Texas National Register. (Washington, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 33, Ed. 1, Thursday, July 24, 1845 Page: 4 of 8
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The.un4ersign:d committee appointed
y Washington lawigeD. J$ be$uve to
4toxn tbetr sincere thank's fortie very able
and dofveiit address delivered by you on the
STaV-ulu in commemoration of thewiuiversn-
iy of :6c Jolni the Evangelist and would
most respectfully request a copy for publication.
We are fraternally &c
Geo. V. Crawford
J. L. Farquiiak
J. V. Mann.
Washington Jan. 3d 1845.
"To Messrs. Crawford Farqulmr and Maun :
Gentlemen Your note of yesterday re-
questing a copy of an address delivered by
jnyself on the anuiversary of St John the
.Evangelist for publication is before me. I
herewith enclose and place the same at your
disposal. Accept tuy thanks for the very flut-
tering terms in which you have conveyed this
request and believe me as ever
Sincerely your friend and brother
tt W- K. SCURRY.
ADDRESS
Delivered before the Masonic fraternity on the
27th Dtc.y 1S45 in commemoration of the
anniversary of St. John the Evangelist by
W. R. ScuuRY Esq.
JLadics Gentlemen and
much esteemed Brothers:
To portray the beautiful and benevolent
principles of Masonry is the task which to-
day through your kind partiality 1 am called
upon to perforin. The subject is worthy of
the labors of the most exalted genius unci elo-
quence and I assure you 1 approach it with
that diffidence which is the offspring of con-
science incompetency. Young in years and
but recently admitted to those pure gentle
aud delightful relations attendant upon Ma-
sonic intercourse 1 approach the subject
with sensations of unusual embarrassment ;
and I here bcr leave to throw myself upon
your generosity and kind indulgence for the
imperfect manner in which I shall discbarge
the trust you have imposed upon me.
Useless and void of interest would be the
attempt to recount the various doubts and
speculations in regard to the origin of the
anliqueand sublime fabric of Masonry. Con-
jecture erratic and ever busy with her fan-
cies has ascribed to it an anle-deluvian date
a birth coevnl wvltU tl. binh-ufci cation. Her
language is "ever since symmetry began and
harmony has displayed her charms our order
has had being." Speculations of this charac-
ter claiming for the institution an origin too
jnemote for credibility are calculated to lose
the light of truth in the obscurity of fabulous
tradition. Ardent and enthusiastic friends
have suffered themselves often to wander far
into-! he uureveal'ed region of possibility for
.materials to build a miraculous origin and
thus done much to cast ridicule upon an insti-
tution -founded upon principles of the purest
morality ami the most exalted phila.Mhropy;
inculcating every noble and manly scurjment-
inspiring every generous and christian virtue.
The wisest antiquarian cannot wkh certain-
ly indicate when or where its being began
but time enough has elapsed to demonstrate
the wisdom of its creation the strength of its
principles the beauty of its practical philan-
thropy and the iraportaat benefits conferred
4ipon humanity throughout the world by the
exercise of its noble benevolence. Exacting
rom its votaries a total abstraction from all
political or religious revolutions it requires
xnly a belief in the one universal Lordof crea-
tion and the practice of all the generous.and
social virtue of our nature. The followers of
ail political and religious creeds from the iron
despotism of the Autocrat to the iatkudinous
and unchecked democracy of modern times ;
from the deluded worshippers of Jahomcd to
the Catholic bowing to the mandates of papal
authority aud the Protestant worshipping
God according to the dictates of his own con-
science ell rally around one common nfeer of
Masonry in tho cordial and fraternal inter-
change of offices of benevolence nnd philan-
thropy The virtuous and the good of every
clime every party nnd every religion are all
bound together in one harmonious and beauti-
ful chain by the firm cement of truth virtue
and love and all covered with the same man-
tle of charity.
Like the benevolence of Masonry its lan-
guage is also universal. Wherever we meet n
Jbrother whether amid polar snows or Afnc's
hunting sands ; among the Tartar hordes of
Asia or the more polished circles of European
refinement no matter what difference in our
languagemnnners and habits we can hail
him as a brother nnd in the symbolic language
of Masonry hold sweet converse awaking in
our minds pleasant memories of home nnd
absent friends nnd inspiring tho warmest re-
lations of brotherly love and confidence.
Mysterious symDoIe! Engraven as if upon the
tiinh dfby-gonengrsjn. eter-durinj chafne-
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ISSSrSSf
'-- - -Jvl - -A vtJ- mr fci3r'.l!i-i.W IfcCM?
ters; which ruthless time in his destructive
inarch over fallen empires and crumbling
monuments of Jitimnn greatness has left ever
bright aud unscathed I t Who can rend them ?
