The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1868-06-24
For the Herald ]

Oh the history OF the INSTITUTION OF mason
ry is not only useful but yet necessary,
that 7 venture to communicate some re-
hcctions relative to an association which
has so powerfully contributed to the i'm
proveruent Of social life, and to the gen.
eral. civilization of the world.
y, In writing these lines, have no idea
of Eav"rins any party, but only the truth.
MAY reach this end But as the ot-
stacles are considerable for me, beg my
brethren and you, my friend, not to de-
ny me your kind Indulgence.
The society Of naSons, attracted
upon her the attention of mankind {;
without any protection, neither from the
governments or the churches; scarcely
tolerated in certain countries; prosecuted
in some others, she arrived in the inter
val of a few centuries to the authority Of
an institution which numbers its mem-
-bers by hundreds Of t, s,ouSandS Of every
belief, in all nations Of the earth.
Notwithstanding al the efforts Of its
enenlicS to ruin it, this association did
keep up and did become more numerous,
and aided, by her influence, the improve
ment Of social life ; and notwithstanding
numberlcss errors, foStered among its
members a spirit of benevolence and
charity, and brought back many who
had gone out of the foot-paths of virtue.
She dried the tears of widows and or:
phans, and she instituted many establish
ments OF benevolence and general Utility.
Deyotion and Gvrvor in prayer predis-
poses to masonry land as plcty, is: the
absolute sign of religion; SO disposition
to piety inc!ines to charity. This last
virtue produces series Of associations
more or less close. Hence from that
cause, the union of love, Of friendship,
family, government or church.
The socisty:of free naSons then, the
strongest covenant which exists in the
heart of-humanity. 1t is the most conf
pete expression Of the tendency to re-,
conciliate God with mankind, and to ere
ate love for God and our fellow-crea-
lures in the heart of man. She assem-
5les her members for the purpose of re-
ciprocaliy educating themselves. till their
differences are stricken out, and till a
brosherly corporation is established he.
tween theuL and they arrive a; perfect
harmony The ideal pursued by free:
WaSoaSsiS the. condition by which the
nill Of God became the will of all. The /
aim of humanity Is the concord Of the
universe with God, '~ehtaiued by moral
ceoblemeut; it is also the aim of free
masonry. .. y..x .
The attitude Of this society. towards
the government and the church, j. friend
~ in the.highcSt. degree. By, q fuQda.e i
mental maxim cf its constitution she ex
.epis against all lf0partiripa'ion with po-
itlral deeds, and reifainS from. taking 4
any side between the numerous parties
which pr'ducc the distul Dances existing
III the churches: :r- -, . q :!
Free. masonry then applies only to the
man; but, as she is wllling to make !
8 '0d citlzt'tS OF her ueubcrs. she cS-
cites them to work for the good Of hu-
MARTY, AID size tiles TO develop in them
order and legality j; a"d, as she wants to
make good tneh of them, she endeavorS
to encourage them to become u salouS
members of their respective religions.
70 be good and TO do good is the base of
the moral TO which free, masonry excitcs'
ard besS her children TO rally. Also To
follow rcligiou>iy this rule: DO unto all
men, what youwou!d that others should
do unto yeu.n In a word, you will find |
upon all the flags of frec-masonry, as
we'll as engraved in the heart Of every
free mason, these three words: "
"Hgmanity, Charity, Fraternity" /
Il hore,. my dear friend, that you. have
had the courage and patience to read my |
aggression, and that you will excuSesme,
in fonSicir, alton OF my sincere wish, to
make you acquainted, (tS far as it is in |
my power), with society second to no |
uhef, for the correctness Other rules
and ppir Of her principles. am ,cou.
iiaent ~, you will cenrr9 what ary. |
tor yon know that. for ali the world, I |
would not tell you ansthing contrary TO
he reality. 1t is true that there exists
-9,ae words and some signs of rccasni. I
ton among free-maSenS hut far from
claiming thcu, for having a SECRET, YOU
HuSt coilgraislate them Cor it. This
rule is an evidence of order, morality,
.nt, brotherhood; these signs and words
give them the possibility to recognize, to
rrntect and assist ope another in all parts
Of the universe. Yon did not forget,
that you said ln my presence,
/, few days past, that fee-:naSnns did
aot admit ladies among them, because
they we're afraid that the Ia les would
not keep Their secret ! cauld imnle'ii-
ately have answered with success this
u usument 81, unhat,erins towards a great
many ladies. who know, better than men,
now t. keep secret; bat, knowing that
he time would then be too short for me
10 modify your opinion ON this subject,
kept silence, bat, you remember, | pro.
.es,ed in their favor. To day, that yon
know a large part Of the fundamental
,a~e and principal uaxims of free mason
y, please acknowledge with me that the /
aides are. for great many reasons, I
more qualified than US to apply these
naxims with success.
In conclusion, allow me to tell you
hat there was always in existence, and