Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-03-21

matchless declaration, that all men ere
created free and equal and shall DC pro-
tected in the exercise of liberty of con-
science in their devotions to the Almighty
God, ard every one Of the commissioned
officers in command of the armies that en-
forced the recognition Of that sacred doc
trine were members Of our noble ira
ternity.
Membership can only be acquired in our
honored institution through volunti-y
choice, and which is continued during RE
will and pleasure of the individual him
self. so long as he shall conform to the
principles and laws Of Masonry, and not
withstanding this. there Is perhaps
no order In The wor! l. tEat
has a smaller percentage OF nom
afiliates. The society has an enVia-
BILE record for its observance OF the
Abramic expression: Let there be no
strife between me and thee" If the rec
ords of the courts OF justice Of the world
were examined. they would reveal the iacI
that it is a rare occurrence for Masons 10
resort to the tribunals TO adjust disagree
ments
How far then. may the future Of the ira
ternity be practicable upon It's past ana
present relations to the progress OF man
kind? Consider this structure, in when
we often meet. as one of the evidences oil
the faith which IS implanted in the breast
Of every Mason within the civilized world
that the order to which he belongs has
mission before Il which will he grander III
its fulflment than any which has here
tofore been accomplished We have grand
" maintained our reputation as Ma
sons. not only in our enlightened land Of
civil liberty and education. but also among
Of the nations Of the earth. who are yet
groveling in darkness and supersulloh'
ard thus have also maintained the reputa-
ton of our ancient brethren for the erec-
ton Of the most enduring temples, the
evidences Of which may be seen IN It's
widows and orphans homes, asylums for
INDECENT Masons, and hospitals for the al
ficted and the distressed. These abound
all over our country, because integrity OF
financial management has gone hand Ill
hand with the art to construct.
The fraternity is not only devoted TO the
Justice and nobility Of the law upon which
it is founded. for it is itself an eXemplih-
cation of the fruits of the law, in its prac-
tice of deeds of beneficence and love to-
ward the brethren. The beautiful symbol
isms of supporting the weak, lifting up
the fallen. and whispering words OF eau
ton and counsel in the ears OF the erring
ard uniformed. are inerasably stamped
upon the true Mason's heart, as ever pres
ent duties as long as suffering and weak
ness may aflict our friends and brothers.
But the frailties of human nature may too
often become our plea for suffering a
brothers life to run is course in affection
and distress. with no one to cheer him by
uttered words of friendship which are
sealed by mnistering hands OF sympathy.
Do we not too often feel satisfied with
strewing flowers upon the casket of a fall
len brother, and giving a hurried attend
ance in the last sad hour at his interment?
Let us rather offer deeds Of mercy, and
bring the choicest flowers before his dying
hour. for there is within the breast of
each OF us an element from the Divine.
which yearns for such expressions Of fra
tcrnal affection and loving sympathy TO
smooth our pathway toward the tomb, be-
fore the spirit is summoned into the pres
erce Of the Life and Light from which ii
eminated. Masonry IS founded upon the
rock OF God as the Author Of Life and
Light in the beginning. and it adheres
with equal faith and trust in Him as the
couservator of time and circumstance that
governs all conclusions. During the hours
of calm meditation. the nob!cst ambitions
of life are quickened by the thought of
becoming partakers I'm the eternal re-
wards He has reserved for trusting crafts
men.