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2
THE MASONIO JOURNAL
THE MASONIC JOURNAL
GREENSBORO, N. 0.
Thursday, Nov. 18, 1876
E, A. WILSON, Editor & Pioprietor.
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north of the T^alriot Otiice.
Our Foreman. Jlr. ,1. !1. FHI'ZHIl. is aiitlioriy,ell to
rMioireanil reio.iotfor Siilisoriptions in our alisoiicf.
Electioneering in the Lodges.
Freemasonry, in its pure essence, should
not cater to the vicious practices of the
outside world, as is the case in some of
the Lodges. The vile, unmasonic conduct
of electioneering for office cannot be too
severely 'condemned, and unless the
Grand Lodges put their veto upon it
there is no telling to what e.xtent the evil
may grow.
The free, intelligent oBo’oe of the fareth
ren present should be the governing prin
oiple of all Masonic elections, and the
member who will allow his unwarranted
ambition to lead him beyond the bounds
of Masdhic propriety to sdlicit his' own, op
another’s, official promotion, should be
promptly reported and cen.sured by his
Lodge.
This sj edies of self-promofiori too fre
quently chokes off moilest merit, to the
great injury of the Lodges auiMasonry at
large. How often is it the case that the
exclamation is flaunted in our face, “Look
at your officers; the worst men in town !”
And what can we say but quietly admit
the fact, and all because we allow • such
men to loiiby and electioneer themselves
into place and prominence. We want to
see the Grand and Subordinate Lodges
'come down on all such with the iron heel
of disapproval.
Summons.
indiscreet Masters, and for this reason we
think that it would be well for the law to
specify the circumstances of its use, and
then to exact a rigid enforcement of the
penalty of violation. In addition, let the
Masters seek to impress upon their mem
bers the important lesson, that while Ma
sonry is a grand school in which its mem
bers are to be educated to the highest
plane of moral purity, the door of the
Lodge should.be closely tiled against any
and all material of which there is any
doubt as to its fitness for our common
Temple.
■ These things all rightly attended to,
and the troubles will cease to exist.
her noble Grand Lodge will join us in
one emphatic NO ! Then, b'ufc one cer-
T.hanks-—To brother T. S. Parvin,
Secretary and P. G. M. of the Grand
Lodge of Iowa, for the Proceeding.? of that
Grand Body, held in Des Monies, Iowa.
June 1—3. We have not had the time
to give it a fair reading, but from what
we have seen of it inclines us to pronounce
it the most complete work of its kind we
have ever seen. Its statistical tables are
perfect, revealing untold labor in their
preparation. In addition to the large
amount of business record, it contains
beautiful engravings of Gratfd Master
Henry W. Rothert, and Past G. M. (1855)
Aylett Rains Cotton, together with copi
ous Biographical sketches ef them and al
so of P. G. M. Jno. F. Sanford, deo’d, and
P. J. G. W. (1870) and Chief Justice of
the State Wm. K, Miller. In his report,
on Foreign Correspondence, brother Hen
ry J. B. Cummings summarises North
Carolina's Proceedings, and in referring to
contributions to our Orphan Asylum by
Odd Fellows and others asks: “Wonder
if down there Odd Fellows would be per
mitted to assist in the burial of the dead
father of these orphans thus cared foran t
thus protected?’ (We answer the
good brother, Yes—Ed ) Healsomake.s
this hit at somebody : . “The Report oii
Foreign Oorre.spondence spins out to the
length of two lines, Tho Grand Lodge
di't not seem to care for expense and or
dered it printed with the Proceedings."
The whole makes a beautiful and valu
able book of 205 pages, for which we
again thank brother Parvin, and will look
into their “Law doings" when we have
more time.
The Orphan Asylum.
. It is alarming to note the number ar
rested by their Lodges for the grave of
fence of “Disregard-of Legal Summons,"
when it is one of the express conditions of
Masonry that its members shall make due
answer to all summons emanating from
the proper' authority It must be regard
ed as wearing Masonic obligations loosely
when they are disregarded with impunity
and the authority of the Lodge thus set
at defiance.
