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Article TO THE MASONS OF ENGLAND. Page 1 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Masons Of England.
TO THE MASONS OF ENGLAND .
A WORD FOR THE ENTHUSIASTS . THERE is in the Order of Freemasons a class of men who have earned for themselves the name of " the enthusiasts . " I am enabled to ascertain the objects of these visionary men , from the yearnings of my own heart having been identified with them . I will , therefore , place my ideas and wishes before you , convinced that they will be found a fair specimen of the opinions of the so-called " enthusiasts ; " aspirations whichthough
, they may be deemed extravagant by the lukewarm professor of our mysteries , are none other than the founders of the Order had in view when , in tbe wisdom of their intellect and the goodness of their heart , they modelled the beautiful science of Freemasonry . I will first assume ( ancl this beautiful doctrine of Masonry is now becoming universally admitted ) that a man is responsible to no one but the Deity for his religious opinions . With the relation existing between him ancl his Maker , with
his mode of worship , and belief or disbelief of certain dogmas , we have no right to interfere to coerce the mind which God has created , aud from which he will himself demand an account . With the man ' s actions alone , as affecting others , have we to do ; and , in the great family of man , have a right to demand that as a member of that family he subscribe to certain laws , made for the mutual aid , support , and protection of each other . The first and greatest commandment is , that man love God with his whole heart and all the powers of his soul ; and the the second is like unto it , that he love his neighbour as himself . On these two commandments is reared the altar of Free masonry . Who
that is conversant with the Order will deny it ? Masonry leaves the first—as most fitting—between the creature and his Creator ; and for his guidance in the latter , has established a code of morality , so admirably suited to the grand object it has in view , that it is no wonder some attempt to trace it to the mouth of Jehovah , when , in the days of innocence , he walked with man . I glory in my name of " enthusiast ! " I glory that it has been my object , from the first moment of my initiation to carry out its beautiful precepts ! I glory that it has ever been my aim
to raise it from the low level of a convivial meeting , into which it has sunk , to its glorious mission of fraternizing man ! I know that by some my humble efforts are deemed Quixotic , by others unnecessary ; but so long as there is an abuse ( ancl God knows it is palpable enough ) , so long do I trust there will be an enthusiast found to combat it . however
ineffectually . I remember being told by a Mason—and a clever one toothat Masonry was a pleasant pastime ; and I am sorry to think such is the highest value nine-tenths of the Order set upon it . It is made the vehicle of passing a pleasant hour in agreeable company ; and forgotten , until time brings round the meeting hour again . Masonry thus prostituted is worse than child ' s play ; it is man wasting the precious hours of life in frivolity and nonsense ; for assuredlfrivolous ancl nonsensical
y are its ceremonies , unless the intention go hand-in-hand with their spirit and meaning . Masonry was instituted to make man upright in his integrity , ancl dignified in the control of his passions and evil inclinations . Its ceremonies are sacred , as conveying to him the lessons of his duty to himself and his fellow-man . Strip them of this intention and they are
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Masons Of England.
TO THE MASONS OF ENGLAND .
A WORD FOR THE ENTHUSIASTS . THERE is in the Order of Freemasons a class of men who have earned for themselves the name of " the enthusiasts . " I am enabled to ascertain the objects of these visionary men , from the yearnings of my own heart having been identified with them . I will , therefore , place my ideas and wishes before you , convinced that they will be found a fair specimen of the opinions of the so-called " enthusiasts ; " aspirations whichthough
, they may be deemed extravagant by the lukewarm professor of our mysteries , are none other than the founders of the Order had in view when , in tbe wisdom of their intellect and the goodness of their heart , they modelled the beautiful science of Freemasonry . I will first assume ( ancl this beautiful doctrine of Masonry is now becoming universally admitted ) that a man is responsible to no one but the Deity for his religious opinions . With the relation existing between him ancl his Maker , with
his mode of worship , and belief or disbelief of certain dogmas , we have no right to interfere to coerce the mind which God has created , aud from which he will himself demand an account . With the man ' s actions alone , as affecting others , have we to do ; and , in the great family of man , have a right to demand that as a member of that family he subscribe to certain laws , made for the mutual aid , support , and protection of each other . The first and greatest commandment is , that man love God with his whole heart and all the powers of his soul ; and the the second is like unto it , that he love his neighbour as himself . On these two commandments is reared the altar of Free masonry . Who
that is conversant with the Order will deny it ? Masonry leaves the first—as most fitting—between the creature and his Creator ; and for his guidance in the latter , has established a code of morality , so admirably suited to the grand object it has in view , that it is no wonder some attempt to trace it to the mouth of Jehovah , when , in the days of innocence , he walked with man . I glory in my name of " enthusiast ! " I glory that it has been my object , from the first moment of my initiation to carry out its beautiful precepts ! I glory that it has ever been my aim
to raise it from the low level of a convivial meeting , into which it has sunk , to its glorious mission of fraternizing man ! I know that by some my humble efforts are deemed Quixotic , by others unnecessary ; but so long as there is an abuse ( ancl God knows it is palpable enough ) , so long do I trust there will be an enthusiast found to combat it . however
ineffectually . I remember being told by a Mason—and a clever one toothat Masonry was a pleasant pastime ; and I am sorry to think such is the highest value nine-tenths of the Order set upon it . It is made the vehicle of passing a pleasant hour in agreeable company ; and forgotten , until time brings round the meeting hour again . Masonry thus prostituted is worse than child ' s play ; it is man wasting the precious hours of life in frivolity and nonsense ; for assuredlfrivolous ancl nonsensical
y are its ceremonies , unless the intention go hand-in-hand with their spirit and meaning . Masonry was instituted to make man upright in his integrity , ancl dignified in the control of his passions and evil inclinations . Its ceremonies are sacred , as conveying to him the lessons of his duty to himself and his fellow-man . Strip them of this intention and they are