The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-10-20
MASONIC FRIENDSHIP.

At banquet on the occasion of the
constitution of Melita Commandery No.
IS, Knights Templar of N j., on October
Sth, the following interesting speech was
delivered by very eminent Sir J. Layton
Register, Grand Captain General of the
Grand Commandery, we'll known in this
town and vicinity:
SIR KNIGHTs:-In responding to your
toast on Masonic Friendships" We open
wide the door into large room of thought,
wherein all is beautiful and grand, and SO
exhalted that my feeble efforts fail to COM
prehend its fullness or give it utterance as
it deserves. For nothing else so completely
fills the pure Masonic soul with ecstacy, as
true Masonic friendship-genuine, hearty,
and breathing fragrance. whose incense
goes up to the Most High.
There is nothing that we can compare it
with Ordinary friendships are not so en- .
during nor so free from improper motives.
We can all 60 back to the days of our boy
hood and remember with what gushing SEN
timent we swore eternal friendship to many
a companion. Those were happy days and
will not be forgotten as bright spots in our
lives; but the friendships of youth were
often too tickle to last and with ripening
manhood, our better judgment suspends
the hot haste of our immatured minds and
enables US to decide with more wisdom as
to our course.
Men must love. God is love- and we were
created in his image. Friendship is so akin
to love that may define it as love without
passion. 1t is more clear headed than love.
Though | would not underrate the esti-
mate we must put upon pure love unde-
| filed, especially as seen in the home circle,
where the mother tie is ever binding, even
though the silver cord be broken on earth
with some of us.
Since, therefore, men must love, and
friendship is unimpassioned love, we natu-
rally covet the highest form of friendship
and most certainly look for it within the
mystic circle that unites us to one another.
| Bacon says there is little friendship in
w 8
had he been a Mason, his brilliant intellect
would doubtless have paid glowing tri-
butte to Masonic friendships, where, though
sometimes broken like worldly friendships,
yet are controlled by a conscience that
| should lead us back into the paths of recti-
tude, if We ever deserved to pass over that
threshold where we took upon ourselves
vows which embodied peace, good will to
men!
Masonic friendships have base to rear
the superstructure of our acts upon that
| the world does not know of. Herein we
find that ontidence-without which there
can be no meaning to friendship or love-
sways our impulses and commands our con-
duct. When we rise from the altar with
our vows still warm upon our lips, we reach
| forth the hand of brother to brother
and grasp it with a knowledge of its full
meaning for the first time, and can say
with King Solomon of old, that there is
| friend that sticketh closer than a brother,
and can comprehend the meaning of the
word that is lost to those who have not
gone this way with us.
One of the earliest teachings we receive
in Masonry is, that we are on an equality
with our brethren, and that outward ap-
pearances make no degrees in our obliga-
tions to each other. All are Judged alike
by their compliance with their vows; by
their good character and we'll earned fame,
rather than by social caste. Hence, the
earnest reaching out of the heart to heart,
for true friendship is unfettered, and finds
trusting response when we know that we
are bound together by cords that cannot
be broken. Indeed, so strong is this power
felt in the world, that it is urged that our
secret vows render us exclusive in our at
| tachments. This is as good compliment
as we could wish, to Prove that there is a
sincerity in Masonry and its friendships.
| 1t is our confession of faith, embodied in
one word that covers the whole Masonic
teachings.
Masonic friendships are spontaneous.
| They are the outgrowth of the minglng
together in an organization, wherein we
are supposed to find only the mysterious
and from which the impure are excluded.
Possibly our friendships may sometimes
be made too trustfuly, because we feel
that we are on holy ground, and the
shock that dssipates them and outrages
our finer feelings may lead us to con-
denim too hastily. AS we are human,
| however, some may err; but over such
let us charitably throw a mantle, and
trust that a renewal of their vows will keep
knock at our door for admission into our
midst signifies willingness to take an
obligation that, at the most, the humble
applicant believes to be bound up in trust
ing friendship. And if any falter by the
way, let that Masonic friendship, which can
cover multitude of sins, lead us to forgive
and forget and aspire still higher in car
rying out its broadcast meaning. In no
other sphere of duty will you find such
deliberate intention in good purposes, I'M
less it be in the Christian church. And
we can safely emulate their good exam
pie without trespassing upon their sacred
rights. Our friendships will be judged by
Our principles. Let us be careful that
neither in spirit nor in action we traduce
it's good name, or lower the standard of its
benetcent influence upon our lives. Ma
sonry must perish without its friendships.
We must therefore hold it as a dear prize.
For The Cecil Wing.
BROADBRIM'S NEW YORK LETTER.
The Return of Prosperous 7Imes--TAe