The Wilmingtonian., 1886-01-23
The MS to which MASONRY is suhiectea

lnab Jne contrary is physiological fact.
The analogy, however, is true in freemasonry
and may be made manifest by brief exam
ination its history. 1t is impossible to
enter fnlly into the merits of this subject in
an article as short as this must of necessity
be. Nevertheless, it will not require any of
the subtle arts of the metaphysician, to eviuce
this proposition, as it is neither metaphori-
cal nor is it obscure. Humanity is expo ID
to three classes of diseases hereditary, con
tagious, and those that are engendered by
violating the laws of nature, either volun-
tarily Or otherwise the effects beng similar
in either case. Masonry being human
institution, one fthe hereditary maladies to
which it is subjected, is lack ofknowledge.
This intirmity is often manifested in decis-
Ions rendered by those in authority, who
imag1e that they are supreme and are suh-
jeCt to no law during the recess of the body
over which they have been called to preside.
This intermitting disease is held in check by
the intelligence of the craft yet unfortunately
much barn is done before laws are enacted,
compelling these ignorant violaters of law to
c1nfine their rulings within the limits of the
constitutions and landmarks, which are alike
binding upon all. knowledge is thus diff
fused and the fraternity is benefited by the
vagaries of these self important rules.
This disease is not confined alone to one
class of persons, Some of its most mani
festations may be seen in those occupying
subordinate positions, "who having the
accent of neither Pagan, Jew, or Christian
one would be inclined with England IS
great dramatic poet to believe that natures
iourDeymen la made then; they initiated
humanity so poorly"
The same remedy, if applied as in the
former case, soon produces the best results.
We might pursue this line of thought much
further if line and space would permit. We
will only add that lack of knowledge has
been the cause of iutrudu o the
fraternity, VINO are utterly incapable Of
understanding theprimary principles taught,
who know less of symbolism than they do of
Sanscrit, who imagine that the ''parrlt pa :
of Masonry is its palladium, thai mystical
number attached to signature is of more
Importance than nature study and to WELD
a baton is an evidence of scientific attain
ments, such as never came within the range
of Solomon's vision. That such characters
have and do aitlct the body of Masonry, none
apparent, except upon the assumption of the
philosopher who declared, 'that all thing S
were good. A depraved wretch was poi ted
out and the question asked "wlat good is
he, the philosopher replied, "He was placed
in this world as an example, that men should
avoid becoming as he is.
Misdirected ambition is contagious dis
ease in masonry, but happily all masons are
not liable to infection. 1t is only those who
elect to remain in ignorance, men who are
willing to be the subseiviant tools of those
whose unholy ambition leads them TO be
icOncclasts, who would destroy rather than
build up, who make mei chGndise of ofmasonry,
and who if not in q salaried office, take no
inteteSt in the fraternity. To follow in the
lead of such is toleuder the person SO d ling
liable to all the contagious diseases to which
the craft is su jected. Au obscure, perh aps
an expelled mason, advertises at lie will
dispose of valuable masonic secrets before
which Ancient Craft Masonry pales into
insgniticance. Numbers of deluded persons
follow the lead OF some INSCRIPTIONS iudivi-
dual, and soon the body Of masonry is affl C
ted with partial paralysis. Lodges are
neglected, bitter feelings arc engendered,
obligations are forgotten, ordinations are
indulged in by those who had therefore, been
friends. This state Of affairs continues /
a greater or less period, according to its
violence, until reas IN ieasserts itself and
the authors of this mischief are relega ed
into oblivion.
These and sm,ar ills have come upon the
craft in the past, hut the sequel has shown
that It lost nothing by ;he trials 10 which il
was subjected. Witness the Grand Lodge OF
England when a schismatic Giand Lodge
endeavuured supplant Legitimate authority.
The craft seemed t. ba in jeopardy, but to-
day the United Grand Lodge Of England
is the first among its equals, ranking second
to none in the world
Human nature is the same to-day as il
was in the dawn Of tie eighteenth century
There are men who, furgain, wuuld debase
our time houored institution. A transient
success fills their minds with expe citations oi
still greater Victories that their defeat is
assured, is as certain, as that truth prevails
over lalsehood, and that the Intelligence of
the fraternity will be enhanced in the end
no thinking mason doubts for a momebt.
rha biEaasns r,spltin,r 4, ~, .
established law are fortunately FOR the craft,
few in nunher aud are easily controlled.
They are both legislative and personal. By
Legislative We mean such innovations as are
at times, made FOR expediency and for ma-
sons of doubtful rropriety by individual, we
mean the violation of tie principles Of ma
sonry, by members Of the fraternity. Tha
mode OF procedure varies, but the result is
tue same tile body OF masonry suffers. A
wholesome correction purges this evil and a
better st tic of things always follows. The
conclusion is obvious. fnasmuch MS the
institution has been for &C: turtles Il e TARGET
of abuse from fanatics without, and has been
coiSideied legitimate spoil by malcontents,
AID corrupt prUdgals from within, vet bay.
lug survived the machination of its enemies,
it will live and iowrish when they are for
gotten, and their action. remembered ouly
as traditions. I.ei masons romen Der that
the fraternity is built upon the indestructible
foundation Of trnth ami will accomplish its
mission, although at times it may not exhib-
it evidences Of AS robust health as at other
periods in its history.
j. S NJ.