Who can comprehend their mysterious import?
To the Mason's eye alone ar.e the magic
characters intelligible; to the Mason's heart
alone do they convey a language deurer far
than the softest strains of sweetes-tjmusic
more fascinating than the "Grecian Poet's
lay" and more instructive than the pages of
classic lore. The tics that biud the Mason
to his brother are more indissoluble than the
cold and formal intercourse of society at large
can possibly create. Purely republican in its
principles in the Masonic commonwealth all
meet upon t(ie level of equality act upon the
square of virtue aud with the trowel of affec-
tion they spread the cement of brotherly love.
Within the sacred precincts of tho Lodge the
ephemeral distinctions of sosiety are discard-
ed beggary sheds its rays royalty is disrobed
f its ermine and all are brought to ihe plumb-
line of masonic excellence mcuaured bynhe
gage of rectitude and virtue and morality
mark their consequence among Mast ns.
Masonry it has been said passes' under two
denominations; operative and speculative.
"By the former we allude to a proper appli-
cation of the useful rules of Architecture
whencea structure derives figure strength and
heautyr aud whence result a due proportion
aud just correspondence in all its parts. By
the latter we learn to govern our passions act
upon the square keep a tongue of good report
maintain secrei-y and practice charily."
The distinguishing attribute of Masonry is
charity which ceases not upon the verge of
time "but extends beyond the grave nnd
through the boundless realms of eternity." ft
is the Mason's bounden duty and peculiar
privilege to minister to the wants of the unfor-
tunate and distressed; to soothe the sorrows
of the afllicted supply the pcunyles and
pour the oil of consolation upon the bruised
and wounded spirit. Wherever objects of
charity are to be found there also will be
found the faithful Mason with a sympathising
heart and open hand supplying the wants of
the moment and whispering hopes of happi
ness beyond the grave- There's is not the
sychophautic benevolence which seeks- only
the good opinion of society and needs its ap-
plause to urge them forward in the labor of
Jove aud mercy. Ihe charity of the kind
i heart and benevolent feeling is their's. They
) work in secret nnd seek a reward in the appro-
val of conscience impelled by a laudable
emulation in the exercise of those good and
penile deeds which it is ever their delight to
perform- The smiles of joy which illumine
the lip and the tears of gratitude which be-
dew the cheek of suffering humanity are the
bright jewels which begun the diadem and
shed a halo of imperishable lustre over the in-
stitution of Masonry. The obtrusive medi-
caut who- shamelessly vaunts his wants nnd
artfully studies to excite your sympathy is too
often the recipient of the misjudged charity of
the world while the quiet and un com plain in"
sufferer who shrinks from the vulvar naze
and seeks to cover his misfortune with the
blushing veil of sensibility goes hungry na
ked and penniless- it is the bounden duty of
all true Masons to search out the abodes of
penury and wantr to hush the widow's sigh
aud wipe the dew-drop from- the eye of the
orphan to shelter the homeless wanderer "to
feed the hungry and clothe the naked." And
the shameless apostate who shrinks from thi
duty is by the plainest precepts of the order
eondenied to merited infamy and contempt.
The white lambskin apron is the emblem of
innocence ;ind truth aud it shamefully belies
the wearer's heart if he practice not charity-
The Lenevolence of Masonry ceases not at
the mere uiinintrations to our sensual! wants
and temporal comforts. There is something
more ethereal and heave born than this. It is
the disposition to protect the good name of
our brother to draw a veil over his errors to
follow him along the pathway of life and
with a brother's love correct his follies and'
when he wanders fiom the path of duty to
draw him gently hack to virtue. In short that
universal benevolence of conduct and feeling
which regards with kindness aud affection the
whole human family is the charity of Free-
Masonry. "Here stands Benevolence whose large embraca
Unci rcu inscribed takes in the human rac.
She sees oncli narrow tie eneh private end
IndiynanU virtue's universal friend.
Scorn rng each frantic zealot hiot tool:
She stomps on Mason's breasts the golden rule.''
