The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-06-25

Willard Holden, Arlington, as grand
marshal.
E. L. Wyman, Manchester, as grand
pursuiviant.
Clark Bates, SALISBURY, as grand sword
bearer.
Edward Kingsley, Bennington Center
Lyman Rogers, SALISBURY, as grand
Stewards.
Elias W. Howe, North Bennington, as
grand tyler.
The procession was then formed under
the direction of the grand marshal in the
following order
/. North Bennington cornet banl, Clay
ton Simmons, leader.
9. Red Mountain lodge, No. 90, Alling-
ton.
3. Adoniram lodge, No. AZ. Manchester.
4. Mount Anthony lodge, No. ID, Ben
nington.
s. Tucker lodge No. 4S, North Benning-
g. Grand lodge of Vermont, escorted by
Knight Templars.
The possession moved from the front of
the new lodge room down Main street to
West, up West to Church, down Church
to Bank, up Bank to the Congregational
church, where public address was deliver
ed by Park Davis, esq, of St. Adams, past
grand master of the grand lodge. The ad-
dress which was excellent in tone and
temper was listened to with much attention
by large and appreciative audience.
MR.. DAVIS GRAFTON.
Our public occasions, where masonry
lays aside that which wells its mystery and
admits the uninitiated to our services to
witness a portion of our ceremonies and
participate with lis in our festivities, are
| important features of our institution.
They are green spots in our pilgrimage,
like the oasis of the desert, whtre we can
turn aside from the grave and thoughtful
labors of the lodge, and in company with
| our friends enjoy season of refreshment.
| They furnish an opportunity for our friends
to learn something of our principles and
teachings. For this they may be termed
way-marks along our journey, at which we
can halt and review the course over which
we have passed, and examine anew the
aims of the institution and gain new
strength tor our onward march.
The speaker then passed to the claims OF
the institution of masonry to an ancient
origin, while historians differ, yet 1t is
plainly traceabe along the pathway of his
tory by unmistable monuments of its ex
istence. The traditions of the craft fur
nish sufficient evidence of its age, handed
down from age to age with scrupulous &C
curecy. In the early part of the last cen
fury these traditions were arranged in thu
esoteric lectures which are extant at tn,
present time, upon Which masons rest thei
claims. These traditions point with dis
tinctness to the organization of craftsmen
at the building of Solomon's temple ant
the mystic ceremonies there taught ar
ours. They constitute the warp and wool
the frame work and the finish of the who'll
fabric of masonic instructions. Withou
them, nothing of substance remains. Wit
them it is complete symmetrical struc
ture. These illusions must have thei
foundation in truth; otherwise our Who'll
system rests upon tissue of misrepresent
alton arranged In systematic ALTERATION o
falsehood Masonry in its own teach
ings, furnishes its members most indubita
BILE proof of the time and circumstances 0
its origin, aud points with most unmlsta
kable certainty to the building of the TEN
pie.
From the building of the temple until tn
present, for almost three thousand year
masonry has had being-not feeble
sickly one, struggling to sustain its life, bu
a strong, healthy, vigorous existence.
has tracked its course wherever civlizatio
has been found, and flourished best in tn
times and countries of the greatest enlight
eminent 1t has never sought by proselyi
! ing or working upon the credulity of tn
superstitious to increase its numbers
by keeping its members in ignorance
foster lis growth or strengthen and pei
petuate Its power But rather all VIII
, seek admission come of their own free wi
and accord. 1t has received its honest SUI
; port among the wisest and best of men |
9 all ages.
f Like every other human institution,
has encountered fierce opposition whic
came like n pitiless tornado; with perst
cution and abuse upon its votaries an
swept like a whirlwind almost, at time
sitting its very existence. But by the il
herent strength of its own principles it hf
ever wthstOud the storm and the temp
stands to-day as majeetic as at its ere'
p ton. When the storm had passed
;, stood forth in greater strength, plante
like an everlasting rock with firm found
= tions. 1t has come down through the Gel
turtles unchanged in its landmarks, primo
d ciples and teachings. Such an institutio
/ must have in it the real elements {
"a strength
. The speaker then passed to the conside
alton of masonry in its speculative form
as a school OF morals-a system of ethit
in which lies the secret of its strength.
l. teaches men to control their wills, subdr
q their appettes and regulate their lives.
requires trust in God,-teaches lessons
u humility and the lesson of death and in
n mortality. Interspersed with these are Il
IS teachings of charity aud benevolence e
pecially charity for other mems fault
which leads to the whispering of goo
!. counsel In an erring brothers ear. Ne!
. to charity, and nearly allied, is brotherl
. love-then follow the tenets of reli,
J. and truth. Also the cardinal virtues
u temperance, fortitude, prudence and ju
:, tice.
u From these teachings flow the sentimen
of patriotism and fealty to governme
e and country. 1t has no antagonism to Il
le christian religion. Leaving to the churt
'e the exalted theme of the atonement,
teaches the great doctrine of humanity al
universal brotherhood. Masonry teach
G. religion, but has in itself no saving orc
4. nance. 1t lacks the atoning grace Of Il
- christian religion. 1t does not seek
usurp its place. II stops here.
g. The sneaker then nrOcepded 10 the oil