Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1873-01-30
10 The YOUNG NEN IN THE MASONIC FRA
TERNrTY

There are some Things Tor you TO con
slider very seriously. You have not
been made Masons because you were
specimens of gravity, for that is often
the cover to genteel stupidity or re-
spectacle dullness. Volatility and gle
ty add nothing to ones chances, but
greatly diminish them. In spite Of
them, you have been admitted, for be-
meath them, stirling principles of IN
tegfity are often found. If the com
mittee have done their duty, you have
been found to be men, physically, be-
levers in God, of upright and moral
character, and Of good sound mind; you
have been found tit material for some
place in the Masonic edifice This is no
small compliment to you. But all the
while bear in mind that all this does
not prove you infallible or perfect
You may be found, upon inspection, I'M
fit for the building, and you may be
refused further press, or be tolerated as
choice Of evils.
Ifyou follow Masonic teachings, you
are to learn to ,siibdue your passions.
Gain complete mastery over yourself
such mastery that the passions implant
ed in man for useful, benefcent and
defensive purposes, may be your com
mand for good uses, and thoroughly
submissive and obedient to your reason
and good will. Let them have no do
minion over youth solitude, among
people, or under surprise-but keep
constant control over them.
You are also to improve yourself in
Masonry. The meaning of this is both
practical and symbolical. Practically,
that you are to be so skilled in arts and
mysteries as to make yourself known as
Mason, while this skill acts as help to
memory, order, system, and mental
training. The mason who has care
fully observed our ceremonies, and stu
died Masonic principles, is much better
qualified to preside over public assem-
blies, OF rule bodies of men, than anoth-
er of equal natural ability who has EN-
joyed no such advantages.
1t was not the intention of Masonry
to train you for partisan in politics, re-
ligion. or anything else. There are Ger
tain things IN politics and religion in
(which all men agree" As mason,
and, per consequence, good man, you
are so far partisan reasonable modera-
ton. Masonry does not debar you from
partainship. But it forbids the use of
violent, corruot, or unlawful means OF
measures; for these OF any cf
them prove your cause to be weak, UNI
worthy OF wicked. Keep your gar
lnents unsoiled. The time will come
when such a noble reputation will
speak volumes in your favor. Com
mence honestly and honorably in all
things; aid Keep On SO, in prosperity
and adversely, to the end. At the end
Of every canvass, and every contest let
Mason be able to take every other
Mason by the hand and say, 'In all my
partnership, in all my business, in every
battle of life, l have said no word and
done no things dishonorable or dishon
est" Perfection isnot mans lot, the
principal of every invention is perfect;
but no man ever promulgated an inven-
ton so perfect as to be incapable of i'm
provement. You may err sometimes
Stand on no assumed dignity in case Of
error or wrong; you weaken your cause
by so doing. Repair whatever error
you may commit Or wrong you may do,
to the extent Of your power. While
you may suffer in your own selfrespect,
you will at least maintain your character
for sincerity and honor, which is better
than gold. And let all this be Done
manfully and above-board, and not
obectly or stealthily. But, better than
all this, let there be no occasion for it.
As Mason, you are counselor, an
advocate, a judge. Strong measures
aue sometimes necessary and justifiable
against brother; but in nine cases out
Of ten, there is "a more excellent way"
Coed counsel tenderly and lovingly
given, may prove to be ''apples of gold
in pictures of silver" Temper judg-
ment with mercy, support the weak,
reclaim the erring, and guide the stran
ger in the right way.
Bear in mind, young brethren, that
you are by-and by to be the SOLID men
the rulers and governors of our noble
Craft: also, that the young men are to be
the citizens and the rulers Of this