Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1871-01-11
MASONIC MORALS.
Address of Grand Master Langford OF
Montana.

the members of the Masonic Fraternity,
publishes extracts from the ad'lress Of
Grand Master N. p Langfor'l, formerly
Of ST. Paul, MINI, delivered before tho
GIsnd Lodge of Montana. at its late
annual Communication, heid in VTgiHa
Citr:
Man is always the crea-
tuIe often tue victim--of habit. 1t com
mences st the hour of his birth, and
clings to him through life. His condition
in life is determined by the habits he &c
quires, anl these, whatever may be his
hblites, fix bis character. One of tue
great practical objects of our institution
perhaps the greatest-has ever beento
educate lis members idto hives or useful
ness aud viItue. Aud, as no virtue or
usefulness can flM from evil habits, lis
first lessons and Obligations require their
correction and improvement. The list
degree oi Masonry, while the novtiate is
standing upon the threshold of the inner
temple, by most impressive series cf
illustrations, appeals directly to all tbs
uobler elements of human character. Tbe
practice of patience and perseverance Is
required. as the necessary condition OF
admission in the world of Masonic pfivi-
feges. Before his eyes csn behold sin.
gle mystery, the candidate must voluntar
ily profess his faith in God, and the
souls immortality. During his iuitiatory
Journey he learns that the association WAS
formed for practice of bro,heriy love, re-
lief and truth. and that It's foundations
are Faith, Hope and Charity, and It's
supporting pillars. Fortitude, Prudence.
Temperance and Justice; that the nsne
of God-tnat august name, nj the men
ton Of VIII ch archangels bow their heads
aud powers of darkness tremble-is ~.
ways to be spoken with reverenlial avs,
and that the Bible is thenceforward to be
the rule and guide Of his faith and prac.
tice. Like the temple of Solomon, when
completed, was declared by the great
monarch 10 be beautiful without, and
all glorious within" so the Mason regard
ed as temple of immortal duration, is
10y degrees invested with those qualities
which shall fit him for usefulness here,
and the enjoyment Of unfadiug glory in
the larger life, beyond the grave.
One would suppose, brethren, that the
peculiar sanctity of an institution ground
cd upon these foundations, would reach
the religious element in any human bo-
som, and attnne it into active nuison with
its own lofty spirit-tbat evil desires
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evil habits and associations. would he
abandoned. and the entire nature renova>
ted by a wiling subIection to the law of
love. The profane who peruse our man
uaI for the purpose Of investigating our
principles find nothing there inconsistent
with the purest religious experience. AL
the commands of tho decalogue are rec
oguized rs fundamental principles. All
The mora! observanees Of civil zed society
are Incorporated into our code of self
government. Faith in christianity and
denominational theology is not a conGi-
tioH; but all the precepts which distin.
guish them from vice and crime. In all
their forms, are not more strongly incnl
Gated by the Scriptures, than by Masonry.
The only essential difference between it
and the religious Of oil civilized nations,
is that it teaches DO particular creed of
faith, but admits all believers. All but
the Atheist find a common platform in
Masonry, where principles are taught,
dDcirues lgnored, and controversies for
hidden, but they fail TO find there any
greater license for evil indulgence, than
in the strictest obligations Of orthodoxy.
What then must be the opinions form.
ed 10y intelligent observers, when they see
members of our Order in high positions
giving loose to all the reins of passion
and habit-intemperance. profanity. IL
centiuusness, and gambling! Christians
who thus debase themselves, are prompt
IL expelled from the associations they
thus dishonor. Should not this be tbs
rule of Masonry? Unfortunately the
rule predominates among Masons, that
mere profession IS an equIvIient substitutes
and practice-that real, ynaliziug illus
lration is not expected. and that the
greatest vices which disfgure society may
be INDUCED 10 with inpunity. Our pc
nal code Is defective, not in spirits bot IN
observance. We visit with severe penal.
ties, many offences Of lesser magnitude,
than those have enumerated, simply
because they infringe upon our pe,sonaE
privileges. Yet these are the highest
offences against the spirit Of the order
Look at the published manual What
offence is here more strictly prohibited
than the taking of the name Of God in
vau7 Read the impressive lesson on
Temperance in the first degree! RefecL
upon the warning injunction in the An
cient Constitutions, that Mason must
labor for an honest living, and eat no
mans bread for nanght! These mean
something or nothing. If they are TO be,
treated as mere theories, then is the
world no better for Masonry. and an early
abandonment of the institution is desifa-
bls. Take the whole range Of Masonic
ethics, with all its array of symbolism, its
splendid alegories, its beautiful il!ustra-
tons. and It's unsurpassed definitio IA End
where can you find single thought that
is not either directly or infereniially con-
demnatory of vice in all its forms; and
surely. my brethren, when we survey the
world around us, and see how greatly the
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