The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1871-08-05
SATURDAY. MoRNIN(9, AUGUST 5. 1871

"a " N.Y. ol ~, IOtl. '7h'
demands answered, relief is extended to
others as far as W, are able. =, we. do not
see others suffer when it is in our power
to relieve them. The tears have been
| wiped away from the widows cheek the
orphan has been cared for, the stranger.
when sick away from his home and kim
| dred has been provided for. Many with
grateful hearts have blessed our order
for assistance and relief rendered in time
Of sickness and want. II
But brotherly love and relief form but
two of the links in this beautiful chain,
the chain is made perfect and complete
only by the addition OF truth. Truth
shuns disguise, hates hypocracy, and de-
tests falsehood, it comprehends all that
is wise aud good. 1t is the vital spirit
of every community which is well found
ed among men. He who speaks the
truth and does the truth not only has
the respect and confidence of his fellow
man, but the smiles aud the love of
Deity; the God of truth. The heavenly
radiance OF truth will guide us into the
possession of al! that is pure, good aud
lovely. Truth is one of the most im-
portant principles of our order, may Il
"erer, merer cease to d,ceH among us.
SECRECY.
but FREQ Masonry meets with oppo-
sition on account of its being secret
society, our mysteries are objected to.
In regard to the secrecy CT our Order.
suffice it to say we possess no more Sc
crccy than is actually necessary to our
existence: We DO possess certain signs
and eu.blems that will make us known
to each othcrj our mysteries aud secrets
are our safeguards against intrusion and
imposition, by them we are enabled to
detect imposition and fraud Before
you condemn us for our secrecy, consi-
der who have been a4d who are still
members Of cur Order. many of the most
iliustrious Statesmen, most profound
philan,Lropis;s, and most dcvout Chris
tians, in ancient times, have been mem
bers Of this Society, patrons ana en"our-
ayers of this noble Institution, aud in
the present day, many of the most emil
ncnt men of our land and other lands,
are found i'll our fraternity. Men emil
ncnt Tor riety, ability, talent, and purity
OF action. We ask can they? will they !?
knowing the nature and object Of Ma
sonry, remain connected with it, counte-
nance its proceedings aud zcalously
practice its prccepts, were it otherwise
than what it rrofesses to be. Their
names and characters are known aud
understood in the community in which
they live, they are not ashamed nor
afraid to be known and recognized as
Masons. Look around you, who are
members of our Lodge? you behold
Christians of every Denomination, and
in becoming members of our Order, they
sacrifice not their religious opinions,
they renouncc not their creed Our
Order does not interfere with the duties
they owe to their church, their couutry,
their families. or themselves, here are
our fathers, husbands, brothers, sons,
ncishbors aud our friends: Would thes
remain members of our order, were it
not, that it is an organization FOR pro-
motion and extension Of virtue and
| morality?
is secrecy itself crime? IF it is, all
men and women are criminals, for all
have secrets treasured up in tho remote
chambers of their hearts which they do
-. ~~""-' 10 rensnve the mer-
chant because he does not expose his
books 10 the public eye? Do we cen
sure the lawyer because he does not
make knwn to every passer.by the pri-
vate and confidential communications of
his client? Or do we cansure the ply
scian because he docs not disclose what
transpres in the chambers of sickness?
Assuredly not Would they not lose
ouf Ycspec. ard confidence? Yea rather
bring down upon them contempt and
disdain should they reveal to the world
what the nature Of their calling and
Office would require to be kept secret.
Secrecy is no crime-@wby then condemn
US for our secrecy?
| TO TIE LADIES.