The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1925-11-12

on s0lid and enduring foundation,
reminds US that the institution of Ma
sonry can only be supported and main
tanned by adherence to the laws of
God and man; that should we forget
our faith and fail to practice the
tenets of our order, SO that Masonry
would fall into disrepute, then this
building would become shapeless
and unsightly mass, no longer worthy
of respect as a structure.
Recalls Progress of Masonry.
standing here today before this
audience / need not dwell upon the
origin of Masonry, nor recount its
history, nor relate its accomplish
ments. 1t is sufficient to say that of
all human institutions, Free Masonry
stands pre-eminent in greatness, pow
erful in influence, unique in the mis-
sion of its destiny. From earliest
antiquity Masonry has fioated down
the stream of time on the fragments
of empires and nations whose power
apparently knew no limits. Masonry
has ever participated in the develop
ment of civilization and has taught
that man is his brothers keeper, that
the injury of the individual is the
injury of all, and that the. service
of humanity is the service of God.
Kings and peasants, high and low, of
every nation and creed, have been
proud to participate in it's activities.
And what is it that has attracted it's
votaries? Masonry has always been
attractive because it taught something
definite. Pre-eminent as we know is
it's teaching of the existence of God
and the Immortality of the soul. 1t
does not attempt to formulate or en-
force a creed or dogma, nor promul-
gate theology, nor to take the place
of the church, but as has been well
said Masonry is the cultivation of
a life in tune with the Infinite, life
in harmony with the Divine
"Again Masonry is attractive be-
cause it teaches tolerance. "A new
commandment 1 give unto you, that
you love one another fell from Di-
vine lips two thousand years ago. The
Christian world has learned this COM
mandment but has never obeyed it.
Even today as we boast of the good
ness of our present civilization there
is need of tolerance. The Golden Rule
is familiar but is not practiced.
Masonry Ever a Builder.
masonry has ever been a builder.
Europe is dotted with magnificent
structures as monuments of the artis-
tic skill, patient industry and devout
piety of its members. Scattered over
this great country of ours are tenn
pies like the one we now occupy, al
so monuments to the industry, the
thought and the loyalty of its MEM
bers. But Masonry has always en-
deayored to build up the character of
its members. Having succeeded in
this, Masonry is like great temple,
that has been unaffected by the tenn
pest of war, the storms of persecution
or the winds of fanaticism and now
stands proudly erect in the sunshine
and clear light of heaven with not a
marble fractured, nor a pillar fallen.
May the sunshine of honor and re-
nown delight to linger and play about
its shining dome, and the ivy of filial
affection still continue to cling OF its
walls and mantle them with greenness
and verdure.
Then may we who occupy this tenn
pie continue to practice the virtues
OF our order ever remembering that
We are a part of the temple of Ma
sonry; that as this building is beau
tiful so may we help to make the
temple of Masonry respondent in
glory. Then will we make real the
vision of the poet when he said: