Newspapers / Carolina sentinel. / July 1, 1826, edition 1 / Page 1
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sr. iwpiw 111 t. U:xxxxztM$ 31 i3T , ...v. . - "V v. -T ' -T ?S 1 PUB LIS HED WEEKLY, BIT. J At S3 per annum half payable in.adTance i a The Anniversary , of St. Jo.hn tlie Baptist, waf celebrated ih this plce. on the 24th A, L. 5820, by uie members of St. John's Lodge, No:g, . - c " A proces- sior; , was t irmed . at tne Loage j ana 3 fronj thence proceeded. to the Presby-: ..a tenan Church, 'wherejt he following ' oration x : J i wasJelivered by one of! the Brethren appoiniea ror mat purpose. . j -i n - IWorsh ful Master, Brethren and friends, In "the beginning,; Gcyd created the i 4nH ihA A-irth ami tha A&rfh tvai Iwithotg form, and void, Ij aind darkness Swas Utjri i the face of the fileep i and the Isnirit iif God moved unon the. waters, !and Gld said: Let there be light and know them to.be weak and puerilebut there vas light! or morjj emphatically it "may be well tonotice them slightly in fand irtantaneouslyGo said Ught passing ; ' fcomeJind light camei 4t a word from maiiy instances founded upon an honest I the Omnipotent Architeiitj the : Grand f prejudice but certainly in all cases,'upon fMastelif Creation, the Ailpha and Ome-ltbe most perfect ignorance of what we . n iiarna fnrth , I'imp . Yt . first hnrn nf itrnt in F.iprnisv ! The involving darkness fl?d to a m ftre congenial abode, and men ourst .rn.i tia vt- w tif cvonrlpt mar rhprnhl iti . ' . I tli .iirln( this fir tvnrlrlii with muriarl ' of iniiifr orbs, to illuminati thej Universe numbered,: amongst its most ardent and a.re unlovely arid ought not" to be prac .1' of Goii 4hen recoiled the -waves of a be- illustrious supporters, the best and great-! lced, by men, then they tna object tothe nightecl ocean back upon tfiemselves, and j est men that ever lived Inngs, heroes, principles ijf Masonry r; but n6t'ill then ! I from tie confusion of collected i . chaos. : statesmen, saees and the most pious pro-; But even hypocrisy, however we may came rtb, Order and (larmony, and Sirent.fi and Beauty Th'en arose those ! sublim pillars that sustairij and shalt sus- tain, a rorld, until the Everlasting Buil- dtr hip declare " that time snail tee Jonger f ' Then, then, m brethren btautedbs reien of MasbArv beear AVhen the sublime fabric, foerfect in all ' its part,i appeared id the astonished gaze I of Hea "en's observing ho4 is it' to be ) wond rfd that the mort:ing: stars sang j togetl tew and all the sons oy God shouted for joy Accustomed to ;their own ex-: isieni eandrgrioanV of Almighty de? si en, thy looked not for fullt her wonders but whi,' with iminortal ejljes, they view ed the Realms of space, arid beheld .the power T their Maker exercised" upon a new bolin Univeise, is it tofbe wondered,! th-it tti calmness tf delight broke Into, cstacy and that celestial joices sounded through:that Universe, celestial harmony?: Thufttiy' brethren, copnmericed .the. sublime dignity of our ord?rj and since tiiVn, Have all true Masofis, in humble uuitatirui of their divine blaster, endea- vouredjto Hppiy to the hert and mind, w hit huso vnndrfully perfected by the word tijlhis powr J '. Althjjuh Mas- ris, acknowledge king Solum -ii to have been heir greatest earUiiy fGrand Master. ; wlo reared the Iijy te nple, and upon -it$ completion, f 1000 JCits" biore the birtr of "our Lord, i assistedy the fova! architect of Tvre.'J I , and othi irs, held the first fimnd Lodge of I x ree anl accepted masons our ; auditors I - tnay beydsirtus to know why we keep, I not a day for himbut cornlmemorate the dys of jSt. John the" Evangelist and St. John th Baptist i It Is because there is abuiidatijt proof ' that they were 1 masons and thefpatrohs of Masonr under a new and mce beautiful Ordej 'and because he,Jwh6ermerabry; we tliisi day celebrate was " t5e voice of ont- cryjng in the wil . dernessS prepare ye the way of the Lord, make tils paths' straight7 that ; he may j sudden!? etime to his temple, and 'shed abroad the 'light of truth irtlth ir the heart ! ' A Iqg night . of. ignorajnee and error succeeded the. opening .of the fbrilltant day of ftime ' and ,r JV?asonty the veil of barbarisn gradually enveloped the mind, and thW' nations soon forgot their Crea tor jut stiir the Wor was with Goif and theword was dfod .'"