The Waynesburg Republican. [volume] (Waynesburg, Pa.) 1867-18??, 1868-07-15

uilpIltu over peISOiitl illiputiicoi tilSS
put on the garb of Innocence, employ
the language of fraternal affection, and
learn to acknowledge each other as
brethren. Thus, the tretting excitement
of party strife is allayed; angry antago-
nists are pacified and -united; and all
are made to enjoy h sabbath of rest, III
the consciousness that they exercise un-
feined charity toward all.
And is there no advantage benev-
olence i'm all this? Are we to expect no
| benefit to result from the cessation of
angry antagOnism, and the promotion Of
brOtherly affection and good will? Sure
ly these resting places of the passions ex-
! ert 4 salutary influence upon our moral
character. Their direct tendency is to
save us from that hardness of heart,
which constant rivalry and unmitigated
antagonism will most aSsuredly produce,
| 2. The benevOlence of Freemasonry
is seen in its readyness to assist the
needy. Where is the Masonic assoca-
tion which has not, in one way or other,
visited and relieved "the fhtherless and
widows in their afiliction?' Where is
the brother who has ever disregarded
the cry of distress, or refused to lend
helping hand, in ministering to the he
cessities ofa worthy object? We know
that when EreemaSonry bestoWs it char
tiles, it does not sound a trumpet, or
proclaim its benevolence by some pull
lie demonstration but still the benevo-
lence exists, and the favors are bestowed,
while the donors, who give in secret, are
often rewarded openly. Indeed, there
is blessedness in the very act of be-
slowing needed favor, which often ful-
ly compensates the giver. And if, in
addition to this, we take into the ac-
count the personal comfort which our
charities create, and the heartfelt graft
tude which they evoke, we will have at
least an imperfect view of the fruits and
evidences of that benevolence, which has
ever been a prominent characteristic of
our order. We will see some of the
motives which move us "to do good and
to communicates" especially when we
consider, that "with such sacrifices God
is well pleased"
VIII you go with me to witness the
tears of gratitude, which the lonely wild
ow sheds over the Offering you send her
in the name of fFreemasonryp Will YOU
listen, with me, to the thanksgivings Of
the orphan, whose wants your liberality
has relieved? VIII you mark, in the
man of decrepitude, the signs of grateful
emotion, when he receives into his
trembling hand the proof ofyour Mason
ic charity? These, and similar cases
may be regarded rs so many appeals to
heaven, for Divine blessings upon the
order; nor will such invocationS be dis
regarded by him who has assured us,
that the bestowment of even a cup Of
cold water, in proper manner, "shall
not lose its reward"
"lf there is one earthly consideration
which, more than any other, can give
pOignancy to the sting of death, 1t is
the" tOrmenting thought, that the loved
ones whom we are about to leave behind
us must be thrown out upon the cold
charities of selfish and unfeelng world.
But, on the other hand, if the husband
and father is called to die, without being
able to secure to the objects of his dear
est affections the necessities of life, it il
to him a cOnsoling thought, that he
leaves them within the range and ope-
ration of a benevolent institution, whose
help they cannot seek III vain.
Perhaps we cannot better illustrate
The nature of Masonic bencvolencc than
by presenting single circumstance.
, which happened in one of cur eastern
cities. 1t comes to us we'll authentica-
ted, and is only one case among thous-
!. ands. A large property holder instruc.
led the proper officer to make attach
ment ofhousehold furniture for rent due.
The tenant was q widow, with q family
, of little children; and the attachment
would cover nearly all that the law al
lowed to be taken. When the lady was
| s,,t 20 L. II
the object of his visit, she exclaimed in
her distress, 81 know not what to do. ]
, have neither friend nor relation to whom
| can apply. am alone-uttcrly alone
, helpless Substitution widow"
. The officer then inquired, sis there no
. association upon which you have q
claim?" Her answer was, onc.-I
: am not member of any benevolent so.
ciety." "But I remember" said she
, "my husband told me more than once
that if / should ever be in distress,
might make MiS available, hero pre-.
, senting Masonic jewcl-"I fear, how.
, ever. it is now too late"
, "Let me see it." returned the officer
who was himself a Mason. On exam.
lining it, he at once recognized the stand
, ing Of the deceased Brother, and said
"we will see what effect this jewel will
have; though the landlord, know, i:
not Mason. Who is your clergyman ,
inquired the officer. She told him who
? her clergyman was. He also was G
, Mason.
= When the officer made known to the
l clergyman the widows distress, and al
2 50 her claim on the fraternity, he in
: quired, "Who is the Iandlord?". Wher
| informed by the officer. he said, "Ah
t does his religion teach him to set no bet
l ter example? We must show him wha
;; Freomasonry requires. l have spent
e the last payment of my salary; but here
| is my note, at short date, for tht
+ amount due. The landlord will hardly
l refuse that"
f Thus, in few minutes, the claim wa.
/ paid; and, the benevolent officer forgiv
ing his fees, the heart of the destitute
1 widow was caused to sing for joy; while
: her tears of gratitude, made brilliant by
: the smiles of her relieved children, be
came Jewels of Freemasonry, the value
$ of which is beyond that ofsilvcr or gold
t But If, by this act of Masonic charity
: the afflicted widow and her weeping
0 children were made to rejoice, how un
y speakably great must have been tn,
e pleasure of those, who procured for then
:, so great benefit Ny brethren, Free
e masonry not only inspires the hear
: with feeling of true benevolence, bu
n it becomes, to great extent, its own re
t warder, by atfording its members til,
: rich luxury of doing good to the needy
5 We might present other aspects of til,
G benevolence of this institution, if tim,
t and circumstances would allow; but per
haps we have persued this subject ia
! enough for the present occasion. Ou
a conclusion is, that Freemasonry is boil
a moral ana 6eaeroLcnt institution;--on
g whose legitimate tendency is only good
: and not evil.
n We know, however, that in whatevc
), light zoe may regard FreemasoIry, it al
= ways has been. and still is, an object o