Origin And Mission Of Freemasonry.

long drawn centuries , bind us to the earlier ages of our race especially to the noble men of those times , who , amid the darkness of pagan error and general depravity , retained glimmerings oi divine truth . But Masonry , though coming down to us through a religious channel , and riclily freighted with Scripture truth , does not pretend

to be Eeligion itself , or in any manner a substitute for Eeligion . It bas neither the regenerating power , the inspiration , the authority , or the consolation of true Religion . It does not pretend to change the heart , or to answer the questions ; " How shall man be just with God ? " " AVhat must I do to be saved ?" Masonry is , however , religious ; and has not inaptly been termed " P . eligion ' s handmaid , " as calculated to lead thereto . Its memorial ceremonies commemorate events recorded in the Bibleor such

, as are intimately connected therewith , and its lectures and lessons are mostly in Bible language . No man can be an apt teacher of Masonry , or rightly understand its history or philosophy , unless he be well read in the historical books of the bible ancl deeply imbued with their spirit . The open Bible is the Great Light of Masonry in all its degrees ; as teaching the whole duty of mini , as the guide to all truth , the object of pursuit in every degree iu Masonry , and

a sure direction to the Temple of Happiness . A firm belief iu God , as the Great Architect of the Universe and Supreme Ruler of the AA orlci , with an unwavering trust in His superintending providence and care in all times of peril and danger , are the Masonic articles of faith ; the primordial source of all its principles ; the ; very spring and foundation of all its virtues and teachings . In view of this , it has been well said by an able Masonic

writer , "that if , according to the revelation of the prophet , the Lord only requires of us to do justly , love mercy , and to walk humbly with God ; and if the Divine Founder of Christianit y placed the sum and substance of His religion in loving God and our neighbour , how consistent ivith these doctrines is the declaration of the Masonic Constitution , that ' piety towards God , the glorious Master Builder of the Universe , and love to mankind , are the two great and immutable pillars which support the fabric of Masonry . '"

The mission of Masonry is the same now as it ever was . Revolutions in empires , change or destruction of sceptres , the rise ancl fall of thrones or dynasties , the union or division of churches , sects , or parties , do not change the nature of man . He is the same sinburdened , sorrow-burdened , dependent being as when the Patriarch Job "delivered the poor and fatherless thafc cried , and caused the widow ' s heart to sing for joy . " "The poor shall never cease out of the land . " Sicknessdisasterand accident will continue to afflict

, , the bodies , and sorrow and bereavement- to pierce ancl rend the souls of all of Adam ' s race . Discordant passions will beget strife , the parent of a brood of evils which infest our sin-cursed earth . Tlie mission of Masonry is to relieve and lessen all these evils . " To do good to all men , especially to those who are of the household of faith "—our brethren . We are also to work ; not alone at our " usual avocations , " or

at what is technically called the work of Masonry ; but also to do the work of moral and responsible beings—the work of life . " To divest onr minds and consciences of all the vices and superfluities of life , " and "to serve God ancl our distressed worthy brethren ;" to write onr names on the hearts of our fellow men , in acts of kindness , love , charity , and mercy , that our influence and our memories may remain and flourish when our bodies are laid in the dust . That the blessings ofthe good among men , and the approving smiles of Heaven , may rest upon us ancl our Institution .

That much of this mission of Masonry is accomplished—worked out in the world—is known and acknowledged by those who are not Masons . It is far better known to those within the lodge , who are permitted to indulge their warm feelings of benevolence , and share in the "luxury of doing good , " whether by an appropriation from the funds of tlie loclge , or , when that has been exhausted , by a direct draft from the fountain of charity—a purse filled with coin warm from the heart ' s and hands of those who " do their alms in

secret , " knowing that " God who seeeth in secret , Himself shall reward them openly . " But as mankind are all creatures of sense and observation , and more effectually operated upon by whatever strikes their senses , than by many lessons and homilies ; as example also exerts a powerful influence for good , kindling a praiseworthy emulation to imitate and excel in noble and generous deeds , and as we have Bible authority for " provoking unto love and good works , " '

I will here , at the hazard of revealing Masonic secret ^ briefly refer to a few cases exemplifying Masonry working out her mission . A few years since , a few Masonic brethren went to a neighbouring town for the purpose of opening and constituting a new lodge . In passing along the street to the hotel were they were to stop , their attention was called to the proclamation of an auctioneer , that at one o ' clock of that day would be sold , at the house late of

