Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1888-06-30

Crook the supple hinges of the knee
That thrift may follow fawning.
LOCAL HAPPENINGS
Masonic Observance. st. Johns uhe
BaptisD day fell this year on Sunday
(June 24,) and the Masonic Order gen
orally observed it by attending church
as an organization. In Frostburg
Mountain Lodge, No. 80, assembled
in the Temple at 10, donned regalia,
formed procession, marched to st.
Johns p. E. Church and listened to Il
pertinent and eloquent discourse by
the rector, Rev. A. G. Haverstick
The church was well filled and much
interest taken in the services. The
following synopsis of the sermon will
be taken by those present us an ac-
curate though concise report:
Tcrt-IIeb. xiii, ID ct brothcrlv love con
tnue."
| stand here to-day, "high noon of this year
of grace, the day of light and roses" in It
double capacity; Q) as Il priest of christian
church, whose foundation was the Son of Gcd
(and it is coincidence that this cdilicc is dcd-
icatcd to one of the holy Saints John of
JeruSaem); (2) as a member and in the
presence of a society whose origin is lost in
the misty ages oi antiquity, but whose pur-
pose is to increase reverence for God and knit
men together in fratcrnal intercourse In
ancient times all nations possessed eSotcrc
associations with social aims, where pure
forms of worship were preserved alongside
of the prevailing idolatry. OF all these
Masonry has alone endured the test of time
Thus to-day it remains as the oldest secret
organization. 1t is the only survival Of the
past, the best respected of the present, with
the brightest hopes for the future.
Standing here in this double capacity, my
theme shall bethe points of resemblance. be
tween the two institutions. I'm doing so
must 90 back to the primitive ana united
church, to the records Of councils and writ
ings Of the Fathers rather than to divided
christcndom of to-day. These points OF
agreement will be found both in ritual and
doctrine. Unfortunately, many of them
must be referred to, SO that only the fra
tcrnty will appreciate them, and many We
gladly bIazon forth to the world.
However free the Gospel was, and is, and
however men were urged to accept ITS terms
for the salvation of their souls, once in the
Church they were under VOWS to obedience,
secrecy and brotherly love. There were tive
reasons for this secrecy 0) to unfold the faith
casting pearls before swine; (2) everywhere in
the broad eXpanse of the Roman empire per-
secutions of Christians abOmded. They were
compelled to meet in secret for worship, and
to have means of recognizing each other
The rites of the Church were called mysteries.
Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Litur-
gy, Creed and Lords Prayer were concealed
even from CateChumens until sufficiently adj
vanced i'll elementary instruction. The babes
in Christ were fed with milk, not meat. our
Lord said-"l have many things to say unto
you, but We cannot bear them now"
At meetings for worship the doors were
guarded by an Ostiarius, who thus acted as a
Tilcr. At more sacred parts otthe service the
Deacon sent away all rot fully initiated, as
ord degree is closed, and one in the third is
opened. All worshipcd towards the east.
There were secret signs, prominent among
which was crossing the breast. The church
has her three great lights-Holy Bible, minis
try and sacraments. As we find in all lodges
the letter &, so the Church symbOlically re
presents her Lord by the A o, y p, and Ii S.
\ Masonic Chart exhibits squares, compasscs
the scythe, beehive and hourgass so the
Church Uses the Sheaf of wheat, bunch of
grapes a fish, or Agnus Del.
There were several degrees i'm the Church
called CateChumens, COmpetentCS and lllumi-
mated, now known aS Baptiscd, Confirmed
and Communicates, and answering to Entered
Apprentice Fellow Craft and Master Mason
y candidate for Baptism had sponsors, who led
him to the font, and answered for him, indi-
eating that he had not the password, but his
guide had it for him. lie was presented with
a white garment, as a Mason is with a lamb
skin, and was cautioned to keep it unspotted
by the innocency of his life. Baptism is call
ed an illumination, opening the eyes of a
candidate. The first verses of Genesis SYM
bolically refer to this rite. Baptism is a new
creation. A soul is brought ont of the chaos
of sin. The lIoIy Spirit moves on the waters,
by whom God says Let there be light.
Baptism is death unto sin, a new birth unto
righteousness, a burial with Christ and the
candidate is raised to his new life by the paw
of the Lion of the tribe of Judah
Leaving external details, look at the
spiritual intent of these two societies Both
were founded upon the idea OF universal fra
ternity. Christianity likewise DESTROYED
national barriers, and its creed says 81 be
lieye in the Holy Catholic of all races and
for all ages. The seven corporal works of
mercy greatly resemblea Il Mason's obligation