The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1874-01-03

WAASA SOAACo Vi VIC O1N1uC LAW VI
love. These constitute the ilnmor-
tality of Freemasonry. No wonder,
then, that it still lives; that the
fires of anti Masonry did not con-
sumo it, and the follies of it's mem
bers have not rent it in sunder.
Based on such principles, and
designed for such purposes, it has
not outlived it's usefulness, and it
is not likely to for many generations
to come
Never in its history has this
Brotherhood of olden time had
before it a nobler work than it has
to day. The tendencies of the age,
the signs of the times, the condi
ton of society, all indicate it's work.
Who that has an observing eye
does not see that irreverance is
becoming more and more an evident
feature OF the common mind, as
manifested toward God and man?
Now society that recognizes the
existence of God, and makes His
Word the rule of life, and teaches
the great doctrines of the immor-
tally of the soul and the resurrec
ton of the body, may do much in
arresting the increasing tendency,
and saving society from the infinite
mischiefs which are sure to swarm
from this popular evil.
Skepticism and q miscalled lib
eralism, which is only another term
for an i'll disguised infidelity, are
doing much to lessen the sancity
of the Bible in the eyes of the peo-
pie. Contests are now going on,
as reported in the public prints,
involving the question of casting
the Holy Writings out of the public
schools. This is a dark omen.
On the mid tide Of such influences
stands this Fraternity, which claims
Solomon as it's first Grand Master,
which keeps this Inspired Book
open on its affairs, part of it's con-
stitution, and 50 necessary to its
very existence that Lodge cannot
be held without it. Who will say
what shall be the influence of Free
Masonry in resisting these tenden
sand in promoting that profound
reverence from man to the revel
alton of his Creator?
Then, who that reads the news
paper does not see what is the
political drift of the world on botf
sides of the great water; that the
tendencies are everywhere, at home
and abroad, toward that extreme
of liberty which runs into licen
tiousness, to the utter destruction
of all regard for lawful authority
or rightful possessions! The spirit
of agrarianism is abroad, and doing
fearful harm in the exitement O
the worst passions, creating false
expectations, which, rising int
demands, prompt to violence ant
blood, thereby sapping the foun
dalton on which rests the fabric 0
well ordered society, and all tru'
liberty. Growing disrespect for al
authority, disregard of ancien
usage, contempt of forms, ar
some of the minor manifestation
of this tendency 10 leveling indi
vidualism, which is showing itsel
in the old lands and in new. viii
any man. pretend to say, that
society, which has come down from
a remote antiquity, far away beyon'
the record of any other human in
stitution, which symbolizes the at
thority of government in it's order
to degree that a single blow G
the Masters gavel instantly bring
order out Of confusion; where lit
erty, equality and fraternity ar
not only recognized, but illustrate
/ and realized; where loyalty to tn
| country and obedience to it's righ'
, full government are duties enjoint
, that such Fraternity, in sue
, an age as this, has not missio
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