Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1890-07-01

nEU. M LNgCA
masonry Totsa7ds Hany Character, and
asqeacLinqs Under ne Golden Rule- Strengths
offs Tepets, dc.
Tuesday last was st. John the Baptists day,
an occusion of especial impresslyeness with the
FreemuEons. The Lodge here celebrated the
day by holding a regular communication with
their peculiar rites, and In the evening they at
tended in a body with the lodge regalia, a SER
mon delivered at the Baptist church by Res
II. s. Reed. Dir. Reed is amember of the ah-
cient order. and the subject of lis discourse
was, "Frcemafonry, confidence and sympathy
among men, and the text was. Amos VII, z
and 8 "Thus he showed me and, behold, the
Lord stood upon a wall made by a p~iumbline,
with a plumb-HGe9nshis hand
n tho Lord raid unto me, Amos, what
seest thou7 And / said, a pIumb-line. Then
said the Lord, Behold, Twill set a plumb-line
in the midst of my people Israel 1 will not
again pass by them any more"
Owing to the excessive hot weather the as-
seublage was not as large as 1t would other
wise have been, but there was a very appre-
ciativc audience present. The ladies of the
church had tattefuIIy arranged about the altar
Ebeautiful flowers and potted plants. The SER
vices we're begun by the choir singing with
sweet andjoyful music the most charming an
them beginning with those inspiring words,
aHow beautiful are thy dwellings,, o Lordr"
Mr.. Reed. at the earnest solicitation of the
Lodge, has agreed to furnish tle,sermon for
publication, and we expect to have it for next
weeks Issue. we, therefore, will give only a
brief synopsis Of its striking features. Every
one seemed deeply interested1n:the bright and
instructive pictures he presented in a forcible
and e~Is4nent manner The Illustrations were
strong. with rhetorical figures set forth in a
graceful and ornate style. Full light was
thrown on the subject. and every tint was
given its complete effect. Called, he said, for
the drtt time to the difficult yet very pleasing
subject Of the evenings discourse, he would
direct his remarks fist to a consideration of
Frecmasonry, what 1t is and the secrets, and
then he would epeGk to the Freenasons them
selves. He W had an opportunity to disclose
some of the secrets of that time-honored Fra
tcrnity and he hoped to befriend the curiosity
of the wives and the sweet-hearts. Masonry
supplies one of the greatest needs of tho age /;
not The greatest need. for Gle need of the age
could be eupplied only through righteousness
under the cross and crown of Christ. But
Masonry helps to eliminate from life that fatal
distrust aud suspicion which permeates all so
ciety. Ne we're led to.commune one with an
other. to see one another eye to eye, by which
was developed trust. confidence and sympathy
for fellow man. Another secret was viewing
your brother with the ';put-yourself-in-his-
place theory. Thus arises the juster. view of
man ; q correct eeRsure, a Just estimate and
true help for Your nsigh5er. Its strong fen
t~uresyfhe cardinal doctrines of the Golden
Kule. The call of the Creator is to production:
Life is n talent that must NOT be-bHried in idle
ness there should be no rust on our actions,
. SO says Masonry. And in Masonry is striking
: industry. s~elf-contrsl and charity. Thus arc
the tendencies of Masonry toward a strong.
manly character. Its secrecy not an objection;
7 its secsecy' only that retirement which is ne.
cessary to the requirement of wisdom, the
: strengthening of character and the perfection
otthe uoblest undertakings. What would She
world and mankind DO without the golden
fruit Cd silence aud secrecy Would you wish
slanderers. betrayers and traitors ? Character,
~aelf-controI, charity grows in secret. The
l public even consider Chat the most despicable
r act to be q betrayal of trust and secrets Of bus
mess, aud trusts of the heart or Of the soul
Masonry could not profess to provide salvation
s BdtI forms a firm Foundation for moral ani
spiritual teachings. To the church OF God Il
left the control in the ways of salvation. Ma.
n sonry under its rule and guide of the HOLY Bi.
G bic points to the worship of God, and strives
to aid in fitting the character of man for q
place in the temple eternal in the Heavens
u 1t seeks to make of mans life hero below
an arch of great power, inyincible charity rest.
a ing upon the mighty pillars of Hope and
Faith Its early patron Solomon prayed moi
for length of years. but for wisdom. that he
might devise in beauty and strength the eIeva-
. ton md happiness of his fcllow-men. And in
like readiness the order sheds the lustre of its
+ power for friendship and brotherly love among
the needy. Like a grateful stream flowing
through a fertile land runs the course of Ma
sonry bearing through the ages the blessings
of free spirit. equality, Performance, love and
self denial among brothers in every cline
Such are ZONE of the secrets of Freemasonry
as to its tendencies, influences, power ana
blessings. o the Masons themselves he wou,d
say that they must follow the teachings and
go on to the higher blessings of religion. Be
the people of God, who in our midst with the
lplumb-line Of His love will lead us to perfect
actions through worship of Him INTO etorpal
salvation. Under the touch of a brothers
grip, our heart would leap to deeds of charity.
but We must look beyond our earthly existence.
the immortal soul claims Its proper devotion
from us. Masonry is a glorious influence, but
1t paaseth away the clasp of a brothers hand
is a sublime Inspiration. but when the sands of
our life have run from the glass of time,
neither Masonry nor a brothers love can
arouse tho dull, cold car of DEATH When in
spirit we come to cross the dark river to the
shore of eternity. VIC will go unattended by
our blessings of this world we shall then need
the sanctifJ ing love of God, our eoals must
choose the Righteousness of Heavenly peace.
and only by the loving clasp or strong grip OF
tue Lion of the tribe of judah can we be led to
everlasting salvation before the throne of AL
nifty God.
Mr.. George w. Leisenring, post
master and merchant at Lutheryille.