The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-01-24
THE FRATERNITIEs.
what MasOns Believe.

-,lor;ne retrospect, which will be read
a interest by the Craft. "The char
.ter Of the Masonic Order depends on
moral character of its members" is
soIden text that ought to be enshrined
every Masonic heart!
I. sfords your Committee very great
,assnre TO announce that the cause of
!. ancient and honorable Order is on
.,d and upward in all the Grand Juris-
LIONS with which we are in commu-
;sstion. During the two last Masonic
arr, most all of the controversial and
erisdictional questions, which in some
sgree tended to disturb the harmony of
ne Of our Subordinate and Grand
odpes, have been happily adjusted.
ID writer hereof does not know of any
me within his somewhat protracted
asonic career when greater unity of
Sntiment and fraternal affection existed
mong our brotherhood everywhere, than
Dw. We are inclined to the opinion
At Committees on Correspondence,
rough their courteous and fraternal re-
Orts, have contributed no small share
these results.
There still remain unsettled some
nestions of Masonic law and practice
nong the Grand Jurisdictions, but when
consider that each one is sovereign
Ia independent, we should not marvel
differences of opinion, especially when
lev do not disturb the general harmony.
e do not deem it advisable to enum-
ate these differences in this place, as
ost of them will be found in our re-
ews of the proceedings of the different
rand Lodges. There is one subject,
Dweyer, whichwe see cropping out occa-
Onally, althoughnot generally discussed,
which we propose to make allusion.
Ba delicate one, as our brotherhood
E all supposed to be Of one mind, and
E Masonic pulse beats in unison every
here;
What is Masonry Or, is Masonry
eligion?
We have venerable brother, now
ssed his four score years, who says
asonry is an institution of Divine ORR
D. We belong to that class Of Masons
DO believe that our main foundation
its on the teachings of the three Grand
asters who erected the first Temple at
rusalem. As our Order is not com
sed Of Christians alone, it does not lay
pim to being religious institution.
BE foundation of it is a belief in God,
d every member agrees to obey the
oral law. Our symbols all point a
oral. We believe in God-the resur-
ction of the body and the immortality
the soul. We don't ask any candidate
Masonry whether he believes in
hrist?
Some Masons believe that Christ has
me, others that that the Messiah is yet
come. Some Masons believe in God
d Christ, and that the Old and New
svaIuUnU Scriptures VI DIVINE iII-
ration, who live in sin and make no
etensions to religion of any kind.
hers believe all this, and live moral
d upright lives, but make no preten-
pns to what is, in this age, termed a
ligious life. We speak sometimes of
( Greek, Hindoo, Jewish, Christian
d Mohammedan religions, but we do
speak of Masonic religion. Yet
lere are many who belong to the Ma
nic Order who believe it is pretty
od religion, and it is perhaps better
4 at they should have that much respect
religion than to ignore it altogether.
Let us look at the definitions Of Relig-
by the best photographers, and let
ch one who examines the Scriptures,
eide for himself what form Of religion
j take his soul after death to the
pee where Masons teach in the burial
Vice and in the Lodge Of Sorrow, he is
Pected to 60.
Il Ne cannot enlarge on this subject
Y re We submit these thoughts briefly
/ show the spirit Of liberation which ami
pies Masons and characterizes our Or
1t has so many of the elements
nch the best and most of the devoted
!, gionists profess, that it commends it
i TO all classes Of men who believe in
y q and the moral responsibilities rest
: ; on them to keep His Law. One of
4 American Grand Lodges recently re-
ed the initiation of a respectable gen.
man who declined to recognize God,
believed in supreme controlling
Eer.n
me character Of the Masonic Order
pends on the moral character Of its
N mbers. A Mason who is true to the
n ehlngs he receives cannot take the sa-
n y name Of God in vain. 1t is bias
y envy and violates one Of the first les
e y ne receives after he entersour sacred
rails The outside world decides he is
v much Of genuine Mason. Gam.
y rs, swearing, drunkenness, and all
~ ler vices are well known to be forbid
NJ aey our teachings. Many good-hearted
Y antable, undetermined men indulge in
h. " ot the evil practices named above
" " 1lt Is unmasonic.
~ whether Masonry is religion that will
Y y tne soul or not, it becomes every
y v sgn 70 iiveu to his profession, and il
81 mould find by yirtuous life, thai
Y alyation Of that Immortal par
AZ nan which Masons teach, require.
"a psntance toward God and faith in
". Lord Jesus Christ" he is already
'aI sue stepping-stone and has not fal
y KS nave told what Masonry exacts Of
~ Y member, and the very fundamen
". principles which we profess, demand
VI c99mpliance Is necessary to make ;
Y. n u Mason. We do not indulge il
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