-jdes'ined to il lumjnati those lst in darkjiess, when the templet)6uld be built in Jerusalem, and a wiserii; than Solomon ' srtDuld enter'into the HmI of All I AVheli a grand high Priest jsliould come.up' lile a lion ) from the sweings W'jrVdn, aii dissipate the gloumtat surrounded a Raiting , world ! ' He ciiei sawe 5ioh(juered-7-he sealed iejalhy:orthelijjhjt i nto theworl4 upon l he "$uJ mm t o f j Cal vary,. afid left to all masotjs the precious the precious, fegacy of love toward? God, good will to. man fanri charity as "exiensIrejBS Creation! 'wjth "the deligbt- fui h6jp.5,.threu?h T.fahh, 'ttf entering, at last, tht celestial with hands,l?ternal fn ,lhe H eavfens ! To !iis 4ew; light againl succeeded the reigri ;darkhess,hea and crUelty and for a irar, .nothmgwas heardJ iiUt the mingled howlsof rage and fear and ayage;'ande(piraijOTj Yet aimnantstill: was :lj;ft; and.altho!; . . 7:f i.- - -i-i. """ oaroatism. gaii.in her heart, and iury in Her fye, appjied the scoi'pion fang to . , ll----. ;.:- ; tKdse.; who adored tlp true light of this world though gorgeous pride hfted her tieacj rtd Heaven rand trampled on the votaries of. innocence thoa?h the! fire VblMedihdugh ild beasts : mangled the hirobs, vand thV cross reeked, f with She FbloVidbr tnartyr'd thousands,' notVing i'couIJ resst tb; Qf truth, -and the . sublhue 'mysteries of Masonrv. : more I ""vui lactuuuu, sun pvc with the progress or true religion tn the progress oi true religion 'world '1 r ? ';v ; ; -r :V r'-'y ' But, alas ! it still has its enemies, yet it is one of the principles one of the no blest'principles "of ; the ' order,-, to. extend Chatity to those who 'through ignorance ma v err f x It is sufficient to satiafv the mind ; of conscious :rectitude, that? he who 'attempts to censure what he, does not comprenenu, oniy ; aegraaes nimseii, and tne benevolent heart, will always ; ex tend chanty to the mistakes .of ignorant nrpsiimnimn r We may now, brethren, be-permitted to ask, what are some of the j objections y brought -against i the Institution ? Wei f floia mosi aear v .v ' it is a circumstance that must create : osiomsnmeni to me rencung mind, that an institution should be th snhiert of nni. ! ma'dversion. which nnmhprs. and has' mulgators of Divine "Revelation i Cler- g men. whose lives are, and have been devoted to the service of their Master, and Jhe regeneration of a guilty world ! hone of a blissful hereaften to a mere name ? Nay worse to be classed with' men, who, in many cases, fare represen-f ted as .vile and unprincipled ? Would a Washington, a Franklin, a Newton, a ; Howard, or a ililnor, cloud the proud ra diance of their namesR4 by .uniting with man whose deliberations were impious or immoral ?.w Friends that jsurrbund me, j'our. candid minds will I am satisfied, answer No! the belief fsrbnrMt to every argument of reason, to every . prin ciple of self estimation I ' u . 1 Is it not strange, brethren, that the ob jection most Jourily urged against us is, that our proceedings are a secret ? - We can ascribe to this puerile obiection but one cause rcuriosity ungratified .'Be- oaa nA m nopt rrt rktip copfofc to : thnec lilipoit v vu aw.. vr iuvy who do not seek them properly, we can not come to good ! We do not let the world obtain a knowledge of our privile ges, and therefore qur deeds are evil ! ; I need not urge to you, brethren, the fu tility qf such an objection, - but I may be suffered to ask the world," what society among men permits others tbanits mem-; her to assist tn its various s duties f But we have secrets, which is radically wrong! as if Masons alone had ? no authority to use means for detecting fraud or preven ting "imposition ! - BecauseS the curious, but unenlightened, know not our regula tions, they seem disposed to deny us the rights which all enjtiy ! rights sanctioned by the example ?f the virtuous and good of revolving ages ! no us it to oe supposed mat such men would -Wl 4,1 l" t'" sub uicuiajjuu iiiuuviiig-auj i y,,.. UUi v..Ur,, j the sacrifice those duties, which . have been : thPS gives the virtue , of our order an in- j we disdain to offer inducements, contrary . ii. ! their solace in a storm v world. andrtheir direct applause ! She is compelled to : to the sacred tent-ts of the crafts the pic- It has been observed against the orderlrwnen tne oeauties oi trutn naye oeen ex- that its eo il IIS gUWU uecwa, .. .. .... VJ - ft .