Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1869-03-25
The Journal.
AID . r E S S
Delivered at the Installation
of the Officers of Morn
ing Dawn Lodge
No. Z, E. A. M.
BY REV. R. BREARE.
PUBLISHED BY REouEsr.

Ladies and Gentlemem, Brothers, Free
n,asons:
To-day. we commemorate the birth
of one of the Patron Saints of Free
masonry, St. John the Evangelist.
The occasion presents propitious
moment for a review of the Order; in
its principles, and teachings; in its ORR
gin and progressive development; in
the duties it inculcates, in the hopes il
inspires, in the truths it unfolds, and
the great good it will ultimately impart
to the entire human race.
| For all these matters are intimately
connected with Freemasonry; and when
clearly laid before you, will doubtless
induce the conclusion, that Freemason-
ry is not only the most ancient, but
also the most Divine, of all the institu-
tions of earth.
| Its origin is so far back in the ages
of antiquity. that we cannot fix upon
the event with any chronological GER
tainty. Its mission commenced with
the manifestations of truth and good
ness to man; and from that time, in
all the strugglings of truth with error,
of light with darkness, of liberty with
tyranny, and of holiness with sin, in
individuals or in nations, the genius of
this institution, was fulfilling its minis
try of love for the redemption and ele-
vation of the race.
We have no idea of the form of or
ganization under which it operated in
these early times; but we have suffi-
cient grounds for the belief that, in
Egypt, Assyria, and Chaldea, it exist
ed as an organization; that it was the
highest controlling power of the times,
from before the birth of Abraham to
the reign of Solomon; and that, by
whatever nameit was known, ''its prin-
ciples and aims are the same-yester-
day, to-day, and forever
1t is always the patron of Science,
Philosophy, and the Arts. 1t has al
ways led the barbarian and the saw
age to civilization and refinement. 1t
has found the pagan in his blindness,
prostrated before his image of wood,
or stone, and taking him kindly by the
hand, has led him in paths he had not
known, made darkness light before
him, and crooked things straight" by
revealing the existence of God, and an
immortal home for man.
Such has been the mission of Free
masonry from the beginning, and such
will it continue to be until the end, al
ways adapting itself to the wants and
circumstances of the race.
We know well that the real charac-
ter of the order can neither be under
stood nor appreciated by those without
its pale. The veil which hides its mys-
teries must be put aside, before an in
dividual can obtain glimpse even, of
its peculiar glories. 1t is not surpris-
ing then, that mistakes and misrepre-
sentations should abound in the out
ward world, as the fruits of the ground
less speculations of the curious and
the prying.
But, there is enough of revealment
belonging to those on the outside of
the institution, to give an idea of its
principles and aims, and the influence
of its mission upon the world. And
in regard to these, we would observe:
1st. That the Order of Freemason-
ry inculcates the highest and purest
morality.
In its instructions to the Brother
hood, are embodied all the require
ments of the moral law.
tbs both prohibitive and preceptive;
and as such, embraces the whole of the
decalogue, requiring the subjugation
of the passions, and the cultivation of
the moral nature in the Individual
Intemperance, profanity and licentious-
ness it teaches to eschew.
Fidelity, honesty, justice, charity, it
unfolds as the characteristics of the
true Mason. While Brotherly love, re-
lief, and truth, have been its watch
words everywhere and in all time
And any spirit, or conduct, or course
of proceeding, at variance with, or an
tagonistic of these, BY any member of
the order is as unmasonic as it is un
christian, and immoral. Whatever is
at variance with morality, is equally at
variance with Freemasonry.
Whatever is transgression of the
great law of charity, is opposed to the
direct spirit, and express injunctions of
Masonry. No man can be bad citi-
zen and a good Mason at the same
time. A man cannot neglect or abuse
his family, trample upon the rights of
his fellow men, be unfaithful to his OBJ
legations, Incorporate, unjust, dishon-
est, refuse relief to the suffering or
protection to the weak and helpless, if
in his power to relieve and aid: and at
the same time, be true to the spirit, the
requirements, and teachings of Free
masonry.
Such, are the high and solemn re-
sponsibilities which Masonry throws
around all within its sacred inclosure.
Can such an institution tend to evil?-l
Can the influence of such an order,
with such requirements and principles,
be corrupt and impure? Only so far
as sound morality can be injurious,
and Justice, honesty, truth and charity
be at variance with the best interests of
humanity. But, in order to further
show the true character of Freemason-
ry, we would also speak of it as con-
tanning the great essential principles of
Religion.
Perhaps the strongest prejudices
against the order have been fostered
by the impression made on the masses.
that it is not religious in its influence
and teachings. And this has been con-
ceded by many members of the order;
and until recently, no one (or very few,
if any, has had the boldness to main
tain its claim to a. religious character.
If, to teach and cherish the three