Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1890-05-16
SERMON
sermon Before the knight Templars Last
Night.

sermon Before the tAnl&hk AehAPA@AS ~~@
Night
The FraternaI and Benevolent Charac-
ter of the Order, was the subject OF the
sermon by Rev. RoOt. III. Williams. 10
the Presbyterian Church last night The
text was Matt. 23-S. And 81 ye are
Brethren
After referring to the words neighboT
and friend. the preacher said: But full
Of meaning a. these terms are, they do
not express what is In that term brethren.
From the earliest times, to be brought In
TO the relation of brother was to be brought
into the most intimate relation. Homer
says
"And oe shall be
The friend and brothers Of TeIemachus
Thenceforth"
A general of The oldeu times rallied Lis
troops by saving 10 them: Who this
day sheds his blood with me. TO day shall
be my brother. Were he never so vile,
this day shall gentle his condition. Broth
erhood meant fellowship, companinnship.
equality In such fellowship, instead of
hatred there will be confidence and affec-
lion. Instead of envy and jealousy, there
will be a noble pride in each others &C
complishments aud wishes. A bl SEED
thing Ii is TO have persons in whom We
can confide, and In whom we can trust In
all difficulties and trials through which we
are called TO 60. Then you have better
knowledge of your members than you
can have of other people. II Is not al
ways that we know each other. We
think we do, but we are frequently great
ly deceived Masks are worn by more
persons than those who join Ia masque-
rade Many conceal their true character
from their fellowmen. But In a frater-
nifty such as we conceive yours to be,
each man seems to lay aside his mask,
and invites his brethren to see him as he
is There are no disg uiscs, no receptions
no dissimulations. and you see each 9TH
er, your true character. as you may not
see others who are not as ociated with
you. Then you know not only the char
acter Of your brethren but also their cir
cumstances. The very same conditions
that show the character of man are apt
to reveal his surroundings and environ
ment.
There Is community of interest among
you that leads you to listen TO the trials
that may have come upon member, aud
that leads one who Is q member to tell
the whole story of his sorrow to those
who are willing to share 1t with him.
What most men need when the pressure
of some great trouble has come upon them
is sympathy, and this they find In your
brotherhood From you this sympathy
Is regarded as sincere and genuine,
and not merely professional or con-
ventional. Hence your relation to a
member gives you the opportunity to as
sist him. The greatest difficulty In doing
good Is doing It In the right spirit You
all feel that you are to share the pains
and sorrowS of member as well as his
enjoyments, and having these views, you
are, as you would not otherwise be, fitted
to do good. Losses, disappointments,
bereaYements and sicknesses are giving
you the opportunities of benefitting each
other. Then the gentle ministries of
your order have been presented and trou
BILE has been lighter than 1t would other
wise have been, because you were ready
to bear part of 1t. The effect of such In
couragements, not ostentatiously given,
has been very great. And we have thought
MANY Q. time, II that influence could be
thrown, as body, In favor OF the great
questions of the day, such as temperance
and Sabbath observance and the work Of
the church. 1t might be very helpful to a
much larger number Of people.
The great thought of your order, name
ly, good doing, Is the great thought of
the christian church, and all that is no.
BILE In that word brother we strive to have
realized In the house of God. You know
what brother means Ia your society, and
we would have you know also what tits
TO be brethren In the Lord. While,
therefore, bonoring your brotherhood.
we would not forget To recommend the
brotherhood you find In the church of
Christ.