Middletown transcript., 1897-10-16

| Selves were VIC iailHluHy W lOhOn
this practice, we would in numberles
instances change our course com
pletely.
We all need larger infusion of that
great-hearted, catholic. and unsel1st
love which was SO prominent charac
teristic of that holy man in whose
memory our lodges are so frequently
held forth-St. John the Evangelist.
He is reputsd to have been master
of enc Of the ancient lodges; and we
can easily imagine the zeal with which
he would have inculcated the practice
Of that cardinal virtue which shone
forth so beautifully in all his life.
Allied to him as we are by halloWed
associations, we will do we'll to initiate
his strict adherence to the rule set be-
fore us in the text, and thus show
practically that honor to- his name
which we in our manner outwardly
manifest.
He was encompassed with the same
in6rmities and temptations as sur
| round u: but he did not on this &C.
count abandon his work. Nor did be
undertake it in his own strength.
He had already experienced the help
furnished to all who seek it Alright by
the Supreme Architect of the Universe;
and with this aid he had been enabled
not only to obtain the victory over
himself, but also to bring many a
heathen and idnl.,truns brother out OF
darkness into true Gospel light.
This same grace is within easy reach
of all. Without it. we shall be but un-
worthy members of our sublime order
Ineed hardly say to you how intricate
ly these several interests are blended
together. While some would separate
them widely, would join them in still
closer union.
There maysb some who do not rec
-ognize the claims of Christianity, and
yet are sincerely interested in Free Ma
sonry. There may also be some who
practically make the latter substitute
for the former. But these surely find nc
encouragement for such action in oul
recognized principles.
1 would not, of course, say that 9
Christian needed for his perfection in
holiness to become Mason. / will say
however, that in discharging his. Ma
sonic duties. he will find ample oppor
tunity for the exercise of many Of hi;
most cherished religious virtues.
Therefore, I would depreeate alike
the notion of any incongruity between
these two systems, and any such view
of Christianity as would consider il
superseded or made less obligatory
by the prevalence of Masonry.
Iu each, it is intended that God
should BIZ glorifed, and that man
should act the neighbor to his fel-
lows.
q thorough Mason will will, I think think, be be
always solicitous in the doing of his
work, for the grace that belongs to
Christianity; and Jealous Christian
may well rejoice to cooperate with Ma
sonry in every honest effort to accom-
plish our Heavenly Fathers will.
This, after all, dear brethren, is the
great business of life-to do His Will.
Anything, therefore, which tends to
its fulfilling should be recognized
among all men as deserving their full
lesl sympathy and aid.
Doubtless, in its performance, we
shall encounter bitter struggles with
ourselves and with others. We shall
needto be constant, vatchful and
brave. At times, we shall be exposed
to evil surmisings, cavils, reproaches-
perchance, even to prosecutions.
But what of all thatP Obedience is
learned through suffering. It was
thus that even the Incarnate Son of
God was compelled to learn it. It was
thus that his forerunner learned it, St.
John the Baptist, who is also one of the
chief patrons of our order. In his pre-
pairing the way of his Lord, he eneoun-
tered such hostility from the lovers of
sin and self, that he early suffered a
martyrs death. Would that we all
possessed more Of his boldness in re-
buking vice, and OF his suffering for the
truths sakel
We cannot, of course, expect in all
things to agree. Our mental constitu-
tion, our education, our employments
our surroundings-all go to prevent
such uniformity.
But there are certain well-defined
principles which are impressed upon
our minds as of Divine origin and OBJ
legation. These must be at all hazards
maintained. No natural tim;dity, no
dread of what others may say or do, no
love Of ease, no allurement of temporal
gain should tempt US even to cOmpro-
mise Them.
Surely in doing 30 we are violating
that Golden Rule which is meant to be
the ground work of this discourse.
Whatever Injuries our own spiritual or
moral nature thereby infiicts serious
wound upon the spiritual and moral
sensibilities of our brethren.
IT one member suffer, all the men,
bers suffer.
We need to have this lesson repeated
again and again, in varied sounds of
application. The age in which we live
is SO busy and aggressive, that the
temptation to oysrreach our neig hbors,
and to ignore each others interests and
claims, will-unless we narrowly watch
ourselves-gain the mastery over us,
aud drive us to the doing of things of
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