The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-11-26
Power of Masonry.

That Masonry is power cannot he
denied. As an institution it has OBJ
tanned a strong foothold in all parts OF
the civilized world. and is generally rec
ognized us one of the great uplifting for.
ces of human society. As Fraternity
it leads all other associations of like so
cial and benevolent character, and has a
constantly augmenting influence among
the most progressive communities OF the
earth Masonry claims to rank with
those potential factors of civilization and
humanity, the ministry of which is best
approved. Can it justify such a claim!
Does it indeed exert a deep and wide
spread influence of good' and, if so,
what is the impulson of such a power7
We may find proof of the power of
Masonry both in history and experience.
The records that have been made are
abundant to show that its potent pres
encc has been felt in many of the for.
ward movements of society and the
world, and that it has been both direc,-
| ing and an amelorating agency to indi-
| viduals and communities alike. Mason
| y lliN 'l'N p''H dNNuSNplllCNl w bOttSl vi
| its might in these or other respects, nor
to magnify its gifts for the public bene-
| fit, but enough is on record to establish
the fact that 1t has always been an ear
nest ally of the rights of man and the
| good order of society; that it has given
aid to those humanities and reforms
whereby mankind have been helped to a
better condition, so making some visible
| contributions to the general welfare, al
belt much of its influence has been eX-
crted i'll ways so quiet and unheralded Il,
| hardly TO claim the notice of those who
only judge of power by its outward ex
| preston.
The power of Masonry may be pro-
ven by subjective mcthods-by the tes-
timony of individual experience Let
us look within and ask ourselves the
question, have we not been benefited by
Masonry! As the teachings and sug-
gestons of the Masonic system have
fallen upon our ears and obtained lodg-
mcnt in our minds, has not our thought
been quickcned and enlarged? Have we
not been quickened in our mental sensi-
bilities--made happier and better-as
we have drank in the lessons of our roy
al art, and shared in the sweet commun-
ions for which masonry provides so
many delightful occasions? The genu-
inc Mason needs no outside testimony
to assure him of the blessed power wield-
ed by the institution to which he stands
pledged; he has felt--he feels continu-
ally-ts magnetic touch ON his soul, and
| appreciates how much his thought and
character have been moulded by its in
tluence.
Do we ask in what this power con
sists? Answer may be given that such
power depends in part on that system of
moral and philosophical truth which is
| put forth under the Masonic name. and
illustrated and enforced by such varied
symbolism as that which attaches to the
representation of the Masonic Ritual
Truth is always a potent force in the
world, but all truth is not of one and the
same efficiency The multiplication Ia
bic is statement of truths, but it does
not greatly move or edify the learner.
The truth which Masonry has in its
keeping, and which it enunciates and en-
forces in ways most significant relate
to the most important themes. They
have to do with questions of duty and
happiness, with what relates to life OF
Its supreme side, with the everlasting
verites of God and Heaven The Ma
sonic system has power, because it is not
trivial, frivolous and superficial but Oh
the contrary, because it deals with priu
cipals and truths that are of noble auC
farrcaching import. 1t is science anc
art i'll itself and is concerned with al
sound learning, with all true philosophy
Beyond this, however, Masons repre-
sents great truths essential to the salts
faction of the moral nature-tluths tina
relate to the being of God and His re.
, latlon to man., to the Immortality of tn,
soul and the celestial life.
But Masonry is powcrtul,no alone OF
account OF the truth incorporated in it
systCm,but also because of that principl
of love which it seeks to make the urea
influencing motive of life. In the appre
ciation of this most excellent grace i
: brings its disciples into close and sympa
thetic accord, and bids them have fel
lowship with and help for each Other
brotherhood is the watchword whic
means so much to every well instructe,
Mason, as it suggests to him both tn
duties and the privileges which are hi,
!, Many things are shown HIM in the wa
of the unfolding of the ritual and tn
teaching of its lessons but, above all, h
is reminded that love is the crownin
of noble life; 1t is indeed the bond c
perfection and the fulfilling of tn
law
, Here, then, we find two of the potter
elements that give Masonry its power i
! the world-the truth that is enwrougl
i'll the system, and the love to which
: eXhOrts with such earnestness, and whic
ii illustrates, at least in some partial d,
gree, by word and by deed That thes
E are grand sources of "A worldwide inflr
I ence cannot be gainsaid, Only let Nj
sons be faithful to what their institutio
: stands for and inculcates, and no fe;
! of its waning influence need ever be el
tertaincd,-FreemaSons RepoSitoru.
s s--