Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-12-26


stall the officers, but circumstances un-
forseen prevented his coming, which he
stated by t,legram early In the evening.
This confused the programme for lnstalla-
ton somewhat. The Rev. N. b. C. Love,
by request of the w. NJ, had prepared
short address for the occasion. Follow
ing the installation ceremonies the Rev.
gentleman delivered his ad iress In one Of
his happitst veins, the full text of which
we present below by quest of all the
members pres mt. At the conclusion OF
The address, the supper was serv, d, OF
which there was an abundance and Of
good" quality. All In all 1t was
pleasant occasion.
THE ADDRESS.
BnETHRKS or TuE Masonic FKArkRMrY =
have been requested BY YOUR highest officer.
in this lodge, ~ deliver m address To ynu on
this occasion o' the installation Of the officers
elect for the coming year. 1t may not be amiss
for me to discourse about the m rails Of Mason
ry. There are those who vehemently oppoSe
this ancient and honorable order, and, perhaps
sRine in so doing that they arc doing the
cause Of morality aud religion a service. Dis
covering iaiquiy in some Of its membership
they make themselves believe tley see |. in its
teachings, when, in reality, they are unacquain-
ted with them. Envv, malice aud uncharitAble.
ness never l"osss an opportunity to decry this
institution that enr'lls am ing its members m
famous in song, in war IN science, in theology,
In politics aud the arts.
fear that even members Of tile order some.
times forget that Masonry lie but the synonym Of
'I.ove, Relief aud Truth !" that it is mJrs a
channel through which the strong may help
the weak, the good benefit the erring, and the
rich bless the poor than a means Of self
aRErAndi1cmdnt and personal benefit. "Love,
Relief and r uth,' are terms that mean some
J thing to the well-nstructsd Mason. 1t is the
! principle Of brotherly love that respects the
human family as brother hood created By an
| All wise Being and that entertains toward
every member Of it the most generous feelings.
| It is this principle that should unite us in the
| fields uf Masonry; without II Masonry is mean
iueless and failure. Masonry is not only
| positive gno', inculcSling principles like these,
but a preventive to wrong.
Now, what are some Of its teachings7 Let
the Org anic instructions of tae order declare
| quote from goud authority "Charity is the
| basis ofthe order - "Tru.h is a divine attribute
aud the foundation Of all Masonic virtues -
"To have faith in Gll hops in salvation and
charity for all m tnkinl" are tenets Of our order
The rules Of the fraternity have a tendency to
Promote moral and social virtue )" masonry is
ever ineulcating reverence for Gid and His at
tributes, teaching us the lesson Of his care and
our continued obligations to him in all our con-
duct" | must confess there are some In many
lodges, who, to their eternal shame, not on
lJ disregard the foregoing teachings but hsbitu-
ally prof,ne he napls of God, and do not control
their passions according 10 Masonry.
1usidc the lodge rooms the best morality is
taught, outside but little pEasaiced.- 'Fhe repu
tation ef the order has suffered in consequence
How careful should we be to shop ~ orr Ices
what Masonry is For this is our only ,soy
We eannot repeat to The public ear our sublime
m,rcrittea lessons. We may act them before the
public eye, but prompted by the motive to re
lieve mankind Of its evil its selishness and its
malice.
Nothing contributes TO the dissolution OF u
lodge more than too great a number OF members 8
unfortunately made want OF regulation in
expenses, and keeping unreasonable hours.
TO guard aRains! this fatal consequence we
shall do well to cultivate the following virtues,
viz. Prudence, temperance and frugality.
This second virtue has many powerful argu-
mcnts In its favor, for as we value our health,
wealth, reputation, family and tIiends, our char
acter as men, as Christians, as members OF soci.
city in general, and, as Free Masons in PartIcu
lar, we shou ould, as Paul said, be temperate in
all things" A distinguished Mason said in an
address on an occasion OF this kind "Temper-
auce will check every appearance OF excess, and
| fix rational limitations IN our hours Of enjoy
mcnt." need not urge prudence and frugAli-
~. These we will, trust. observe and 10 go
doing will avoid embarrassment and ILL will.
Within these walls we have sn open Bible
and we have reverence for it and its prscspts;
we revere its pages and its author. And II men
who have learned here in their lives do not
eVincs Its morality, il is not the fault Of Ma.
sonry. We do not blame Christ with the peri.
| dy of Judas-we would If Christ had not denonne
ed his sin. Every emblem upon these walls
and in this room hsve their lesson of morality.
aud that mrn do not heed them is evidence OF
the deprAvitv and selishness NJ our poor miser
able humanity. Surely it needs resurrecting.
I; should be led to the higher degree Of charity.
| Masonry is like the secret forces Of nature
po1er(d. Had il not been. II would havs expir-
ed when Jepththah fought with Ephraim and
| the former did not let man escape who said
| ash boleth" instead Of "Shibbnleih" Forty
| and two thousand anti -Masons fell that day.
Or when the architect of King SoIomon's tenn
| Pile was not to be found, although diltRent
search was made or when Murgan retired to
parts unknown, and ii was svery where reported
| that the 'Masons killed Morgan" and after ifty
years we are still charged with the nuderuus
deed.
Masonry is an equalizer. Surely st works up
on the 'level." Trus Masonic sympathy make
men one Of every land and nation. 1t feeds The
orphan, relieves the widow end brother in dis
tress. 1t inculcdteS the teachings Of Jesus and
the theism of the Old Testament. what Cato
did and Addison approved" anil Vnltars roe
commended, Masonry condemns. /, teaches that
life is precious, and tho slul immortal. This
llealhen and these inf les who recnmmendal
suicide were not hasnus. Every Master Mason
knows how impressive the formula If the third
degree is. During its beStaw uiaut hare seen
strong rnsn weep and 60 away to bscom, Chris
tians, because of the impressive lessons.
Masonry is onlyh human chnrch, with hu.
| name principles, aud is the handmaid AMI pro-
mnter Of true religion. II is no rival Of the
church, nor does 1t meet all nur spiritual wants
II cannot regenerate the heart and conscience.
When used Alright il is a helper of all true re-
| liginD. From time mmnmorial they have had
a chaplain in the lodge 20 sit at the Worship
ful Masters right hand to support the Mas
ter in all ceremonies aud professions tn lend
the cOnsecrating influence OF religion to the
order without sectarianism.
Christianity, brethren, Is a glorious temple {;
It comes dnwd from Gid out of heaven; ii Is
the New Jerusalem, more gl riOus indeed than
Masonry more glorinus Than Salem Of old or
Solomons temple. In walking its isles ami
wOrshipping In its courts we are elevated to
the paradise Of God not madc with hands, in
the heavens Along side n this are its porches,
| none older or Rrander than Masonry. Its donrs
| are cluss,l there is peace within Is facade
arises AduTned with ays orders Of architecture
AL Its walls are adorned with symbols of good
ness by three, fas and Hssa steps we pass