-t r .AAf0 it r fari iiriuvi ill xnw I are confined to Masons :If this were true in the extent, again we have, the exam pleof the very world that condemns us ! But Masons must not have the same pri vilege. Thi chargel Kpwie ver, Is - only paitiaily true, for Masonry, Ihowever its precepts may; be neglected by its profes sors,' inculcates benevplence to all in dis tress, only more especiaily;a Jbrother J Let those then" who Teel disposed to con demn us, look ?Vthrough,the iworld, the world of whichf countless Masons have been the ornaments, and benefactors, and then VayJ if there are i no orphans clothed by our beneficence,' no tears assuaged by our cares ! " Yes, my brethren, numerous aief the living monuments of the7 excel lence of our institutions,' in every corner of the civilized earth, particularly where the glorious sun of Christianity lias dif fused the radiance Of his benignant rays.! These things: are done rwithout the wish of earthly i recompense, Except r the rich remuneration of an approving conscience. Again,;say our antagonists Many de bauched and wicked ; men are admitted into the Masonic OrdetV and tf the society were a moral compact, t)iis could not be the'ease ! Oh ! Jtnost jerilightened judg es 1 v Gh I. tnust unprejudiced j ury who without knowing aught of the tesriraony have sealed the verdict of our condemna tion r If some Masons - transgress the iawVorrlgbvernment will any refiVc- sting minu .meuw - .!' J .1 n ,ir.nid a jtutioq itself ? Will it j I X - ';X - emn a whole ' tUo. v. r - - isgmded ever imperfections may be discerned in anv ofits membprft. Afanrv mmiphan. ces no deviation from moral Tectitude, and holds In the deepest abfiortencerall that tends to debase the mind or vitiat the heart ! x-.x:1' . we are ready to allow alas ! thait should be so !--that iniiespitJdf ry effort, many ba'd'mert have Weri;?' Any bad men: still become Masons;. bu.wHat tnstftution,; even the most sacred whose hallowed shrine; we w6urd Wp4pe deceit IVnilffl tllnh tr lrtT " r ! 1 io ivaa onliralil would blush to jo'onyis' 'njirey free,r from the pollution 'ofVhypociisy ? ? What society of men", ''of watever1- na ture, can boldly 'stand up an4 say to Ma sonry" ! can, with perfea impunity, heave the first stone Th re is :- nonei no not one f -In.all, there aj those who are not sincere, in an mee are some wro only wear the external ;arb, wliile i within, T they are likea sepu ;hre, "full men's bones '? Such are hypocrites and notli ng more.' This has been the case alway -it always wil be the case, until the iihperieclions i lime suau uc iusi in Time the pUritv-vof eiern,iy dare not claim CACHUUU u,c Mies of man ! When our opponents cin say that tus- tice integrity, Denevoience ano virtue, de1 her, and our deepest testation cannot her wrong, has still some mer- u lhe deceit she may practice upon qur suoiime; mysteries : She admits the acknowledge the loveliness of what she imitates with outward show; and labours to seem what truly she can neveVbe I Does not thelpurity of Religion remain - " fraternity few ?