There should, and must be a change in
this serious particular. It will n-it do to
plead forgetfulness where the keeping of
30 solemn a pledge is at stake. The dis
regard of these legal claims involves a
laxity of morals totally at variance with
the spirit and obligations of Masonry, and
should be promptly and firmly oorrsoted.
True, this power is too often abused by
tainty i» open to us ; raise every penny
we can, and invest every penny we can
raise in a permanent endowmeet fund for
the support of the Asylum.
If the Grand Lodge will show a proper
appreciation of this scheme, concentrate
its means and set the good example, the
Fraternity and the people .at large will
ujipreciate and co-operate in tne under
taking and speedily bring it to a success
ful is.sue. In ibis connection we are in
formed of many noble men who hav/ ex
pressed a willingness to contribute largely
for this purpose, and by proper manage
ment ami rightly placing the matter be
fore the people it can be done within
another year.
Of course, we must not slacken our
efforts for voluntary contributions during
all this time, but coniinually keep the
pressing needs of the institution before
the public in such way as to bring forth
ihe substantial aid of all. Me feel that
our Grand Lodge will consider what is
best, --ind do it.
In copying paragraphs from our article
of last week, appealing fora .suitable
shaft over the grave of our venerated Gov.
Caswell, our valued cotempoiary, the
Wilmington Sii-r fitly adds ;
“The appeal is not merely to Masons ;
it addresses itself with force to all who
revere the memory of the illu.strious pa
triot A ponderou.o and gorgeous mau-
.^oleum is not required. Simplicity, the
rule of .-Richard .Caswell's life,., should
guide us in our choice of a fitting monu
ment to the first Governor of the Slate of
North Carolina under the Constitution."
We hope at the approaching session of
iho Grand Lodge to be able to inaugurate
,1.plan by which this praiseworthy uiider-
^ tking may be.suooessfiiHy consummated.
If the’e ever was an enterprise in which
the Grand Lodge of North Carolina
has a right to feel just, pride, it is in the
Oxford Orphan Asylum, an institution
out of which grows more of real comfort,
mental,, moral and physical, to the dear
little w'aifsthat are gathered up from, all
over the State and cared for there, anthof
real happine.ss to the thousands of friends
who .see in this Institution a mighty en
gine for good whose power can only be
limited by the means supplied for carry
ing on its great work.
This work has been pushed to a .success
ful issue, and demonsti ates the impossi
bility of a retreat or laxity in our efforts
to sustain it, and while individuals
churches and all benevolent societies have
nobly aideu it, as the inaugurator of the
institution, the Grand Lodge is pledged
to its perpetuity, and so long as the ban
ner of Chakity waves over the battle
ments of our Temple she will be true to
her self imposed trust.
But the main question is, how can this
j best be accomplished ? Is it safe to rely
; upon the voluntary and uncertain contri-
butionsof the people, with the number of
child ren constantly increasing at Oxford
and Mars Hill ? or shall we close those
friendly doors against any further impor
tunities from the helpless homeless or
phans of our State ? We think the Ma
sonic Fraternity of North Carolina, and
Among the imperative requests of a
candidate for Freemasonry, is one that he
should come of his free will and accord.
Masons cannot, therefore, be too cautious
how they act or speak before uninitiated
persons w’ho have expressed any desire of
entering the Order, lest this perfect free
dom of their w'ill be inl'rinted. Coercion
is entirely out of the question. Mercena
ry. or interested motives should b'e strenu-
ous.Iy discouraged, and no other induce
ment used than that silent persuasion
which arises from a candid exposition of
the beauties and excellencies of our insti
tution,—Golumbia {Pa.) Courant-.-
True Masonic Charity.
The Masonic Institution'is now, and
ever has been, a charitable one, in the
broadest sense, and most extended mean
ing ofthe word charily. At the very
threshold, in the first experience of the
initiate, as he beholds the beauties of Ma
sonry, is he imj'res,sive!y taught this great
virtue ; having indelibly fastened upon
his mind by means of Masonic symbolism.
His attention is directed toward , that
theological ladder which Jacob saw in his
vision, the p.incipal rounds of which are
Faith, Hope, and Charity, and is taught
that Charity, or Love, love unbounded,
unlimited, is the greatest of the three.
