The Robesonian., 1897-01-20
MASONIC ADDRESS.

rhetorical fourishes, soft cadences and
poetical gems as he traces the descent
of Masonry from the earliest epoch
down to the year A. L. 1896 or A. d.
1896. The speaker on the present oc-
casion is not going to sweep up and
down the centuries for material out of
which to construct q Masonic oration
but speak of the grand possibilities of
the order in the light of reason or
sound common sense. Twill say, how
ever, before coming to my subject
that Masonry is as old as the hills and
its history is coeval with the human
race. Its language is universal and its
symbols are recognized wherever the
sun does his successive journeys run.
1t has embraced within it's mystic fold
'he mighty men of earth. Distin-
gulshed artisans, bold navigators, great
statesmen, warriors, kings, princes and
potentates have worshlpped at our
shrine and recognized the power and
sovereignty of the Great Am Masonry
IN opposition to practical atheism and
lnfidellty, has always inculcated faith
In God and love for man. In war 1t
has repaired the breeches made by in
struments s 1t OF cruelty poured oil
upon the tEecaai0Ied waters. It has
sheathed the sword in the din of battle
and spared the life of the fallen foe.
1t has ever been spiritual Gibraltar
IN defence OF that sacred right of man
known as liberty OF conscience and
brands with lnfamy those who would
deprive us of heavens free gift to man.
1t has always repelled the sensualistic
hend who would invade the sanctity OF
home and destroy the beautiful temple
OF virtue. 1t defends with power the
Christian dogma OF hospitality and en-.
forces the beautiful idea exempllfied
In the life and mission of Jesus Christ
that 1t is the duty of all men but
most especially true of Masons to sym
pathlze with the unfortunate and raise
the fallen to life OF virtue and hanni-
ness And history attests fact not
generally known outside of the craft.
that 1t preserved the word of God when
prlestcraft would Danish it from the
earth and this when the fires of An in.
ternal lnquisition were burnjno old
men and maldens, young men and
children, 1t was keeping alive the words
OF everlasting life. In the lapguaoe of
anothor, "1n the silent watches of the
night, on high hills and low dales'
masonry has ever offered prayer and
praise and not one prayer tor ven
genance has 1t ever offered for it, en-
emles' lts prosecutors and it's defam.
ers. 1t Is built upon the TEACHINGS Of
the grandest and noblest men tbat en-
nobled countless millions without shed.
ding one single drop of human blood
or imposing one single act of Injustice
or oppression. 1t is grand institu-
tlon built upon the immutable rock of
truth and the application of its pripci.
pies mas never wronged the church
the State, the nation or the individual
L might go on ad ibitum to say what it
has done in all the ages past. but the
specla! theme which wish to present
TO-DAY Is this: Il general reUiuoi of NM.
sorry ana universal application of its
principles aoould provo q more a2oteo-
t'a< factor 4" building up the peace
prosperity and happiness of the 0yeai
american people than the neai,ate,1once
Of the gold standard or the free on6
unlimited coinage of silver at the ratio
of l6 to l. Wv ''''o
human seltishness and covetonsness
has IN these latter times blinued tho
minds and depraved the hearts of men
10 sucn degree that the spirit of dis
trust Is almost as universal as tho o+-
mosphere 1io OF heaven. And it makes no
difference how great statesmen nav
dil1er on governmental questions or
olsagree as to the causes of present
socla! conditions and fearful denres-
sion In commercial relations, all aerae
tnat one potential factor in producino o.
unpleasant complications is a want of
confidence between man and man Tn
addition to this sad and lamentahlo
fact every day develops the fact Of a
growing opposition between the
wealthy and laboring classes-grovino o
bitterness On the part of labor and also
growing feeling among the wealth y
that nothing but the strong arm of tho
law will protect what they believe ~
be their rights. The logical result ~
TINS friction between two Powerful
classes has resulted in this: The
wealthy are drawn closer to the oov-
ernments and in fact control them
ana a majority. perhaps, of the wage,
working classes in divers sections oro
drawn towards anarchy and commrn.
ism. thinking their interests won1l
oest be served thereby, and not fn;1v
reailzlng that the worst government
ana most expensive is better than No
government at all. I am not exaooer,
aung the picture for every one knows
that human seltishness has so tekon
possession of the whole that AZ We lool-
out we see the whole world modl1
pushing and driving after wealth
turning deaf ear to the cries Of sor'
row and distress and utterly ignoring
the orphans tears and the widows'
groans. The situation is daily becom-
ing SO desperate that many who are
not pesslmlsts confidently predict that
VIC are Just now on the eve of ona or
the most powerful revolutions the civ.
lllzed world has ever witnessed. Nov
II have correctly presented facts a.
great practical question comes in inst
here and the question is simply this.
Gan the powerful hand of Masonry do
anything to remove the dangers which
threaten us and the difficulties which
surround us? The United States Of
America today is almost as full of Ma.
sonic lodges and temples as it is Of
churches and other grand institutions
established for the betterment of the
race. And every enlightened crafts
man knows that If all Masons were true
to their most serious and solemn ob1i-
cations unbelief as to each other,s
integrity and honesty of purnose
would vanish like mist before
the rising sun. Faith in 1foste,.
Moson's a0ord would be the mighty
1aAsn1a'a to effectually DESTROY every
groundless fear and unjust suspicion.
Masonic hearts are q golden chain