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

was promoted, intelligence was diffused,
and civilization WIS advanced. As the
sun pours the blessing Of his rays on all the
earth, so wherever the Masonic light was
carried, its effect was seen in the improved
condition OF mankind. The cities of
Eeypt and her mighty works of art pro-
claimed the presence Of the Master
Mason. Persia, the inheritance of Cyrus,
declared his skill; Babylon, the prison of
the weeping hosts Of Judah. bore ample
testimony in the grandeur Of her palaces
and temples, that the Master Mason was
work man that needeth not to be ashamed.
Niueveh, the rival of her sister upon the
Euphrates; Corinth. the mistress Of
Greeian commerce; and Athens, renowned
for her philosophic schools, stood forth
the silent, yet loud speaking witnesses of
the scientific skill with whish .heir costly
sdi6ccs had been erected.
All that now remain Of these great,
these splendid works, are so many monu.
meuts of the glory of former ages, aud of
the sad desolation which the wild passions
of men have wrought upon the works Of
ancient genius aud scientific skill. The
noble works OF the operative Mason have
passed away; the broken column, tho moss
covered arch, the heap of mouldering ruins,
the deserted palace, the crumbling walls Of
forsaken temples. bear mcurniul evidence
Of the ravages of time aud the destructive
fury OF relentless war. While such has
been the fate of the works of operative
Masonry, the principles Of speculative
Masonry remain unshaken. Our moral
temple has survived the rise and fall of
many u proud monarch, OF many an en-
pire She has withstood many a fiery
persecution. She stands to day, in all the
glory OF her virgin beauty, in all the
grandeur of her fadeless garments. Her
light has illumned the. modntans, the
hills, the valleys and the plains of every
continent and every cline Her songs
have eniiveued the solitudes Of the desert,
aud cheered the hearts of those who dwell
in the dark places of The earth. Her
voice Of love has been heard above the
din of battle. Her hand has hound up
the wounds Of many friendless wandcrer.
Let Us now more particularly look into
the organic principles Of Free Masonry,
and view the foundation UPON whicifnshe
stands; the walls OF her fmoral temphs
the wisdom, strength ana beauty with
which she is adorned.
The great corner. stone of the Masonic
edifce, j. firm belief in the existence
aud providence of God as the Supreme
Architect VI the Universe. We are
taught, as Masons. that the name Of Deity
is never to be uttered but with that reyer.
cnce which is due from the creature to the
Creator; that we are to implore His aid in
all our audable pursuits in life; aud tiat
we are to receive Him as our chief good
EmbIemalically presented to US by the all
seeing eve, we are taught that His pres
ence peryades all space, aud all things are
known to Him. Hence no atheist can be
a Mason; no proiane swearer can be a
consistent Mason. A member of the
fraternity who openly pro!ages the name
- God. violates one OF the solemn princi.
pies OF Free aud Accepted Mason.
Masonry recognizes tho Bible as the
inestimable gift of God to man. The
Bible is part of tie furpltute Of every
well regulated Lodge Its sacred pages
lie open before the eyes Of the brethren.
As the Masonic trave'er passes on in search
of light from ono degree TO another, he
is taught to rest at stated intervals and hear
some sacred lesson from the book Of life.
The truth thus read to him is SO impressed
upon his mind by appropriate aud beau.
tilu illustrations, that not unlrequently
the beuighted pilgrim has been brought
TO sight OF Him who is able 20 save. 10
rejoice in the provisions OF the everlast
lug covenant. With the shepherd king
his heart has been made glad with the mel.
ody Of inspired song; with the patient man
he has been led to embrace living Re
doemcr; aud with the enraptured seer he
has bcheld the gladuess of the wilderness,
aud has inhaled the sweet fragrance OF
the blooming desert rose. The Christian
Mason sees new beauties in tho Word OF
God; the non professor feels that there
are nights aud depths Of knowledge to
which lac may aspire, suited to his moral
aud spiritual wants. These truths afford
platform upon which all may meet as
brothers, in the cause Of common hu-
manity, without any sacrifice OF the prin-
ciple Of iaith as 20 the mode of the exis.
teuce Of God or Of the peculiar manner in
which lie may be pleased to manifest His
will to mankind. Hence Masonry en-
braces Ia is arms the humane in every
land, Of every nation, OF every sect.
Masonry inculcates a pure morality,
While its grand object is 10 dispense char.
ily to suffering humanity, il teaches that
charity is a moral virtue, and that its
fruits, like itself, should be pure and good.
The white apron, the square, the compass,
the plummet, all speak to mans moral
sense, teaching him the lessons Of up.
rightness uud truth. How deeply i'm
pressiye is the Mosaic pavement, emblem-
attic OF human life, checkered with good
and evil. IL reminds US Of the uncertain.
~ of our state on earth. To day our feet
travel in prosperity; tomorrow we totter
on tho uneven paths Of weakness, temp.
talion aud adversely.
Thus we might enumerate all the EN-
bems of the craft, which point out some
truth to embrace, some duty to perform.
Our charity is not couhned to the cir
clio of tho Masouic family alone; it ex.
tends to all mankind. IL looks upon the
world as one Grand Lodge. aud reeogni.
zes God as the Grand Master presiding
over all. The building of Solomon )
Temple presents lively illustration of
true charity which is the bond of perfect
ness, aud true harmony which is the
stranvth az all institutinna In tho GREG.