, deceased , the whole of the household furniture , for the payment of rent . A curiosity , well understood by such as have been masters of lodges , accustomed to listen to tales of distress and

^ . — , want , prompted inquiry . The information obtained was , that had lately died , leaving a decrepid widow and two -daughters , whosi labour at dressmaking had for several years barely supported theii parents , and that the sickness and burial of their father had 3 C exhausted their means as to render it impossible to pay their rent They were now about to be left portionless and homeless , with the

alms-house in view , as the probable home of their mother for the approaching winter . A visit was paid to the ladies , and the information obtained , that among the papers of the deceased was a certificate of membership in a Masonic Lodge in Ireland . This , although not necessary to excite the compassion of the inquirer , made it his business and duty to act , and furnished the key to obtain immediate relief . The brethren were called togethera purse made upapd a brother

, , commissioned to attend the sale and purchase the goods for the daughters . The public , learning that the bidding was for the daughters , forbore to raise the price , so that the purse was not exhausted ; ancl the evening which had been looked to as one of clieerlessness , misery and want , without a bed whereon to rest , found them them in possession of all their goods , with a few dollars , as a capital upon ivhich to commence a small business , ancl ivith the consciousness that in the land of their adoption they had found

friends and protectors , drawn to them by the magnet of that certificate of brotherhood . Again—Look afc yonder old man as he walks along the streeta crutch on one side and a staff the other . See his bent body , his limping gait , his scarred countenance , his trembling , tottering frame If your benevolence is excited , stop him , ask him his name

and history , and listen to his tale . In his prime of life he enlisted in his country's service . He fought her battles , he carried her standard , and more than once raised it , with the stars and stripes floating , upon the battlements of a conquered enemy . His blood has often freely flowed . His shattered limbs badly surgeoned , and and wounds irritated by exposure , which neither time nor skill can now heal , with the effects of disease induced by climate , privation and hardship , have disabled him from exertion , left him dependant

and rendered life a burden . AVho has maintained ancl relieved him ? His country , in whose service he periled all and spent all ? She gave him a pittance of land and a niggardly pension , ofthe most of the value of which he was robbed by the sleek speculator and the extortionate moneylender . AVho then succoured him ? His commander , who carried off the glories of battles won by the exertion aud blood of the private soldieryand was borne by the suffrages of a grateful le

, peop to the highest post of civil honor in the world ? No ! "Who then has , for the past five years , ministered to the soldier's necessities , and by communion and kindness , as well as by funds , are cheering his loneliness and smoothing his pathway down to the tomb which he has nearly reached ? Ask him ! ancl if you are a brother , or if your tone and maimer satisfies him that your enquiries are prompted by feelingand not by curiosity ; that you have the germ of

, Masonry in your heart , only wanting the form of initiation to make you a brother , lie will answer : the Masons ! a band of brothers who not only meet iu tyled lodge , but who do their deeds of charity in secret , requiring no other recommendation than that the applicant is a worthy brother ; no other stimulant for action than his sorrow and need .

Another case—Before the construction of the Pennsylvania Railroad , when the mode of conveyance from Harrisburg AA est was by canal boat and the Portage Railroad , across the Allegheny mountains , a boat left Pittsburg for the East , crowded with passengers , mostly well dressed , and of the class called genteel . Among them were merchants from the South , and AVest , going to the Eastern cities to purchase goods ; Eastern men returning home , well pleased with their investments in AVestern lands and

mortgages , and one party on their wedding tour , via New York , Saratoga , Niagara , and the lakes , home . In one corner of the boat , on a side bench , lay a man apparently about 25 years of age , nearly at death ' s door with consumption . Weak and wan , he could with difficulty sit up during meals , while it was necessary to use the bench whereon he lay as a seat at table . His deep hollow cough and continued expectoration , added to his

almost dying look , were painful to listen to and have continually in view . At Johnstown he was placed in the cars , and crossed the Portage road to Hollidaysburg , where another boat was waiting , bound for Harrisburg . On reacing Hollidaysburg , the passengers rushed out of the cars , hurried to the boat , and inquired for the Captain , addressing him somewhat as follows : " AVe have come ou from the AVest , ancl desire to take passage on your boatbut ifc must he on this condition : that do nofc take

, you in the same boat a sick man now in the cars , whose presence has been so disagreeable to us since we left Pittsburg , that we had rather not go on to-day than to travel with him , AVe await your decision . " The Captain , who was resident of Harrisburg , and ftom the heart