The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1872-07-20
What Masonry Did.

|
columns of the Texas Family Visitor of
N0yember 9th. The Editor says:
When we resided in Wisconsin. =
case, came up in Mineral Point Lodge, No.
!, which We shall never forget. There
lived man there, Of wealth and intlu-
ence, who had become confirmed inc
bratc-Wh0se conduct was very bad
who sent in his petition to the Lodge
for initiation. The Grand Master hap
pened to be present on visit from a
nelghboring town, and was occupying
the chair when the petition was presen-
ted.
On hearing the ename of the petitioner,
the Grand Master who knew the charac-
emphasis, and said The friends of
that candidate had better withdraw
that petition, for no such man can be re-
ceived into this Lodge"
Gen. q. N.J., who has since repreSen-
TED the State OF Iowa for twelve wears,
III the, United States Senate, had pre-
sented the petition, and took deep in
tercSt III the welfare OF the candidate.
rose and stood mute for some time, and
| finally asked permission to approach
the chair, which being granted, the fol-
lowing conversation occurred
NJ. ". | am exceedingly anxious
that my friend, Col. n, should he ad-
mltted into our Order. I know his hab-
its are bad, and he knows that he has
no Just claims to our favorable cOnside-
ration but. he has taken up the idea,
| that II any institution on earth can save
him, it is Masonry. He has tried to re-
form by every other means, and all to
no purpose, and he asks it as a favor to
grant him the benefits of the Order, as a
mercy to him, and | do hope you will
waive your objections and give him a
trial"
Bro. j." said the G. NJ, do YOU be-
heve there is good material in him, if he
was duly sober, to make a Mason !?
Was he ever Il man of moral integrity 2"
" have known him for many wears,
and L can assure you that if he pledges
rcf0rmation, he will manfully maintain
his pledge. under our care
" Then," said the G.. NJ, will with
draw my objections on one condition.
and that IS, upon the maturity of his De-
luton, 1t the Lodge elects him, he may
take the a. =; degree and, he shall
stand firm, and conduct himself in per
feet sObriety and Masonic decOrum. for
SIR months, he can then be passed to the
degree of F. c. And he must again
stand probation Of sir months more,
before he is raised; and il he will agree to
this, will Withdraw my objections, and
| let the petition take it's cOltrse.n
70 all this Bro. j. agreed, and COM
municated the same to the candidate
who accepted the terms. On the next
regular meeting Of the Lodge, the can
dldate WAS elected, and the G. NJ. was
present and initiated him in person,
when the first six months probation be-
| gan.
Before the six months had expired.
COl: n. was new man: his appearance,
habits and condition, We're entirely
changed, and he was again prOsDering
III business, He took a second degree,
| and entered upon his second probation
of six months. Before the expiration of
that term, Col. n. had made a profess
| sion of religion, and became a member
| OF the Presbyterian Church.
Twelve months or more after the ini-
| tiatiOn Of Col. n, he met the G, NJ, in
the city of Madison, the capital of the
State, and approached him with n smile
of delight upon his face; but his digni-
| fed and gentlemanly appearance so
widely differed from the former Col. N,
that he was not recognized by the G. NJ,
until he announced his name.
SO soon rs his name was heard, the
e. Nj, stood, with emotions of IInsDeak-
dpIc plCdStIc, lOI d nlOmcnT, surveying
the man once detested for his vice and
debauchery-now bearing the aspect of
aretined, intelligent, and dinifed Chris
| tian gentleman.
Col. N. continued to 90 honor to the
Order to which he owed his salvation !;
to the church of which he was a ruling
Elder, until he closed his life, never
having forfeited his word of honor, and
is, doubtless, now enjoying the rest and
refresnment which is prepared in the
Celestial Lodge above, where he rests
beneath the smiles of the Grand Su-
preme Master of the Universe, who de-
lights to confer the hOnors and rewards
of faithful life on earth, with the in
heritance of eternal life in heaven.
1t was the faith which Col. N. had in
our @ Order that gave it the power over
the purpose of salvation, and realized
his object by diligent care and watch
fulness over his heart and life. We
would wish all others would do like
wise.