Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1904-02-26
"SOME MASONS," NOT "THE
MASONS."

a6'N o<th htPttocCo W bOtu0
marks l have heard made against
"Fhe Masons." Why not say 'Some
Masons," which would be correct.
This would not mean the whole lodge
every where; as "The Masons" include
all.
There is no lodge more anciently
and more religiously founded than
Masonry; not one containing more
wisdom and knowledge. 1t is true,
there are many Masons who fail to
comply with its teachings and fall
away from it's beautiful lessons.
The same can be said of the church;
her members often fall and become
unworthy, yet churches hold to the
members hoping to be benefit to
them.
So when we criticise, let US say
some Masons, not the Masons, which
include lodges at large.
Let US look few minutes at the
associations of Masonry, and some of
its masters. Solomon was the first
"Most Excellent Grand Master" of
Masonry and one of the most famous
characters in the Bible. The Bible
was the first great light of this order,
and it is founded on truths of the
Bible. Mt. Moriah is sacred to all
Bible students because on this noun
tain Abraham offered up Isaac, the
greatest Lesson of faith ever taught
On this same mountain (Morish)
Solomon built his temple. 1t stood
due east and west on Mt. Moriah as
house of prayer to all nations and a
monument of wisdom and knowledge.
How sacred should this mountain be
to every Mason, for on it stood this
temple Of Solomon, built by Masons.
Solomon was assisted in building this
temple by two grand masters and
one hundred and City thousand
Masons.
Hiram, the great architect, who
drew the plan of the temple and su-
perintended the work, was one of
the grand masters; he prayed three
times day, morning, noon aud even
ing, while he was engaged years in
this work.
Is not this beautiful example of
prayer set for all men, and Masons
especially, to follow? Who can forget
Solomon's prayer at the dedication of
his temple?
Masonic halls are dedicated in the
name of God, and to Masonry, virtue
and benevolence: corn, wine and oil,
being the Masonic elements used.
Their social objects are brotherly
love, relief and truth: their virtues
faith, hope and charity.
st. John, the Baptist. who preached
the coming of Christ, was q patron
of the Craft. He is called ethe
patron saint" in Masonry. He met
all ranks of men on the level, acted
on the plumb with them, and parted
on the square with them" What an
example set by this Patron Saint to
all Masons if they would only follow
his example.
st. John, the Evangelist, was g
Mason, and made Grand Master of
the lodge at the age of ninety, when
he was Bishop of Ephesus. The
name of these two men are hallowed
in masonic annals and lodges cele-
brate their anniversaries.
So we see how close masonry is
associated with the Bible-their lec-
lures are interviewer with scripture;
their pillars are wisdom, strength
and beauty, wisdom to contrive,
strength to support and beauty tc
adorn. Their furniture, the Bible,
square and compasses. What is more
impressive than the checkered pave
ment with the mystic star in the
middle, an emblem Of the qStar in
the East" which guided the wise
men to Christ? So this star should
guide the Craft through varied
scenes of life. The call seeing eye'
on the apron of lamb skin-the skin
u symbol of innocence-the call see
ing eye" that sees every sand in tn,
hour glass and every sweep of tn,
scythe.
Masonry was introduced into the
British Island in the year 55 b. @.
at the time of the Roman invasion
by Caesar. st. Albap, the frs
British martyr, was Mason, beins
made one while in the Roman army
Alfred, the father of English liter
ature and law. was a Mason. HI,
stated 81 desired wisdom" Some
man has written, "Masonry includes
within its circle almost every branch
of polite learning. and under the vel
of its mysteries is comprehended {
regular system of science"
So when we criticise let us ga,
"some Mssons"-for this ancient
order, founded on the Bible, hai
many worthy members. Few, very
few, follow all lessons taught by it
symbols and grand masters. So few
of our church members follow al
lessons taught by Christ, who is the
"Grand Master" of every church.
When we all shall come to cross
the last River, when we meet ouI
pilot face to face, may we be as pol.
ished stones, squared marked ant
numbered, ready to be placed in the
heavenly temple built by the 1Grand
Master in Heaven" Truth, in Tide
acGter Democrat.