The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-06-25


Of our Order, requiring Of it's votaries nothing
beyond human reaob, knowing no distinction
Of sect, class or order, and only asks tho per
formance OF that which elevates the mora
sense, calls into play the chaste and refined
feelings, and implants into our breasts tina
divine precept, sDo unto others as you would
they should do unto you."
When usurpaion, linked with it's coadjutors
Cruelty and Avarice, bounded on to perpetuatt
an iguominious despotism; when Law and Or
der knew but the behests Of despoic will ani
existed only in semblance, Liberty, which i,
Masonry-hidden beneath the impenetrable
clouds which concealed her beautiful form
sought in association and union q strength
which, with Silence as it's motto, and Hope en-
graved on its banners, started upon pilgrim
age, which soon became moral crusade, and
drew along countless host Of nations, sects
and cIimes. The golden era Of its intellectu'
ality then arose, and the FIRST rays of its re-
splendent glory penetrated the gloom Of IgDo-
rance and Error, and dissipated the dark pail
which overhung the world. Armed with its
virtues, which constitute it's strength, it is oi
necessity the mortal enemy Of Fanaticism,
which persecutes, and arrays itself against
whatever is contrary to the laws of God.
Man IS made for man, and by his nature
prone to lean upon his kind in furtherance OF
all objects that affect him; hence, he feels the
necessity Of this unity, which cements our
Brotherhood, constituting strength and power,
which armed with virtue, are invincible, 80 that
celebrating as we do now upon this, the festal
day or our patron Saint. st. John the Baptist,
brother having but one common sentiment,
conceived at time when, ground to the dust.
matured and developed until, phenix like, it
sprang into refulgent light that permeates
Christianity and liuked hand in hand with its
sister and friend, now, like it's great prototype,
payes the way for the dawn Of that greatest OF
lights, which shall usher in fraternal feelings
among all mankind. 1t is with such unity as
this which purchased and preserved the hber-
ties We now enjoy, and which has given to the
social compact such solidity.
Free Masonry does exclude from its confines
the presence and soft influences Of woplsn, yet
We may consider the sex intelligent judges,
upon whose verdict il will, notwithstanding,
rely for defence Of its grand tenets.
Free Masonry is philosophical it cultivates
the profound virtues, while it pursues its on
ward path as it accumulates in the rich grana-
ries OF its progress the treasures Of its never
dying fame. Broad and deep to those who
would penetrate the inner sanctuary, it teaches
upon what rests the world and by what in
iscrutible laws it's fabric is governed. Just as
the frat fruit upon the tree is evidence Of the
solidity of the parent trunk, 30 are all the vir-
tues Of Masonry but ornaments and arguments
to that philosophy which gives permanence
and durability to its standing; without its
philosophy. Charity sinks into pale and insig-
nificant light, and would seek some more
genial bowers, whence, reclining in the
soft lu1uriance Of greater certainty, it
could be calm and content TO remain. With
such philosophy Masonry is calculated to
break the bonds Of entwining sophistry and
ignorance. This philosophy, We are proud to
say, is The keystone in the arch from whose
brilliant light emanate those rays that bring
happiness to benighted world. If obstacles
are met with it is your buckler, and like gran
ite promontory you will stand unmoved amidst
the wild rawlings OF fanaticism, which surge
around you only to be hurled back amid their
natiEa foam. It's philosophy is the great base
upon which it rests, and as it rears its light to
the free and welcoming air, We turn our eyes
to the beacon revolving in purity, and drink OF
the sweet waters that flow in an inexhaustible
stream, making us singular Order amongst
men.
Ourtie OF Charity carries with it many rare
and invaluable virtues-it is the union Of all
the virtues not of human origin; no human
mind ever produced them; they are living ema-
nations from the fountain Of universal good. 1t
tells how it has spoken in the soft whispers of
the sympathetic soul; how it has showered un-
e1pectedly rich comforts to the dying and dis.
tressed; how it has dried the widows tears,
placen q JOY where sorrow reigned; it founds hos
pitfalls and educational institutions, and finds
a broths sr in the form Of foe, and sheds light
upon the prisoner in his dungeon. It is the
love OF all mankind that erects the great temples
from whose portals issue Brotherly Love,
which makes each and every Mason feel. how
ever humble his position in life, his worth and
virtues, he has placs in the niche OF the
rock of ages, whose foundation is Love.
Such principles as these will never die; the
fiery sun on it's throne MAJ grow dim; the sill
YER queen Of night may wane; the besom's
sweep OF devastation may carry away all the
greatness and glory OF man, and entomb them
in the irreluminable night Of oblivion, but
these principles will never die, and will live
as God is eternity. Thsse great and vital prin-
ciples that give it character and worth, spring
from the ever-glewing fullness, and justly lay
claim to the prerogative OF eternity. They
meet aggressive vice and overthrow it in battle.
Lastly, brethren. Living in country whose
egis is Liberty, when tolerance to think and
speak when one chooses has been somewhat
curtailed. and when by the sad experiences OF
the late sectional strife We see all the finer
feelings OF life suborned, still the beaten star
Of its genius shone in the armament from out
OF the Clouds guide to common and finally
dispensed Charity that knew no bounds; re-
naming trus to the end, the only unbroken
links tn the chain OF mans benevolence.
Much remains for us to do. We hold in our
keeping high destinies. Let Us kindly and
properly apply our wisdom, and ever remain
living emblems OF trus and noble Organiza-
tion whose foundation is Of God and in God.
At the conclusion OF the orltion, there was