Newspapers / Masonic Journal (Greensboro, N.C.) / Dec. 9, 1875, edition 1 / Page 4
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'P'T Hi 'll >.^1 'p ■I'I v;r.|' lllip 'HnV ! ' ■# ,JI- fi' ^;|. I -i||; Hi -'ll 4P: , I ' 'bjti pi. 4, •! ‘11 ■ iiTIrii Mill' il Jll *-1 s r 1 j ;J| liipli; N- if* j '’i.'-'V/'" i THE MASONIC J 0 U li N A L . Masonic Material. We commetd the following excerpts from the able address of Charles Gris avoid, Grand Master of Minnesota, to our Masonic readers: “A few words with reference to making Masonry all that it is capable of being made to ourselves and toothers. He ha.s studied Masonry to but little purpose who does not know that its teaching.s are not only wholesome and beautiiul, but such as every man should follow in order that he may attain to his highest good and usefulness. No better code ol morals, no higher and more perfect stand ard of true manhood can anywhere be found than Masonry presents ; and that it has been, and is to-day, a great power for good, no one that is at ail famiiia'' with its history and present worKings will deny ; but it is also true that this power is but imperfectly developed and applied, and hence it comes that Mason ry falls far short of accomplishing for ourselves and the vvorld all that it is ca pable of doing. How mav this defect be remedied? It were folly to a.ttenipt a full answer to this question here; but we would invite attention to a few points: and, first look well to your material. It is not my purpose under this head to en large upon the importance of rejecting the vicious aud the vile, for, whatever mav be the practice, all are willing to concede that ‘ none should be admitted to our ranks who are not moral and upright be foie God, and of good repute before the world and that great good would result from a more thorough application cf this principle, no one will question ; but what we wish to say is that not all good men. so called, should be permitted to enter our Lodges. There are many persons in society of whom nothing bad can be said, and yet nothing very particular good. They are simply harmless—what we sometimes term‘good fellowsbut their goodnes.s is almost wholly negative in its oharacteristios; they never interfere with the rights and comforts of others, neither are they active in sustaining those rights. Such men may, in one sense, be harmless, and yet, in any society, are usually loads to carry, dead weigts that hinder the pro gress of the ship. We have too many of this kind already, and we should see well to it that their number is not increased Men 1 Men that are positive ! Men of ac tion ! Men of backbone! are what Ma sonry needs to day more than anything else. It is not enough that those who participate in our mysteries are such as will refrain from the commission of out rageous crimes, or from trampling, in their indecency, the most common rules of morality under foot; but they should he alive, earnest and active in their co operation in every good word and work. Committees of investigation can do no better work for the Fraternity than by presenting us with more men, and fewer ‘good fellows so called. Again, Masonry is highly symbolic in its teachings. “lie, then, who is fit to enter our Lodge ahould be a lover of symbolism ; but so many men very good in other respects, are utterly deficient at this point. Such should never be permitted to enter a Ma sonic Lodge : for that which to us is so beautiful is to them insipid and meaning less ; and when they come among us, ten chances to one if they do not turn away in disgust, and either relapse into indiffer ence, or eventually be found among our most active and bitter opposers. We ciight as well try to organize a successful choir out of persons who hav* neither taste nor voice for music, as to build up a successful Ledge o; t of those who are incapable pf appreciating symbolic teach- “Again, when candiib.tes knock at our doors for admission, iii.-^tilutc a thorough and careful inquiry in reference to their motives. Ascertain whetiier they come 'unbiased by friends, aud uiiiiifluenced by mercenary luotive.s," or wliether they have mistaken the Masonic Iristitutiou for a kind of trades union, ami wish to join because, as raercliauts, they w sli to sell a little more *>utter ,.ind cli-'ese, or a few more yards of calico ; or, as lawyers, to increase their praciicp; or, us polit.i cians to secure votes Learn, it possible, whether they are ‘prom[>ted to sohoit the piivilcges ofMasourv by a tavorabie op n ion conceived oi ilie institution, a desire for knowledge ami a siiicer -’ wisli oi be ing serviceable to their teliow creatures; or whether the;, come hoping to prostitute our Order to tlieir own seitish cuds and purposes. I wa.s reading not long since, of a certain man of intelligence, .i pbys. ciail bv profes.sioii, who had lound w i v in to the Lodge and attained to the res ponsibie position ol Senior Warden. \'v ne:- asked bv a Brother low h.-i liked Masoi. ry. he replied rial lie old riot think it (t very much account; be could not s.