Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-05-23
MASONIC SECRECY IN Tn,mLr,
Nothing I'm the TeaehinEs.ituHIl
90 BE Ashnmel Y

The May No. OF Tidlogsn N,
Craft a Masonic maSazne wlfr. 4
+. Routt has represented In ithid foi
several years. prints the fofowrticle,
written by Grand-Master Alfreeourt-
new. under the signature Of VA:
on one occasion an enthu3iafluns
Mason. who had been reccnt!yls 4
stationed officer Of his lodge, Waited
alone IN his library with the Bi2ea
/, before him at Ecclesiastes xh..1i %
memorizo the first seven verssshai
chapter preparatory to taking paEh,
ceremony OF raising a candidats
sublime degree Of Master Mason
suddenly and unannOunced his wffr.
cd the door and entered. With .
preston Of suppressed embarrass'n's
young Mason closed the book quiskd
awkwardly welcomed her. The vile,
rally inquired of her husband WHAT
ture he had been reading TO lhh
quiry the overcautious brother CAV
evasive answer, instead OF showing
wife the verses and telling her the
ne intended 20 make Of them. lie
roneously thought that this iuforma
was part OF the secrets or masonry, a
true 10 his promise, he ielt ln
the painful necessity or "llhhoiii
done the institution OF Mason
Nv n mistaken idea among the craft
10 the objects and the extent Of q
secrecy proper TO be observed IN q
cornpany of the uninit.3tc1. THIS Is c
peclally the case when hueptnd al
father. from erroneous views on lhe 81
icet withhOids from bis wire 90
fonilv information which he might n
iv communicate. All that ls written
our digests, Grand Lodge proceeding
and other Masonic literature may
read by every one. While the lNllls
IS cautioned upon his entrance mo ~
sOnry not TO suffer his z h i9t =
Institution 20 lead him inio afsNn
with those who, through ignorance. nl
ridlcule Il. and although silence ani q.
cumspectiOn are among its cdl1.hil fN
tues. still we are not forbidden OF N
cOuraged from ConVcrsiug Win .-
families and friends. who are ini're-.
as 10 its objects and methois. .Nl W"
are honestly seeking 10 be enllfli
There Is nothing In the tciehI.- ~
ritual OF Masonry that any mta
be ashamed 70 proclaim on al I'tE
occasions. "rhc greatest and y
men IN all agcs have been e.e'II
| OF the art. and have never d. l.y.
| derogatory 20 their dignity NJ .r
| themselves VIII AllH IT .tNN.
their privileges and patronzs 'A'' 10
| somblies." DID,
The secrets o. tTeemas0nry o.,t' y.
a small space In the Work oi pr" --.
| These are maintaiZel inYio-ale "a
vent intrusion and 10 acco" q, 3.
grand work which has won roy
respect and support OF a.. tie naioi
| the earth through the centuries l.. ~ =,
| passed by means OF these l.'s ,si,
abled to know. and 20 conn uil>e a.,
| each other. and thus 90 foi.A or,
| broken chain OF charity ahd tottii.
| around the world. No t.4,oi.. sou, ,h q
sensible person would care 10 Ano" t. by,
secrets. The character o. those WIZ III,
entered rs portals IS proof thst
! unrofned or ridiculous ~ requN
I only what rs necessary 10 cstls 49,
objects To do this a sacfl li'.ss' -. y 4
ana self-conceit may b. necessary -
Ne ,n,,et he Impressed with ne I1ct 7.
no man IS independent Of his ielio ,''',s 81
| i'm this life. and We must 500 a
sincerity and without mental t,s', 49,
he fatherhood OF God and the Di"'N'
| hood Of man. .~.u,x-