New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-08
4 LECTURE BY THE GRAND SECRETdRf
THE BEAUTIES OF MASONIC SYMBOLS.

THE BEAUTIES OF MASONIC SYMBOLS.
The Masonic Veterans and the Association OF Mas
tiers and Past Masters of the s xth Masonic Dis
trct listened to eloquent address delivered by
r. W. Edward NJ L. Ehlers. Grand Secretary on
Saturday evening November 80. 1895:
Masonry comprehends within It's circle every
STAMPS s an an indelible mark Of pre,emnence its
genuine professors which neither chance power nor
fortune can bestow. When ITS rules are strictly o.
| served it is founda ton OF peace anid the
various disapponments OF lie, frehI 'n M nr wl
perity and adversely a blessing that VIII remain
wh a msS be naa Sba% o ana
fail Masonry gives real ana lntr1Lsle eSc sn,y
II strengthens the mind against the storms OF ne
f ane i the temper and improves the under
standing. 1t is company in solitude, ard gives VI
In youth it governs the passions and employs use
fully our most active faculties. and in old age II
yields fund of comfort and satisfaction He VINO
cultivates this mystic science. and acts aereeanIy
Of a. Mason s nsS whn himself the
The first business OF Masons In ancient tlfn 1'ts
tinct classes rising in grades above another ac
cordns to their respective degrees OF merit a., ~
struction, to provide employment. and to secure
the laborer his wages as they became due II was
them to such empoyments as were adapted to their
capacities and qualifications TO- the e enf b ina.
the unskfu faithless All persons oe e
sonic ice honeTs We're obliged to be and
frugal. that they might not only support them tnem
Great care was taken to encourage the lower grades
to make proficiency in labor learning ana morality
Such as eXceked promoted, and as OFTEN as
promoted. entitled TO higher wages ana more de
rabe employment plan S so 1 ZAP o STodcs
the most beneficial effects Lodges at once BECAME
but honest. industrious and skfu workmen could
be encouraged. but all such persons unaef me pro
men and reward according to their rank But IN me
process of time. when the mechanical ART had at
| far degree OF perfection, and was gen
orally known In all civilized countries ana hence
branch branch OF this Institution gradually yielded to the
moral. that Masonry may be properly called
the observance of pety and benevoence venera-
ton for God and love for man are o 0vsrs i
language and number Of salutary rites ana regu,
10 tine sna and 10
carry free and general commerce OF vlrtuous
R %daid and benevolent 0"es' 'n'0uSA0u' VI"
Associations in the labors of a handicraft pro-
terests connected with their pursuits IN me: These
led to extension of the objects OF their union be
The limits of contracted professional IN
other mechanical branches of human industry were
admitted into fellowship, the ties of mutual trend
ships streng thened, and the general interest
Of architecture and other useful arts was advanced
by combination of all the tai ents and exertonss
of their numerous professors. yet more iioera
extension of the benefits of this social fraternity al
the teachers of religion. the cultvators OF philoso-
p Measure M r rs Of apPafeny the most confined
tendency eventuatei In the establishment OF con-
gagged them in the most laudabe objects of emu
lation without distinction OF sect or name, ana gave
promise Of a duration tn this work as permanent as
The preservation of OR order for so many years
through so many dangers and revolutions. and in so
great portion of the world while II must inspire
of the Universe. cannot fail to warm our hears
with the purest sentiments OF attachment to IT, and
have constituted its basis and conduced to us perma
neacy Those mild and social Virtues sba n Xe Ss
the glory of the warrior and the fame Of the CON
which is lost in the obscurity of surrounding dark
ness Those stupendous works which excited the
in history have ages since moudered into dust. but
this moral edlhce joining the vigor. Of youth to tho
their eli sturdy nf y yielded
the as blast bSs hs has the S%y wS" ns'
tons of man. Too proud to seek safety in the vale
finger Of Time. they have successfully fallen be:
fore the mighty destroyer. Few the works of
1 h n"a s Of lewf mv 60
been the monuments Of mans industry mat
now directs the eager eye Of the traveller to the
Far GreU is the pcare Whc Masonry pre-
Founded upon the eternal pillars OF charity
lts wall has encirced the whole family of man.
From a weak and feeble beginning. it las arisen to
the world Amid the commissions which have agi-
tated society it is rather source Of regret than
preserved us from the effects OF that tempest which
has desolated the moral world Surely when. the
trous statues. and when the temples OF Christianity
have little reason to expect entire exemption
from the evil influences OF the world We have no
hesitation in conceding that our principles are more
spot.ess than our practice and our doctrines purer
h on S be thar s he and its
fessors are frequently az variance. and that the
by which to appreciate the merits OF the other.
Those who are most acute 70 discern and most
are not thereby exempted from the error and
frailes wni S. are inc : dent to humanity the
ent goodness There is nothing which the vices OF
poses Even the benign relig on OF the Prince OF
Peace has been made the unwilling instrument OF
the greatest enormtes that have stained the pages
In this brotherhood of man. charity constitutes
1t teaches us canddly 10 appreciate the motives OF
others and to record their Virtues in brass and their
collisions of interests and conflicts Of opinion which
governable passions 1t is the moral rainbow which
extending its luminous crcie over the social hemi-
radiance. at once an attendant on the tempest and a
% or order the entabature When ADDS gsace snd
strength and beauty to the fabric Of Masonry:
Paros. would remain rude unshapen materials in
the hands Of the artist. Upon this rock OF ages
Of ,cammny and detractlon which exhaust their
ee6e rage around n us . our Object to fed the
ISOLATE. and to Introduce into the world a spirit of
charity, bSnevolence ana humanity. a spirit which
alone strike the red standard OF war. and give
TO the indgen; and oppressed competence for poy-
erty and freedom for slavery. To tighten the bur-
den OF He and to refresh the weary pilgrim on his
Journey nobest duties and should be our
highest pleasures They form the keystone in our
arch OF virtue. Such the effects OF Masonry
such the true illustration OF It's principles Nor does
its moral tendency, yield TO its practical conse-
quences The mild spirit OF liberation which II
breathes Is the more precious when contrasted
the Intolerance and blgotry in the world. Nations
have forgotten that the object OF political nstitu-
tons Is 20 protect natural rights and almost every
government has connected It's religious opinions with
Its civil establishments. Lturgies and creeds ar
cles OF faith and rules of discipline stain the ruDric
page OF history. and speculative points OF doctrine |
have occasloned more misery in the world than .n