The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-06-12

consider some Of them.
Masonry is founded upon the great
truth otthe fatherhood Of God and the
universal brotherhood Of man. It does
not bellye In materialistlc. theory Of
the universe, because q materlalIstlc
universe can Of necessity be nothing
other than universe OF selfshnes aud
self.seeking in which there can be no
obligation OF any man to make any sac.
rlfice for his nelghbor. "Let us eat,
drink and be merry. for tomorrow we
die" Is the last analysis OF its phil.
osophy.
From this fundamental tenet Of
brotherhood as wide as the human
race, Il follows that the membership OF
Masonry Is not limited by creed or
country, 1t finds It's yotar!es in every
cline and under all forms o. gov.
eminent and religious creeds, where
there are good men and true" Its
language is The universal cry CT the
human soul for light upon the pathway
OF human life. Its membership Is not
limited to the wise. the great or the
noble Or the wealthy. It values a
man for what he IS In character and
conduct, and not for any external or
extrtnsic distinction. 1t Is the internal
and not the external qualifications that
fit man to be Mason. And so 1t Is
that one may travel throughout the
civilized world and find In every cline
brother though he may be unable to
communicate with the strange brother
except through the language o. Ma.
sonry.
This quality Of universally involves
another prime distinction Of Masonry
federation. Men Of diverse or opposite
religious beliefs. political opinions and
personal qualities. meet on common
ground In a Masonic lodge, and there
learn that most important lesson Of toll.
Grafton, or charity for each others
opinions, beliefs and personal charac.
teristics. II man has the right stun
In him, nothing SO broatiens his mtud
enlarge his views, and stimulates his
goodwill, as the constant intercourse
In the lodge room with those who, nos.
sessing the same humanity, differ from
him in many things rs widely
as the poles. This recognition OF
and liberation for the opinions
and rights Of other men, leads
also TO important results In the
altitude and relations Of Masonry to
the institutions of religion and govern
ment. No Mason will question the
right OF any man to the exercise of his
own belief In matters OF religion AMI
he claims the same right to determine
for himself his ownpartlcularbellef.
And SO In matters Of government and
politics. Masons therefore strenuously
oppose despotlc forms OF government,
recognizing the right Of the people T.,
establish a form OF government which
they may themselves prefer. and also
the right to change It when necessary
TO the well.being Of society. The or.
derry proceedings of the lodge conduct.
ed in strict conformity to law and
usage, Is another valuable lesson
which leads Masons who are true TO
their obligations to be the uphoiGcrs Of
law and order in the community. In
short, the necessary corollary Of this
doctrine OF federation makes the free
Mason the true soldier Of freedom,
which is liberty regulated by law.
These teachings, important as they
are In establishing the attitude OF the
true Mason towards the matters Of re.
!;sion and government, covering tar re.
latioRs OF man 10 God and his country
are the natural outgrowth Of and result
Of these more fundamental teachings
which 90 towards the development: Of
personal charactre and the social .ela.
tons.
AS Masonry does not esteem i man
nr,ihe accident Of wesith or lineage or
social prominence. It must necessarily
direct his attention 10 those personal
virtues which every where and In all
ages have elevated men In the opinion
of mankind. The cardinal virtues of
temperance, tortitude, prudence, and
Justice are the foundation Of all true
character. To govern his passions, and
thus be master Of himself; to have
that faith In what Is right and true,
that leads to fortitude in the mi,.s. of
dangers and adversely: TO have that
wise and broad vision and grasp of
things that makes his cautious and
careful; and 10 have that conception Of
what Is due TO himself from others
that makes him equally conscious Of
what Is due from him to Others, and
thus leads him TO deal Justly both In
opinion and in actlon-these are the
foundation Of all true and manly char.
acters and flow as from living foun.
tain, from the PRINCIPAL tenets OF bro.
l
tEerly love, relief and truth, and those
prlncely qualities OF faith, hope and
charity.
1t has been said that civilization Is
measured, In any country, by the lie.
velopment Of character In the people,
and not by Its material developments
| If Naalth Enr In tho In II nnnl.Lus 10