The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-13

human aactivities. Yet Freemason- ry is the same today that it was century and half ago. Its creed has not changed. Its great central vital principle is the same yesterday, to- day and tomorrow.
 This great masonic light is ever the same, and has guided the craft ! through all the ages past. It may be that at times it has been dimmed, or that by reason of the frailties of hu- man nature, and the limitations of our moral vision we have not clearly distinguished it. Again it may be that captivated by the beauty of our masonic ceremonies. charmed by the , phraseology and diction of it's spoken parts, fascinated by the atmosphere rounds our assemblies, and deeply moved and impressed by the solem- nifty and importance of the obhga- tions which we assume at our sacred altars. we very naturally sometimes , mistake these Ou. ward manifesto tions for the great central masonic
 light or truth for which our frater- nifty stands.
 Proud of History. ''Our secret signs, words and cere- monies do not constitute the central means which we employ to hold the institution firm. They enable us to distinguish friend from foe at any time and under all circumstances. Their purpose is to aid and assist in. indelibly imprinting upon our minds the truths which masonry teaches. They encourage us Tn the pracJlce or these virtues which masonry holds ports but not the structure. Fortified by these instrumental ties masonry has survived the vicissi- tudes of time, the devastations of war, and thesupheavaIs of nations
 -'The results of its labors can never be told.
 we are proud of, the past history both of our lodge and the fraternity, and we have come here today as
 
 together. From this meeting in ma sonic unity and fraternity will come and more sublime faith in the Ma sonic light, which guides us, and has guided our brothers in time past
 What Is FreemasOnry?
 ''The history of our lodge has been rehearsed for us in a most interest ing manner We have been further entertained by masonic tales and
 How fitting and altogether appro- priate therefore that we should pause at this time and enquire, what is which the institution with it's multi tudinous forms and ceremonies has
 "In the final analysis. what is
 Let me answer this question by giving you the story Cf a scene in an Eastern Pagan temple: 1
 "A Jew entered a Parsee temple | and beheld the, sacred fire. 'What!' | said he to the priest, do you worship l the fre?' Not the hre,' answered | the sun and of his genial heat Do | YOU then worship the sun as your God?' asked the Jew. Know ye not that this luminary also Is but a work of the Almighty Creator" We know | it. replied the priest, but the un- cultivated man requires sensible the Most High, and is not the sun. the incomprehensible source of light. an image of that invisible be- ing who blesses and preserves all joined the Israelite 'diStinguiSh the type from the original? They call even from this to a baser object: they kneel before an earthly flame! Ye anuse the outward but blind the in- ward eye:' How do you designate see. We call him Jehovah Adonai; that is. the Lord who Is. who was, Your appellation is grand and sub lime,' said the Parsee, but it is awful | too.' A Christian then drew nigh and said. We call him FatherH The other and said. Here is at once an image and realitv; it is a word of the heart.' Therefore they all raised their eyes to Heaven, and said. with reverence and love, Our Father and they took each other by the hand. and all three called one
 
 This, this was Freemasonry. It is the creed of Fatherhood of God md the Brotherhood of man, and this is the creed of Freemasonry This is the great central truth which it teach es and exemplifies. When the idea that there was l common father for all mankind, that in the great human family every man was brother to his fellowman, first slowly dawned on the intellectual horizon, then the spirit of masonry was born. Then Masonic Lii ht first cast its benehcent influence into the lives of men.
 That there is one Supreme Grand Master of the Universe, tte Grand Architect of the heavens and the earth is the principle of the Father hood of God. The practice of charity, benevolence and brotherly love estab- fishes the bro herhood of man, and these combined are Freemasonry- Mo hammedan, Jew and Christian alike can accept it's teachings
 Shapes Destiny of Nations.
 Through all the ages it has touched human hearts, moulded human lives, written deep in history and been a potent factor in shaping the destiny of nations.
 This great truth, this great Masonic Light has ever been mans guiding star which has led him up from the dark ress of ignorance and savagery to the higher attitudes of modern civilization.
 The pathway over which the hu- man race has travelled has been long
 
 blood of many martXrs. But these great truths for which masonry stands are divine, and therefore eternal, and they will prevail. They can never die. Many victories have been won in this long upward march, but many more must be achieved before the final triumph.
 Humanity must continue to strive and labor tod ages before the dark hess of ignorance and error fully dis pelled.
 ''W hen masonic light shall have il- luminated the entire earth and domf- nate the hearts and lives of all men, then these masonic truths have attain ed their full fruition. Then will the light of that far off perfect day break upon the world.
 Intellectual Side.
 Then will there be no more war. Swords will be beaten into plow-sharesI and spears into pruning hooks. The mighty engines of destruction which now float upon the deep will be con- T F-,J r,Ff ha l