Page 168 - Cornelius Hedges Story

155 The Cornelius Hedges Story

At another time, be wrote of the ultimate goal of Masonry:
“After all, is not the only real, the highest purp­ ose for which

we can exist, one of so humble a nature that it is overlooked,
forgotten? That is the cultivation of a higher manhood, in the
loving service of God and humankind. To finish up the human
being to the highest point of mental and moral development,
seems to be the end of the Creator in framing the Universe, and
the course of his providential dealings. What higher aim can
we propose to ourselves than humbly imitate his plan, and co-
operate with him?”521

And he further expounded on this topic in the following passage:
“There must be left plenty of room and play for indiv­idual
activity and Charity, and not only so, but Masonry needs to
correct much of the very general notion entert­ained about its
work. Opening and closing lodges, and conferring degrees, is
nothing but dry, uninteresting and comparatively unimportant
preparation for work in subduing passions, ministering to the
sick, afflicted and destitute. Never think you have made a
Mason till you are sure that it has touched and entered the heart
as well as the tongue and head. We are taught that it is in the
heart that one is first prepared to be made a Mason. It is also the
finish­ing place, unless it miscarries altogether.”522

In the midst of a broiling political conflict in 1884, Cornelius
wrote these lines concerning the relationship of Masonry and politics:

“It is a great, good thing to have one asylum where to retire
and feel perfectly above political contention. We have no hard
words to say about politics. We have our political beliefs and
even prejudices, as strong as anyone, but we leave Masonry
better because political contention never enters her temple.
We love to greet in the lodge room those with whom we have
contend, most stoutly, outside. As Masonry was recognized as
stronger than sectional strife on the battlefield, so it ranges on
an entirely different plane from that where ordinary political
strife holds its carnival. Political conflict is only as a wind that
ripples the surface, sometimes rolling high waves, perhaps,
but never reaching the depths or stirr­ing the great body of the
ocean. Masonry is surely one of the centripetal forces of society,
keeping the elements from flying asunder. It pours oil on the
troubled waters, and teaches men that their common interests
are much the greatest and most numerous.”523