New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-31
ETHICS or ROYAL ARCH MASONRY.

The question is often asked by those who have
attained to ALL nearly all. the degrees conferred
in the various Masonic bodies, Of what practical
use Is chapter Masonry The lodge, say they,
seems 70 possess and inculcates complete system
OF pure morality, sufficient for the well-being OF
its votares in this life. 1t provides for succor and
assistance in time OF distress; 1t soothes ana MIN
listers in sickness and secures 10 its members re-
spectfu and decent burial II also provides for the
widow and orphan. and therefore, what more can
be asked! On the other hand. the chapter lacks
some Of those benehcent provisions and addS
nothing to the ethics of the ancient system.
Taking my position at the second veil, where the
purple is formed OF due admixture Of blue and
scarlet" will endeavor 10 show as briefly as l
can the Importance and great value OF Royal
Arch Masonry, in conjunction with the preceding
and qualifying teachings Of the Blue Lodge
Like the lodge We require of candidates an
acknowledgment or recognition OF an intelligent
and rational monotheism. with the unity and Inter
dependence OF the race basis for the super
structure of duty In human conduct. The line OF
duty. as taught In the lodge. Is represented and
illustrated by the three steps emblematical OF the
three principal stages OF human life To this Is
added the doctrins OF the Immortality OF the SOUL
cellence OF symbolical Masonry. Now we go
further. FOR in the teachings Of the Most Excellent
ana Royal Arch degrees we complete mat whleh
the lodge has left unfinished and furnish add-
tional motives for exemplary conduct drawn from
this life and that which Is to come. In ADDITION
also. continue that intellectual ana moral de-
velopment which human being may make in his
P utsre State S and as may be wiser and bet
ter in old age than in youth so ne may be- Wiser
better and happier. and so continue in an ncreas-
ing ratio throughout the vast cycle o. eternity
bolism of the building OF the second temple, and
In its contemplation We discover subiinity and
soni STRUGGLING 10 penetrate the future involved
ne may become, in the yagaries and uncertain
should we understand and teach all that is i'm
piled in this beautiful and Inspiring system OF
might hope 10 reach not n few who are now casting
loose from the od-fashloned restraints formerly in
posed upon men. and are drifting away into atheism
Science in It's rapid strides OF advancement has
upset many theories and dOgmas, relics of an age
OF ignorance and superstition Opening up new
fields OF investigation and submitting all things
ana critical tests IL has awakened In the
human nina attention never before known.
The immense, and constantly increasing .crcula-
field OF human inquiry. through ,ne agency OF the
bTarIes OF cur time lead many. fear who are thus
ena Oled to obtain a little knowledge. To rush into
wild and uncertain deductions not warranted by a
greater and more correct knowledge OF true science
I'm its bearings on human well-dong and well-beng.
that "A little knowledge is dangerous thing"
Now. under this condition OF things and think
no well-nformed person can dispute them success
mind and often dwell upon the sublime teachings
of order; that are not machines and ami
mails, existing here for day and then buried in
the abyss OF oblivion; that there is something
worth our highest endeavors In the path OF duty.
not only THE happy reelection or a well-spent Ne"
but the assurance that in the future shall con
tinuc In self-conscious stat rising higher and
higher In knowledge and that excellcncy OF an ex-
isence which this world does not and cannot fur
nish.
An association OF men believing IN and teaching
these great moral truths particularly In these days
OF many questiUnnBs must, In the nature OF things
be b-nehcent and practically emnently useful
one. not only 10 themselves In particular but man
kind In general.
II would he pleasing to at this time to en-
large ths thcne for IL IL susceptible of great
extension. but your time and patience might soon
become exhausted, and therefore | leave the CUES
ton OF utility IN your hands and simply urge upon
you TO follow Gu, the thoughts here presented FOR
/ am confident you Will find interest and In
structon I'm system OF Masonry than you may
have heretofore supposed.
Many societies and orders have been formed in
all ages, which have had precarous and
ephemoral existence whose names are even scarcely
known, and have passed into oblivion because they
were founded upon selfish and corrupt principles
But ouch societies the Ancient craft and Capt.
uar brotherhood can never perish long as they
recognize the Divine Father and human brother
in all they do and teach. admitting all within the
fold OF whatever nation people under the sun
who will sincerely yield assent 10 these two great
truths, and who shall have been found free from
any base sordd motive. We have but 10 guard
well the portals OF our lodgerooms against the
Introduction OF the selfish. the vile and the base.
TO insure a permanency that shall last long as
any Institution which man may create.