The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-06-26
Masonic.

Masonic,
Following is the address delivered at haut-
man on Thursday (St. Johns day. by Mr.
L. M. KnepAy
BROTHER L. NJ. KNEPFLY's ADDRESS.
St. Johns Day is the day that we, as Ma
sons celebrate, and is time of feasting, min
gled with mirth and gaiety--a true holiday.
Both mind and body are Toasted. Orations
and addresses are pronounced in eulogy oil
st. John the Baptist, and in praise OF the
Brothers of st. john" and we sincerely
hope that tho time may never come when It
will cease. The custom is trustworthy and
noble one. Its purpose and influence are
10 maintain the Brotherhood upon its high
level, to perpetuate its fundamental truth
and governing laws of conduct. This is not
m ordinary festival, but the festival of st.
John the Baptist, and hence. in order to un.
derstand its true import, we must recall and
consider tho character of the great proto-
martyr, in whose honor it is kept
st. Johns nativity was distinguished by
mystery and supernatural signs afterwards
storms ragged about him, but he escaped their
violence. His father, Zacharias, was killed
in the temple for refusing to deliver up his
son; and his mother, Elizabeth, fled, bearing
him in the wilderness. That faithful mother,
soon after, so tradition informs US, WAS sus-
tanned by an angel, until the wonderful
infant was mature enough to provide for
his own wants A hermit, with garments
woven ofcamels hair and feeding on locusts,
which were the food of tho poorest classes in
the Holy Land, and on the honey of the wild
bees, which abound there; gifted by heaven
with strength of body and mind, he grew up
stalwart and powerful, an orr
ginal thinker, m orator and
the last of the Jewish prophets, He was q
brave, bold man. He denounced wicked
ness in high places as we'll as low. As
minister none were more successful. He wa:
the apostle of honesty, justice and charity
In so far he was q type of Freemasonry
which is the gospel of work and love in
action, toward all the members of the craft
Such, in brief was the life and character o.
him whom we are proud to hail as one of The
patron saints of Masonry. Our lodges are
held forth in his name, jointly with that o
John the Evangelist. Let us ever chersl
the good name and fame of both, for they
cover with halo of glory our good old craft
Freeinasonry is not mere form and cere
,uony, but a system aiioring almost infinite
opportunity for obtaining further light anC
wise indeed is he who makes strict search 70
the treasures Of knowledge it has in store
Os all the institutions which have been estab
lished for the purpose of improving the con
dition of mankind, Freemasonry stands pre-
eminent in usefulness rs in age. Its origni
lost in the abyss OF UNEMPLOYED antiquity
But bet US glance al its teachings. l. teache
us the duty we owe to God, our country, GU
neighbors and ourselves, and enjoins us t
conduct ourselves according to the rules {
justice and mpartiality, and to be true use
full and good men, and incites l
to noble efforts in behalf Of humanit,
Brethren, if you desire to become true NJ,
sons, there is much to learn the whole sy
tenn of our beautiful symbolism should /
studied. The advance of Masonry is II
advance of humanity its march is the marc
of the highest civilization, and the same Vi!
lance and strict adherence 10 the Landmark
and practice of its principles, which won f,
it its proud pre-eminence to-day, must
observed, kept and practiced if we wou
have it continue to advance or even no
what it has already gained; and on the ind
vidual members depends the continued pro
perity of our institution. The respect Il
world entertains for Freemasonry
founded and must depend on 1
life and conduct Of its disciple
Masonry is worthy of being cherished, al
to protect it is to exemplify its teachings
public and pri, ate life. When it is SO chs
ished BY its members the outside world W
be compelled to yield it the homage of
respect. What can be more divine than {
model preoept of Masonry? What mo
sublime than charity-the soul and essen
of Masonry? To love your neighbor
yourselt to love your Creator without /
serve; to love even your enemies;
forget injuries pardon ohenses conqt
evil with good; to be joyful with those II
are happy to weep with those in Athletic
10 enlighten those who are in darkness;
reclaim those who have strayed
Judge not harshly, lest We be iudg
and to assist the unfortunate, are among
duties we are called upon to fulfill by the
ton of our Masonic vows. We are not
measure the riches or talents of our neis
bors, but to dispense our gifts to those W
lack them; MOTTO advance our own intere
but rather TO sacrifice them to the gene
coed of humanity. We are to be good, tr
compassionate, affable, generous, merci
and clement To be faithful subject ip
country where we live, respect the laws, 4 c
slant friend, careful and vigilant master,
of charity toward all, and favor and cour
nance all honest intentions Show me VIC
of true Masons, and will point you to
peaceful abode Of innocence and happin
A large majority of the religious organ
TONS in sentiment if not in words, bid the
stitution of Masonry God speed in It's n
sion of mercy, and the antagonlsm betw
the religious element and the institution
Masonry is growing less every year as
principles Of Masonry become better kno
Ignorance and prejudice have fought
craft for centuries. Books have been wri,
against numerous pretended exposure
It's work have been made; orators have
Claimed against it; political parties b