The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1875-01-08
IRONS emotions of the nbilantbronist

/ I4O OitS L " AhS
it's celestial beauty; whilst based upon
its sure foundation of eternal truth, and
its parts cemented together with love, it
bids defiance to the wastes of time
braves the hurricanes of opposition
and the taunts of persecution recoil in
harmless importency from it's polished
walls. Entering the portal, we find
that which is magnificent without, to
be all-glorious within.
It's threshold is purity it's pavement,
devotion !; furniture, virtue; and on it's
Altar burns the pure and Heavenly
light OF divine revelation.
Upon it's inner walls, engraved in
living characters, we read the names of
the illustriOus dead whose joy it was to
worship within this peaceful enclosure,
The Great Supreme and Glorious Archi-
tect who furnished the pattern of our
here meet their subjects on the level
of n common brotherhood.
Wise old age joins hand in hand with
energetic youth; the ignorant are in
structed, the tardy are stimulated the
rash are made cautious, while the fear
full are embroidered, and all unite in
works of charity and benevolence.
Foremost, among these ancient wOr-
thies Masonic tradition places the i'm
~perishable ame of the two saints john
the II the ]forerunner, the latter the
beloved disciple of our blessed Re-
deemer. The anniversary of the birth
of the latter is the occasion of this fes-
tlval. The high regard we feel for his
character, the reverence we pay to his
memory, is best shown by our actions.
Let it then suffice to say that all
Christian Lodges have long been dedi-
aafaH Fn tIn Hn1- GO1n4c Ill. --l:.I,
means the recollection of our duties as
good Masons, and the virtues which
ought always to adOrn our lives, is con-
tinually revived. 1t has been objected
by some, that zoe place Masonry az lieu of
Religion, or at least try to exalt it to an
equal elevation with the Gospel of the
Blessed GOd.n
This charge, though often repealed,
has been continually renewed, and an
argument has been based upon it,-by
which it is attempted to place Free Ma
sOnFy in position antagOnistict to religion.
This allegation we again meet, with
a respectful but firm denial.
We utterly disclaim any attempt to
institute q parallel, and in comparison,
will be the first to accord that superb
GRITTY ri~ghtfully claimed by the Divine
over the human. Without prescribing
any religious creed, except an acknOwl-
edgement of the true God, and the ae-
cOuntability of man, Masonry enioins
all the moral preceptS of the ten COM
mandments. And my brethren, itwouId
be we'll to ponder these precepts at our
leisure, and learn how we are too often
in armed rebellion against God, and
Masonic teaching. "Thou shalt not
take the name of the Lord thy God in
vain.n
Remember the Sabbath day, and
keep it holy" &c, &c. Keep we these
Alas! So foul are the blasphemies
blistering this day in high andlow places,
on the tongues of men and frequently,
| am sorry to say, by professed Masons,
that Jehovah seemeth nothing, but al
Great God to swear by. Masonry ex-
horts us, eve to mention the name of
God, but with that reverence which is
due from man to his Creator Masonry
adopts the standard of morality which
God has established; Christianity does
more, and supplies the efficacious means
by which that standard may be OBJ
tanned.
Another objection which I have heard
against Masonry, and of more force
than the preceding, is, that men of
found amongst ms. With nrofonnd
humiliation we resnoud. tha charge ;e |
foo frue. There are amonnst ne % for
oatfuI of their sacred ohiioations and
r~ecreant to the sacred frnst ra.
posed in them, as thus to dishonnr them
and recklessly wound fine renn-
tation of the craft. But this much we
aver, If they are vile, Masonry never
made them so, and it processes no mi
racul0us ability to change mems hearts
And we beseech You. not to form vour
of the Institution itself from
The unworthy conduct of unworthy
members. None can more deeply de-
plore than all true Masons do. The ev-
of this evil, and none are more
than they for its eXtirpation.
I should feel myself Justly liable to cen
safe, ana $ddtg GIeneseRt IN that defereR-
legdfd oh4ch MGS0ns especially de-
q q 70 sh0V 70 the CLAIMS Of the gentter
seT were 20 pass without q respect
I'll notice, IN which the ladies, no doubt,
-eel themselves particularly interested.
1t has been said: lift be the design
tendency OF Masonry to refine and
nnoDle human nature, who so suseepti-
Die OF taaG exquisite polish as the al
'eady pure ana gentle character of
woman H It be to cultivate and
strengthen the fraternal relation which
to exist between ma and man,
o facilitate and ensure the practical
operations OF those virtues SO fQrcibly
recommended ~ the inspired volume,
M Mutual f~orbearance and mutual
lld,R who so capable of generous emo
ions, or SO admirably fitted to excel in
Ill that adorns, endears and hall0ws
he social intercourse of martals as
None none, is our emphatic
eply. Her heart is truly a well-spring
# sympathy-the Eden where alone
lourished in their sweetest prime the