The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-01-02

crfier. but tres SoH1rsS 10 the t5uasts--
To the odd Masons who kept the faith
during the lark episode in the history or
the order. who witnessed the oyerwheinl-
ing power OF false accusations. when
seemed for time 10 work the utter over
throw of the institution and entail upon
all unrenouncing members perpetual
odium and ostracis-1. and which DID. Tor
period or years. suspend the exercise
of all Masonic functions az the personal
peril OF any one attempting such exer-
else: who lived 20 enjoy the restoration
through the proyerbiaiiy laggard process
by which truth finally prevailed over It's
mere active enemy: 10 Mason with such
experience of the deathless character OF
the order. Free Masonry has charm
nearly commanding alteration. and tue
lessons taught by its rites and ceremo-
MES. In view of former trials and future
duties. have 10 him an odor OF sanctity
which is almost a recognition of their di-
vine inspiration.
The Revival or the Order.
Ny membership in the order only conf
menced after the restoration. When the
lodges were again in working order and
holding regular communications visiting
brethren, who had been under suspicion
for no fault of their own or effense 10
the order for many years, were quite n1-
merous and cordially welcomed. The
emotion uniformly exhibited by such Wis
itors was scarcely less in its mute ex-
preston than would be expected from an
affectionate fcther, brother or son on his
restoration TO his family after many
years of involuntary exile. thus evineing
a devotion which could only be evoked
by recognition in its object of the vital
elements of the highest type of social or
der based upon human affection.
1t may be asked why those qualities
which captiyate the affections and appeal
to the higher social sentiments OF hui
mainly pertain more especially to the or
der of Free Masonry than to any one OF
the innumerable fraternal associations
organized tor mutual benefit and social
intercourse. The answer is plain to the
student of Free Masonry: the basis of its
organization is independent of, though
not antagonistic to, all extraneous infiu-
eaces or combinations: its vital prin-
cples are guarantee of universally and
perpetuity, the essence of which is that
touch of nature which makes the whole
world kin''-the common brotherhood of
OF God: and the duty of charity. like that
of justice to all. is not prescribed by any
commercial. rule or measured by any
financial quantity of reciprocal benefits.
No other society, not exclusively re-
ligious, has filled SO large place in the
worlds history or been so Immediately
identified with the advance of civilization
and its adjunctsr-the arts and sciences.
N,zli of nyf ard I,pulanyl
the greatest living historian of religions.
in the leading article of the December
$3.50 number OF the Arena, says OF the
congress of religion, in which all the
principal religions of the world were rep
resented, at the Chicago Columbian exhi-
bition: 1T seemed at the first glance
that it would be a mere show, a part of
the great show of industry and art. But
instead of a show 1t developed into a re-
ality. which, if l am not greatly mis-
taken, will be remembered, aye, will bear
fruit when everything else Of the mighty
Columbian exhibition has long been swept
away from the memory of man" Again:
such gathering of the representatives
of the principal religions of the world has
never before taken place; it is unique. it
is unprecedented nay. We may truly add,
it could hardly have been conceived be-
fore our time. Again: Thousands of peo-
pie from every part of the world have for
the first time been seen praying together,
Our Father. which art in heaven and
have testified to the words CT the prophet
Malachi. Have we not all one Father,
hath not one God created us?' They have
declared that in every nation he that
feareth God and worketh righteousness
iS aeepfatat,ia tn Him
The Principles OF Masonry.
The spirit of unity and liberation ex-
hibited by the Chicago gathering, frcm
which such grand results are predicted
by the learned professor, is the vital prin-
ciple of Free Masonry as taught and
practiced since the days, after the COM
pletion of Solomon's temple. when the
craftsmen journeyed into heather Europe
in organized companies, consisting of
masters. fellow crafts and entered APP
prentiees, extending into foreign coun-
tries the ethics OF the order. with the arts
and sciences. There was no nationality.
religion or form of civil government rep
resented in the Chicago gathering, which
has not had representatives in Masonic
lodges for centuries. and Masonry has in
no instance offered any menace TO the
civil government where it existed. or an
tagonism to any form of religion by
which It was surrounded.
How JscksoI's Life Was Saved.
1t has never been the practice of the
order TO publish the achievements, 10 put
upon record It's personal benefactions, or
to keep a book account OF debts and
credits with the Master of the Universe;
but on the self-eyident proposition that
like begeis like. what caviler who adj
mits the u9d,spu;ed influence OF the Chi
cage parliament upon the betterment of
the worid can deny to the Masonic fra
ternEy like fruits to ike principles and
practices through every social and po-
litieal condition for centuries? There are
very few. IL any. Masons who are not in
possession Of unwritteu history. by obser-
walton or tradition. 10 establish the af-
flrmatiye OF this proposition. History
truthfully relates the murderous attack
OF the Benton brothers. Thomas H. and
Jesse, upen Gen. jackson at Nashville,
Tenn. with the avowed purpose of taking
his life: that when the general had been
disabled and was completely in their
power his assailants suddenly deslsted
and left the place where the assault was
made, after which the general arose had
his wounds bound up. mounted his horse
ami rode to the Hermitage without
further moiestatsoa. The popular expia-
nation or the matter was that the general
ceiye his assSilants into desIsting from
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