Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1883-05-13
square and Compass.
rRACTIrAI. MASONRY

T. j. often said that Masonry is not
-rr.,irntly practical. We hear a eriti-
ism fir queutly made to this effect:
That the Masonic institution, with all
il. Prestige Of age and rank, its large
and vari, Il resources, fails to be an effec-
rive wogEing power in the world, and to
accomplish the actual good that might
10 exrtc,yl OF such an organization.
Va, from outsiders alone does the charge
rome that Masonry is lacking in practi-
cal ministries, but many earnest breth-
~eu give emphasis to such complaint,
while they urge greater zeal and activ-
,,v OIL tie part of the craft in diseharg-
M the duties of q generous philan-
urrpy.
THIS age is intensely practical. The
world OF to-day gives but little attention
tu matters that are merely speculative
r,.d tauriful. Something tangible is de-
maudod To signify the worth of ideas
and systems. Character rather than
,:ait-SjCn, works instead of mere words,
...y actual rendering Of some service in
.... way OF helping men to better condi-
JoiS-theSe are the special require
mrutS of our advanced civilization and
.ural state. In this practical age Ma
Try must show its practical side. It
wUSi keep pace with human progress
I'D needs. IL must adapt itself to eX-
I-,mg CoudltICns-muSt express its gen
.., and power in the rendering of a
positive service of helpfulneSS to those
uhum it Is able to reach aud bless.
There can be no question that prac-
"a. Masonry is called for in this mat
'r-ot- fact and progressive age. While
.. 'ae sense no change is possible, our
l,gtUtiOu being established on certain
ding principles, it il nevertheless
, ..rcNtly proper that the craft should
attentive 10 the signs of the times
,.aJ they should give heed to those
lr.al demands now generally recog-
...:d, and seek To make their OrganiZa-
ion prominently useful in obedience
q such requirements. Failing To per-
mrm this benignministry, Masonry can
o., Justify us continued existence. 1t
rau only prove its right to live aud
flourish by responding to the large de-
wauds OF human need, and doing a
work Of actual good according TO what
are its means and its opportunities.
There is danger, however, of limiting
JudUiy the definition of practical Ma
sorry. Tie word practical is some
tines strangely narrowed in its render
ing. 1t is made to signifya single line
%. rudPavOr or accomplishment, rather
Iuau broad sweep of effort in the way
o.; desired good. Thus reference is
made to practical business, when only
some exceedingly limited methods or
plans are held in view, and that which
- ST aside In the material undertaking
l. of vastly more importance.
some people talk about practical edu-
cation, having in mind merely limited
ard imperfect training for one kind Of
business or occupation. All other in
~lrUctiOn seems TO them impractical
aud without value. How different the
broad definition of education given by
iohn Milton: Il hOlIh complete and
education TO be that which
its man TO perform Justly, skillfully
and magnGuimOuSly all the offices, both
private and public, Of peace and war"
.Nuu this large definition of education
: altogether Of practical import, for it
lIusS 10 training calculated To give
au adequate preparation for the per-
.rrmance 81 all required duties, while
10 includes the discipline and Use of
IN the varied faculties of man.
Practical Masonry does not begin
AID end with almsgiving, or with be-
ucvOltGt etf'Rt of wha lever sort il may
lie. The ministry of usefulness which
Ur institution has TO perform Is not |
united 70 a single department OF effort, |
Mur does ministry depend upon the
.ontraining of its influence within too |
harrow bounds. Masonry, like religion,
meets lite at all points. 1t recognizes !
me many sldednesS of human nature. |
II has precepts and offerings apprO- |
riate To the time. 1t seeks to provide |
for the social a. well a. the |
ethical nGture-tO nOuriSh the affections |
rs well as to supply the intellect-and |
10 develop symmetrical characters on |
which true msnliness shall be stamped. !
II POINTS its disciples to the fultillment |
NJ various obligations, and binds them |
closely To the practice of many social
and moral virtues. In its organic life |
II take hold Of the work which true |
regard for the benefit of Others prompts, |
aud makes expression of itself by bless
.i services Of love and benevOlenCe. 1t |
,juv~ something To lessen human suffer-
- ignorance and vice, and it cOntri-
,u;es some help to the moral stock
@ the world.
Nuthis = practical Masonry, accord |
ny 10 what its broad and expansive
Genius OfgOOd. We are not to pick out |
certain lines Of is teaching and work, |
,alliug these practical, and regarding |
,i.l else rs unworthy of attention. We |
shall make a greviOus mistake il We con-
v,ude that there is no practical element |
la Masonry except that which Is wit
messed i'm its charities. Ii 1t addresses |
men on the intellectual sides of their |
mrtdres, and incites them to earnest |
thinking, or lift brings to them the Sug- |
yr,tioaS of profitable instruction, il is |
unVuc>tiOna6ly practical in such COM |
III it ministers to the So |
r.al side Of hIman nature, making its |
tower felt in bringing men out of selfish |
collation. into true fellowship, and 10y |
providing means and occasions TO aug |
ment the rest of life, il may well count |
lis offices IN this direction to be OF practi-
Ial character.
Masonry is practical in all the iu-
UuenCe it eXertS, all the work. 1t does 10
develop individual character and give
instruction in the way Of upright per-
Nomal living. Ii fultills no small part of
It's most servicesble mission as it dis
POSES men to make the most and the
best ot life, 20 recognize their relations
toeach other and to God, and to be
faithful, generous and true, wherever
they may be placed, and whatever may
be the special call to NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
tCIH
WEST VIRGINIA GRAND COMMANDERN.
Representatives from all the Conn
manderies in this State met at Grafton
Wednesday to elect the officers for the
ensuing year for the Grand Command
cry jesse L. Purnell, Grand Com
mander, presided. The following Off
Gers Were elected.
W n. II. Flick, Grand Commander;
~ ~, r, Scott. Deputy Grand Commander;
W. II: Riggs, Grand GeneralissimO; ].
a. a. Miles, Grand Captain General; \.
buchanan, Grand Prelate; J. A. Lafoy,
Grand Senior Warden; ]. III. Brown,
Grand Junior Warden; ]. w. Morris,
q -