The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1871-03-02

no man qualified to Judge intelligently will
question our assertion when we say these
practices are grossly inconsistent with
the obligations resting upon every mem
Der of the entire Masonic fraternity.
But the Inconsistency on the part Of
members and lodges is not SO surprising
in view of all circumstances as may at
first appear. Drinking habits N all their
grades were viewed in different light.
but comparatively few years since, by
the higher and more refined classes. than
that in which they are viewed to-day.
Many of US can remember when quite a
free use of intoxicating liquor was con-
sidered no bar to church membership.
hardly inconsistent with profession of
piety and by no means a positive bar
to the sacred duties of the ministerial of
fee.
With these undeniable facts before us,
no one need ask how these drinking
habits first crept into the ranks of Ma
sons.
Churches are justly expected to take
the lead in defining and Illustrating NOR
atty; and to this higher and more ad-
vanced position on the highway of vir-
tuous life, neither the churches nor
their members oppose any objections.
In this country. at least, great pro-
gress has been made. With all classes of
people, drinking is held as inconsistent
With profession of riety. No man can
longer hold the confidence of the church
or of the world as christian who is
known to be a wine bibber. And what
is Of more Importance to the temperance
cause and which stamps a'higher charac-
ter upon the churches is the known fact
that these bodies as such and in their or
ganized capacity condemn rum drinking
as violation of the principles. spirit and
practice of goodness and no longer, even
by quietly enduring its reproach, allow it
in their members.
Masonry to be consistent and TO main
tain Its character and to retain its hold
uron the confidence of the people, as a
moral institution. must also take an ad-
vanccd position and more positive stand
against the vice of intemperance, and
that at no distant day. Members addict
ted to the use of Intoxicating liquors
must be officially recognized as violaters
of Masonic obligations and as forfeiting
all claims to the honors and cmolumcnts
of the worthy" The voice of the
Order, and that in It's official capacity,
must be heard in plain and nnsitive terms
in support of the cardinal virtue of
temperance.
Every p, ssihle effort should be made,
and tina: promptly, to reclaim any mem
berS Who have so far forgotten their obi
cations and falsifed the principles and
the spirit of the order as 10 have con-
traeted habits of tipping. More or less
of these cases we fear are to be found in
connection with a majority Of the Mason
ic bodies in our state. Obligations to
these individuals as a proper regard for
the credit of the institution call special
attention to these cases.
We have time and space now left only
TO add that more care in examining can
didates and g eater frmness In rejecting
those rendered unworthy by the poiS-
onous fumes of alcohol. might he both
credit and safeguard To the Order as
well as general blessing TO humanity
Such an onen positive and firm posi-
ton by the whole Order, as the sound
principles Of Freemasonry cnioin, would
be Of incaIculable vaue to the temper
ance cause. To the full influence of sneh
position we believe that cause entitled.
-No7th,oeste1m Adrance