Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1868-01-24
ADDRESS OF REV. .THos. X. LYNCH
s-. D. D.,
Before Harmony Lodge No. II, of H. d A
M., on the Ers~ing Of December 81, 1867.
ruBLIsunD BY onDER OF rnE LoDoE..

<hs on thc Etc"t"J ~ Dtrt"toef - Aoof'
PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE LODGE.
On this day, the anniversary of St.
John the Evangelist, an ancient patron
Of our Order, il is we'll for US 10 assemble
in our Hall 10 rehearse the ever living
principles Of Masonic truth. To ST. John
the Evangelist. in fellowship with st. John
the Baptist, our ancient and honored in
stitution il dedicated throughout Chris-
tendon. The inspired writings Of the
first are bis best record. These constant
ly rest upon our altar This was the be.
loved disciple. Among the mystic sym
bols OF our Order, there Is a point within
circle representing these two ancient
patrons Of Free Masonry. This point
depotes the individual brother; the circle
denotes the boundary line Of his duty, be-
yond which Mason is not to suffer him
self to be betrayed either by passion or
prejudice. IL may be appropriate that
this circle. beautifully suggested by the
annual return of the festival Of the Evan
gelist, should be the subject Of a brief re-
hecrion. shall not attempt TO 80 back
into the mists Of tradition, nor to wander
among the structures of Solomon, nor
through the fragrant gslves Of Lebanon,
10 search Of the beautiful or the strange,
but will present you some practical views
of the great circle Of Masonic duty.
In the science Of Geometry, the circle
has. In every age aud country, engaged
the attention of the most eminent mathe
maticians. Genius has often tried to
square the circle, but has often failed, al
though invited to the task by the offer of
the most magnificent rewards. Results.
at FIRST regarded us triumphant, have been
proclaimed to the world; but no Pytha-
gorss has yet been able to announce, in
the Joy Of his heart. "Eareka." Not so
in the great moral problem of our frater.
nifty It's circle aud it's square are coeval
--one in the beginning, they will SO re-
main until the end, in constant aud un.
broken usion. Every Mason is instruct
ed to apply the square to the circle Of du
~, and beyond the parallel lines by which
il is bordered, he u never to wander. lie
is the point within the circle. Ii is here
alone that our principles recognize him.
In its origin, Free Masonry was essen.
tially practical iu its character. 1t was
exenpllied by proper application Of the
rules Of Architecture, by which struc-
ture derives its due proportions and just
,poudenee 10 all its parts. While il
is now denominated theoretical, il is still,
in high moral sense. practical, teaching
aud enforcing the observance of every
moral aud social virtue. Although il may
not now, as In remote ages, employ the
material gaugs ia the measurement aud
laying out OF work, get BY libe as true
aud unerring IL still regulates the varied
duties of tue brotherhood. IL does not
WELD the common gsvel TO break off and
render manageable its rough materials;
bul by means adapted to the purpose, IL
knocks of the aspefitcs Of character, re-
inotes the iIres ulatities of lite, separates
What is useless aud evil FROM that which
is good, aud makes ready the ashlers, how
ever rude aud shapeless Ia their native
quarry. to be worked up into u great, glo
frious and enduring mural cdifce whose
perfection consists OF wisdom, strength
aud beauty. When Masonry shall cease
10 exist in her moral character as a system
Of practical beneyolence; WHEN her beau.
tiiul forms and ceremonies, when her i'm
pressiye theories shall lose their vitality,
aud become merely the sport Of the curl
Gus aud the idle; when the spirit that now
speaks in her rituals shall be dead, aud
the moral preccpt that now quickens the
body shall no longer exert its power, then
let Iehabod be written upon the walls Of
the Masonic Temple. for its glory will
have departed; let her lights be quenched
in the darkness Of her sileut halls, and let
the furniture Of tho Lodge become the
web of the spider.
To be good Mason is TO be good
man. The qualifications for admission to
the privileges Of Masonry, afford firm
foundation for the candidates future NOR.
al and intellectual advancement. lie
must be free born, Of mature age, Of good
report In community, OF respectable nat
,ural endowments, aud possess the sense
of man. He must have some visible
means Of support. lie must be able so to
work IN the craft as to lay up something
above his necessary wants aud expenses
for works Of charity. The sluggard aud
the indolent drone need not knock at the
Masonic door. If by any means an un-
worthy person gains admission among Us,
the we'll merited task devoves upon the
iusti,ution Of employing It's authority in
adapting him, IL possible TO its use; IL the
effort be in vain, then he must be cast out
among tho rubbish of the temple as unfit
for the builders use. The candidate is
met at the very vestibule Of tho temple
with these prerequisites, aud is conducted
IN suitable habliments up to It's sacred
mysteries. lie is charged, as bis founda.
tion aud chief corner stone, to believe
firmly In the existence Of God and the
authority Of the Holy Scriptures, 10 which
God is especially revealed. Masonry ex-
tends TO him toleralion as free AZ it,
boundaries are extensive; IL leaves him to
the guide Of that inward monitor, his
enlightened conscience, in the adoption
and enjoyment OF any religious creed not
incompatible with these requireme nts
The poison Of bigotry does not corrode,
nor the din Of political strife shake the
plastic cement which unites all in the
bonds of common brotherhood, among
whom there should DO no contention, ex.
'eept that noble emulation Of "who eau
beat or best agree?' Masonry charg-
les us to be peaceable aud quiet citizens,
true TO our government, just to our coun.
try; to be concerned in no plots or con.
anfFa al n. al .l.. I'll.