Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1905-06-07
ATTACKS ON THE MASONIC
ORDER.

A recent book published by z. B.
Treat & Co. gives history Of the order
that has grown to such influence in
the world. and refers to some Of the at.
tacks made upon 1t.
The so.called party which arose from
personal spite and endeavored to bring
a real charge against the Free Masons
ern Edge where 1t originated, and
from that day to this the Order has
gone on increasing in influence and
numbers. Nor are numbers and infu-
ence synonymous terms. The influence
of the Order comes from the sitting
process; a wisdom in leaving out men
Of immoral or otherwise undesirable
character who try to get in because
they expect to get the benefit of direct
influence.
And one of the great qualities Of the
Order as an order is the impersonal
way 1t deals with men.
Ancient-by the side of other or.
ders--dignified, spurning even ordinary
methods Of increase, 1t makes itself
Felt.
No doubt It has unworthy men in
its membership, but by some peculiar
process It is gradually eliminating
such members, and by careful self
defensive process all its own, II Is more
than ever guarding itself from the men
who shouldn't be in Il.
For, while a church or an order
should not be judged altogether by the
quality Of its membership to a great
extent It is and should be. One of the
great faults found with the churches
of today Is the membership in them.
And those outside who approve Of the
high ideals and precepts enjoined, have
perfect right to demand that these
principles shall not be trailed In the
dust.
Theoretically the Brotherhood OF
Man is all right, but no man Of con.
sideration wants to identify himself
practically and socially with men he
wouldn't wipe his old shoes on. And
some churches are much more particu.
lar than others in being distinctive;
In practising what they preach. No
doubt some lodges are less particular
than others, too; but, as a whole, the
Masons maintain a high standard.
When they as an Order have only men
of character in their membership; men
with high aims and somewhat ade-
quate life. they will approach the high
standards of their ethics.
The Masonic Order is not an insur.
ance company. II is not eleemosynary.
II was not organized nor Is II kept up
TO keep men from getting their just
deserts, or to bolster up those who have
something to be ashamed of in their
private lives.
II does not help criminals to escape.
II will not assist any man to carry out
petty revenge. 1t cannot lend its aid
to the continuance of personal spite.
Had 1t done any Of these things II
would not have appealed to the men
1t has; It would not have gathered to
itself as magnet gathers steel filings,
the best intellects and characters Of
the world.
Hear Talks" BY VIM. Henry Geist-
welt Cloth, 1854 PIP. Portrait and
autographed edition. Winona Pub.
Co., Chicago. $1.00 net.
In value to the reader as different
from DR.. Johnston's Scientific Faith"
as It is possible for anything to be.
Heart Talks" Is well named. II
comes from the heart and appeals to
the heart and the intellect.
The style is simple and frank, al"
ways free from cant and clerical bias,
and what the author says SO kindly
and with such sincerity touches re-
sponsive depths.
standing by Anothers Needs" is a
sweet chapter.
THAT man Is to be pitied who was
born on the off side Of things; who
instinctively takes the opposite side of
q subject. whether IL is right or wrong: