Year: 1868

masonry accomplishes, by contcmplat- ing isolated acts that occasionally reach the public ear. It is little deeds, per- formed constantly and steadily all over the country, that make up a history upon whose unsullied pages no mortal eye will ever look.

 There is another phase of masonic charity that deserves notice. It is sometimes displayed under circum- stances which would seem to render its exercise impossible, except to be- ings of higher order of intelligence than we are. It is sometimes exhibit ed amid difficulties that place masonry before the world an aspect of moral excellence that would appear to be scarcely attainable by any but those beyond the control of earthly passions, and who, in respect to that sublime command, Glove your enemies," have become god-like In their characters and natures. For instance, war rages between two hostile nations, and the armies of each meet upon the field of carnage and deadly strife. Cory Mars gazes Rthe scene and urges the com batants on to deeds of personal valor. Presently the note of the charge is heard ringing loud and clear above the din and confusion of battle; they rush together; they meet with terrible shock in mortal hate. Some poor wretch, wounded and disarmed, falls prostrate before his merciless enemy. The doomed victim now appeals to his enraged foe by the common in- stincts of humanity to spare his unpro- teeted life; but useless, because all the kinder feelings of the human heart are blunted and deadened by the thirst for blood. He next tries the power of the Christian religion; but, alasi Baptists and Methodists and Presbyterians have dissolved all connection, sundcred all the bonds of union, and the mild pre- ccpts of Christianity have ceased to wield any influence over the minds of men. At last, in the agony of distress and dispair, he cries out, 'I am ma- son" Instantly the enemy's counten- ance changes, the dark frown disap- pears from his brow-the deadly wea- pon drops to the ground-he grasps the hand of his fellow foe and embra- ces him with the affection of brother This is no fancy picture, but most beautiful and touching reality. Dur ing the late war that swept oytf us with such fearful destruction, it was the lot of your humble speaker to meet with those who owed their lives to the institution of Free Masonry. Such an occurrence as this is no matter of as- tonishment to masons; it is nothing more than would be naturally expect ed. Every brother here knows that that mason who would resist the ap- peal of distress is false at heart, an un- worthy member of the fraternity and deserves the soverest censure of all

  true men.

 Now what other institution in the world has ever furnished such sublime of charity, benevolencc and humanity. Examine the history of the church, and from the days of St. J ohm down to the present hour, it pre- sents but scene of turbulence and bloodshed. True, humanity is no longer disgraced by bloody persecu- ton, but there is war of bitter words between the different sects and be- tween members of the same denomi- nation that is greatly to be lamented. Do not understand mo to claim that our Order is superior to the church. compare it with other institutions merely to illustrate it's exalted charac- ter; but l do claim, that there is no among masons on account of opinion. Our Order takes the broad and liberal view that every man has the right to worship God accord ing to the dictates of his own con- science, to advocate what political creeds he deems best, and in case of war to attach himself to that party whose principles he sees proper to cs- pouse. In a word, it is designed not to inculcate political dogmas nor the ological doctrines, but to make men morally better-to polish the rough ashlar and prepare it for the Builders use in the great Celestial Lodge. It proselytes no man, nor esteems him on account of rank or condition. All, rich and poor, high and low, if found worthy may "seek and they shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto them" It courts not the favor of the prince, nor is deaf to the voice of the peasant. Its business is not in the halls of the proud, nor the palaces of the rich. It enters not the gay house of laughter nor visits the haunts of pleasure but with humility and love it seeks the grief-stricken mourner and pours out the oil of joy and the wine of consolation. It goes down deep to the dungeon dark and dank and bids the chained captive look up and hope. It throws open the prison door and of fcrs life and liberty to the oppressed victim of ruthless war. IL seeks the widows lonely cottage in the wilder ness and want flies from it's approach. It gives bread to the famished and light to the blind. And those upon the battle field amid the hurting mis- siles of death, the shrieks of the wounded and the groans of the dying, like an angel of mercy with weeping