New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-23
MASONIC DEPARTMENT
.oxnI,crED BY THE GRAND LIBRARIAN OF THE
GRAND LODGE OF TIE STATE OF NEw-YoRK
n, sONRY IN ITS PERMANENCY A LASTING
INSTITUTION

Masonry in its nature in it's mission and in all
,,s teachings and principles Of the craft has
,,s stamp Of permanency; It is so adjusted to
Aha interest and needs Of society TO find per-
,s,ual work TO do 1t is built into the granite
md mortar Of the structure Of society. and Will
live on through the inctssant drift of the
,hsngeful centuries. Judged by the law OF per-
uanence, Masonry is no dream, no whim. or idle
,l.ything Of mere ceremony Of initiation; II Is
no, at war with the best possibilities and crav-
,,vs Of human nature but il is. on the contrary.
IN harmony with principles that are eternal and
beneficial. Masonry has real errand. mis-
sion in the darkness, sorrow and chill OF the
,srth--a mission in thorough accord with the
tue religions and truth and therefore IL is per-
manent and lasting 1t is because Masonry
builds high grand and strong rears her magnif-
cent temples in every large centre and her
modest lodgerooms in every locality; carves her
SYMBOLS In unwasting marble and draws to-
Gather the hearts of the great brotherhood in
mystic and lifelong fellowship.
Nothing more deeply impresses the outside OBJ
server than this sense of permanency in Ma
Snry-ths quiet and transformations survival Of
the great fraternity through all the storms Of
dwelling influences which have beaten down 50
many other institutions. The peculiar rites and
ceremonies the badges the silent symbols the
secret words spoken. whence came they? Who
fashioned them? They are not the things Of to-
day. the creation OF the hour. and only for the
first time wrought into the interest of even
ing's entertainment. Where is the true begin
ming Of all this vast, this universal chain which
encircles the entire globe? The flavor Of ancient
times the great. the deep and dark past speaks
70 US through our symbols and through our an
Gent ceremonies.
Centuries drop out and we are back away
back. Wonder in past ages claspir| hands with
tAe early men OF the race. We kings ana
princes walk among us. royal crowns cast their
4 aGcWs over our affairs. end other tongues than
own greet our ears Look back. away
back strange scenes OF toll and achievement
are iranspirng near us. The quarries on the
hills are thronged and resonant with labor RATS
Of cedar float by us. trowels fash. levels test
I'VE true lines. square and compass straghten
ouL the angles. and far-famed temples rise be-
~, orr vision. and these other men love each
other are true 10 each other, they have taken
Ire same vows that we have taken. they ton
they may suffer but they obey and remain.
uader the severest trials faithful TO their VOWS;
ard we Of to-day stand among these very men
Of old through our symbols. through our rites
we speak = them, and they smile encourage
inants back TO Us. to the men and brothers or
to-day. Masonry is old. very old, yet 1t does
not wane die. 1t comes down 10 US fresh and
vigorous from these earlier times and bids us TO
feel our oneness with the past. 1t pour5 the
brightness Of its great light full in the face OF
the past that may catch inspiration from
IT, and keep sacred and involable the tenets or
the order No other human institution pre-
serves and transmits so much peculiar and
ancient ceremony Masonry and yet. withal,
II Is young strong and vigorous to-day, ils
adherents are ready TO serve the craft no"
IN building the spiritual temple as were our
brethren OF old in building the templ9 dedl-
Gated 10 the service Of the great Jehovah.
Truly the hand OF the Lord Is spread out over
the craft which has his blessing. and with that
and with zeal and earnest attachments to the
true tenets of the order Masonry lives on, lives
ever and