Masonry.

After the completion of Solomon ' s temple , the workmen travelled into the surrounding countries to get work , and . consequently , the principles of Masonry spread with them , notwithstanding the strong opposition which they received ,

They were eminent and skilful Masons , and therefore were honoured by Kings and Princes , who in great numbers joined the Order , which gave them strength and more consequence among men . Masonry has survived all opposition , and is now universal over the world .

There is not in the wide world a religious people who equal the Masonic Order in the praise and veneration of the Creator of the Universe . His throne is called the Celestial Lodge above . The rituals and books of Masonry

are flooded with sublime expressions of His Great Name . It would not be absurd if a man who believes in God should call Him the Grand Master of the Universe , for such a being He certainly is .

But it may be asked here , What is the great foundation of Masonry ? It is the Bible—the Holy Bible ! It is before this Book , covered with the emblems of virtue and

righteousness , that the candidates kneels and promises to deal and live honestly and justly with all men , especially those who are of the household of faith .

But Masons have drawn from the archives of Nature much other light and instruction to guide the footsteps of men . The system of the world ' s construction is before all

men . Here are emblems and symbols of moral rectitude , of justice and equality among men , teaching human life with their moral principles .

But , though Masonry struggled through the dark ages with more light , the ignorance and superstition of men became an obstacle in its path , and nothing but divine favour seemed to encourage the first born society among

men . Even Christian people opposed it on the ground that it had signs and secrets . They said , "Why have secrets ? If it is a good thing , let us all have it . " The answer to all this is , they are not useful except to the

members of Lodges . They concern nobody else . They could not be understood or used by other people . They are private signs and words by which Masons express their wants and feelings to each other , who are bound to aid

and help their brethren when in trouble or affliction . The utility of such language is a commendable contrivance to do good . But it is proper to state here , that all Masonic

signs are nothing but three geometrical figures , as innocent now as when God first created them , being used without the help of a cosign or a tangent .

As to secrets in general , it may be said that it has taken the world many centuries to find out that nations and individuals cannot live safely without secrets . It is necessary for their decency and protection . Even Christian

denominations must have their secrets . Moses hid the Ark of the Covenant in his Tabernacle . It was hidden in many places in the holy land with great expense and difficulty ,

to keep it from the gaze of the people ; and Solomon at last hid it in the temple , where no eye could see it . Most religious people hold secret meetings , class meetings or conferences . So , too , in cases of sedition and rebellion in

governments , it is often necessary to maintain secrets and exclude the public from their deliberations , otherwise they might harbour enemies and spies in their midst . But the thief and burglar are hunting for your money ; if they can find it they will take it . It must be hidden . If we

were all honest and just , the devices of secrecy might be much neglected . Then men might live harmless , without fear or danger . A like objection was also made to the exclusiveness of

Masonic Lodges , for shutting their doors against intruders and the common people . But no mild , peaceful proceedings could be carried on in a promiscuous crowd , bound to no rules of order , and under no obligation to keep the peace . Their

deliberations would become tbe wild sport of a jeering multitude of men , women and children . The light of _ Freemasonry cannot shine upon the paths of the uninitiated . The Institution might be routed by any mob that chose to do so .

But we must not forget the characters of Ancient and Modern Freemasonry , which have ever worked together as one order of people . The organisation of each is the same .

-ancient Jbreemasonry was at first wholly operative , and consisted of the leading geniuses of architecture , whose lame increased to the hi ghest possible beauty and perfection of their work was attained . A lull was a consequence of their overaction and work . Their tools , which bad wrought them so much honour and fame , were

Masonry.

idolised by their respective occupants as possessing virtue and moral excellence . They were , if I may so sp ik , soon canonised and spiritualised by their owners . They seemed imbued with an intelligence of their own .

It was soon seen that mankind , too , were only rough ashlars , and needed the polishing use of the gavel and square . The compasses were to circumscribe the bounds in which a man ' s life might act . The square was an

instrument made use of to square their work ; but , on account of its wonderful accuracy , it became an emblem of justice and equity . A look upon it might startle the guilt of a sinner ! It suggested the righteousness of its own

work . A perpendicular and a plumb line were symbols of rectitude . They were straight , as a man should be , not crooked . They were self-balanced by their own steady gravitation . And the Lord said to Amos , " Behold I will

set a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel . " The level taught them that mankind walk on a level together , and that , however haughty or insolent a man may be , death stands behind to teach him that the beggar and the

king fall into a like condition at last , and that there is no pre-eminence in the grave . The trowel is an instrument made use of by Operative Masons to strengthen and beautify the walls of their dwellings , and is emblematical

of that holy cement which unites the members of Masonry in one common brotherhood , of people . It is thus that Masonry has made its tools teach morality to men . But the emblems and symbols of moral suasion in

Nature are not yet half perceived or explained to mankind . The study and philosophy of these are called Speculative Masonry . For instance , a true circle , which is a geometrical figure would be a beautiful emblem of a life well

spent . The boundary line of the circle points out the space in which a man ' s life may lawfully act . So two straight parallel lines near together would be a symbol of affinity and friendship between two individuals , because

they are in perfect harmony with each other . And , above all , the North Star is a beautiful emblem of constancy , for ever shining in the same latitude and longitude . It gives the four cardinal points of the compass to man , and has saved tbe lives of millions of people .

Bnt the moral tone and character of this great Institution is to he considered . We venture to say that the moral standard of this Order is not excelled by any other class of people . Their motto is " Friendship , brotherly love , relief and truth . " Their Masonic halls are dedicated to virtue .

The seven liberal arts and sciences and the four cardinal virtues—Temperance , Fortitude , Prudence and Justice , are added to their code of morals , which are to be blessed with Unity , Peace and Plenty . Benevolence and Charity

are their two great cardinal objects . In this mode of morality Masons have lived and prospered for many ages ; and it may be asked , What worthy member of their Order ever entered one of their Lodges needy and went out without help and relief ?

But , what is most marvellous in this Institution is , that men of different religions and political principles should meet together in perfect concord and harmony through life

without a schism or a contention ! Methodists , Baptists , Unitarians , Presbyterians , in fact , all orders of churchmen , blend together in one harmonious brotherhood , where no confusion or discord exists ! It is conceded that in these

modern times other secret societies have sprung up , who are bountiful with charity , and are lending a helping hand to the miserable and poor . God bless them . But they have not been tried and tested 2473 years ! Masonry

makes no claim to be a religious order . They forbid all religious discussions and controversies in a Lodge . They sing , pray and lecture , and invoke the Divine Guide in all their works . If they are not religious people , it will be difficult to find where they are .

But a new era is dawning upon the sons of men . Ever since the divine light of the great Shekinah shed its beams upon the walls of the Temple , a better system of life and hope has appeared to men . It is no matter what class of

men have blessed the world with their kindness and benevolence , if it has been done . The thanks of men are ready . It is a true saying that virtue rewards itself . This first class in the world may be the salvation of it at last ; and

here the seeds of the millennium day may spring up and cover the earth with a paradise of glory which is yet to come . Then , " Glory to God in the hi ghest , peace on earth and good will to men . " So mote it be . —Voice of Masonry .