The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1871-08-05
Masonic Reading.

duties as a man. a subject, a hns |.
band and Il fathcr-whO is pious /
without hypocrisy, benevolent with
ont OStcntation, and aiding his fell !
low men without NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
heart beats warm for friendship
whose serene mind is open for licen- !
Scd plcaSlueS-Wh in ViriSSitudeS |
does not despair, nor in misfortune
Will be prcSuNptuOuS, and who will
be rcsolute in the hour OF danger
the man who is free from supersti-
ton and free from iniidclity-Who
in nature sees the finger Of the Eter-
nal MaStel-Who feels and adores
the higher destination of man-to
whom Hope, Faith and Charity are
not mere words without any mean
ing-to whom property, nay, even
life, is not too dear for the protection
of innocence and virtue, and for the
defense of tIlltll-thc man who to-
wards himself is a severe Judge, but
who is tolerant with the dcbilities
Of his neighbor-who cndeayOrs to
oppose errors without arrogance, :
and to propagate intelligence with
ont precipitatiun-Who properly un
derStandS to estimate and to employ
his means, who honorS virtue though
it be i'll the most humble garment,
and who does not favor vice though
it be clothed i'll purple-who admin
listers equal justice to merit, whether
dwelling in palaces or in cottages
the man who, without courting ap-
pIause, is loved by all undetermined
men, respected by his superiors and
revered by his subordinateS - the
man that never proclaims what he
has done, will do Or can do, but
where need is will lay hold with dis
passionate courage. circumspect res
olution, indetatigable. eXertion and
rare power of mind, and will not
cease until he has accomplished his
work: but who then, without pre-
tension, will retire into the multi
tude, because he did the good act,
not for himself but for the cause Of
the good.
If you meet such q man, you will
see the persOniiication of Brotherly
Love. Relief and Truth, and you will
have found the ideal of a Freema-
son. Masonic Exchange.
Let no one imagine that because
he has passed through the ceremo-
nies of the several degrees, and be-
come a Templar Mason, that Mason
ry has done its work upon him, and
that therefore he is bright in the no
BILE art, and that all that remains
for him to do is to adorn himself eX-
ternally with Masonic emblems and
proclaim to the world that he is a
luminary in it's sacred temple but
rather let him seek to ad0rn his
mind and heart with its noble prin-
ciples and generous affections, by
studying it's moral teachings, and
eXpcnding the money wasted on
those expensive emblems in driving
the tears of the widow and orphan,
cheering the heart of the desolate,
so that when he knocks at the door
of our Grand Lodge above, our su-
preme Grand Master will say, Come,
We blessed of my Father, inherit the
kingdom prepared for you from the
foundation Of the world: for [ was
hungered and We gave Inc meat
was thirsty and ye gave me drink ;
| was a stranger and We took me in.
PRECEPTs OF FREEMAsoNRY-1.
Be just; because equity snstains the
human race.
9. Be good; because goodness Ell
chains all hearts.
3. Be indulgent: because, feeble
thyseIf, thou shouldst bear with the
feebleness of others.
4. Be kind because kindness Sc,
cures affection.
5. BE grateful; because gratitude
is the food that notlrisheth liberal
ity.
6. Be modest: because pride is
offensive to your fellow beings.
| 7. Pardon injuries because ven
Seallce peIpttlidtcS Hdtt'
8. Render good for evil because
in this way you will rise superior tc
the evil-doer and make him you
friend.
| Q. Be forbearing, temperate, ano
chaste because voluptuOusness, III
temperance and sensuality are des
tructiye of the existence and vii
render it miserable.
10. Be citizen; because thy
country is necessary for thy secu
rity, thy happiness and well-being
When a man becomes a Freema
son. he is confirmed in all that i:
good in the tenets of the belief HI
processes his hope and trust in hi'
Maker, and his pervading sense o
the souls Immortality, are bu
strengthened and expanded by th'
precepts of the craft. Ear from hay
ing his sympathies contracted to ;
narrow compass by admission int
J the order, he is taught to regard th'
Lodge only as an epitome of th'
world, and is enjoined to do good Il
j all, and to encourage the practice o
every virtue that dignifies and emo
bles human nature.
He who has been the subject Q
Masonic teachings; who visits hi
: Lodge night after night, and find
5 no Improvement in his moral cond
e ton: whose heart is not enlarge'
| ,,-,tI Io-a fo,, liz, faIIo,- xx-kc fool