The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-04-27
THE CORNER STONE.
ImpOSing Masonic Ceremonies ut
Converse COIlcge-Specch Of Grand
NJoSfer Rrnurh.

Master BFaucn.
Last Thursday the Corner Stone of Converse
College, Spartanbnrg. was laid with Masonic
Ceremonies, Grand Master w. r. Branch o
this village presiding.
At the opening of the ceremonies the Grand
Master said
Masonry teaches that the pursuits and oc
cupationS of this lie. It's activity. cares and
ingenuity, the prcdeSlined development o.
the nature which God has given us, tend tC
promote his .reat d+S'g 'gn In making the world
and are not at war with the great purposes o
life 1t teaches that everything is beautiful
in its time. in It's place; in its appointed OF
fees: that everything that man has TO do, il
rgh1lully and faithfully done, tends to work
out ils salvation and II he obey the genuine
principles Of his calling, lie Will be good
man, and that IL is only by neglect and non'
performance of the task set by Heaven for
him TO do. by wandering into idle dissipation
or by violating their benifcent and Lofty
spirit, that he becomes bal man.
The appointed action OF life is the great
training Of povidence, and If q man yield
himself 10 ii he will need neither church nor
ordinances eX .ept for the expression of his
religious homage and gratitude; ; for there Is Il
relip ion OF toll. II Is nOtall drudgery, Il mere
stretching of the limbs and Il Straining OF the
SinewS TO task. II has meaning ana an
intent a loving heart pours life blood into
the toiling arms and warm affection inspires
and mingleS with mans labOrs.
Labor tllS the fields or plies It's tasks in
cities, or urges The kecls of commerce over
The wide ocean, but home is the center, aud
ihther 1t goes with It's earnings. the means OF
comfort and support for Others, offerings
sacred 10 the thoughts of every true man rs a
sacrifice al q golden shrine; for In that home
is age and sickness, helpless infancy or gentle
children and women who must not want II
man had no other but selfish motive. that
scene OF labor which we behold around Us
would not exist.
Masonic sense need not be books Of sermons
of pious exercises OF prayer. Whatever IN.
culcateS pure. noble and patriotic sentiments
or touches The heart with the beauty of virtue
Snd Ts of of apSh' s ps
error and Il miserable narrowness not to
recognize these wide.spreadagencies of Hcav-
ems providings; for the oracles of God do
not speak from the pulpit alone.
There Is also religion OF society. In busi-
ness there is much more than sale, exchange,
price and payment.
There is a. sacred faith OF man to man.
When we place perfect confidence in the in
tegrity Of another, when we eel that he VIII
not swerre from frank, stralgtforward
course for any temptation, his itegrity and
and when we believe in 1t, it is as great and
generous An act as when we believe in the rec
titude of duty.
When friend meets friend and hands are
warmly grasped, and the eye kindles and the
countenance is sutfused with gladness, there
Is Il religion OF heart, and each loves and wor-
ships the true and the good in the other. 1t
is not policy nor self interst that spreads such
q charm around that making, but the hold
of bright and beautiful affection. This Is
sheo alike over lovers bowers and marriage
altors, over homes of purity and tenderness.
titled fields and busy workshops, over
dusty highways and paved streets. There is
not a wornout stone on the payements OF this
beautiful city, but has been the altar of such
offerings, not Il wooden pillar or an iron rail-
Ing against which hearts beating with az
tection have not leaned.
Every Mason lodge is temple of religion,
and It's teachins are instructive in religion.
for here are incu lcated disinterestednesS, af-
lection, liberation, devotedness, patriotism.
truth, generous sympaty. with those who suf-
fer and mourn. pity for the fallen, mercy for
the errins, relief for those In want, Faith,
Hope anu Charity, Faith in God, Hope in
I'm mortality and Charity TO all mankind. tits
here we leaIn ned TO know and love each other
as brethren here we are lenient to each others
faults, regai dful OF each others feelings, ready
to relieve each others wants. This is true re-
lision revealed to the ancient patriurchs.
which Masonry has taught and will continue
to teach Till time shall be no more. II un-
worthy passions, or selfish, bitter, and re-
vengeful feelings, contempt, dislike, hatred,
enter here. they are intruderS, and not well
come, strangers. unlnvited and not guests.
Masonry teaches men TO love God, feed the
hungry, clolhe the naked, com fort the sick,
and bury the lriendess dead. Everywhere
God finds and blesSes the kindly office, the
pitylng thought, and loving heart