Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-06-28

practice But about this time Lodges became
located and can be traced By written records.
Turning to the last report OF our committee
on foreign correspondence we find they reviewed
the proceedings OF Grand Lodges OF every State
in the Union, also those of British Columbia,
Nova Scotia, Prince Edwards Island, and Que.
bee. I'm the proceedings OF the State OF New
York, where anti Masonry once had strong
foot.bod and where the Grand Lodge Is Just
entering upon the hundredth year OF its exis.
tence, we find there are seven hundred lodges
having membership OF 10, 732 Masons Brother
Drummonds statistics show IN the United States
alone 1891 Master Masons On the Rolls. This
does not embrace the thousands of unatfiliated
who am sorry to say almost equal the attilia'
ted.
England, where in 1111, were only four lodges
now has upon the rolls of the Grand Lodge
nearly two thousand, not considering the hun.
dreds chartered by her in other countries, which
have grown into Grand Lodges OF their own.
As the railroad whose welcomed scream we
hear in the near distance, starting at tins point
on the banks of the mighty Father OF Waters
which flows at the foot OF your beautiful city,
taking straight line, reaches IN shortened
distance, the metropolis OF our State, touching
from time to time the rapidly flowing stream as
in its devious route 1t flows to the same desti.
nation, 80 have rallroaded you as 1t were down
the stream Of time from 1912 Il. G. where we
found the foundations OF the first temple and the
organization of Masonry as nm operative anti
speculative science to the present, space OF
1893 years bring to your view from time to time,
an evidence OF its continued flow on the stream,
until at this end stands our own M. w. Grand
Master, who ppresdes in orr grand East with
such dignity, intelligence and zeal, or to use
another comparison | have hurried yOu along
the line Of time and have shown You but tho
out posts of our grand institution, but which IS
sufficient to satisfy YOU that the line OF its ex.
stencoi il continuous from the first, when 1t was
| organized by the God given Masonry OF Solo
| mon to now, where we find our own NJ. w,
| Grand Master standing ready and able to give
| the craft good and wholesome instruction and
| advice.
| But at best have but taken you around on
| the outside of the edifce, and have been able
| to show you but few of its stately columns and
| supports, which may have attracted yeur at
| tcntiOn and created your wonder. But cannot
| hone to gain the commentator OF yOnr hearts
unless open the portals and display the princi.
pies il teaches, the virtues it iuculcntcs tho
practice OF which it cnjoin.. Up to 1922 many
| Masons deemed ii among the requirements OF
| the order, that its objects should be concealed.
But we know those brethren, who feared to
publish to the world the principles, objects and
end Of Freemasonry and who believed that such
publication would tend to the overthrow of the
|
right to know the true principles upon which
are based the existence Of all secret associations
| within its borders. 1t was the realization of
| this fact which caused the Grand Lodge of Eng.
| land in i122 to wisely order thr publication of
the ancient charges; which clearly sci forth the
| terms of cement and the principles OF the Asso-
citation, the result OF which was TO remove the
vulgar prciudices and idle tales then IN vogue
in reference to Masonry.
1t did much more than this, it rendered the
institution popular with all classes, except those
whose moral character was so defective that they
were excluded from its benefits. We do not,
however, intend to claim too much. When ask.
ed If il is not religion, we answer, in the words
of our patron saint whose feast we this day eel
citrate. He that hath tho bride Is the bride
groom. But the friend OF the bridegroom which
standeth and hcarcth him, rcjoiceth @rcatly be
cause of the bridegroom voice and again
! "iie that comcth from above is above ali lie
that IL Of the earth is earthly and spcaketh OF
the earth he that comcth from heaven Is above
all"
The foundations of the institution are laid in
the cement of Brothcry Love, Relief and Truth.
The cardinal virtues OF q Mason are Temper.
ancc Fortitude, Prudence and Justice.
Brotherly Love is duty taught from heaven,
the practice Of which Is held in the highest Is
TEEN by God, the creator of all mankind.
But few Sabbaths since, ! heard learned
divine state from the pulpit that an old legend
declared tile reason why God selected Mount
Moriah as the site of the Temple was because o.
a beautiful act of brotherly love performed OF
that spot. And when we remember God i'll his
plan Of the Temple provided place Ton all
Gentle as well as Jew--we are struck with The
design of the Almighty Parent, to unite men Of
every country, sect and opinion and to eohcili
ate true friendship among those who might 9th
erwisc remain at z perpetual distance.
Masonry in an eminent degree aCCOmpiislie'
this end,
1t is brothcrly love which causes one Mason t.
90 upon the crTand of the other, to do him
service should he 60 barefoot and barchCadcd
1t IL the same influence which causes him 10 re
member his brother when offering up his dcro
tons 10 the Supreme Architect of TIE HniveFs'
and makes him guard his secrets in his >ympa
timing breast, as closely rs the brother doe
himself. II will deter him from speaking cvi
of his brother behind his back. and will promp
him to whisper good cheer III his ear, and sup
port q falling and sinking brother
Relief is peculiarly q mans duty and pleasure
BY relief however we do rot mean ~ indiscriu,
mate charity or almsgiying. While the Ma4o
is ever ready to reley" the necessities at tn
, poor and distressed, and his hand dispense
aims as readily, II not more readily than Others
this is not what we mean by Masonic relief |
is for this relief in part that lodges are cs,ai
lishcd all over the world IL is TO he able to y
srtviceable to his iclow.Creailucs that prompts
or should prompt, each initiate to ask atmtsSto
; into our order. 1t Is to render this relief tia
the funds of each lodge are primarily app,opr
ated. 1t is for this purpose that your Relic
: Lodge il established III this State and the Con
3 mittce on Charity was framed in England an
. like committees appointed all over the worlI
q The worthy Mason need never fear whenS0eyt
. he may be so disposed, to apply for this relic
< But the unworthy, when they apply, hccOn
/ impOstOrs. The worthy nrpt never ne hshamt
- to ask it, for it is his due. Those WHO grant
T. | are but performing one Of their rOst sacred 81
/. legations. These obligations extend tluthe
. The widow and orphan OF the worthy Mason con
, within them. But my brothers. you must hes
= in mind, the obligation Is only to the worthy.
n fear too many forget this for ii is fact that II
greater nunbe, OF applications come from thos
h who have neglected the Masonic duties. An
= many are the instances where applications al
p made by MasOns who, ut the outset INFORM II
+ | examining brother that he IL very rusty III
, having been in a lodge for long time. lcannt
+ | but believe, ii it was remembered that this %
Il legation to relieve is one holding only for q
< worthy, there would not be many nou.aiiili
). ted Nlasous, especially in this iUtlsdlclio
r where the resolutions Of the Grand Lodge Il
{. clare failure to apply for utilization within twcl,
il months after demitting, dcptiycs Of many N
n sonic rights. None OF us know how soon v
# may be in circumstances 10 crave its privilege
: We should all sCrupulOusly perform our ObliG
!, ton rs contributing members to the order, tn
: We may, in case of need, not be ashamed to I
% ccive in our distress. What our illnstrio