The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-03
PRINCIPLES OF MASONRY.
,rs rryErs, ITS VIRTUES AND ITS
MORAL DUTIES.


1,oson-Rev. J. ID. JOrdan's Inter
,;,,.~ sermon On the Principles
,,,e order at the First Baptist
church.
r,.-a was much interest manifested, es-
t.,1,- on the part of the members of
.rdar in the sermon last night by
D. Jordan of the First Baptist
church on the subject of Masonry Many
z..r known Masons occupied front pews
r.s, what the speaker had to say of
.l,.5rler and its principles. A large con-
-r.sstion comfortably filed the church,
ang the lessons which Rev. Mr.. Jordan
Irsv from the subject were lessons that
..,.li please and benefit all.
DIV Mr.. Jordan is himself member
ofr-e Masonic body, familiar with its rites
and principles. He. referred to the recent
o.rlaI meetings of the Masonic lodges ia
savannah, several of which he had at.
.,ria5 this leading to his determination
IN devote an evening to speaking of Ma
s,oie principles He was glad to see so
many of the fraternity present.
H.. took his text from Psalms cxxxiil.,
o3ehold how good and how pleasant 1t
4. for brethren to dwell together in unity"
T. v7e not his object, he said to defend
MASONRY against its critics, nor to per
eI51t men to become Masons for Masonry
,ay.r descends TO a public harangue for
ar.1se nor does it seek members through
nersiIasion. His purpose, he said, was to
anohasize the ideas of religion and morals
AZ Taught in Masonry. He wanted to see
|bosa Who were Masons better Masons and
u or y n
ali things for Masons sometimes say and
do things which are not in accord with
tbair principles But that, as was fire.
oDentlv the case in the church, was the
fau,t of the individual and not Of the or
der.
history" he said (which runs way back
bevond the limit of the human mind to re-
member. Many distinguished Bible char
acers had much to do with Masonry. 1t
began in remote times and has marked
the progress of the ages, a most ancient
and most honorable institution. Nor have
time to- speak of. the symbols of Ma
sonrv The Bible is the source of all true
Masonic life; II is the foundation and cap
stone of Masonry"
Rev. Mr. Jordan said he would confine
himself to the principles of Masonry, and
he spoke first of its three tenets, brother
ly love. relief and truth. The Mason as
the brotherhood of man in its broadest
sense The high and the low, the rich and
the moor. lnterminge. With all there is a
sense of humanity.
The Mason knew how to extend the hand
of relief to a dying brother to whisper
words Of faith, hope and love. Turning
from the dead to the living, the same
gentle hand has wiped away the widows
tear and Gained the orphans sorrowing
heart. The charity of Masonry is silent, yet
mighty force, erecting monuments to its
memory: Masonry has fed and clothed her
thousands and reared from childhood many
noble men and women.
Then truth he said is one of the first
things a Mason is taught. The Mason must
look to the Bible as the foundation of all
revealed truth. Truth is a divine attribute,
the foundation of every virtue. No man
can be a good man unless he is true low
Ing man. Masonry tolerates no lying.
Rev. Mr.. Jordan next spoke of the four
cardinal virtues of Masonry, namely, tenn
pennce. fortitude, prudence and justice.
The lack of temperance, he said, was the
fault of the individual, not of the order.
A true Mason must be temperate in word,
in deed and in thought. The true Mason
must neither be rash, nor must he be a
coward. He must weigh well his words
and consider his deeds, for he is expected
to be a strong man. He must be gentle
just to all men. The impartial judge can
not be just To be just the judge must
love humanity. Masonry carries a mantle
Of charity to throw around the people she
judges.
In Masonry there are three great moral
duties: to our God, to our neighbor and to
ourselves. We believe in the one true and
living Cod We hold His name in awe and
reverence, believe Him to be the source
of all good implore His guidance and help
in all laudable pursuits and beseech His
protection from all evil. No atheist or fool
can be a Mason. Ali Masons must believe
that the Lord 81 AM is God, and that
He is the rewarder of those who diligently
seek after Him and faithfully serve Him.
We know no God save the God of Abra-
ham, Isaac and Jacob, even the God of
Israel.
AS to our neighbor, we are governed by
the golden rule" AS we would that men
should deal with us, so are we to deal with
them. There is no higher law than this,
that man love his neighbor as himself,
and be ready to lay down his life for his
friends.
AS to ourselves, we are to be men, good
and true doing that which is just and
rsnt and eschewing that which is sinful
or wrong. Though one be a Mason, he is
man for "a that and is expected to
show himself man. The best way to be
Mason is to be a man.
Masonry enjoins upon every man his
duties to his family A true Mason must
De an obedient son, faithful husband
ana true father if he be such at all.
Inc family comes before the lodge.
Every true Mason is a true citizen, for
the order is a patriotic order. His coun.
Try Is 10 have consideration before his
craft
Masonry teaches religion and enjoins
worship. Every Mason is expected to be
man of faith and prayer.
No creed is set no dogma is prescribe
a. Being founded upon the Old Testa'
ih'ht, Masonry teaches many things held
III common by both Jew and Gentle. 1t
"FFrs no sacrifice, except the sacrifice of
broken and a contrite heart" 1t
stands by every command in the deca-
o1ue unsWervingly. IL lays special stress
upon the Sabbath. Let us never forget
mat the Grand Master calls us from labor
!" refreshments and rest one day in seven,
ana that day is a holy day. The immor-
,'.y or the soul. the resurrection Of the
"'oN a final judgment with fixed penal
'"S ana rewards all are here taught"
N the morning service Rev. Mr. Jor-
a4 preached on the subject, our Reso>
,1uohs for the New Years" one quite APP
IIoprlate TO the season. There was a large
* tl,. AZ