--.Were the wicked lives bf men tfd foe ! the shrieks of rapine and the ; the foundation of the moral templeof Ma admittdjM the.bondsf of ciplesjihey proeh mankind 'f This is estalbbbmen!s might be exposed 6 ceo- - mery I what a niffht was this ? Pard wi that; sncred . principle" which softens the sure. We confidently ' aver thai what-1 theAxpression-i-amidst'the darkness of ! unbending mind, i and elevates the abject Untarnished, although hypocrisy may attempt to elucidate the excellence of the profane her altar and shall the beau- craft,, what shall le now say of that ex ties of Masonry, every principle and re-' cellence,' which resides in th--female bci gulation of which, is drawn-fom some som ? Will he be pardoned for , ventur im mortal design laid down In this sacred ing to approach that innate modesty volume shall' these beauties; be vitupe- ; which ever recoils from the promulgation rjated, because, in sjohie instances, bad of its own pratsfs? It is true the pur men have stolen into their sanctuary? , poses; of our border necessarily exclude fe As well might th sun be struck into males from a participation in its imnours original darkness, because, clouds some-. but from nature they possess itV virtues times obscure the brilliancy of bis rays ! in ah eminent degree ! For where shall As well might this fair globe, the mighty we seek : for softness of disposition and work of an almighty master, be comman purity of principle, if not in the female ded' back into chaos; because the trem- mind.? Who have exhibited nobler ex blings of a tempest have passed between amples of love, constancy, friendsliip and its pillars! i - j - . -' benevolence, than he soAer sex ? Who No, my brethren, in institutions ' the have displayed more heroic fortitude,'un- rmost excellent, there will be those who disgrace their avocation, and make those institutions a cover for tie greatest de- pravity I Our opposers soould show that when his native resolution should be struck Masonry gives a license td such conduct, down, by accumulated, distress? l Oh ! or that the order is bouird to obtaiacx- woman ! wofan ! nature raada thee to emotion from'the common; na ture of man !r temper man, we had been bruttt without One thing isj certain, that thej worst of thee arid never dost thou appear more men, whose hypocracy hts obtained their, lovely, than when warmed by native be admittance into the.mystfries of 'Mason- nevolence, thine eye -ry, iri the midst of af their .deyjations, ' , Like, the dewy star of evening, have still clung to one of bur fundamental j. Shines In tears.' f.. , v duties Cbaiity J -When all the other J tet.us'l all,L brethren, ofteW ak our virtuous feelings of the bosom have f fa hearts what is the foundation, the vital ded into the, air" when the reign of love foundation, upon which our suDerstruc- has. yielded to the dominion of hatred v - .... - . ' . uli . hen honourable courage has degene- rated into brutal ferocity for alas! such things happen even f mong Masons ! the recollection of Masonic benevolence, not in its confined anil selfish sense j' .but tnv its broadest and its noblest; attribute, has stayed the uplifud dagger and dash ed to earth the ruin of the poisoned bowl ! Death has shru nk aiast rom f t he am ulet of Masonry, and thejuniniliated haye re-. ceived safety underjthe ! shadow of - then Vmple ! ,,f for leds Ijlgthese, we 'de-V te'if impureT ! that : heavenly sensation serve reproaches, let ' therirpe showered which', beareth all things and which ho upon us, for they will Ipass by jus like the ' petrrall things! In shdrt, that Charity idle inds hich we; respect tiot Prior has so sweetly . ; One circumstancej I may Be permitted paraphrased in these lines :' ' .x 4 i to menuoii, amuHg; i,.uu..,u ..u wouia uiiuK tw one ai v.uiiauv.c sum ? Cientto cast all reproBcn irom us as a Dooy; ' A venerable -now rests irom brother Of ouroderr Who nai iaou5n canreacr or science can aenne ; hir lahntirfi dnrinu the 6i'vMl i"?" nis, laoours, , curing uie c T -tl -, . t - . Knwrno- w - disturbances of'o French Oirectbrv, when lawless viplenceY-ToTireary tortures and rejoice 4n firer wantoned on the'bosbm of the QCfatatpnd Or had I faith like that which Israel saw,' . our commerce was the prey of the himgryen f"V "f?" nd;law ; u" vc " f- " - , " a . .i - Yet gracious Charity , indulgent guest t Vultures Of the deep, was attacked in the vPr-'ftt thv nower exerted in nit breast. night rby a piratical corsalr: underthe Re' Thore speeches would send up unheeded pray'r publican dag, arid after a