Middletown transcript., 1897-10-16

neighbors except as We nave agreed 20
behave toward others and their neigh
bors.
II he be taught that one of the three
equal parts into which we divide the
day is to be devoted to the service Of
God and distressed worthy brother,
we no less bind ourselves to relieve
him in his need, than he does to relieve
us when in similar need.
If we teach him that the gavel SYM
bolizes the duty of divesting his heart
and conscience of all vices and super :
fluities of life, he has rightto antici-
pate that we, too, in our conduct to-
wards Others will govern ourselves ac-
cordingly.
If we admonish him that in specnla-
tive Masonry he is to learn by the
plumb to walk uprightiy before God
and man, by the square to square his
dojngs virtuously, and by the level to
travel upon the level of time as one
who is going to that undiscovered
country from whose bourL no traveller
returns-he is justified in expecting
that we likewise will subdue our evil
passions, act at all times upon the
square, keep tongue of good report,
maintain our purity, and have a lively
remembrance Of the final account.
And when, further, he is reminded
by the compasses to circumscribe his
desires, restraining them within doe
bounds, and to enclose within their
points the precious jewels of Friend
ship, Morality, and Brotherly Love;
and by the trowel he is instructed to
spread the cement of fraternal affec.
tion, uniting all his brethren into such
q community as shall have no conten-
tion except as to who best can work,
and in harmony certainly, we do
not ask this of him without ourselves
being ready to acknowledge the duty
of confining our own appetites to rea-
sonable exercise, and of maintaining
friendly relations with all, even to the
point OF blessing such as may revile US,
and persecate US.
Thus it is, brethren, that 1 think we
can see how the Golden Rule is intima-
tely blended with all our work; how
that if we would have the newly-made
brother conform to the requirements
of our order we must likewise conform
to them; that we cannot expect him to
deal truly and we'll with US unless we
ourselves deal truly and we'll with him.
Viewed in this light, our order is
something more than mere society Of
secrets, preserved for the simple pur-
pose of transmitting from age t3 age u
series of tantalizing and unmeaniDg
mysteries. Nor, again, is i. band of
inquisitorial tyrants, seeking to disco
yer aud punish those who may have
been unfaithful to their obligations.
Equally unjust is the opinion stoutly
hefd by some that that is is Is IN association
of convinvial souls who spend the
greater part of their time and means
in feshly feasts and trivial entertain-
ments.
Least of all, is it an irreligious or
anti. Christian organ ization. If it were
so, would Christian bishop be its
spokesman to-day?
II is society that means work-aye,
spiritual work.
Choosing for its greater efficiency
and unity to impose vows of secrecy,
it yet is not ashamed to ayow its prin-
ciples and requirements.
Irreligious it never can be, so long as
it assigns such prominent and honor
able position, both in the furniture of
the lodge-room and in the instruction
of the master, to the Holy Bible; that
inestimable gift of God to man, Ma
sonry's great light, which will direct
our paths to the temple of happiness
and point out to us the whole duty of
man.
True, the several degrees of Free
Masonry as generally received had
their origin before the establishment of
Christianity. Yet the fact of its rever-
ence for the Sacred Scriptures, which
are so full of the Messiah, is guaran-
tee that nothing like ignorance Of Him
nor dishonour to Him can ever prevail
in well-regulated lodge.
And when we go to some of the
more modern degrees, e.g. those be-
longing to what is known as knight
Templarism. the most impressive and
significant portions of their ritual
would be entirely meaningless without
the presence Of the Christian Religion.
And, brothers, by just so much as
we are able to commend our fraternity
to the esteem and confidence of the
community, by so much are we made
responsible for the cultivation of the
virtues thus approved.
Masonry is not something to be
sought merely for the sake of the hon
ours and privileges it confers-yslu-
able as they may be,
These will matter but little, if they
be not accompanied with an honest
purpose and Jealous effort to be true to
the trust which we have received,
steadily persevering In the practice of
every virtue, and demonstrating in our
lives the great moral principles belong
ing to the Order.
We suffer, as other organizations do,
from the inconsistent lives of members;
and although In what I am saying !
would not assume the Office of censor,
/ yet cannot forbear, on This holy day
and in this holy place. reminding you
and myself how much power for good
vga allow In liz uudeveIoped by reason