Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1900-01-18
A SERr1oN ON MASONRY.
Many Good Points Brought Out
Relative TO the Benefits Of
Secret Societies.

ne following is a synopsis oy
the Nampa Leader of a sermon
preached by Archdeacon Jennings
Sunday evening before the Masonic
lodge at Nampa. The text was
Isiah 22:1S-19. The Rev. gentle
man said in part:
The free and accepted masons of
modern days are the successors of
the great guilds who in ancient
times possessed an exclusive mas
terry of the builders art and planned
and erected many magnificent
buildings which still stand in I'M
diminished majesty, monuments Of
the skill of Masons and the per-
lection of their art. Our brethren of
old were noted for their consum-
mate skill in their craft, for the
privileges accorded them in recog-
milton Of their labors and for per-
feet freedom they enjoyed.
A little more than 200 years ago
under the grand mastcrship of the
great Sir Christopher Wren the
English Freemasons, as we read,
completed the last great work
which the operative craft and the
speculative brotherhood were united
under a single leadership. The
task worthy the supremest effort of
the great fraternity builders. 1t
was in effect the creation of the
modern city of London.
The design of masonry as it now
exists is the incubation and prac-
tice of the principles of morality
which mark the upright and per-
feet man. In those virtues our an
cient brethren excelled as is evil
denced by their perfectly proper
toned works.
Freemasonry in its modern form
has found now an almost universal
acceptance. In this country its use
fulness has been profoundly i'm
pressed upon the minds of our
greatest men. Devoted to it were
George Washington, Andrew Jack
son and Henry Clay.
A few years ago the religious
press and many ministers of the
Gospel waged fierce war against
all secret societies. 1t was fool
ish waste of energy for their utter
ances and actions proved a
boomerang which resulted only in
injury to themselves. Those an
tagonists must know if they give
time rightly to consider that among
the most potent factors for good in
this country are these orders. Man
cannot estimate the good they do.
Whether it be by an individual or
society, to do good, to spread love
of charity, purity and helpful in
fiuence, deserves the highest com
mendation of those who love their
fellowmen.
The secret societies Of this coun-
try such as the Freemasons, 10. O.
f. and X. of P. have taught our
churches many lessons in charity
and brotherly love. 1t is to be re-
GREETED that SO many religious peo-
pie see nothing in such fraternities
but parade and decoration. They
don't realize that back of festive ut
terances there lisa principle mighty
in operation which the loftiest
minds of all ages, have reverenced.
The very best ages of Greek culture
knew it, and the proudest Greeks
glad to know it. The plain people
were enthusiastic in its praises. AT
Athens, the capitol of Greece, there
was an altar erected to mercy.
Every day, and at all hours, it was
crowded with worshipers. Mercy
was there enshrined in the souls of
thousands OF Greeks. Were they
not near the heart of Him who said
"Blessed are the merciful for they
shall obtain mercy"
The nation which does not listen
to men whose one aim is to spread
friendship and charity is recreant to
its highest good Condemn these
orders indeed? They are the hand
maids of the church and are doing
a work, the churches to great ex-
tent, have neglected to do. They
tell us that many young church
members would rather go to lodge
than to a prayer meeting. This
may be true for the reason that
often the lodgeroom is more congo
NAL. There you will often get ten
shakes of the hand where at prayer
meeting you may not receive any.
Masonry is condemned because its
charities are limited only to its
members. In this respect they act
as do the churches. As a rule
Methodists do not seek out the
needy from among the Presbyter-
ians or Baptists from among Epis-
copalians for the very reason that
every church is expected to care for
its own, on the grounds that they
prefer to do so, and this is right
The text speaks of storms and dis
tress. And in such times Gods
people should dwell in peaceful
habitations and quiet resting-places
This passage is symbolical and
means that in times of distress
sickness, losses and bereavement