determined, re- - Thai scorn of life would be but wild despair ! sistanCeV was compelled to submit to sufrZ0 9hT f - . ri,r " ' u My faith were form, my eloquence mere noise ! penor rjower ! The enemy ran him pn r When constant and holy Hope shall die, board,' with the blobdyj flag, the. signal of. One lost in certainty; and one in joy ; - ' no' quarter, hailed i to-' the head of his Then thou, more happy power, fair Charity, m..ll . Tw -inrm rirl tliehillowA Triumphant sister! greatest of the three! . . mast I : The Storm raSed ' Tbie oiSceJ and thy3 nature still.the same, heaved their foamy CapstOWardS . Ilea- Lastinff th ,ampf and aocoqsnnied thy flame ! ven the tliuirder jrQI and, eyer and shall sund before he host of Heaven coafest, anob the red lightning ,i0:avfnl)4ea West I - x:.:- gleamed upon the sabres of an exaspera thy" Providences, we believe, thee to be ! tie God of mercV still !-- - - I Already the wounded wpre expecting waiting in awful silence, an untimely-fate I A raidsi the direst execrations the weapons of blood were'.rais'ed, and one' general massacre commanded in a voice' of thunder ! But there was a voice' on board wh'.ch check ed' that thunder, in its loudest peal ! He who had discarded almost tKe .semblance of humanity, obeyed;-the sacred imjule -the weapons ot carnage, were, toroorne and one Mason, saved a who e crew from indiscriminate slaughter ) VVhile.such,- 'brethren, are the eftrcts or our institution, let-the votaries of the' Inauisition threaten the torture and the 'sjake let the ; proud ones), of the earth let the tyrants of the eastern world' pour forth their anathemas blessed with the fortitude and mercy of - benevolence', satisfied -that purs is the labour of love, we shall have courage to sustain the shock, and uphold the excellence of Ma sonry," amidst the wreck or matter and the crush" of worlds !" Tlie Emblems of our Order, are, by some saluted With the sneers of illiberal sarcasm, as frivolous and Contemptible ; but were the use' of them explained as beautifully illustrative of thir moral sig nificance, it would feller the tongue of censure, and call forth the praises. ol the candid mind ! Foi the objeciions raised against us, this shall suffice ! ; r My hearers' generally must not con- elude for a moment, that this picture is exhibited for the unmasonic. purpose of ture is drawn from :us, byanimadversious which we do not metii, and reproaches which we i f which it is our duty to repef l What shall h Mason now sav, after an der the frowns of adversity, and amid the storms of trouble,' than those whom na-1 ture moulded to be the support of man, !: ture is so beautifully reared ! That foun- dation is Charity ! Not that cold inani- ! mate. Charity,' which presides entirely at home, and says to every distressed fellow creature'4 Come not near me, and con- j taminate me riot, for I am better than ( thou art !" -Not that lukewarm feeling, which can conveniently mount to the eye, without extending the hand to succour nor yet tjhat outward display; .which can coldly, censure," while it extends a misera ble oittance : But that fairer emanation of the heart, wnich. while judging 'of- the nuritv of othersi forgets not that it is it Did sweeter sounds adorn my flowing tongue, i han ever ntan pronounced, or angel sung ; ?rnaa i an knowledge numait ana divine, ! jI. - ' j J : - . - - i . i - ; v Such is the Charity. which .constitutes , heart ! I iu I Oh ! glorious flame, kindled at the al tar of Omnipotent " love ! Oh ! sacred privilege f enligntened minds f Oh ! n beauteous offspring of an Eternal Father ! j touch every heart with a living coal from thy fervent shrine, that each may experi ence the delight' which fliiwsrom the practice of thy daiies .'Fromthee pro-j ceed the sensations which teach the heart to feel another's sorrows ! By thy in flu l enc th hand of the cheerful bestower is held i out to succour , ,and protect : the w retcherii Thou promptest the heart to feel - and the arm to "defend, and in thy enjoyments the beneficent Soul obtains the only recompense desired I ... v How