New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-08-15
PAST AND PRESENT.

,ho tendency to yenerate ancient institutions rs
ono of the chief attractions Of Masonry III Is Lot
a plant that springs up to-day 10 wilmer ~ 49, "'o
tomorrow but n tree whose messy trunk ana giant
,ro,r,h ene,k 10 us of past ages. Kings ana En-
neror. have participated in its ceremonies AMI men
greater than they have adorned It's ahha"s II,
however its only merit was age us uesuip| "ouiu
Inc decay. Age alone contains no prhlcip"; Oh i'n-
mortality and II Masonry had nothing bv its an
cept origin 10 recommend 1t there would be no
sou,a reason TO expect that 1t would survive, much
loss that 1t would grow and drop US dawes from us
branches The words with when we A'usht 10 DC
familiar Liberty. Equality. Fraternity are magicai
nc ,oIismans AZ, implied in its organb ation-terms
often elsewhere grossly abused but W i'm free Nia-
sons full Of real and raterna signihc ance because
ono of is first lessons is resistance TO despotism.
both ecclesiastical and civil: and he'nstructve an
,aeouism between Masonry and ect leslastic,sm Is
the most emphatic testimony TO thu spirit OF per-
soral liberty which is Of the Distinguishing
traits that breveis title to its lineage that mas
descended 10 us from antiquity Bquality not by
lowering but by eevating TO common PLATFORM,
where all meet the level. with equal rights ana
duties and equal claims to mutual respect II lalth-
full TO the obligations voluntarily assumed. FRA
torpitv in who's. bonds the most ancient and in
vetcrate pre- sldhcs are melted in the solvent OF
hrotherlv intercourse and the heirs OF the most
ancient civilization join hands with the mission
aries Of the youngest and Hebrew ana , Gehene,
c,eIt and saxon. men of the most diverse origin ana
nationally meet in the nterrhanse OF kndiy
Offices and f,rnish some evidence OF the possibility
Of the attainment OF true brotheTnoH)d OF man h.
These are Grand lessons mprc:x'ivly talEht 1y
It's origin 'ald history. but they are not al, AL IL
teaches tho force Of associated action me IN
esIimable aue Of union in n good cause. the sii
periority OF harmony over d!scorG ana ire power
Of combined beneyolence. II furnishes a nome ana
inspiring lesson of the worth and dainity OF Ianot
rsaTed in the Middle Ages some OF the grandee
cdiices ever conceived by human gem us. and IN TIE
migration Of architects and builders IRON racs "a
place whore such works were TO be e1ecutSd me
order OF Free and Accepted Masons had IT'S growth
,.Y.f ~
spirit of is precepts and ceremonies is TO c1alt
and dignity that intelligent labor which has
skill only Lee IS majestic and enduring than, granite
The Great Architect and Father Of all-dey out rev.
erencc for whose Being and nal trust in whose
stage and degree OF progress in the my steries az
related in our ancient and adaptive rites
and ether uses IT Is absolutely exempt from
abuse rs obligations do not release aJ!y man from
his duties Of ezcnshiP nor propgry Tegarasd
whatever. \ judge on the bench d,,din5 cases; a
law and the evidence; a witness on the witness
stand. pledged to tell the truth;a voter bouDl upon
his honor and conscience 70 "a st bis ballot for the
embarrassment in the discharge OF those high duties
the grandest. they are, in the realm Of human
action-from any Masonic Obligation or trust within
the range OF duty. or will my intelligent Mason
Of any creed find in Masonry substitute DOR or
aught antagonstic TO religious faith 1t is only in
it's perversion that this condition could ever be
round lis spirit is 10 incite greater nnelity
and social and thereby TO aid In establishing, upon
more lasting foundations that noble edihce III civil
and religious liberty, reared by the toll AMI sacri-
us to preserve and tran:tn, 10 our poster,,-with-
out an ob.iteratiop of a landmark usage or. design
throne OF Israel and commissioned by t1,ir god
lie Roy. x Y JOHN r. ANDERSON