The broad ax., 1923-12-22

cepted as members. others JON the
Masons for political and financial
prestige they believe will bring 70
them. Still others join the organiza-
ton for its antiquity, being the oldest
organization known to man with the
possible exceptions OF the church,
Still others join because Of its teach
ings OF morality and true brotherhood
of man and then we have those who
join the fraternity to aid them III
work along charitable lines We have
some whose curiosity 10 know the
great secrets Of Masonry, that have
been additionally handed down for
ages, the mysteries OF its organization
the personnel OF the originators: cause
all who join TO live i'll the mystery;
TO delve in the musty libraries Of the
past for time and place OF its origin.
Masonic historians differ as TO its
origin, its birth place and the begin
ming of this wonderful organization.
Research soc cites have been formed
and they are searching every library
the world over, and are compiling their
work for future generations. During
the existence OF Masonry many laud
able deeds have been credited to it,
and some horrible accusations made
against them; whether true or false,
Masonry still thrives Outlines social
unrest enters the meetings, sharp prac-
tice IS sometimes resorted to BY diff
ferent combinations within its walls
sometimes it requires years to eradi-
cate the effects OF these combinations,
but right always prevails in the end,
and Masonry hourishes as time goes
on. Like our churches, government
and our nat ons, bad men are some
times elevated to positions OF trust and
prominence and then abuse that trust;
divide the organization for a while
but only for a short time and then the
bonds of friendship are more firmly
cemented thereby. How strange, an
organization where King, Prince and
the Beggar sit side by side in a Ma
sonic lodge room. Strange how one
mason can hear another in the still
watches Of the night and the cry Of
one will be responded to without a
murmur. How strange they know
each other in every country or cline,
on the battlefield. in legislative halls
or on a throne in the highways and
byways. on the open sea or in the
aeroplanes above the clouds. Outlines
Of different tongues and races, but
that feeling Of brotherhood exists be-
tween them. The reason, no man can
explain. Also how strange the organ
ization is patterned after a monarchial
form Of government yet its teachings
follow the doctrine Of republic. The
highest position in the order is within
reach of the humblest member. One
thing that the general public does not
understand, and is a stumbling block
Of the order, that is every man who
claims to be, is not a Mason.
Every man who decorates himself
with some Masonic jewel is not an
upright man and a Mason. Like many
professions and religious beliefs, at
times men get into the order who
have misled the society, in other words
Wolves in Sleeps Clothing. Some
who have taken the obligations to Be
goodg men and true, treat the obliga-
ton Nightly, and they reflect discredit
on ,tse grand old fraternity Masonry
should not be judged like the Negro
racer that because there is one bad
one, the whole race is bad and should
be lynched and burned at the stake.
A few members Of your church may
not be what they should, shall the en-
tire church be condemned for these
few? No, Clymer gives as the real
object of Masonry is to efface from
among men the prejudice Of caste, the
conventional distinction of color, ORR
gin, opinion, nationality and to ami
hilate fanaticism and superstition Ex
tirpate national discord and with it
extingush the hrebrand of war. Bind
ing the people Of all nations together
by the bonds of Science, Morality.
Virtue and Brotherly Love. AS one of
the Circuit Court Judges Of Cook
County said in his decision in Ma
sonic case before him. that no man or
set of men or nation can claim ex-
elusive right to Masonry. 1t has been
known SO long that it has become
Its teachings cannot be
patented or copyrighted. 1t has been
practiced SO long that it is universal.
A speculative art, built upon legends
and allegories that interest all races. a
secret? No, all there is in the Ma
sonic fraternity is contained in the
Holy Bible, which is read BY all ma
tons. Some say Masonry is a relig-
ious society, others say it is an atheist
some believe it protects
its members in wrong doing. To these
accusations we say that all Masons
believe in the Deity, the Fatherhood
OF God and the Brotherhood Of Man.
They don't condone crime in any