The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-13
MASONRY AND THE CHURC!

The Rev. DR.. Burford, rector OF Calvary
Church, will tonight preach sermon on
Masonry and the church us TO q certain
extent allied forces. II is needless to say
to the members OF his own congregation
that the Doctor is competent TO the task
he has set himself. They know him and
have learned to rely upon his abilities rs
Of the kind that are equal TO every emer-
gency Of his sacred Office. Butte the gen
eral public beyond his own communion
he is not, perhaps, MS well known. A
public man in public view, he has been
chiefly confined to his parish and TO his
church work, aud has not been enlisted in
any general and particular public exigency
that would have made all classes in the
city more and better acquainted with him,
for none such has occurred in his day and
time here. The occasion OF the sermon
he proposes TO preach tonight ought, there
iolti w w w MN III tut hNNuic vi hl lHtIb-
duction TO the public, for Masonry is
widespread and influential, aud for that
reason is one OF the most effective OF
the social forces OF the century. The
Doctor is Mason as well as
churchman. lie had, too an expert
ence in and of the world before he took
orders, and Notwithstanding to the historic
claims OF his church, must be conscious that
/, does not enclose all good, and that there
are associations for kindred purposes
whose work is worthy OF his recognition
and praise as a churchman and priest.
What lac shall say, therefore, tonight ms TO
Masonry and the church cannot fail to
prove instructive and to have n good effect.
Masonry has stood the assaults and de-
nunciations Of the church through many
years, II has survived many brutal and
bloody prosecutions, and has risen above
many organized attempts TO crush il as
secret antagonism TO Christianity and civil
izaiion. And this il has done not because OF
any force or power inhering in lis members,
but because IL Is and has been the conserva.
tor aud custodian OF a great principlc-,he
brotherhood Of man and the iatherhood Of
God. In the lodgeroom all men stand upon
the level and to square their actions by
a common rule OF right and justice is the
lesson that all learn, and that is constantly
inculca,cd. II is the charge laid upon the
initiate and master alike. An organiza.
ton thus equipped as 10 the primal equal
ity Of man, and training It's members in
puro morality. In simple Republican
fidelity, upholding the relations Of loyalty
10y tho citizen 10 the Government, and
the duty Of every man 10 his neighbor
in every relation Of life, such society
must be very close akin, In lis purposes. TO
the Christian Church. aud must have an
influence that In combination or con-
ncciion with that church cannot fail 10
make Il nm ally Of great strength, having a
distinctive field and mission as catholic
~ the limits Of the human race. Masons
Of whatever creed, should hear Brother
Buriorl tonight, and the public who are
shut out from all but the reflected light Of
Masonry should especially hear him, for
he will, no doubt, resolve many Of their
doubts as 10 great order. and reconcile
them To Free aud Accepted Masonry as
to n great fact and force that Is VI the
essence Of truth itself