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Article ON THE BEAUTIES OF MASONRY. ← Page 2 of 5 →
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On The Beauties Of Masonry.
mighty soarings of gigantic minds—of holding up the feeble gleam of the rushlight to the dazzling splendour of the meridian sun ; it would be a vain , an egotistical attempt , to place my humble efforts with those of men who have held communion with etherialized spirits—who , wrapt in the profound reveries of the deep and the mysterious , have unfolded , with all the eloquence of inspired minds , more than is ever likely to be again revealed . The perusal of their ancient and sublime effusions
would consign my pretensions to oblivion , or sink me into utter insignificance and nothingness . These men have pictured Masonry in most vivid colours—have united and blended its mysteries by the profoundest wisdom , the strongest ties , the most beautiful designs . It was from them it burst forth upon the world with irresistible conviction , and stood , as it always will stand , whilst its colossal pillars . Faith , Hope , and Charity , are the basis of its foundation .
Neither is it my intention to dilate minutely on any particular points of Masonry ; these have also been , from time to time , so beautifully and energetically illustrated , that my sentiments can never approximate to the sublimity of ideas long formed and deeply engraved on Memory ' s tablet ; but I shall , in my own unfettered style , aided by the wild flights of an imagination which naturally wings itself to all that is attractive , endeavour to descant on the utility and beauty of Masonry—its
characteristic principles , and its lofty and soaring aspirations . Masonry is calculated to elevate the mind , and to enlarge the understanding . " It consists , " observes Dr . Oliver , " in critical investigations of human science , history , and religious truth , enlivened by the sweet influences of social converse and mutual communications of happiness . "
To the contemplative Brother , Masonry affords a rich theme for meditation . It directs to the pursuit of all that can adorn society—it places within our reach the respective duties of husband , father , brother , friend , and citizen ; it inspires love the most ardent , friendship the most sincere , benevolence the most universal . Every emotion , affection , sympathy and passion of the heart—the best affections , the noblest graces of the soul—the highest virtues of life are called into exercise . It inculcates the purest morality—its firmest and adamantine
foundation is a UNIVERSAL RELIGION—it inspires the most cheering hope , and it is crowned with bright-beaming love ( or charity ) in its most enlarged and significant sense . To the studious man , Masonry bears his thoughts to the towering heights of fancy . Soaring with eagle ' s gaze and eagle ' s flight , he ascends from the valley to the hill , from tbe hill to the mountain—from the mountain to the peak—from the peak to the cliff—from the cliff to the pinnacle , and still another acclivity dares him in the distance—onwards .
still onwards he ascends , till , at length , he reaches the apex of his laudable ambition , ancl the proudest altitude of his loftiest aspirations . Here he stands amazed , for he yet sees in perspective , towering heights ; but he pauses , as across his path he is met with the striking memento" Hither , hither , shalt thou go , and no further . " What an exalted position for that Brother who has dared to be thus exalted . There areperhaps in this assemblage of Brethrenwhom
, , I have now the honour of addressing , and scattered throughout the wide range of Masons in every part of the globe , and there has been in every age , many of the Brethren who have devoted years of anxious thought and deep inquiry into these sublime mysteries . We have seen them in the studious philosopher , as he saw the master-wheels of nature
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Beauties Of Masonry.
mighty soarings of gigantic minds—of holding up the feeble gleam of the rushlight to the dazzling splendour of the meridian sun ; it would be a vain , an egotistical attempt , to place my humble efforts with those of men who have held communion with etherialized spirits—who , wrapt in the profound reveries of the deep and the mysterious , have unfolded , with all the eloquence of inspired minds , more than is ever likely to be again revealed . The perusal of their ancient and sublime effusions
would consign my pretensions to oblivion , or sink me into utter insignificance and nothingness . These men have pictured Masonry in most vivid colours—have united and blended its mysteries by the profoundest wisdom , the strongest ties , the most beautiful designs . It was from them it burst forth upon the world with irresistible conviction , and stood , as it always will stand , whilst its colossal pillars . Faith , Hope , and Charity , are the basis of its foundation .
Neither is it my intention to dilate minutely on any particular points of Masonry ; these have also been , from time to time , so beautifully and energetically illustrated , that my sentiments can never approximate to the sublimity of ideas long formed and deeply engraved on Memory ' s tablet ; but I shall , in my own unfettered style , aided by the wild flights of an imagination which naturally wings itself to all that is attractive , endeavour to descant on the utility and beauty of Masonry—its
characteristic principles , and its lofty and soaring aspirations . Masonry is calculated to elevate the mind , and to enlarge the understanding . " It consists , " observes Dr . Oliver , " in critical investigations of human science , history , and religious truth , enlivened by the sweet influences of social converse and mutual communications of happiness . "
To the contemplative Brother , Masonry affords a rich theme for meditation . It directs to the pursuit of all that can adorn society—it places within our reach the respective duties of husband , father , brother , friend , and citizen ; it inspires love the most ardent , friendship the most sincere , benevolence the most universal . Every emotion , affection , sympathy and passion of the heart—the best affections , the noblest graces of the soul—the highest virtues of life are called into exercise . It inculcates the purest morality—its firmest and adamantine
foundation is a UNIVERSAL RELIGION—it inspires the most cheering hope , and it is crowned with bright-beaming love ( or charity ) in its most enlarged and significant sense . To the studious man , Masonry bears his thoughts to the towering heights of fancy . Soaring with eagle ' s gaze and eagle ' s flight , he ascends from the valley to the hill , from tbe hill to the mountain—from the mountain to the peak—from the peak to the cliff—from the cliff to the pinnacle , and still another acclivity dares him in the distance—onwards .
still onwards he ascends , till , at length , he reaches the apex of his laudable ambition , ancl the proudest altitude of his loftiest aspirations . Here he stands amazed , for he yet sees in perspective , towering heights ; but he pauses , as across his path he is met with the striking memento" Hither , hither , shalt thou go , and no further . " What an exalted position for that Brother who has dared to be thus exalted . There areperhaps in this assemblage of Brethrenwhom
, , I have now the honour of addressing , and scattered throughout the wide range of Masons in every part of the globe , and there has been in every age , many of the Brethren who have devoted years of anxious thought and deep inquiry into these sublime mysteries . We have seen them in the studious philosopher , as he saw the master-wheels of nature