The Clergy And Masonry.

them , who would perjure their souls to eternal perdition in order to destroy us , shall have reaped their just reAvard , and received the punishment of their falsehoods and slanders . —The Gavel .

Masonic Liberty.

MASONIC LIBERTY .

The great principles of liberty and tolerance are peculiar to the institution of Masonry . The liberty cultivated by this fraternity underlies the foundation of all true governments which are based upon moral philosophy and equality .

Progress and improvements cannofc be enjoyed or realized without liberty . Where that kind of equality exists , founded upon this principle , Avho can do the most good , and not claim caste or heriditary descent , is Masonic liberty . Where it

is abi'idged and conscience circumscribed the one deprived is a slave . No real life , social , moral , domestic , intellectual or spiritual , can be enjoyed without liberty . We may have a nominal enjoyment in these several relations , but to be in a

condition to speak boldly our oAvn free thoughts is impossible . As slaves Ave must please our masters . If we are slaves to fashion we must

degrade our manhood and bow to all the follies of the king of fashions . If Ave allow ourselves to become slaves to the political chicanery of party leaders , our real citizenship is sunk out of sight , and we are led like the sheep to slaughter , Ave

become mere tools in the hands of these political mechanics , or animals to draw the political hack out of the mire as directed by the drivers- The liberty inculcated by Masonry is not of that grade which infringes upon or abridges the rights of

others . Masonic liberty never enters into the sacred citadel ot conscience Avith intolerance . Ifc elevates mind , pui'ifies thought , and makes us , in every Avay , better . The religious and political liberty incorporated

into the constitution of the government of the United States was borroAved from Masonry . The great principle was taught in the Masonic Lodge that men of various shades of faith could step npon a platform and treat each other as brothers .

This light and knowledge , learned from the lessons of Masonry , made an impression upon the minds of those Avho inaugurated the American government . And like the sun at high meridian , they formed a constitution with principles of liberty and toleration that stands alone as a model

Masonic Liberty.

for all the civilized nations of the globe . Humanity demands thafc the governmenfcs of the Avorld endorse fchis feature of liberty in their respective organic systems . If the constitutions and IaAvs of nations could oniy have the American system

of liberty incorporated into their superstructures , wars and bloody strife would soon cease from off the fair earth . Mystic Star .

Masonic Significance.

MASONIC SIGNIFICANCE .

Purity of thought , integrity of life , benignity ; of manner ; and , above all , sweet charity , are the beautiful garments Avith which every true Mason is clothed . Right angles , horizontals and perpendiculars

are standards in the estimation of Masons . Square , level and perpendicular—words full of meaning and instruction . They should be resorted to frequently , and applied with skill and discretion . Blue is the chosen colour of our ancient brethren

of the symyolic degrees . It symbolizes the elevation of our hearts to the Most High . It is the emblem of universal friendship and benevolence , and instructs us that in the mind of a Mason those

virtues should be as expansive as the blue arch of heaven , and as limitless as the bounds of the universe . To bind up the broken-hearted , to extricate the industrious from misfortune , to rescue the

helpless and the orphan from the prospects of Avant and ruin , fco comfort fche Avidow in affliction's hour , and to afford a peaceful home on earth to the aged aud deserving in the evening of their days , are objects worthy the regard of every Mason

who values the delight of others , and the honour of the Craft , or the approbation of God himself . Charity constitutes the highest divinity of human nature ; it elevates and refines ; it calms the storm of passion ; it causes men to regard each

other with kindness , and to view no one as a stranger whose joys we can heighten , wants supply , or SOITOAVS soothe . No distinction of rank Avill affect its operations ; it considers no object beneath its notice that can promote human

happiness . Where Avould be the boasted divinity of reason if employed only to promote narrow , selfish ways ? Where the glory of that knoAvledge which never of itself advised or comforted another ? and where the honour of that poAver which never prometed intelligent merit or Aviped a tear from the