Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1869-03-25

I
ment of vice, and the Immortality o.
man-there can be no religion where
there is no faith in these truths, and il
the symbolic language of Masonry
these truths are ever unfolded.
| No disbeliever in the.existence o.
God can be made Mason; but the
existence, character and name of Deity
are revealed in the teachings of the
order, while reverence and worship
obedience and love of Him, are incul-
Gated as the highest duties. and most
invaluable privileges of man.
A celebrated Clergyman and Broth,
er of the Order. said fifty years ago.
'It is the province of Freemasonry tc
acknowledge with alteration, the Su
preme empire of the Deity, to per
suade men to be virtuous, bene6cent
and just, and by that sentiment o.
happiness which will be the result, bott
in this life and in that which is tc
come. 1t steps forward on the same
line with external religion, and the
soundest politics, and aims at the per-
fection of man and the happiness ol
society. 1t follows man in all the steps
of his celestial career beyond the grave,
and conducts him by the celestial paths
of science and virtue, through the
trials and illusions of human life to the
true Temple of Solomon"
Can religion, in the highest sense in
which it is understood by the most ex-
elusive professors. do more for man
than this? We think not; and we claim
that this language expresses the design
of the Divinely appointed mission of
Freemasonry, which is to aid in bring
ing all humanity into harmony, union
and peace on earth, and conduct them to
the perfection and bliss of the celestial
home above.
But, we have the highest author
ity in the order for the sentiment we
have expressed. DR.. Mackey says:-
1.-The tendency of all pure Masonry, is
toward religion. If it make any pro-
gress, its progress is to that holy end.
Look at its ancient landmarks, its sub
lime ceremonies, its profound symbols,
and allegories, all intoxicating religious
doctrine, commanding religious observ-
ance, and teaching religious truth; and
who can deny that it is eminently re-
ligious institution"
Bnt besides, Masonry is in all its
forms thoroughly tinctured with de-
votional spirit. We open and close our
Lodges with prayer; we invoke the
blessing of the most high upon all our
labors; we demand of our Neophites a
profession of trusting belief in the ex-
istence and experimenting care of God;
and we teach them to bow with humil-
ity and reverence at his holy name;
while his holy law is widely opened
upon our altars.
But then, the religion of Masonry is
not sectarian, it admits men of every
creed within its hospitable bosom
rejecting none, and approving none,
for his peculiar faith. 1t is not Juda-
ism, though there is nothing in it to
offend a Jew. 1t is not christianity,
but there is nothing in it repugnant to
the faith of Christian. Its religion
is that general one of nature and prim-
tive revelation, handed down to us
from some ancient and Patriarchal
Priesthood, in which all men may
agree, and in which no men can diff
fer.
And though it cannot become SUBJ
stitute for christianity, yet, its tenden-
cy is thitherward, and as the hand
maid of religion, it may, and often
does, act as the porch that introduces
its votaries into the Temple of divine
truth.
Masonry then is indeed religious
institution and on this ground mainly,
if not alone, should the religious Ma
son defend it.
The religion of Masonry, is the re-
ligion of the ancient patriarchs, of
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; of Joseph,
Moses, David, and the Prophets; of
John the Baptist, of Jesus, Of Peter,
Paul, and John the beloved disciple.
Now, in this respect, there is no sys-
tenn of earth to be compared with it.
1t presents the only platform on
which men of all creeds in religion and
politics can traternize, and give to
each other the grasp of true friendship
and love.
1t furnishes the panacea for the So
cial wrongs of the race, and is appli-
cable everywhere, and will be admitted
by all; because it unfolds universal
truths, and illustrates the universal re-
ligion. The votaries of all other re-
ligions find their fundamental princi-
pies in Masonry. The Jew, the Hin
doc, the Christian, the Mahomedan,
will each discover in its sacred sym
bols, his own Deity, his own sacred
writings, or, some Of their teachings,
and his own divinely acknowledged
truths. Thus the truths SO sacredly
cherished by all ages, nations, and re-
ligions, Masonry holds for all. No
other institution in the world can take
its place, or do its work.
Those prophecies of the Old Testa-
ment, which foretell the union of all
discordant natures in one bond OF
Brotherhood, Masonry only can ac-
complish and realize. National preju-
dices,- political prejudices religious
prejudices, and all the bitter fruits they
weld, vanish forever,
"wIthin the mystic circle,
And on the chsckered floor"
Masonry, is not an untried specula-
ton; it is not an impracticable theory,
which originated in the dreams of the
enthusiast and the fanatic. 1t has been
doing its work for thousands of years.
It's progressive march has been inter-
rupted, for short time only, but never
impeded.5 The "stone cut out of the
mountain without hands," is rolling
on, ever increasing its dimensions, and