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most worshipful grand lodge - Louisiana State University

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36 SPECIAL COMMUNICATION OF THE GRAND LODGEI am not unmindful of the fact that the institution of Masonryhas its enemies who would destroy it; that these enemies aresleepless and vigilant. But it stands upon a rock and can not beshaken. As it is the oldest organization in the world, and forcenturies has stood the test, the judgment of the best of men in allages, and is to-day more firmly established in the hearts of menthan at any time in its long history, it would seem idle waste ofenergy to attempt to pull down and destroy this <strong>grand</strong> templededicated only to the best needs of humanity.Blot out the sun in the heavens, darken the moon, drive outall that is good from the face of the earth, while there is onehuman being to be benefited, Masonry will remain on the earth,a power and worker to complete its great mission.An institution that has had upon its rolls, and counted amongits supporters, a Wren, a Warren, a Franklin, a Putnam, a Lafayette, a Marshall, a Patrick Henry, a Clinton, a Jefferson, a Clay,a Madison, a Monroe, a Livingston, a Locke, a Wellington, aJackson, a Garfield, and a host of others too numerous to mention,can not be successfully assailed. Each one of the witnessesnamed herein will outweigh armies of such as would attempt tobatter down the walls behind which, for so many centuries,Masonry has been safely entrenched.One witness I may here introduce, for we know of him as theenemies of Masonry can not. He was one of us.It is a common saying that great occasions call forth greatmen. They rise when the needs demand them. If born amid thethroes of revolution, they became leaders and founders of government,Such men surprise us by their serenity amid storms anddangers; captivate us by their moderation, displayed amid theallurements of passion, or the tempting prizes of worldly glory.We realize they are men like ourselves, but of truer instincts,and more wisely constituted than we. We recognize inthem the serene intellect, the impassioned energy, the self-reliantspirit, the inspiring genius, guided by integrity, moderation* andpatriotism. These are they who write their names on the scrollof fame—•

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