Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1915-07-23
MASONRY AND PEACE.

All phases of the great European
war have been discussed through the
papers, and all sorts of guesses made
as to the length of its duration; whc
will win, and what will be the result,
etc. Also numberlcss suggestions ana
theories have been proposed as ne.
cessary or likely at least, TO insure
universal peace TO the world kcrcaf-
ter.
recent suggestion is by our friend
Mr.. Penuleton, of the American. He
seems to believe that if all men were
members of the Masonic fraternity.
there would thereby be a guarantee
of universal peace, and further states
that in the final analysis and round up
the nations may turn to the Masonic
order for relief. We have not the
editorial before us, having mslaid the
paper, but believe we state the sub
stance of the article and tn, EDITORS
views.
The editor of the American is an
ardent Mason, and Knight Templar
we believe. He is also, we believe, Il
members of the Methodist church. AMI
will be SO written down in his obituary
notice some day. Should this writer
be the longest liver he will, according,
to his custom, make note of the de
parture of his friend and contempt
rary, and among other things 1t will
ne stated that "the deceased was a
life long member of the Methods
church."
We confess to surprise and regret
when Il churchman, professional
believer in the Christ of the Bible.
should place any institution or organ
ization whatsoever above and III front
of the Christian church rs remedial
agent for the ills and evils of this
world, and particularly I'm or
ganization which, with its many rec
cgnized and undisputed cxccllcncies,
and its splendid teachings on the sub
Ject of brotherhood nevertheless does
not demand or require of its mem
bers n belief in Jesus Christ rs a quail
ification for membership. We are not
criticising the Masonic fraternity Its
friends, overenthusiastic some times,
claim more for it than the order it
self authorizes. 1t never intended to
supplant on oppose the Christian
churches. 1t was never claimed that
membership in the lodge conferred
the blessings of salvation or saved
those who Joined it. Some, not a few
perhaps have claimed that mem.
bership in the Masonic order was al
that is necessary to take one to Heav
en-, provided it's tenets were strict,
observed and lived up to. but this i.
Il perversion of the objects of the or
der, and of all benevolen: orders
What we are trying to say is. thai
the trouble with the world is tha
some thing else has been substitute,
for real Christianity. Brotherhood,
as preached by the benevolent socic
ties is good, beautiful and desirable
But brothers do not always sticl, TO-
gether. That's why we have knowl
edge of Friend that sticketh "closer'
than brother. World peace mean.
world brotherhood, but it is the broth
hood of the "Sons of God" CiviliZa
ton, education, courage, backbone.
II you please, law morality, none O
these, nor all of them combined. can
ever save soul or give real peace
and what cannot give an individual
soul peace and good will toward me,
cannot give nation peace nor kceI
1t at peace. There is one true, last
ing "brotherhood," that is with Jesu
Christ as the elder Brother" an,
tins kind of brotherhood alone vii
insure universal peace. 1t is the onl,
one which the world has not tried.