The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1873-11-20

ture and character of our rites and
ceremonies, Masonry to them is a
heathen jargon; the relic of barbar
ism; potent spell welded by the
evil one and his innumerable emissa
ries, for the more complete and total
destruction of its foolish and fool.
hardy votaries; sort of spiritual
malaria, poisoning the atmosphere OF
the soul, clogging the avenues Of
its life and sowing the seeds of its
early and unfortunate dissolution.
Beneath its mysteries are shrouded
a thousand terrors; around its affairs
are practiced the idolatry and incan-
tations of the dark ages. 1t were
more than loves labor lost to at.
tempt the work of moulding such a
mind to the model furnishing by our
Order. The grips, signs and pass
words. might be communicated ;
the initiate might even be taught the
ritual, and become proficient so
far as speaking" his part; but there
is a total want of an element
vital to Masonic life, that no "strong
grip" has been found, or will be,
which can raise candidate thus
constituted to clear realization of
the greatness and beauty OF
that grand Masonic principle: har.
mony with diversity of beliefs; unity
of effort with freedom of thought.
Here is the strength and support of
our Order. He who can not come
up to this essential requisite to sue
cessful work in life, is not fit for our
fellowship or worthy of our coun-
tenance and confidence. Around
this clusters many of our happiest
thoughts and purest aspirations.
From this point radiates all those
principles of charity and benevo-
lence which are at once our pride
and glory. In fact charity here be-
gins at home-a charity which finds
the world wide enough and even
good enough to tolerate an horest
belief, even though not entertained
or endorsed by ourselvs. At the
very outer door of the Temple we
commence our ascent with this i'm
portant lesson deeply impressed up
on US. Al every advance we are con-
stantly reminded, not only of its pro-
priety, but also its intrinsic value and
absolute necessity. AS a matter of
course it does not follow therefore
that all who may apply for associa-
tion with US are in sympathy with
the principles we professedly ad-
vocate, or that they by admission
into our mystic circle would benefit
others or thereby be benefited them
selves. In their own persons they
may present an insuperable objection
to such a course, not on account OF
positive wrong committed, or even
suspected, but because of their own
inability to grapple with and subdue
their individual prejudices to such
an extent as to be reoonciled to the
fact that their neighbor may be per
mitted to work out life's great pro-
blem in such a manner as to him
shall seem meet and proper, answer
able only to the Supreme Architect
of the Universe for the way in which
it may be done. All Masons should
be "good men and true" but the
converse that all good men should
be Masons in no wise follows. There
are those who are unable to extend
to others that charity which we have
seen is essential to the perpetuity of
our Order.
A community of interest, thought
and acticn must be united in any
body to render it either influential or
effective. This is found in the var
ious bodies of Masonry, but this does
not mean that we are 30 far to put
aside self as to become merged in
the body of the Order, that our in
dividuality is lost sight Of and our
character as citizens destroyed. 1t
is simply an agreement upon those
matters essential to the advancement
of our profession, leaving every thing
else to be enjoyed without let OF
hindrance, unmolested, without dis
cussion or question. That man who
can not consent to this liberty oi
conscience and entire absence oi
denominational sectarianism, how
ever honest and well meaning, can
not rightfully be enlisted in our
ranks. All others who may agree
with us in the objects desired, Of
whatever race or color, "of their
own free will and accord" may knock
at our doors with a reasonable assur-
ance of cordial welcome, a centn.
ued and unfaltering friendship, a
brothers love and esteem, until "life's
fitful fever" is over, and death shall
have closed the scene.
Ladies, l have said all may apply /;
/ should have said all men. If as
Masons, however, we leave you at
the preparation room door, it is not
because we love you less or Masonry
more. Around our sacred altars we
are taught to realize, in some degree
at least, the high and holy affections
which surround the name of sister,
mother, wife; of the tender ties that
unite and bind as together in the
family relation; of those cherished
and happy hours made gladstone by
your presence and better by your in
fiuence. At this shrine our purest
devotions have been offered, and
around which the truest affections of
our hearts are centered. We return
to you bound by covenant to main
tain and defend your honor and
reputation unsullied, which can never
rigAtfully be broken. If before in
itiation you were worthy objects OF
the richest, choicest gifts of our re-
spect and esteem, now are we bound
as it were with bonds of triple brass,
to WELD our swords, should occasion
ever require, in your behalf. 1t is,
then, your Order as much al ours ;
and as the Crusader of olden time
then threw down his gage in behalf
of beauty and innocence, and met
the shock of mortal combat in the
presence of her for whom he waged
the warfare, stimulated and encour.
aged by her smiles, so we, modern
Templars, ask of you your approx.
ing presence and commendations OF
an Order founded upon the Christian
religion and the practice of the
| Christian virtues.