Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1884-01-02
MASONIC BANQUET.

MASONIC BANQUET.
The banquet given by the several
societies of the Masonic fraternity in their
new hall. was, in every sense of the word,
a decided success. The well known
ability of the managers was so strong an
assurance of first class affair, that the
tickets, although high-priced, found a
ready sale. At an early hour, the ante
rooms were thronged with waiting guests.
including the elite of Austin and vicinity.
marched in to the hall by the music of
the Austin Union Band. The spacious
hall was closely set with tables, on which
was displayed most attractive variety
of eatibles too numerous to mention,
with fruits in abundance. Looking about
us, while the company was.being seated,
we observed among the familiar faces
those of Pro- W: w. Keysor. of Omaha,
Neb,. B. F. Farmer. G.. w. Warren and
B. F. Huntley of Spring Valley. and P.
D. Vaughan of Lansing, all being &C.
companied with their wives. Mr.. D. D.
Farrell and wife of Fountain were also
present. In addition to these were many
Masons and wives who live in the vicinity
of Austin.
Grace was said by Rev. E. r. Lathrop.
after which the company paid their re-
spects to the viands before them.
A large number of polite and comely
young ladies and gentlemen did the
mention for the attention paid to the de-
mands made upon their patience and
strength.
After the supper, Rev. W: E. Stanley
delivered 15-minute address, which was
very highly appreciated by every one
who heard it, We thought it worthy a
larger audience, so we have taken the
trouble to synopsosize it and give it the
benefit of the TRANSCRIPT circulation.
After the address, the guests were en-
tertained by excellent singing. Miss Ad
die johnson, assisted by chorus, sang
1--WE meet upon the level. We part upon
the square," Della Anderson sang solo
very sweetly. Carrie Schwan and Mrs.
Hattie Miles sang duet, Who'll buy
my Roses Red" Then followed singing
by a male quartet. DR.: Philips and Win
Lord sang q duet, angling" which
The address was delivered by Rev.
w. E. Stanley, who spoke substantially
In the brief time allotted for the ad-
dress, it will be impossible to more than
touch lightly upon those great funda-
mental and characteristic principles
which underlie the institution of Free
masonry to speak briefly and rapidly of
its nature, mission and limit.
Such line of thought is necessary be-
fore a mixed company ike the one as
sembled, where large number are pro-
hibited by the organic law of the order
from ever being initiated into the mys-
teries of Masonry, and in whose minds
may arise many questions, suggested by
the ill-advised claims of thoughtless
Masons, or oftener by the accusations of
would-be reformers and enemies, con-
corning the origin, teachings and ten
denotes of Freemasonry. ''Freema-
''is a system of morality, vailed IN ALE
cory and illustrated by symbols" It has
for its sole creed belief in the existence
of God as the Supreme Architect and
Ruler of the universe, and so becomes q
religious institution, and yet is not a
relig zion. This confession of belief in
God on the part of every candidate for
Masonic honors is essentially and abso-
lutely necessary, as without the superin-
tendency of holy being, rewarding
virtue and Furnishing vice, there could be
no sanction to moral law, for no atheist
has any motive to keep a promise or full
fill an obligation. Hence an atheist can.
mot gain admission to Masonic lodge.
No distinctive creed is taught in Masonry.
as it treats only of the ethics of religion,
and so affords common ground for the
: purpose of promoting moral culture and
the virtue of brotherly love. 1t leaves
the individual Freemason to work out his
spiritual welfare according to the chosen
} creed he has marked out upon his trestle
!, board, containing the designs and will Of
Ibis eternal Master. Freemasonry, as it:
name indicates, sprang from the familiar
occupation of common masonry, which
} consists of the application of the rules o.
, architecture to the construction of edi
. fees. In the course of time, the more
intelligent Master Masons, with the as
sistance of learned and pious men, begal
to apply the technical terms of nipple
ments and materials to the symbolizin!
of moral and spiritual ideas, and thu
operative Masonry passed over to specu
lative or FreemasOnry. 49,
IL FreemasOnry has taken for its mode
the temple builded by King Solomon a
; Jerusalem. According to Masonic leg
ends, King Solomon was q Grand Master
and the temple was builded by Masons
So perfect was the structure in the finisl
, and harmony of its parts, that it seemed
: as though fashioned from single blocl
IOf marble without the sign of any imple
ment having been used uponit Whethe
{ King Solomon was Freemason or an,
: other of the ancient worthless, or whethe
! the holy temple or any other of the grea
y structures of antiquity was reared b,
: Masonic labor, aside from its histories
( value, is of little moment to the status o
FreemasOnry.
Freemasonry is speculative in it
mature, and deals with vital moral primo
fples, and illustrates its truths by emblem
e taken from all lands and ages. Let q
: man mislnterpret or mlsrepresent Free
masonry, but remember that it is specl
lative science, not historical, and deal
q with morals. Speculative Masonry, lii
= operative Masonry, selects for its us
: the best of building materials, hence onl
{, men of mature years, sound minds an
= sponsible, are admitted to its honors.
y The lodge room symbolizes the eartl
d and its ceremonies the journey of lifi
The novice who presents himself ct tt
!. door Of the lodge Is regarded as the roug
:, y ashlar or unfinished stone as taken frol
the quarry in its natural state, to be shat
II ed and polished.
Not having time to analyze the stel
y whereby the candidate progresses Of
:, ward and upward, we can only allude
= few Of the principal symbols, bOrrOwe
= for the most part from operative Masonr
III as setting forth the teachings Of the orlle
The trestle board, formerly used
or Master Masons IN laying out the work 4
u their snbordinates. is Z symbol Of the CO
=. and skill with which the speculative n
!, lson plans his life work according "a q
!. will Of God. Sssss8.s
The Holy Scrip The grsst lig