Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 December 1881 — The Good in Freemasonry. [ARTICLE]

The Good in Freemasonry.

New York Tribune. The Rev. Robert Collyer preached last evening at the Church of the Messiah on “The Ancient Order of Freemasons* and their Mission to our Time.” His text was taken from 1 Kings, v. 17 and 18: “And the King commanded aud then brought great stones, costly stones and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the bouse. And Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders did hew them and the stones squares; so they prepared timber and stones to build the house.” Mr. Collyer spoke about the difference of opinion that existed among people in regard to the work of Freemasons'. A great many thought, be said, that the order was a great peril to the citizens in a n public, while others regarded it as a safeguard. Some thought that it had iu it a divine element, and others believed that its teachings . were infernal. According to the records of the order, it was established many centuries ago. Men bunded *•' -• 'her for freedom, and the result of ir association was seen in thegrea’ cathedrals and works of art in the <>id countries. Their great object wa.- o do their work most su- . tMji'reiv fejod. St. Paul’s Cathedral, in England, was the last great work constructed by the order-. The great central idea of Freemasonry still existed in the order. There was ue body who were so faithful to their brethern as the members of this order. They still worked for the noblest kind of freedom, and they joined together to perform the best work in the best-,pos-sible manner.