Objections have been urged against Mason-
rv on account of the secresy with which we
celebrate the mysteries of the order and the
exclusion of the softer sex from the commun-
ion of the society. Under the ancient regula-
tions of the fraternity the order was compos
ed of operative woikmen. Even in that rude
untutored age Masons manifested their wont-
ed gallantry in not requiring the ladies to par-
ticipate in the drudgeries of the craft. Thus
in the infancy of our institution was lovely
woman excluded from the communion of the
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society. Since that time the. attcieat land
marks of the order have beea preserved an
have defied all' efforts at MianVanW But
though excluded frana the labors of the frater
nity standing as she does before usr beavtifal
as a Per upon desert vaser lovely as the
dream of early affection timid as the startled
fawn h security j nnd in danger bold and
fearless as the honted Lion; cold indeed must
be the heart that yields her not the tribute of
devotion and bows not in stricken submis-
simi before the matchless ajety of beauty.
I every Mason's bosom is u shrine consecra-
ted to the blooming purity aud virtue of wo-
man; and while it is oar pleasing duty to wipe
away the tear of affliction and cheer the dis-
consolate heart Masonic chivalry is ever
prompt to shield her honor and to break a
lance in the cause of injured innocence aud
virtue.
Whilst Masonry was yet in its infancy
learning was confined to barefoot friars and
holy priests. There was no protection to in-
ventors and brute force trampled tinder foot
the most sacred rights and swayed with iron
rule the republic of letters as well as the politi-
cal and religious realms- The tribunals of
law and order were usurped by the mailed
hand and the battle axe. In those troublous
times the brotherhood banded together far
their own projection and the preservation; o
the secrets of their craft. From this rude and
imperfect beginning sprang tfie institution of
Masonry ; an institution at once the oldest ir
the world and embracing in its principles
more of the elements of moral suMimityr than
any save Christianity that has ever case the
shadow of its balmy wing over civilization.
For the reasons just referred to were secrets
and mysteries originally introduced into the
constitution of Masonry. Since that time the
spirit of the reformation has stalked abroad
over the land. Monastic cells aud popish
cloisters have been broken open and learning
dragged from its secret retreats into the open
blaze of day; and aided by the invention of
the" art of printing poured a flood of intellec-
tual light upon the minds of the people of the
dark ages. Inventors rights were patented by
law and learning and intelligence became
more generally diffused. Although this re-
moved many of the originnl causes for secresy
in the society there still remain secrets most
beneficial for the brotherhood; as well as mys
teries and ceremonies inculcating the purest
morality the most patriotic devotion to the
State impressing the invididual members with
their solemn duties towards God their neigh-
bors and themselvcs-
To do away wrtb these secrets and publish
them would be to destroy their efficacy.
Their influence would soon be lost in the vor-
tex of fashion frivolity and the world's dissi-
pation. Mankind in general as well as Ma-
sons are under obligations to society to prac-
tice charity and encourage the social virtues.
They are also commanded to observe the gol-
den rule "Do unto others as you would have
them do unto you." But with Masons the
obliga'tions to observe and obey these com-
mands are most solemn and binding. There
is not a jewel of the order not an ornament
of the Lodge-room not an implement of the
craft hut continually remind him of these ob-
ligations and convey to his mind rich lessons
beautiful morality aud virtue.
Upon former occaslon.at this place were
explained the import of some of the imple-
ments of the craft. It may not he amiss for
me to touch upon another branch of the same
subject and explain the ornaments af the
Lodge-room. They consist of the Mosaic
pavement the indented tessel and Hazing star-
The Mosaic paventcnt is a representation of
the ground floor of King Solomon's temple.
The indented tessel that beautiful border or
skirting which surrounded it and the blazing
star in the centre- is commemorative of the
istar which nppeared to guide the wise men of
the East to the place of our Savior s nativity.
The Mosah pavement is emblematic of human
life chequered with good and evil at one
(moment basking in the smiles of fortune and
rejoicing beneath the lustre of a cloudless sky;
.haviag for its object the subversion of the e
MHfug uuiuurities. i ime ana experience navt
hushed these'culuaiiiies to silence and the un-
initiated world have been taught Ihat with
these things Masonry interferes not. Its se-
crets are hurtful to no one and are iavaluabia
to the brotherhood. Through them the Ma-
son finds "iu tvvrj nation a friend in everj
clime a home."
It is n singular fact that in every govern-
ment in urope efforts have beeu made by
tyrants and despots la exterminate Masonry.
