The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1904-10-06


served it through a thousand con-
tiicts, and that give to its followers
pleasure and satisfaction continually,
it will continue to cooperate in all
good works, only asking that it shall
be allowed to work out its allotted
destiny without unjust criticism, I'M
warranted interference, or the at
tempts of ignorance and superstition
to belittle its great, and grand and
beneficient mission among men.
On so interesting and suspicious
an occasion as the present it is not ex-
pected, | persume, that any extended
references he made to the history of
Freemasonry; nor indeed is it neces-
sary to do so in this enlightened age
when that history has become an
open book, every page of which has
been visited by the fiashlight of earn
est inquiry; and sayings, and!prophe-
cies, and the achievements of the
brotherhood have received the COM
mendation, endorsement, and admir-
alton of the best and truest men of
every age, Suffice it to say in this
particular, that no institution among
men has been subject to more wide
spread investigation, more jealous in
quirY, more persistent and unflagging
persecution than has the organiza-
ton known worldwide among men
as Ancient, Free and Accepted
Masons.n
From out this history, creditable
alike to it, its principles, and its fol-
lowers, it has come honored by its
steadfast course III the right, and
strong beyond measure by reason of
its glorious triumphs. 1t has been en-
abled to do this because it was con-
ceiced in the truth, born Of the truth,
and has dbjded by the truth through
out it's whole career; and the truth
has made it free. Its greatest glory
has been, is now, and will continue to
be, that it has never deviated a hair S
breadth from the course originally
marked out for it, but that its great
over-shadowing landmarks are as
plainly read on its trestle- board to-
day as when first traced out by the
hand of its divine grand master be-
fore the world was, or the morning
stars sang for Joy because of the great
truth that was to be the guiding star
of the childeen of men throughout
the generations yet uncreated. This
guiding star, these landmarks. this
great everlasting truth, is nothing
less than the oft repeated unLerly-
ing principle of Freemasonry, so
familiar to every one who has trod-
den the Mosaic pavement, stepped
within the indented tessel, or knelt
upon the blazing star, and that is;
the Fatherheod of God and the
brotherhood of man."
This organization is unique among
the societies of man in that it has
added nothing to its original body,
its laws, its ethics, or its principles:
neither has it seen the necessity for
taking anything therefrOm; no not
one iota of the great trust committed
to it has been set aside; but on the
contrary the society has been content
to move in an even pathway, satisfied
yes abundantlY satisfied, is it can
rendered unto the Father the homage
due, and unto the brethren the wages
of justice and equality. By reason of
this undertaking course. and because
these principles are fixed, and are es-
sential to the life of the institution,
Freemasonry has had the honorable
history that has been hers, and has
been able to reflect that honor and
glory upon all who have been true
followers of the art it practices, or
the science it teaches.
Its standards have been elevating
in their tendencies, and it's deeds
have been ennobling in their influ-
ences. Its relation to the Father OF
all good is such as to keep constantly
before it's votaries His power. His
grace, His beneficence, and His claim
upon all of the children of men for
obedience, Its relation to man is such
that his cry for aid has never gone
unheeded, his welfare has ever been
remembered. For him the foot has
gone ont of its way that he might be
served; for him the arm has been out
stretched that he might be aided; and
the counsel and admonition that
have been his have been such as to
call him back from errors ways and
strengthen him in all good purposes
Within Masonic halls neither char
ity, nor love, nor unrestrained affec.
ton have been strangers, but on the
contrary every moral and social virtue
have united to cement the members
in one common brotherhood. This is
the epitome of it's history and as such
serves to confirm the justice of every
claim made in its behalf as an honor