Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-12-31

trolling influence Of Etruria. That influence
permeated the nation, and dominated Ro-
man religious thought for hundreds of
years. Under its influence mystery sur
rounded religious rites, and all undertake
ings were begun under favorable auspices
if begun at all. 1t requires no
stretch OF imagination, therefore, to
conceive that The admission of apprentices
to masonry, and the transaction of business
in connection with the craft, were preceded
by ceremonies intended to propitiate the
deities thew worshiped, and to ward off all
profane from the precincts of their lodge
room, or temple. 1t would be passing
strange if such were not the case. The open
ing and closing ceremonies of the lodge,
and the preparatory steps in the different
degrees, show traces of this Etrurian infiu-
ence. The inquiry made whether all pres
ent are entered apprentices, fellow craft, or
master masons the instructions given to
the Junior Deacon and Tyler; the circum-
ambulation of the lodge-room during the
comforting of the degrees, are all Etrurian
in their origin, whether adopted at the be-
ginning of the order in Rome, or grated on
at later date from Etrurian religious rites,
matters little.
There are evidences of Grecian and Egyp-
tan, and probably of Median influences in
the different parts of our rites. The Jewish
origin is so plainly seen in the sublime de-
gree of Master Mason, that no one can fail
to recognize it.
The design of this degree is to teach the
great doctrine of the resurrection of the
body and the Immortality of the soul. The
pagan nations of antiquity had an abiding
faith in life beyond. But it was not
faith founded on sure word of prophecy.
The Jews-the sole custodians of Gods re.
vealed will-had clearer views and brighter
hopes. 1t is in the degree of a Master Ma
son, therefore, that the influence of their
teachings is most strongly felt In it we
are reminded of our trials, our buffetings
and our temptations, requiring unceasing
watchfulness, answering fidelity, I'M
finching courage. But we are also taught
that though the body may decay and fade
away, the soul never dies; and that we
may lay our bodies down in the assurance
that in the fullness of time the Supreme
Ruler of the Universe, the Almighty Grand
Master Himself, will raise us from the dust
and corruption of the tomb, to the enjoy
ment of endless life in the celestial lodge
majesty.
We are taught, however, that this admis-
sion to the Supreme Lodge beyond the
valley of the shadow of death can only be
achieved through fidelity to the trust re-
posed in us. AS no Entered Apprentice can
become Fellow Graft unless he discharges
his duties as an Entered Apprentice; and
as no Fellow Craft can become a Master
Mason who has not faithfully learned and
discharged his duties as Fellow Craft, so
no one of US, unless we qualify ourselves
in the appointed way-unless through trial,
through suffering, through humble SUBJ
mission and meek obedience, we have been
transformed from rough ashlars to perfect
ashlars-can ever be lively stones in that
temple not made by hands, eternal in the
heavens.
These lessons Masonry has always taught.
No one who has been raised to the sublime
degree of Master Mason can forget the SOL
emn lessons of that hour. They abide
with him through all subsequent life. If
they do not bear appropriate and beautiful
fruit, he is false to the teachings of the
order, false to his sacred VOWS, false to his
God.
These teachings, forming from time i'm
memorial an inherent part of the highest
rites of our fraternity, give more than prob
ability to the Masonic tradition so oft re-
peated in every lodge in every cline.
When, therefore, we speak of our ancient
brethren, it is no idle thought that carries
us back through the dim past that finds
beneath the medieval operative Mason's
apron the knights coat of mail, the cowl
of the learned monk and the inter of his
bishop, a Mason's heart, bound by sacred
bonds and solemn VOWS to his brethren,
and responsive to their calls for comfort and
for help. 1t is no delusive dream that
causes us to recognize as our patrons, st.
John the Evangelist-the ideal of gentle
the ideal of fiery zeal and manly courage.
1t is not mere idle fancy that enrolls as
brothers good and true, Solomon, King of
Israel; Hiram, King of Tyre; and that
other Hiram, SO skillful, so nobly grand in
character. Verify. he "being dead, yet
speaketh."
Whatever feelings may justly be evoked
when we stand in the presence of relics of
the far away past, these feelings we should
cherish as members of an ancient and hon.
orable order. We are members of an order
that has survived the wreck of empires, the
upheaval of society, the blotting out of one
civilization, the darkness and chaos of a
long transition period, and the birth and
onward march OF newer better, purer
civilization. We have been instructed in
lessons that have done much to maintain
peace and good will among men. And as
civilization marches on, Masonry keeps
equal steps with her progress. Generations
have come and gone. The best and truest
in each successive generation have been
=" brothers" Standing here tonight on
this festival of st. John the Evangelist, as
we look back through the aisles of the past,
we see noble line of brothers broth
ers from the cottage and from the palace
brothers whose horny hands and sinewy
forms tell of arduous toll brothers whose
pale, thoughtful faces tell of studious
lives; brothers whose flashing eyes and
strong features tell of stirring deeds in be-
half of fellow man. Looking down through
the aisles of the future, we see passing
through the guarded portals, trusting in
God, men who will proudly wear without a
stain this honorable badge-the lambskin
apron. We are the heirs of noble past
We are in the midst of an inspiring pres
ent. We see before US grand, a glorious
future.