The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1871-08-05
restitution. which we regret to say has
been misplaced ED. NEw,1
/ OBSERVER.
Masonic Address.

of my brethren of Pine Grove Lodge
No.l2 A. L. NJ stand before you
to discourse upon Masonry and its prin-
ciples; an Institution organized by our
forefathers in ages pust, and having
survived amid the fiery ordcals of oppo-
sition, oppression and persecution, has
been handed down to US in its pristine
beauty and grandeur. The field before
me is quite extensive. l shull not at
tempt to advance far into its sacred en-
closure. [ shall only walk upon its mar
gin, and bring t. your vicw some of its
benign objects and sublime principles.
The order of Freemasonry is the old.
est human Institution in existence, the
most universal in its extent, the most
numerous in its membership, the most
perfect in its organization and the most
commendable in its design. 1t had its
existence inJhe morning of the world,
aud Its principles were Graded in the
hearts and uursed in the hopes of An
cient Patriarchs, aud continued to grow
onwards, onwards, until made perfect
and glorious upon Mt. Moriah.
| The general opinion il that the In
stitu,ion Of Masonry in its present form
WIS first organized ut the time of tho
building of King Solomou's Temple in
Jerusalem, aud that after the compile
ton a! the rc'nple the workuen dis
scminatel the principles of Masonry and
established l.eGges over the then known
/ world. Since the Organization of Ma
sonry naay iDy:;t-, Tins f,~ncd by man
apparently erected upm wise anu sold
foundations have ars,u aud fallen.
Kingdoms md Nations, II rones an |
/ itfie;pnliiies have liomed n7, progress
!. e. ed to nlatpt;tg- apa-at LIST ,ltaye .isllcn
'Sic'in.s d c,.y; Ea3e been ainl Ii ated
! ny the t..i destroyer, Ti5he, bht amid The
des"'ution OF is:nnranca, superstition and
crime; amid the divastations of war
| which have scourged our world the
Institution Of Masp ry still survives
ana is to day m>re cxtcu >ivc, uiorc
popular, and more Furnishing thrn ever :;
hot one ,tonc hiss ful en- from its noble
'abric. 1t still proudly ana beautifully
lifts its head, in all its glory aud splen
DIR, maguii"enco aud pawer Many
| individuals respect and honor Iastitu.
tions merely OH account oItheir antiqui.
ty, and it becun, us to revere the
systems and Institutions Ii u d d
down to US by our forciatlers but
at the same time we think tic prinri-
pies inculcated, the objects contcmpla-
ted and the influence cxcrted by them,
| are matters Of far more importance than
merely venerable age" We as Ma
sons not only honor and revere Masonry
for its antiquity, but we cherish and
love it for its principles and designs.
What is Masonry
1t is not, as some may suppose, a
political association. Every member is
allowed to enjoy his own political opin-
ions be they what they may; when
Mason enters the Lod ge Room his pol
i'ics are left at the door Though Ma
sonry rcpudiatcs politics, still in. its
principles and designs it is patriotic.
The love Of country is instilled in the
bosom of every Mason bad citizon oan
never TO goad Mason, He that is ua.
faithful to his country will be treachcr.
ous to the craft
a Free Mason must be subject to the
civil powers wherever he lives. 1t is
enioined upon him not to be concerned
IN plots and conspraces against the
peace, dignity, or welfare of the State
or Nation.
Masonry is not a Religious Society
1t is not religion. Religion is reve
lation from God. Free Masonry is an
inyentiou of man. Holigion is infalli-
bic, Free Masonry is subject to all the
errors of human in6rmity. Religion
binds man to his God. Free Masonry
binds man to his lellow.lnan Masonry
has not within its temple the healing
water's of Sloan to heal the spiritually
blind within its sacred enclosures there
are no waters Of Jordan in which the
leprous soul can wash and be made
whole. But Masonry is not opposed to
Religion. BE assured that if its teach
ings were antagonistic to the teachings
of Religion, you would not fud me ad-
vocating its cause, and recommending
its principles It is in fact Religions