The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1910-02-05

In tine last Issue OF the ManietiQue
Pioneer Tribune. Editor George Hol.
bein paid the following high compli-
ment 20 Masonry, the occasion being
the e5th anniversary If the Institution
Of the lodge at Manistiqne
Free Masonry. the parent OF the
multitudinons secret orders and frater-
mites that exist and flourish at the
present time, can trace its origin back
TO the building of King Solomon's
temple, and IL can be said without
gain saying that in this particular case
the offspring. while inheriting, absorb
ing and exemplifying many into the
characteristics and teaching OF the sire,
pales into iusigniticance when compar-
isons are made
Every order has for its keynote the
exemplification OF some cardinal vir-
tue or priniple. All endeavor 10 incul-
cate a fraternal spirit-a spirit that
makes all mankind kin. With this
spirit thoroughly developed il is easy
TO divine why men thus bound are ever
ready TO fly to the assistance OF poor.
distressed. worthy brethren. TO bind
mp their wounds and palliate the
buheting OF life's stormy voyage.
Masonry is cosmopolitan in it's
nature. People of all races. countries
and religious beliefs gather about it's
alter in common level lts devotees
are sur-charged with common motives,
uphold. believe in aud defend its prin-
ciples with fervert zeal. It's tenets are
uplifting in the individual as we'll as
the national lite. No wonder then that
Masons have always been in the fore
front and activity identified with every
upward step of civilization The
great men that founded the United
States were nearly all identified with
Masonry and when they took concerted
action to throw off the yoke OF tyranny
they were exemplifying /. one Of the
teachings of the order.
"A characteristic of Masonry is love
II liberty. In Free Masonry there ex-
lists a fountain head of freedom. The
most formidable foes against tyranny
in.foriegn land are the lodges Of Free
Masons. Thus has IL ever been. The
watchword is Liberty under the law. -
Its methods are ever marked by discre-
tion and sobriety filled with an intense
earnestness. The freedom it seeks ~
genuine. not fictitious. A freedom
created by intelligence and adjusted
( relations between man with man. On
the one hand it counteracts the extra
vagance of anarchy and on the other
the tyranny OF despots
Wherever You find true body Of
Free Masons you find healthy source
Of individual life. The rushing cur
rent of modern strife have tendency
to obliterate the individual. In Mas
onry the individual is encouraged to
be himself and TO live ont his plans
Manhood is Of more Importance than
machinery Personal conviction is
rated above conformity.
Masonry also fosters a religious
and reverential spirit. One of the
qualifications tor membership is belief
in God. It's teachings arc ennobling
and If It's trusts were faithfully prac.
ticed by its membership the whole
world would be much better than il is.
Then, too. it teaches the equality
of man. 10 exacts certain qualifca-
tions and beliefs in the cardinal prin-
ciple. and the possessor OF same be he
American. German Italian, French.
Russian. Hindoo. Turk or Mohamme-
dan, or the representative of any other
country of the globe. is eligible for
membership.
The history Of one lodge of Free
Masonry IL the history OF all. They
have the same object. face the same
and do the same work. The signs,
grips and words are the same the
world over and the limitations are the
same. No distinctions are made. BE
the candidate president. king, prince.
potentate or peasant he must conform
to the usages Of the OF Ter and the goat
does not handle the man of title more
tenderly than il does the humber
brother, Masonry is great leveller.
About it's altar meet and comingle rul-
err and ruled and employer and employ
ee. All are bound by common tie
and actuated by common motives. ;,