The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1895-07-25

CHeSttT, WHO Tu'eu uuTinS tne nv
nOrity of the King, and who was
jealous OF Masonic power. After
the King had reached his majority
he became a member Of the order
himself and gave them protection
throughout the Kingdom. In
1867 Queen Elizabeth jealous
of secret power, sent an
armed force to York, to break up
the Grand Lodge, but through the !
Intervention OF Lord Lackville, at
that time the Grand Master, this
was averted, and the Queen herself
afterwards, became friend Of the
order. AT that date, Mssens met
only in Grand Lodge at York.
Hence we are known as York MAJ
sons. A dispensation was after
ward given to subordinate lodges to
work. The first lodge in America
was organized in the state of Mary
land in the year 1893. Soon they
became numerous throughout the
country, working under Grand
Lodge of England, until after the
war of the Revolution, when the
United States was organized into
one Grand Lodge, of which George
Washington was Grand Master.
Afterward, a Grand Lodge was Cr-
ganized for each State OF the Union.
We now have as many Grand
Lodges as we have States and Ter.
ritories New York having the lar
gest number of MasOns of any state
in the Union. The lodges of Tenn
essee, at first, worked under the
Grand Lodge tof North Carolina.
We have few lodges of our State
today, whose charters were grant
ed by that Grand Lodge. The
Grand Lodge of Tennessee was or
ganized in the year 1918. We now
have more than six hundred lodges
in city, town and country, stretch
ing from the smoky mountains on
the East, to the Great Father of
Waters on the West. Andrew
Jackson was twice Grand Master,
and that princely christian man
and brother, Wilkins Lannehill was
the father of Free Masonry in our
State. Masonry Goes not claim to
be Religious, but moral and
charitable Institution. ats only
creed is "Faith in God and Broth
erIy love, Friendship and Charity"
On this broad platform it invites
all good men to stand. Its purpose
is to make better husbands, broth.
ers, church members and citizens.
1t acknowledges the supremacy OF
the church of God. Its every teach
ing tends to promote morals and
true living. The lesson of Charity
is taught on its very threshold. Ii
is mighty organization. 1t takes
a hand in passing events. TO have
its favor means much. When they
put their shoulder to a movement
it goes. It teaches morals yelled in
symbol and beautiful Allegory.
The gavel, the gauge, the compass.
es, the plumb, the square and the
level are nj We to teach their beau
tiful lessons in the building of that
ture character, that fits one as liv.
ing stone for the celestial temple
that house not made with hands
eternal in the heavens. The secret
character of Free Masonry is OBJ,
jected to, Too which let me say
that the principles of the order are
published in books, for the eye of the
world, and may be read of all men
Masonry intends its benefits tc
good men and good men only, tina,
this kind of men may be benefited
it has a secret way, by which il
may know its own. If the secret
character were destroyed Masonry
would become a dead letter. 1t is al
so objected that women are not Ma
sons, the wives, daughters, mothers
sisters and widows of Masons have
just the same benefits from Mason
ry as the Mason himself has. Ev
cry Mason is the custodian of the
good name and character of the la
. dies thus related to the order, Ny
Sisters, when this lodge meets il
their lodge room over in town you
interest is represented. These mel
of the white apron are your friends
and are pledged for your protect
, ion. 1t would not he the better TO
, you to meet at night in secrecy il
bolted lodge rooms. A hint to tn,
, wise is sufficient. 1t is also claim
r ed that Masons defend each othe
in crime. This is not true. When
, ever Mason crosses the line O
right he has violated the principle