The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1892-12-28


of the Grand Masters of the Order.
In 1899, when secret political
societies, mainly of anarchists, sprung
up like mushrooms, prohibitory
law against secret societies was
enacted by Parliament, but the
Masonic Order was honorably ex-
cepted from its provisions, showing
pretty clearly that our Order has
not favored sedition or lawlessness.
The fact that Masonic tenets dis
countenance bigotry and intolerance
has created prejudice against mason
ry in the minds of bigots and ia
natics, and those who weakly follow
them. Our Order has been accused
of exerting deleterious influence up
on us in our public relations and
functions.
Those who are Of us know how
groundless those charges are. They
know that we are taught to fulfill
our duties with answering rectitude
and impartiality, but always with
charity toward the weak and erring.
We do not countenance oppression,
or cruelty, or crime, or vice in our
Order, but in the exercise of that
virtue which is the foundation and
reason Tor the existence of Masonry;
in the exercise of charity, we try to
save, to redeem, to console, to en-
courage the erring brother, without,
however, interfering with human
justice.
This is not defense against cavil-
ers. In the consciousness of the
probity of our aims and deeds, our
Order needs no defense. The bind
ing force which unites us as though
we were brothers by blood and ATTN
ity, is charity, the ever recurring les
son in our Masonic life is to restrain
our passions and that to curb that
strongest of our impulses-our sell
tishness. We have been accused of
exclusiveness. AS in natural rela-
tionship, we usually give greater
scope to affection and considerate-
ness to our relatives, so it is true
that in our Masonic relations we are
more strongly inclined to those who
are accepted in our brotherhood,
than to those who are not bound to
us.
The reason of this is not only that
we expect and know ourselves to be
entitled to reciprocal consideration,
but because we are assured that those
whom we aid, comfort and sustain
are generally worthy of it.
Mistakes may occur. All human
schemes and contrivances are imper-
feet. Perfection by the grace of the
Of ~,
may, and hope to attain hereafter
not in this life. But as a system to
join in universal brotherhood all
free, educated, virtuous and unset
fish men regardless of religion, re-
gardless of nationality, regardless of
station, regardless of wealth-none
other has ever approached Free
masonry in promise or for hope of
fruition.
No other attempt has ever been
made by the civilized part of the
human race to smoothe the approach
of man to man in fraternal affection
and loving forbearance, and to carry
out Christ's commands of love for
our fellow-men.
The tender solicitude of Masons
for unfortunate and sick brothers
and for the widows and orphans OF
departed members of the order; the
ready and gracious help and con.
sideration which they accord tC
brother Masons who are strangers
the patient forbearance which they
show to weak and erring brothers
who are not past redemption; the
courteous Difference to those who are
of different creeds, political opinions
or nationality, all these are the re-
suit of Masonic teaching.
Nor do we confine our charitable
acts to our own Masonic family ex-
clusively. Whenever and wherever
the cry of distress proclaimed pub
lie calamity, the Masons were in the
van with others in procuring ano
CARRYING relief to the stricken com
munities.
Whenever and wherever institu
tions for the advancement of educa
ton or the relief of the sick were
created by public contribution, tn,
Masons stood side by side with otheI
generous men in promoting thu
work.
If such is the effect of Masonic les
sons, we can we'll overlook the scof
at our claims for antiquity, at on
peculiarities of ritual and language
and at our harmless pomp.
Upon the heaven-implanted foun
dation of charity our house is built
Not alone that charity which j
prompted by the sight of suffering
and misery, not alone that CHART
, which is evoked because we feel tina
fate has dealt more kindly with u
than with those whose misfortun
, appeals to our generosity, but tina
higher charity which in the word
of the gospel covereth multitud
of sins.
, That charity which leaves prid
, behind, and making us conscious c
our own transgressions, induces u
in an humble spirit to crave forgive
+ ness for our own failures, whilst W
hold out a helping hand to thos
who are weaker and more needful {
help than ourselves.
That charity which raises us
r the level of the angels, and appea
= to the all-merciful Creator to tax
! into account our good intent, an
: not to score against us our shor
r comings.
Then let this house when built b.