-e that his practice as apliysicuin had been eiilaiged any bv it. ‘But,’ replied the 111 other,‘did yon suppose because you joined the Lodge every member v. a,- obliged to get sick for your particular lienefit, or that Ma.sonry was intended to point you out as the only and proper one to be employed as a physician ?' Ttiis man is a fair ti-pe of many who come witb,aii utter mis.ionception of the high and holy aims of Masonry Let all sum be kept outside the Lodge, for if }ierdiit ted to enter they wi.i drag Masonry in the mud. and help to make it a hissing arnl a by-word. ■'Again, when good material is put in your hands, .see that it is not spoiled bv bungling workmen. It is often said and with much truth, that first impiressions are the most lasting Nowhere do we see this moie fully exemplified than in Ma .sonry. The impressions made upon the mind of the candidate, as from tinue to time he receives Masonic Light, will go with him through all his Ma.sonio life, and will do more to make him a good worker and a devoted Mason, or the op posite, than, perhaps, all other infinenoes combined. Masonry has a ritual, than which there are i.or.e more beautiful; and when proper.y rendered, it is capable of exerting a powerful influence, and m-ak ing deep impressions lor g--od Bat he does not render it properly who simply learns the words and is blind to the im portant thoughts they are intended to conwey, or who says his part in a huia- drum or a light flippant way. What every one should do, from the Steward to the Worshirful Master, ic to study his part well, until he has not only words hut ideas, and drinks in so deeply the spirit of every utterance that he can throw his whole soul into the work of the hour. But how often do ths workers in our Lodges go through with our ritual as though they wished to see how mean ingless they could make it; and if, per chance, any of its inherent beauties aud solemn truths do, in spite of the wretched rendering, make deep impressions and inspire noble resolves, at the close by the light and jocular manner in -which they refer to what has passed, they seem to try to dispel all serious impressions, and give the newly admitted brother to understand that what has just transpired is nothing more than a very fine play. “Again, how’ often have I sat by in mis ery while degrees were being conferred, because our ritual was really being mur dered by the bungling manner in which it was given, and when, afterwards, I learned that the candidate had not only [From the Diiltvin linterprisc.\ failed to see anything attractive but had Human Voice in Sina' gone away feeling that he had been the ; IhC MumaU V^mCC m Singing, victim of a huge sell, I did not wommi. j gpjgjj^g admit,s that it can neitk Frequpntlv from good material thus i g,.pare art-Ltio talent, nor snpplv tlieivaj- ...oiled is mTuited the va,st army of non : of it. but only furnish it with aids. Uitl affiliates. Brethren, see to it that your ‘hu -’holejnner nature of music, rn that whicu in itself is into a miserable work does not tor beautiiul and grant, farce.’’ Hotel BiHs of the Fast. H-veral years ago I arrived at a conn- tn- hoslelrv - .uatedin the neighboring low-i of riiinney. Staying a week or two I asked mv hiii wlien the time of my stay was at an end. “Weil, what do you think it is worth?’ .said mv landlonl. “Oh. I don’tkiiow'; you keep the hotel -what i.s tlie charge ’’ ■Well—come, let’s cralk.’’ So the bellows was taken from its nail, a.s ’vvas then so frequently the oiistim, e-aeh partv chalked what he thought il worth. Lojikiiig at tne figures, finally the land lord .sail! : ‘ Well, admit 20 cents for meals and 2U cents for lodging.’’ Wondering. 1 liaid him. Next year happening 'ii the same town, I stopped at the house ot a friend, arid meeting my “chalking" lamllord of the year preoions he said; “I did a wrong thing by you last year 1 ch.irged vou too much. You see 20 ,-ents a meal ain’t much, but then 3 times 20 is 60, tor meals and 20 is 80, and 7 I lines 80 is $5 60 a week ; and that’s an .iw-fiil sum.” —Tor, Boston Adverhser. Be Kind to the Poor. Ah, be kind to them ! Ye who have ’never felt the bitter pang.“ of hunger, who have never passed through the .dreary winter with ehaltering teeth and limbs palsied with cold, who have never prayed for the sweet forgetfulness of sleep, to shut out foi a brief season the frost whose iev breath struck a chill to your heart, ami who have never bftn a prey to the canker-worm of grief and misery, which all these sufferings entail, we jiray you, be kind to the jioor / Be kind to the poor. Earth has more .sorrow than the heat can contain, more of suffering than frail nature can bear. The widow, left to toil and struggle alone amid.st the desolation of bereavement ap peal» in tones rnoie eloquent than words for your sympathies and aid. The help- les.!! orphdn brought into the world and left alone by the relentless hand of death, claims your guardianship and protection. .-\.nd as you expect a continuance of the mercies and blessings of Heaven, so in this wise be merciful to others; then shall the gates of plenty and honor be open to you, and the pillow of peace kiss your eheek.