gtateful, brethren, .should man- i kind be to diving Wisdom, for giving them those passions upon which the, vir tues of Charity so delightfully operate ? And even upon the principle of self 'gra tification, how anxious should they be to Hrive sorrow from the hearts of the af flicted, and famine fiom the threshhold of the poor .'These reflections apply more 1 forcibly to all true Masons, than to the world in general, because their privileges v should induce them to more energetic ex- . (ertion ! ' - Lei us consider, then, that the eyes of the world. are upn us, already too wil ling to censure and condemn, and, there fore, let us be peculiarly careful to pre vent the introduction of any one into our privileges, whose conduct is likely to cast jhe shade of reproach upon the Order, and let us by alT possible circumstances, cause our ' Jiht so to shine before men, that they seeing our good works, may glorify our Grand Master, who is in Hea ven !" Let us reflect, that even at this season, whVn the ;nbes oi summer cloathn the landscape when beauty and harmmiy display jheir m st attractive charms when nature appears dressed in the smiles which delight the mind, and elevate the heart : Let us reflect, " Hw many feel, this very moment, death, Ajnd all the sad vaiiety of pam ! ' How many pine in want and dungeon glooms, Shut from the CQmmon air, and common use Of !heir own limbs ! How many drink the cup Of baieful grief ; or eat the bitter bread Of misery , bore pierced by cruel pang, .. How many sink inio the sordid hut Of cheerless poverty ! Hqw many stand Around the death bed of their dearest friends, And point the parting anguish.'" Manv an unsheltered head, at this mo merit, il abides the pelting of the pitiles9 storms' of life, and calls us to exertion ! Many an aged father many a widowed mother, stre'eh forth their palsied hands for succour I many a helpless being throwu parent f . - ess upon a cold, unfeeling, world, casts around the tearful eye, and appeals to our compassion 7 The war worn soldier, whose head is silvereu with the frosts of seventy winters-some of iherai winters of toil, of suffering andWstriJe in our behalf, and whose fading form bears honourable marks of courage and fidelity, looks for some recompense from the sons of patriotic sires 1 The sick,, the blind, and- the wretched in eyety shape that misery can wear, call loudly for our sym pathy ! ' r ' Upon these things all should reflect but it is more immediately our duty, our privilege. If we should duly consider the miseries of our fellow creatures, while we enjoy comparative felicity; " the con- scious heart of charity would warm, and her wide wish benevolence dilate:" 'These things are not only our duty, but . we -are urged to them by every motive , the t can influence even selfishness, and by every lie that f au sanctity humanity ! " WKile, therefore, we acknowledge that Masons are but men weak feeble men subject to till the fluctuations of human passion- and all ttie ' frailties that fl. sh is heir to,?? let us always, endeavour to deal upon the square, to keep our pas sions within compass, and act upon the level, in all our intercourse with mankind and each other ! These are powerful appeals, and how delight lul ' to our. minds it would be, if each of :uculd say ; with ancient Jab: ""Let me be weighed in an even balance that God may, know mine ; integrity I Was o.ot my soul grieved fof the 5poor ? Did I not 'grieve for him that was in trou ble ? When the tar ""bear d v me, then, it blessed me ; w hen the eye saw me, it gave witness to me ; because 1 delivered the poor that cried and him that had none to help him i lThe blessing of him that wag ready to perish cameopott me, ami I "caused the' widow's heart to sing for I" ' Should oiottves like these fail,' let u be influenced-by 'the soul cheering, hope of future reward I V Remember the words of that high driest who was Truth itself ' 1- was an hungered" and ye gave ,me ineaiT-A wai thirsty and ye gave a& J 4 1 X- 5 l I'i X - ir I'.. XX,
July 1, 1826, edition 1
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