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

en- to undermine It's exccllencies, We guayd
with jealous care the principles and precepts
Of our Order, requiring Of it's votarles nothing
beyond human reach, knowing no distinction
OF scot, class or order, aud only asks tho per-
formanoe OF that which eisvsSes the moral
sense, calls into play the chaste and refined
feelings, and implants into our breasts that
divine precept. e'Do unto others as you would
they should d. unto you
When 'usurpation, linked with it's ooadjutors.
Cruelty and Avarice, bounded on to perpetuate
an ignominious despotism; when Law and Or
der knew but the behests OF despoic will and
existed only in semblance. Liberty. which is
Masonry hidden beneath the impenetrable
clouds which concealed her beautiful form
sought in association and union strength
which, with Silence as its motto, and Hope en-
graved on its banners, started upon q pilgrim
age, which soon became moral crusade, and
drew along connt'oas host Of nations, scots
and clijnes. ihc golden era Of it's intellectu-
aiity then nl0se, and tho first rays OF its re-
spenden' Story penetrated the gloom OF Igpo-
rance anG Erroe, and dIsspated the dark pail
whch loy crhuus tno world. Armed with its
VI .ues whic4 constitute it's strength, it is OF
necessity the mortal enemy Of Fanatieism,
which persecutes, and arrays itself against
whatever is contrary to the laws Of God.
Man IS made for man, anu 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
celeor ating as we do now upon this, the festal
day of our patron SAINT. st. John the Baptist,
a brother having but one common sentiment.
conceived at time when, ground to the dust,
matured and developed until, phoenix like, it
sprang into refuIgent light that permeates
Christianity and linked hand in hand with it's
sister aud friend, now, like it's great prototype,
paves 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 it's confines
the presence and soft influences Of woDian. yet
we may consider the sex intelligent judges,
upon whose verdict it will, notwithstanding,
rely for defence Of it's grand tenets. 9s
Free Masonry is philosophical ); IL cultivates
the profound virtues, while it pursues it's on
ward path as it accumulates In the rich grana-
ries Of it's progress the treasures of It's never
dying tame. Broad and deep to those who
would penetrate the inner sanctuary, it teaches
upon what rests the world and by what in
scrutible laws its fabric is governed. just as
the first fruit upon the tree is evidence of the
solidity Of the parent trunk, 80 are all the vir-
tues of Masonry but ornaments and arguments
to that philosophy which gives permanence
and durability to its standing; without it's
philosophy, Charity sinks into pale and insig-
ni6caut light, and would seek some more
genial bowers, whence, reclining in the
soft luxuriance Of q greater certainty, it
could be calm and content to remain. With
such philosophy Masonry is calculated to
break the bonds of en+vlning 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 ami Their
native foam. It's philosophy is tha oraat has1
upon which it rests, and as it rears it's Eghttc
the free and welcoming air, we turn our eyes
to the beacon revolving in purity, and drink o.
the sweet waters that flow in an inexhaustible
stream, making us singular Order amongst
men. II
Our tie Of Charity carries with it many rare
and invaluable virtues-it is the union Of al
the virtues not Of human origin; no human
mind ever produced them; they are living ema
nations from the fountain Of universal good. Il
tells how It has spoken in the soft Whispers O.
the sympathetic soul; how it has show cred IN
expectedly rich comforts to the dying and dis
tressed; how it hss dried the widows tears,
placen q Joy where sorrow reigned; it founds hoe
pitfalls and educational institutions, aud findi
broth er in the form Of q foe, and sheds liRh
upon the prisoner in his dungeon. It is tn
love OF all mankind that erects the great temple
from whose portals issue Bro therly Love
which m axes each and every Mason feel, how
ever humble his position in life, his worth ant
virtues, be has place in the niche OF thu
rock of ages, whose foundation is Love. .on
Such principles as these will nevar die; th
fiery sun on its throne may grow dim, the sd
YER queen of night may wane; the besom'
sweep OF devastation may carry away all th
greatness and glory Of man, and entomb then
| III LILO IIIoAuAIudOlo uAknV Va OUAAvlOn3 W.
these principles will never die. and will liv
as God is eternity. These great and vital prin
ciples that give it character and worth, sprin
from the ever-glowing fullness, and justly La
claim to the prerogstive Of eternity. The
meet aggressive vice and overthrow il In battle
| Lastly. brethren. Living in country who's
@gis is Liberty, whom tolerance to think an
speak when one chooses has been somewha
curtailed, and when by the sad experiences Z
the late sectional strife we see oil the. fine
feelings Of life suborned. still the beaten sta
OF it's genius shons in the armament from on
OF the clouds guide to o common aud fanals
dispensed Charity that knew mo- bounds; r.
manning trus to the ead, the only unbroks
links in the chain OF mans benevolence.
4 Much remains for as to do, We hold ip on
Iikeepang high desdnies. Les ,,us kindly an
properly apply our wisdom, and ever RENAL
living emblems OF true and noble orgauizs
S>k g. Ss~n n<~A 4