—Dalton Enterprise. Ten Good Maxims. 1. I have gone into farming to make it pay. 2. This crop shall be good, but the next shall be better. 3. The soil shall be kept up, and, if possible, made better every year. 4. I shall endeavor to find a market for such crops as draw least upon the fer tility of the soil. 5. A proper rotation of crops is a matter of great importance to the pro gressive fai mer, 6. Useful knowledge is never dear at any cost, provided it is genuine; yet it need not be expensive. 7. An attractive home is one among the beat things a farmer can provide for bis children. 8. A mind well stored with practical knowledge is worth more to the young person just starling out in the world than a princely estate. 9. A small library of useful books at the farm house has saved many a young man irom becoming a prodig-al son, 10 The man, though "born of poor parents, if possessed of average capaci ties and perseveronce, has become rich. There is little excuse for an industrious, frugal, persevering and progressive far mer to remain poor,—Broyressive Aar- of thought or refleoticn have aiivtlinoii, :> do with it. “It is a reason aboverfatoii-'' i it is the revelation ol our inmost life i.ijj, '• most lender and refined process; ‘ ideal of the arts, it appeals diiect lootj consciousness Melody dwells deeply in human nature acd forms for itself a religious culture A celebrated writer and author retiiatt, “Let me write the songs for a nation aiii ' who sha'l make their laws ?” Giveplei,. tv of songs to a nation, and you will have very little use for laws and courts of j-j(. tire. Bad people have no songs, goo,] pieople have ; '.ind whei'ever we bearsoQg? wi- know that, there is no danger to beat prehended, nomal'cr in what portionof thealobe we may find ourselves. The mjst savage tribes ceiehrate thei, festivals with some kind of song, or rathe noise, as an expres.sion of tlieir devotion or joy ; and Tie more cultivated nation,, ot ancient times (the Greeks) cherishej music and song as 'he ethereal vehicleo; their poeti-y and regarded it as the chiei aid in the culture ot the soul. Mb® originally embraced the entire circle k science, as well as elegant arts compre- iiemiing ever) thing which was poelitallv CO sidered from the language and accots- plishineiils of “I’amassus,” throughal, the varieties and departmuits of '‘Heh lenic" learning, IlernieB (Greek) defines music to be thf general knowledge of order ; wbicli vu also the -loctrine of 'TTato,” vfio tatigh; that everything in the universe wasmiisic. Everytliing, spiritual oi ideal, requim a certain for m, which, in its material a. well as its structure, may be more or les pierfecl, but it wili ahvay.s have tosubmi; to those eternal laws to which all tha; lives is subject. Science has already done a great deal to assist the lormation of musical formsd art. Mathematics and physics have ei- tablislied the principal laws of tounl, riii.osophical inquiries have succeeded it. discovering the eternal and imprtgiiaUt laws of nature ujion which the mutualh- tluence of melody, haimony and rlu'thiL depend, and in thus giving to ccnipoii- tion fixed forms and laws which no otr ventures to question. Bui for the culture of the human voiii in singing, science has done hut very lit tle as yet. Science can do but little lot the improvement of singing, and noihiiif for the culture and preservation of th voice in singing. In thorough bass,ki- mony and composition, science has it >i. to do. In singing we employ three differeii: agents in order to produce a desirableri- sult; viz ; • 1st. In the physiogical view of tiii vocal art, we have to deal with thequsi' ily and strength of the organ of sing® in t.he art of uttering sounds ami undw the variations ot sounds that take pte in certain tones, the register ot beh{ tran.snendent. 3nd. The physical side comjirebe®' the correct conduct and control or tin air llowiiig in vibrations of sounds frot the flings through the trachea, and tm positiou of the difi'ereul glands and part* of the mouth, which serves, as it ie, m • sounding board to the voice. 3d. The aesthet.c of vocal art, andlh spiritual inspiiation ot the sound cOB' prise the whole domain of music andpt' etic as well as artistic beauty. Time, and the limited apace of »n*’“ paper, particularly in a weekly,wher'H much has to be crowded in one issue, w bids my going turther with this interef.’ ing subject; but I may at some 1"®’ time endeavor to furnish another ad®' in condensed form with the hope efbe"*' fitting some one. HeNRT ScllOEI.I'liEj Musical Direutor Dalton Female OoleS- If you want to rent a house, Want a situation. Want to hire a nurse. Want to attract customers, W'antto make your business know . Want to offer bargains, W'antto buy or sell a horse, Want to buy or sell land, Want to get work, 'Want work done, Advertise in the Masonic Joi'B-
Masonic Journal (Greensboro, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Dec. 9, 1875, edition 1
4
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