New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-11
MASONIC DEPARTMENT
ORGY TIE COMMANDS OF THE LORD

And the ord spako un., Moses. saying. Sneak
unto the pooplc and brirs them the true message
Of the Lord.
Ever since the above command was given ny
the Lord Ia Moses. the meek but mighty trans
lnitter Of Ire law there mas been among US
those whom tho Lord. IL not by audible voice
at least ~ peculiar eiftT. has oommanded 10
Speak to the people" and tney have so SPOKEN
but what HIVE they always spoken the true
message II tho Lord?
Has I, not TOO often been their own thoughts
their own words? And these were without sane
titv and without purity OF purpose And yet
writers are but nlman. they have their likes
and disIikes. their loves and their Natreds. and
are often sorely tempted 70 transmit these 10
nanAr instead of the true message Of the
Lord"
Itmay seem to be easy matter very little
thing. 10 sit down In silence and alone, and
write II is hard 10 realize that these black
marks. soiling the paper. have IN them any
meaning for good evil. any power for oe'c-
faction or injury. You see no one. you near no
one. Won are but marking down your thoughts
and opinions and perhaps only what are
your pretended thoughts and opinions.
A moment could send them flying IN frag-
ments on the wind. send them in smoke up
the chimney. What responsibility can rest upon
YOU for the very simple thing which you are
doing? And yet it is a mighty thing this
speaking to the peo,ae" where the tremendous
echo Of the press takes up every word and re
peats it to thousands upon thousands OF our
fellow
In thus speaking to the people self drops out
by the true writer and is lost in the sole en-
deavor TO bring the true message OF the Lord.
Especially careful should be the writer's for
the Masonic press to set down nauGht in malice
and while they should avoid ali "toadyism" fear
not 10 express their opinions and criticise Justly
where needed. The Masonic press is more
family OF its own than other papers. and should
therefore be more careful In speaking OF family
affairs, and while obeying the command OF the
Lord unto Moses. TO speak unto The people
bring 10 them the true message or the LORD
teach the true word. the pure heart endeaVor
to elevate their brethren by their thoughts ana
words and write for their benefit. Take, Tor
instance. the ritual OF our various degrees the
lessons taught the candidates IN their progress
toward true Masonic light. the tenets or Ma
sonry and the symbols OF our ancient craft 90
these not contain the true message OF 'he
Lord? Then speak to the people, speak 10
them Of charity to all Of brothery love ana
good deeds II noble emulation 10 do tnat Wh!ch
is pleasing TO the Great Am and beneficial TO
your fellow man. which Will encourage the
young brethren, and gladden. the hearts OF the
patriarch and OF the veterans. speak unio
the people, and bring them the True ihesSa6e
Of the Lord.
II Cod has endowed YOU with this gift OF writ
ing this speaking TO the people. set aside sell
and obey the commands Of Jehovah, SPEAK
unto the people" and bring them the true mes
sage Of the Lord, which IS charity. love, forgive
ness and the highest aim Of moral citizenship
and trllo Masonic lie as taught in every degree
conferred by Masons. The Cynic VIII sheer at
YOU and the selfish knaVe wi. laugh at you,
the low and vulgar Will not appreciate you nut
The vast ma toritv of your brethren will approve
of IT, and the good and true Masons will ap-
paud you and call you blessed, out, whatever
the result of your labor. let il be in accordance
with the word of God, and hence the true word
and true work Of Masonry.