New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-18
MASONIC SECRETS.

Masonic Editor of The Tribune.
Sir The writer has held 10 the opinion for more
than half Of his Masonic life that 1t is practically
untrue 10 say that Masonry is secret society, "
at least in the general acceptation Of that term It's
principles and its labors known and recognized
wherever want and human suffering have trailed
the earth in tears and anguish. or mortality and It's
literature have blended to mould and elevate hui
man action.
The true type OF IA secret society" may be found
In the 1nquisiton, in which men, women and chill
dren were tortured in dungeons, and often exc
cuted without knowing much as the name Of
their accusers Freemasonry, the other hand.
stands out in the broad sunshine. clear and ex-
pansive as the sky in its publicity, to herald
its principles and erect its temples. asylums
and homes the highways Of life where
they may be seen of all men, and its influence and
power recognized for good all over our beautiful
land and wherever else holiness TO the Lord" is
accentuated In vespered prayer and hymns of
praise TO God and blessings and words of good cheer
to the oppressed wherever found Not only this but
its principles and aims are the subject of public
discussion as voiced by the intelligent, deserving
and discriminating reporters of the ablest journals
the newspapers and neutrality-suspicious. in the
world They devote much Of their space to the de-
veopment Of Masonic literature as well as to pre-
serving its history and of thousands Of pages Of
Its official transactions are annually sent abroad,
as on the wings Of the wind, through every cnan-
mel and track of civilization knowing this TO b.
true we fail to discover or understand why Ma
sorry should be called "a secret society," Believ-
Ing In consistency we have always favored the
largest broadest degree of publicity. We have de-
voted the best years Of our life 10 bringing about
this result in EXPLAINING through the medium OF the
pen the design. principles history and ethics OF
Freemasonry, in order that a reason might be de-
duced by the Masonic student for his becoming
Mason as well as to convince his neighbors and
the world that the work of the fraternity is such
as all good men should approve and practise
Hence We have favored frequent gatherings
of the fraternity, as they would have a tendency
10 enable its members TO bring Out with
them their families. to cultivate and en-
Joy It's social amenities which. like the column
family Circle and plant crown Of light upon its
parental head. Hence opportunities should not be
Sss but 'G ar t ali Proper times
June "a should especially be observed and
% ad T nes Of g. John he Baptist
saint, but to make 1t day devoted 70 our wives
brate their virtues which have made their-our-
homes an ornament and heavenly place to soften often
lips and grapes from the shoulders OF their toll
70 make our rugged paths track Of flowers that that
and purity Of the MY These festivities should be
more than bread and wine in material sense
type" that has no parallel in the oratory Of song
e snd AWAKEN sn he lofty Of praises
his beloved among the lilies" the better to give
conception OF their wealth In speech and
metricai verse; every lodge. and indeed family
Its poet-laureate to breathe In song their virtues
and keep them green and in bloom while we i've
II would make them better women and the fra
ternity better brotherhood. .
hope 10 see al no distant day the exception the
rule 50 that our public VIII doe be-
Ing is a work which should and which the wants
o. humanity require to be done The more; then
ton and our labor the more frequent the occa-
sons at which so to speak we san consult with
for US
We recommend the brethren TO improve every
Reasonable opportunity TO get their families and
Trends together and let them see what manner
q men are and learn that all the secrets
Recognition are our deeds OF private charity,
JOHN r. ANDERSON.
Leroy. n. Y July IS, 1891