Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1886-01-01

object that is worthy the patronage of
mankind for which some institution
does not exist. And this principle of
association well deserves the attention
of the philosopher and also the philan-
thropist. for it is not only exceedingly
interesting but has and may become a
mighty power for either good or evil.
Through the aid of the immense facili-
ties for active communication that are
now given to society, men are every
where brought within the circle of
mutual attraction and act readily upon
each other, so that those who are seek
ing the same object and are animated
by the same purpose are enabled to join
their forces and act in concert with the
uniformity of disciplined army. And
thus, by the union of minds and hands.
and by the concentration of their
powers, men grow to be efficient and IN
liuential.
If left to himself man would be one
of the very weakest of all creatures,
but associated and acting in concert
with his kind lie acquires dominion
over the strongest animals, and over
the sea and earth; and by his increas-
ing knowledge and power inherits a
kind of property in the universe.
1t need scarcely be said here tonight
that it was this principle of mutual
confidence and aid in which the order
of ancient Free NJ sorry had its origin.
1t is true that one of the first lessons
which the order seeks to intulcate upon
the minds of the candidate who desires
utilization with it, is that of his own
personal responsibility and his account
ability for the free exercise of his own
individual powers. But at the same
time, by his admission into the order
he gains access to objects and materials
and is also furnished with excitements
and occasions to enable him to become
a law unto himself, and that will give
him deeper consciousness of his free
and responsible nature so that he NAV
rise to the great dignity of improving
himself without limit or end. Were
YOU TO ask a member of this brother
hood what motive induced him to apply
for membership into it, his answer, if
correct, would be in substance, ~ de-
sire for self-impfoYement." Inward
energy, the power of self-government.
is the contamination of good which &C
crueS to us from our social and con-
fNI.i Inn, l,,
ing has work to carry forward within
his own soul, duties to perform abroad,
influences 10 exert, and character to
form which are all peculiarly his own,
and he is bound to be and to do what
no one else can. Were you to ask me
to define Free Masonry in one sentence,
| would say that it is system of
morals, incnlcated and illustrated by
emblems. All its teachings are en-
blematic, and all its emblems aud
symbols, the square and compass, the
gavel, the trowel, and the various steps
and signs of which it admits, are de-
signed to teach important lessons.
Every Mason is expected to learn how
TO unite social Difference with self do
minion; To unite moral self-subsist-
ance with social dependence {; to respect
others without losing self-respect; and
while he reveres his superiors, to render
superior homage to that moral perfec-
ton which no superior can confer, and
none but Jesus has ever realized. To
speak more accurately, mans duty to
himself. to God. his family. and country
are the great lessons sought 10 be con-
veyed by the teachings Of Free Masonry
Il may al seem r'cin enough, bat hcN
few among us understand these obliga-
tons? Who is just, in the details of
life, even to himself? Thousands of
men are good men until they are temp
ted. That is, they have good desires,
and when alone would prefer the right,
but when the trial comes-and come it
does sooner or later-that tries mems
souls, they have not the moral courage,
power of will and force of character
adequate to the test. They WAIVER, and
finally yield, and are lost. tits only the
man who knows his rights and his
duties. and knowing. dares maintain
them, that we can trust in the exigen-
cies of life. But every man who has
given any attention to the history and
workings of this order must have dis
covered that the doctrine of human
brotherhood constitutes the foundation
stone upon which the whole super
structure rests. The mingling forces
at work in human society are discord-
ant. What is business but war? 1t is
a conflict of skill, management, and toe
often of fraud. To snatch the prize
from our neighbor, and even the ruff
ans attack upon the lonely and helpless
victim of jealousy in order to extori
from him the Masters secret word in
the hope of gain, constitutes the ain
and end of many useless lifel This
age needs nothing so much as peace
makers; men satisfied with theil
wages, even though it be but the penny
a day, TO preach to the world the goSpe
of human brotherhood and to allay The
fires of jealousy and hate. No Mason
Will object to any reference / may make
to the Bible; aud in that Holy Book We
read, lone is your Master, even Christ
and all We are brethren" That great
perch of brotherhood is yet to be real
/ lied in the world. And to my MIND
there is given in these words a fire.
quent hint of human brotherhood YET
to come-more deep, broad, and fal
more spiritual than any that has ever
yet been exhibited in this world, where
wealth has produced vanity and strife
and even the religion of Christ ha:
brought a sword instead of universal
and permanent peace.
am not ignorant of the humiliatinl
fact that upon these and similar decla