The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1888-06-28
NATAL ANNIVERSARY
Of st. John the Baptist, Sunday
Evening,
At the First M. e. Church--Canton Lodge
OF Masons Present in a Body-Large
Attendance-Visitors From
Wooster.

Yesterday being the natal anniver-
sary of st. John the Baptist, who is
regarded as a patron of the Masonic
order, was fifty observed by the Canton
Lodges of Masons. The two lodges
Canton and Eagle, assembled in their
lodge room at sever p. m. last even
ing, and from thence proceeded to the
First Methodist Episcopal church
where religious services, appropriate to
the day, were directed by the pastor,
Rev. DR.. Muller. The audience assem-
bled filed the large church to overflow
ing Notwithstanding the intense heat.
Not less than two hundred representa-
tive MasOns were present, and were
highly gratifed with the service. After
brief preliminary exercises, DIR. Muller
announced for his text: Matt. I'LL,
"And among that are born of women,
there hath not arisen a greater than
John the Baptist" The DR.. said in
substance: To the worshipful masters,
officers and members of the Canton and
Eagle Lodges of +. and A. MasOns, of
Canton-Greeting. 1t is fitting upon
the recurrence of a festal day in the
Masonic calendar, and on this festival
day, consecrated to the memory of st.
John the Baptist, an eminent patron of
our world wide order, that we remind
ourselves Of his virtues. and draw
instruction and inspiration from his
character and thus be aided to meet
life's obligations. Itis instructive for all
Masons to justly reyere the memory of
the Saints John of Jerusalem, to whom
our symbolical lodges are dedicated,
and from which all true MasOns hail.
On December q we observe the natal
anniversary of st. John the APOSTLE,
and today, June "a, we celebrate the
natal day of st. John the Baptist. 1t is
further instructive, as showing us how
in this confused world a true man felt,
spoke, struggled, conquered and filed
life's destiny. The text contains the
eulOgium pronounced upon this heroic
mans character by Jesus. 1t is inspir-
ing because the same quotations of
character possessed by John the Bap-
fist are needed today
After giving a brief historic outline
of John, the Doctor considered to the
attractive influences and essential prin-
ciples of the Masonic order. Our sys-
tenn he said, appeals to us by its anti
guilty, its mysteries, its precepts of self
government, its practice Of mutual
help, and its illustriOus and heroes and
founders. On this latter point he dwelt
and gave an analysis of John the Bau-
lists character. The elements of his
greatness were his robust strength, his
courage and humility. The reason why
we honor the memory of this Saint is
plain. Not because of his relation
to Jesus, but on account of his personal
worth. Masonry is a great system of
morality. The two poles of a perfect
Masonic character are uprightness and
charity, and with these any brother
may find his orbit. John the Baptist
represents one, that of divine justice,
and John the Apostle the other, that of
charity. We honor heroism when we
honor the hero, and the type of integ-
rity concreted III John the Baptist's life
is that followed by every true Mason,
and without which he is a fraud. Let
us always remember that we hail from a
lodge of the Holy st. John of Jerusalem.
Our system further appeals us by the
immortality of the soul. The acacia
sprig springs from a life that survives
the grave. Into that blessed life many
of our brotherhood have entered.
When the final summons shall come
may we all answer the roll-call of the
Grand Lodge of gloriied saints.