The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-02-24

The gifted editor OF the Masonic
Voice Review. discussing the ever
pressing needs OF unity and courageous
action on the part OF Freemasons In
the present great strife. has this TO
say:
Never wxs there greater need 10
make manifest TO tho world the en-
lightsnment that the Masonic order
alone can give to cure the errors OF
the ignorant, to dssillusiontze the pow
sSrui and pernicious. Critical cntsid-
ers would exclude the craft from any
voice In vital questions Masonry's
voice should now be raised with no
fAitersng emphasis, its members must
rally TO the standards unfiinchfngly as
men. as patriots, as Humanitarian
in short. as Masons, tried. true and
fearless. We cannot AFFORD to DALI
by the way waiting the possibly far
distant hour of read5ustmsnt. We
have an enemy to fight and the issues
are clearly outlined. Masonry must
battle wrong wherever II In found. II
the world at large Ia in the grasp of
monster OF cruelty who should be
the champion OF the weak and OPP
pressed IL not Masonry We must
either condone the wtckedness and al
low murder TO progress unhindered or
present the battle front in sound and
valiant might and never retreat from
the standard established.
There In a good deal OF useless talk
about high ideals, but these do not
always At in dealing with subjects be-
yond the pale OF conviction. To palter
with the square and open question Is
treason. pure and simple. and to hold
wAvering middle course If danger
Gus compromise In to prostitute those
ideals In q commitment OF either cow
ardice or hypocrisy. The crime COM
mitted By the chief opponents from
the initial dsspoiling of Belgium ell
down the line of intrigue. deception
and frightfulneas cover cold-biooded
murder of the most ruthless kind
Geruany's course throughout the war
has been worthy the nsrcest barba-
rians OF the most uncivilized countries,
The Masonry of Germany has failed
TO condemn the bloody Teutonic course
of crimes in the name OF war and
such wholesale and wanton deeds
place the participation outside OF the
recognition OF humanity.
1t In little known that the admins
tration al Washington is directing
much Of It's attention to the potential
ties OF the fraternal orders in the
country. Nor do the people realize
that millions Of the country's best citi-
sens are organized with activities
apiendidiy projected through the fra
tsrnal bodies locking toward the win
ming Of the war. Masonry Ia one of
the larger units in this work, There
IN no force In the country not a part
OF the actual military establishment
that 10 doing more or that may be
depended upon to do more to sustain
the patriotic enterprises OF the people
in their purpose to stand behind our
government in the great affair that
now absorbs every lover OF the Stars
and Stripes. Masons are intensely pa
triotic. Their love of the freedoms of
thought and faction has in the past
brought them face to face with many
heroic sacrifices The order has never
yielded to principles, Persecution and
nor deferred their march. Truly no
other nation on earth is so closely
bound In the ties Of brotherhood as
America. and no nation or group of
nations can defeat us when united In
the bonds Of patriotic and fraternal
feaity.
The Order OF tho Enstarn Star In the
largest organization Of women in the
world. There are forty four chapters
in the state of Virginia. including nve
cn~peoie ga .Aie cay VI ItichthVuu. ouiy
MAsons' wives, daughters, widows.
mothers, sisters and legally adopted
are eligible to become MEM
bers.
Mrs. Fannie Brown Butcher, OF Bar
tom Heights. 10 worthy grand matron
of Virginia: III. E. Church, of Falls
Church. is worthy grand patron. y
Ruth chapter, No. 8, meets In
Masonic temple on the second Tues
day In each month at o'clock p. NJ.
Mrs. Lille HUH is Northy matron.
Arcme chapter, No. II, meets In
Masonic hall on Twenty-fifth street
the third Monday In each month at 3
o'clock p n. Miss Louise Beals 10
worthy matrcn. For the present. on
account of conservation 81 fuel tho