The bUterest persecutions have been visited
upo it. Even in that land of liberty that
great Republican sTtMily of the North in which
most of us first wake into existence upon
whose star-spangled bauner we have all so
fondly gazed and beneath whose Eagle our
hearts so proudly beat with the consciousness
that it watched over the destiny of the place
of our nativity aad waved
"O'er the land of tlw free ami the home of the braveJr
Even in that happy land the relentless luund
of ignorance sectarian bigotry and party
phreuzy have fulminated their anathemas
and levelled their envenomed shafts against
Free-Masonry. But armt-d as she is in tho
glorious panoply ol truth protected by the im-
perious shield of immortal virtue still proud-
ly lifting her persecuted head crowned with
pereunta verdure. the hath "defied the
whirlwind and outrode the storm." The
shafts of malevolence and the furious bolls of
party faction will continue to fail harmlessly
at her feet whil- in fancy we ken in the vislu
of the distant future her antique and time-honored
crest still looming in moral sublimity
over the "wreck of mutter aud the crush of
worlds."
Notwithstanding tyrants and despots in the
oJdr and ignorance and envy in the new world
have oppressed and persecuted the fraternity
of Free iVasons the society has numbered
among its members some of the purest men
and brightest liimiunriesibat have shone in the
bright g.daxy of genius. I need go no farther
than the land of onr nativity for examples.
Washington the hero and Franklin the sage
of the American Revolution were Masons
and lent the aid of their illustrious examples
and names to promote the cause of Free Ma-
sonry. In reply to the Grand Lodge of Mas-
sachusetts Washington deslared "that th
milder virtues of the heart were highly respect
ed by a society whose liberal principles ara
founded on the immutable laws of truth and
justice.' "To enlarge" said he "the sphere
of social happiness is worthy the benevolent
design of a Masonic institution and it is most
fervently to be wished that every member of
the fraternity r as well as those publieations
that discover tho principles which actuate
them may tend to convince mankind that
the great object of Masonry is to promote the
happiness of the human race." The great
the good Lafayette too was a Mason and an
ardent admirer of the institution j the much
loved deciple of Jesus whose memory we this
day celebrate was a patron of the order. To
go farther than this is unnecessary. If Ma-
sonry needcil a vindication names such as
these showld cause the voice of calumny to
cease its utterance and the slanderer of the
institution to hide his liead in shame.
Brethren; Before I conclude permit me
an inexperienced Brother just entering within
the portul.9 of the temple to address to you a
few words of kindly admonition. Strife bick-
ering and contention have occasionally unfor-
tunately overleaped the barriers which Ma-
sonic prudence has reared around us for our
protection. Let us to-day renew our obhga-j
tions one with another and firmly resolve to- r
"go and sin in like manner no more." In
future to aur intercourse let us be governed
by the much loved and beautiful precepts of
our order Exercise towards all mankind
friendship charity and good will ; but abova
all give full play to those kindly affections
those gentle and benevolent virtues which
you all know we are under the most solemn
promises to observe toward a worthy brother.
Let no feeling of envy hatred malice or ill-
will find a home within your bosoms or dis-
again struggling whh misfortunes a houseles's I tusb te cam tranquility of your minds. Suf-
hnmelcss wanderer an exile from the comforts.
of home and friends
" The dew on ur thin robes hanging heavy airtf chill.""
The beautiful border is an emblem of the
comforts and blessings which surrounds us
and which we hope to obtain by a firm reli-
ance on Dhine Providence hierogryphically
represented by the blazing star in the centre.
Secret societies were common among the
ancients. Even the isvnteu of Rome celebrat-
ed the mysteries of the Bona Dea with great
secresy. The Egyptian priests bad secret so-
cieties by the mysteries of which the initiated
were taught that the ancient worship was "to
the one only true and living God." All these
have passed away and are now numbered
among the things that were and are not.
Masonry is the- only institution of the kind
that has outlived the mutations of time.' At-
tempts have been made to identify it with the
secret political associations of the old world
fer not considerations of political zeal or sec
tarian bigotry to invade the sanctuary of Ma-
sonic love. In Masonry there are no sects
no parties. 'Faith in the promises of our
Grand Master who presides in that spiritual
temple "that house not made with hands
eternal in the Heavens" which is the Mason's
hope to reach through the exercise of heaven
born charity; is the religion of Masonry.
Her politics consist in a patriotic devotion to-
iler country and a firm determination to sus-
tain her in weal and in woe. Then let us all
units and by mutually supporting aad sustain
ingeach other amid all the chequered scene's
of life weave for ourselves joy's brightest
wreath which shall bloom perennial in tha
sunshiae of prosperity brave untadad the ruda
storms of ad versify; and refresh our senses
with itsYragrance when we enter the cold and
bitter waters of the Jordan of death.'
Brethren You are the living representatives
of an ancient an honorable frateraity Tims
1
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Texas National Register. (Washington, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 33, Ed. 1, Thursday, July 24, 1845, newspaper, July 24, 1845; Washington, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth80127/m1/4/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.