Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1868-01-24


Masonic charity to visit without ostenta-
ton the abodes Of the wretched, to feed
the hungry, to clothe the naked, TO sym
pathize with the afflicted, to speak words
Of kindness to those who err, to encour-
ago the desponding, TO cheer the dying
with words of comfort from the book OF
life. Our charity is not to be expressed
by words alone, nor by tears alone, but
by good works and noble deeds. Ii may
perhaps be asked does not the Christian re-
ligion teach all the virtues here enumer-
a'ed2 We answer, yes. Where, then, is
the necessity for the Masonic Order? We
answer, that Masonry is only mode Of
carrying into practical effect the great pre-.
cepts taught in the Word Of God. Ma.
sonry does not seek to supersede Chris.
tianity, nor to take the place of the
Church of God She allows the Greek.
the Christian, the Jew aud the man of
China to unite their hearts and hands with
her in giving practical effect to the duties
laid down in the divine charter Of our
holy religion. While she does not oppose,
but rather rejoices in the good accomplish
ed by seciarian effort, she allows all to
unite with her in one common brother
hood, moved by one common principle of
good will to man, without regard TO pecu.
liarity Of nation, of religion, Of sect, or of
external condition; to unite with her in
doing good to all mankind.
Masonry is not body without spiritu-
ality. She has emblems-her forms, her
ceremonies. These speak not only to
mans moral nature, but also to his spirit.
ual sense. No Master Mason can ever
forget the hour when he was raised to that
sublime degree. He will never forget the
lessons then impressed upon his mind, of
illustrated courage, truth, fidelity He
will never forget the solemn thoughts Of
death, the silent slumbcr Of the grave. lie
will never forget the evergreen, emblem Of
Immortality, planted at the head of the
grave to mark the spot whore sleeps the
quiet dead lie will never forget the
twilight Of nature, nor the increased light
of the typical age. Above all. he will ever
remember the power of the Lion Of the
tribe Of Judah, whose voice alone can
break the silence of the shades Of death,
and whose strength can raise the corrupt
b'S b'aN DOm ktdNS w Ot Cloiht0
with the garments OF immortal beauty,
and to shine forever as the brightness Of
the armament.
As this address was delivered in q
Lodge of Master Masons, Mr.. Lynch
omitted, for. the present, any remarks on
the higher degrees oflloyS Arch Masonry
aud the orders OF Knighthood
Some persons object to Free Masonry
because Of its secret character. True, we
have our secrets, aud they are kept with
sacred fidelity by every true Mason. But
no one has ever been injured by our
secresy. Has not a man right TO keep
his secrets to himself Have a right to
go into the family of my neighbor and
demand that he reveal to me the secrets
Of bis own house? Have not oil corporate
bodies their own secret business transac-
tious? Does not the Senate Of the United
States holds its secret sessions? Secresy
is u divine attribute. God has His secret
purposes which in due time lie uniolds to
the minds Of men, as they are prepared to
receive them. So Masonry reveals her
secrets TO those who are prepared and are
worthy TO receive them Whatever may
be the secrets of Free Masonry, they are
such as mediate no evil to society," but
rather tend to promote the welfare and
happiness Of man.
An objection to our Order is sometimes
urged, that persons are found among us
whose morals are u discredit TO the iusti-
tuition. This may be true; but the fault
is not IN the institution itself, but is found
in the fact that too much indulgence has
been allowed in admitting improper per-
sons To membership in the Lodge. I'm
worthy persons are found in every CON.
munity. Even the Church of Christ has
had to bear this reproach. But shall we
condemn aud reject an institution, good
in itself, because some of its members are
bad? Surely not. Otherwise the Chris
tian Church might long have been de-
stroyed. Let us guard with vigilance the
door Of entrance to our Lodges; let US be
true to ourselves, to our cause, to our
God; then soon will this reproach DC taken
away.
Brethren, let us all seek TO know the
great object aud duties of life; let US prac
tlce the precepts Of our Order; let US have
faith ia God, love to our fellow men. hope
in immortality. Aud when the curtains
OF time shall be drawn aside, aud the
future be revealed, may it be to Us the
revelation Of eternal life in the Celestial
Lodge, amid the rejoicing OF the redeemed
Of all nations.
"For others be the warriors plume,
For them the trumpets blastj
De ours tho laurels that shall bloom
In love, while lime shall last."