Quitmsn Lodge No. 76, r. and A. NJ. The hall
was tastefully decorated with Banners and the va
| Tious insignia Of the order, aud Jseger's baud
ascCu' sed st intervals appropriate music. Before
| The PLATFORM large silver urn, decked witt
| Covers formed the baptismal font. Ia the cen.
ter Of the platform sat Brother ]. G. Fleming,
| W. NJ, Of Quitman Lodge facing him, beyond the
font sat Brother Jas. u. Wing6eld, 5. W., and mid.
way TO the left Of the W. N. sat Brother W. Il.
| Wells, J. W. of the lodge. Some twenty pro nj
| nent members of the order also sat grouped
| upon the platform, having entered during the
| performance by the band Of the Grand March
from Ia Prophetic"
Prayer was offered by Rev. Bro. J. c. Carmen
! ter, after Vhich the beautiful prayer from cara
| (the Chapel was given by the band. Worship
nj Master Fleming then rose aud delivered the
following opening address:
srott ess and Ladies ard Gentsm.n:
The members Of Quitman Lodge are assembled
here on this occasion to administer, ia worthy
uanler, the sublime ceremony Of Masonic bAp-
USnl.
Che presence Of so many Of our fraternity, aud
amongst them some of the most distinguished Of
The brotherhood, il indeed a source Of inexpressi-
bic qualification 10 US and adds Rd0ther power.
iul link 10 the chain Of evidence thatmu,t sooner
or later, convince the world that our or1er is
united and governed by brotheriy love and es-
TEEN. And, the large and respectable audience
now assembled to witness our ceremony ia e01AIiy
gTstiiyiDg, as being conclusive proof Of the high
position We occupy as a body ia the estimation of
our fellow citizens.
cannot but regret that the duty Of presiding
over the solemn service now about to be observed
GAS Dot fallen TO the lot of some one If the many
brothers present, who could perform it with
greater honor 10 ourselves and satisfaction 10 Won
To cur brothers il is unnecessary to say anything
concerning this matter; bGL those who are not OF
Us nay reasonably expect me to say something Of
Masonry, and TO give some explains alton Of the
ceremony about to be mmemorated.
| have so far been able to gather only few
rough pebbles on the shore Of the ocean Of Masonic
knowledge, while there are those present who
hsye iathomed its depths and could place before
you in all their radiant beauty its richest gems
But it is incumbent upon me. by virtue Of NV
flee; and as Masonry demands OF its votaries 4
faithful performance Of every duty there is moth
Tg left for me but 10 ask your Indulgence and to
the best Of ny ability 30 discharge my obligation
The form Of Masonic baptism il one entirely
peculiar 10 itself, and while it is in no manner an
infringement on any Of the systems existing
amongst the various religious denominations Of
Tue world. il is one that has been, and can again
&c publicly enacted without any injldicioas ex-
pCsure Of oar mysteries.
There is no intelligent Mason that does not know
full well that our fraternity has at different periods
OF The world been the object of both religions and
political persecution, on sccO mt Of its mysteri-
Gus ore aniZatiol and secret character; bat time
has clearly shown the injustice of such persecu.
don and the iallacy Of the preiudices which gave
rise TO it,
History cannot furnish record CT an Instance in
which treemasons as a body ever opposed tbs
cause OF any nation, sect, party society, or 80
advocated ans cause save their own.
That they NEEDLE not with affairs Of State needs
70 stronger proof Than the fact that in all the wars
hat have taken place for ages past, they have
been found opposed to each other on the field Of
battle, each answering TO the call of patriotism
and many thousands OF them sealing with their
lice blood their fealty to their respective govern.
ments. That they interfere not with religion. il
also beyond dispute, for amongst them are to be
found believers in every faith.
Then, you might ask what are those mysterious
ICES and obligations that bind this fraternity Of men
together? When or where cid they originate;
tnd UpOn what are they based, that they exerc. Sc
an influence go strange, aud yet so strong. az 70
cause The Monarch 70 willingly lay aside the il.
sisuia Of atty aud leave the throne t. meet for
a Tine, upon the level with the most bumhls Of
lis virtuous Subjects that draws the millionaire
from bis palace of wealth to the hut Of distress,
aud the merchant prince from his desk to the
pr,Cn cell at the call of q brother, stranger
hCugh he may be; that arrests the uylifted wpa-
pen; that -auses quarrels 10 cease. and b4nishes
eTnty and 6iscord, snd establishes friendship and
harmony IN their stead!
What they are, ladies and gentlemen, no sane
man, EsvIg any regard for truth or honor. will
yer Improperly divulge; and, we can safely leave
you TO Judge, and the world 20 determine how
of the man who would. Their origin Is lost in the
CbsCurity Of the past, hut they based upon the
principles of Truth, Reason, Justice aud Phiian-
thICVy. The durability of our institution is one
of he best proofs Of its purity, for were it not
established 10 virtue its existence would long since
have been lOstfTOm amongst the trad tions Of man.
kId, and it would never have occupied place
on the pages Of history.
II cannot be denied that bad men are sometimes
admitted 10 our rifles. Men who only wish to make
use Of our order for selfish purposes, instead Of
dong good TO Others, and to make use of it as .
stepping stone 10 positions t. which they aspire
in the community. But the most refined ana Sc
lect societies, even the Church itself are subject
10 the same imposition, and are too often dis
,urtcd ar0 dis rsssed by the pres nee Of those
who are the least EMIT ed 70 their esteem.
We DO not as the ancient Egyptians dill, wor.
hip secrecy as deity, but, while we are cen.
sured for our Observance OF il, we think il too
little plsctced IN the daily intercourse Of the
world. We only labor TO DO good and we are
taught by the holy Scriptures that. in doing
GOOD, we should not let the right hand know what
the lief, doeth. Secresy only ceases to be an i'm.
porisut virtue when il becomes the COMPANION of
crime, fear, or dishOnor.
The time has long since passed when secresy
was necessary TO our safety. for the lustrOus light
every continent Of the earth end on the islanis of
the ocean. Since ali reasonable men have become
convinced tEst We 90 not intend TO do evil, they
have become content to let us do good in our own
way.
Freem asonry has laboTed with science aud re-
l'gion for the Improvement Of the intellect AMI
morals Of the human race; its beneficial inhu-
ences have been felt in all nsti0us aud slnce in
tolerance, fsDsticsm and discord can iDd no place
within its doors, it will exist as long as truth and
reason hold place 10 the minds Of men.
Ii has sometimes been urged that we are selfish
end confne our charities 70 ourselves but n
TCre erroneous idea could be conceived. As
streams Of water descend from the hits and the
mountains INFO the valleys, there 10 irrigate
The sell and nOuiish alike the trees and the 6oa.
ers, 80 Masonic charity flows from the elevations
Of plenty and prosperity to the wales Of distress
fuo desiiluiion, there to protect infancy in its ill.,
nocence and helplessness, and TO relieve and en-.
courage all those that ere worthy and 10 need. II
We teach our children to be kind and charitable
10 their brothers and sisters, do they not become
generous and forgiving to their other assOciatesl
Thus, in learning to think and speak chsrtably
Of each other and 10 act chsritsbly one towards
another, We learn 10 conduct ourselves in like
manner towards the rest Of our fellow men.
Whether it is better TO heap up colossal fortunes
during life snd leave them 10 found charitable 10
stituions for pOsterity, or 10 spare what we con-
veniently whilst live for the relief Of those
that are industrious end honorable, but poor and