Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1874-05-08
MASONIC CIRCULAR,
OFFICE OF THR N. W. GRAND NAsTERl
OF MAsoHs IN ONO,
n II

OF MAsoEs IN ONO,
STuBENvILLE, o. April 18, A. d. 1884,
To the ". M, Wardens and Brethren o.
Each Lodge in Ohio:
DEAR BRRTHREN I'll a N daily in receipt o.
communications from brethren in different por
tiOns of our Jurisdiction, In regard to the dutei
ofMasons aud Lodges, in connection with th,
movements for the suppression Of the evils o
Intemperancs, which have been lnauguratet
and are now being carried on tn roughout th e
State Of Ohio and inasmuch as am unable
to answer all OF these COIL munications in thu
ordinary manner, feel it TO be my duty to send
Ia you th 5 Circular Letter, in which my views
are briefly and, hope, clearly expressed.
That the evils Of Intemperance are among
the greatest with which the earth is cursed
is not to be denied. Intemperanee in the usC
OF Alcoholic drinks, is evil only. and evil con.
tnually, without a single palliating cir
cumsiance, or particle Of benefit tn cOunierbal-
ance or counteractit. 1t is productive Of rech-
edness, ruin, crime, misery, starvation and
moral and physical death.
Temperance is one of the Cardinal Virtues.
Il should be the constant practice of ev cry mar
son, as be is thereby taught to avsid excess, o.
contracting any licentious habit, the induIe
gence Of which may induce him to viOals $
his VOWS, 6etray his trust, or lead himself, hi
family and the fraternity into disgrace re-
proach, and ruin.
Drunkenness is a crime, not only against the
precepts and rules of our Order, but against
the laws OF God and municipal authorities In
all ages OF the woTld it has been regarded as
an evil of the first magnitude, and tine abors
for its suppression have occupied the most earn
est efforts of all moral and religious associa-
tions. 10 these efforts our Order has taken a
conspicuous part, not however, in public demon
strations; but within the recesses of our Lodge
rooms, and by means of the fraiernal bond
which unltes us into a ssciety Of brothers, have
we endeavored to inculcate correct principles
and to guide the steps of our brethren from the
path of danger.
Asin days past, so should IL be now. If we
see brother ia danger of falling a victim to
the curse we should visit him as brethren; rea
son with him in kindness point out TO him
the path Of duty as we'll as that Of danger;
endeavor by all our powers Of persuation to in
duce him 10 fnrsake his ways and return to the
path of rectitude. And, above all, should our
erhmpLe be such that any man might be proud
to follow it. We cannot BE- too guarded 10 this
particular. Example is greater than precepl,
and the lives Of our brethren should be such
that reproach can never be cast upon them.
We should indeed, seek rather by precept and
example to preserve our brethren in the paths
oi rectitude. han 10 permit, in the slightest de-
gree their feet to wander In the path of danger
to vigilance in maintaining the princi les aud
character of the Order by correct department
and pure lives, urge upon you the necessity
of q liberal exercise Of Masonic charity toward
each other. No man is perfect. Perfection on
earth has never been attained II certainly will
not be IN our day. You may, and will, differ
in your views upon every great moral or polit-
ital question which agitates The minds OF the
people, and even while agreeing upon the OBJ
ject to be attained, you will differ as IN the means
by which il shall be accomplished. II is your
right 10 so differ Whs has set one man up 10
be the judge of another's motives? While as
men and citizens we exercise our Inherent
rights of free thought aud free action, upon all
the questions of the day, let US, as All Order
as Lodges-refraiu from all entangiing ALLAN.
ces with any aud every society, organizatOn
and specific method of producing reformation
As Lodges, it is uDwise, in my opinion, 10
pledge, by resolution or otherwise, our support
and influence 10 any particular organization
having Tor its object the suppression of evil
but rather by our action should we endeavor to
inslil into the minds of our members correct
principles, and by examples Inspire them to
correct department, that others, seeing their
good works, may be induced to follow their
example.
In times of excitement il isnatural for men to
endeavor to bring to boar every influence ia fa
vor OF their cherished objects. Need we won.
der that our Order is no exception to the rule Z?
The influence Of our Order would, for the time
being, be felt in favor of any object to whose
support II is pledged but in all measures not
strictly Masonic, such pledges will undermine
the foundation upon which the Order stands
aud in the end be productive of its ruin The
wisdom Of the regulation which prohibits poItl
cal aud religious discussions 10 our Lodges
has been appearant for ages; we cannot
afford to depart from it now IN the slightest
particular. In times Of popular excitement,
when prejudice and ntentiun hold high carui
val, II Is of the utmost Importance to Masonic
Lodges that they refrain from any public dem
onstratiun in favor of either of the contending
parties. Let me urge you, then, to vigilance
in the discharge Of yonr duties us MasOns
that you teach and practice all the virtues
that you be temperate, prudent and discreet, in
all your actions, and that you fail not in the ex-
ereise OF that charity for the views and actions
from themi that the prosperity and usefulness
OF the Order may be maintaned, and no dis
cordanl note mar the harmony which should be
found In our Mystic Temple. Aud rest assured,
that while we adhere to the principles of the
Order, there will be no necessity for defining,
BY elaborate resolutions, the position of the fra
ternity upon any question which claims a pOr-
tiOn Of the attention Of the public.
With fraternal regards, am Years, truly,
.,..... ASA Il. BATHS, Grand Master.
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