Though Faith may he lost in sight, Hope
end in fruition, yet does Charily extend
beyond the grave, into the boundless realms
of eternity.
To understand, therefore, in what Ma-
sonic Charity consists, and how it should
be received among Masons, is now our
purpose to define. It is, beyond doubt,
the chief of every social virtue; it em
braces not only love for the Great Creator,
but for every member of the human fami
I ly, no matter of what denomination, jnst
as God Himself dispenses His manifold
I blessings upoa'tbe w-hole creation.
The geuerosity of a liberal audlovinji
mind cannot be bounded by the limiUoi
the greatest nations, or the most extendei
empires ; for in whatever situation man.
kind may be placed, they are still in ^
grea^ measure the same, descended from
one dommon parent, and dependent on
the will of the same Father.
Thus it is, that to soothe the unhappj
by extending to them fraternal eympathy
in their misfortunes—to restore peace to
their agitated minds, comfort and con®,
lation to their wounded spirits, this is
the great end and aim of the Masonic In.
stitutioii.
We insist, therefore, that in order to
exercise this virtue, both as Masons,and
in our private life, properly, we should
forget every obligation but that oi afftc-
tion and love. Were we to do otherwise,
it would be to confound the greatest of
virtues with duty.
It is the feelings, the promptings of the
heart, that should direct the hand of Char
ity, and we should divest ourselves of
every I'eeiing, every idea of super,oritj
over our fellows, and estimate ourselves
as beings of the same rank—only inFo
doing can we be susceptible of those sen.
timents and feelings which true Charity
delightetli in. Only thus can we feel for
the woes and miseries of those “depressed
by the frowns of misfortune,” with true
and genuine sympathy.
How beautifully has “Pope” expressed
this Masonic virtue, in reference to itsin-
ward feeling for our fellow-men, in the
lines.—
“Teacli me to feel another’s woes,
And hide the faults I see;
That mercy I to others show,
That imrcy show to me.”
Charity is of divine origin ; it is oiieof
the first characteristics of our humanity,
inasmuch as it distinguishes iis from the
rest .gf. oreatipn, for , the. M.asop whose
bosom is closed against c,.mpassipn. ise
barbarian ; Charity, in its.true interpre
tation, is Love; Love for our brethret,'
brotherly afi'ecticii towards one arlother,
The true doctrine of Masonic Charity
is explained in Holy 'Writ ; “Lord, who
shall abide in thy Tabernacle ’ who shali
dwell in thy holy hill? He that walk'eth
uprightly, and walketh in righteousnese,
and Lpeaketh the truth in his heart.. .He
that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor
doeth ovil to his neighbor, nor taketh upa
reproach against his neighbor: ■ In whose
ey es an evil piersbtris'conteiliii'ed; he that
honoretii them tFat fear th'e Lord; he that
sweareth to his own hurt and changeth
not- He that purteth not out his motej
to usury, nor taketh reward against the in-
nooent. He that doeth these tliingsshai!
never he moved.”—Psalm xv. 1-5,
An eminent Masonic writerpys: “T-h'e
objects'of true Charity a're'merit and vir
tue in distress ; piersons vvh.o are incaps-
bit- of extricating themselves from misfor
tunes-which have ovei taken them in old
age; industrious men, from inevitable
accidents and acts of Providence,. rii'h
into ruin ; widows left survivors'of their
husbands, by whose labor they’snbsfsfeo;
orphans ir. tender years left naked to toe
world.” . ...
Such we hold to be true Masonic Chan
ty ; such one ofthe principal'tenets of our
fraternity, and such we trust, will everso
continue until earth shall have pMsea
away, and we realize that Charity, at the
hands of an All-powerful and All-merci
ful Creator, that we have shown in oj’’’
individual lives toward his earthly ohil-
dreii.— The /Square.
The history of Freemasonry is co-es-
tensive with the achievements of Chris
tian civilization. Its mottoes may ,
upon the escutcheon of all the'cwli^e
nations, in every part of the earth.
ever the existence of Almighty Cn
acknowledged, and where man is wilnA
to do justice to man, there Freemasonr
builds her temples, and there Bflaern®.’
the blessed altars of her faith.—Pw'®®
(Pa) Courant,