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Article PROVINCIAL. ← Page 19 of 24 →
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Provincial.
Christianity went hand in hand . Founded by wisdom more than human , possessing records which had existed during twenty-eight revolving centuries , and laying claim to an origin still more remote , this society belonged to no country , but embraced men of all countries , travelling from kingdom to kingdom and from shore to shore ; it cemented together and made of one soul thousands upon thousands of different climesiving to them all one heart and one hand—the heart of
benevo-, g lence and the hand of charity . To elucidate before strangers the character of an institution boasting of mystic secrets , was certainly a task of no ordinary difficulty ; his remarks , however , would relate chiefly to ' a principle which showed the genius of Masonry more than any otherthat spirit of philanthropy , of mutual love ancl affection , which constituted this fraternity a peculiar people among the nations of the earthmade one member a brother to another , nay more than a brother , "for
there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother . " It is an ancient maxim , in perfect unison with the text , that "friendship must be mutual , " ancl Masons of all men were ready to subscribe to this sentiment . Besides a good conscience and a good name , friendship was the best boon of heaven—it was the characteristic of the early disciples of the gospel , of whom it was said , " behold how these Christians love one another" but more especially was it evinced in the union which
sub-; sisted between the sainted patron of the Order and the Divine Redeemer . Masons called themselves by the endearing name of Brethren , they distinguished each other by tokens , and were easily led to regard one another with an affection superior even to the love of kindred ; theirs was not the common friendship of the world—not the summer friendship
which flies after prospez-ity , and leaves in the wintry blasts of adversity —it was founded on principle , not on passion . He did not intend to say much on the subject of active benevolence , although a remark or two mig ht not be without its use , at least to renew the generous feelings of his auditory . To do good was the principal virtue of the human mind ; and the doctrine of charity was distinctly recognised by this institution , whose members acknowledged their duty to instruct the
ignorant , to feed the hungry , to clothe the naked , to befriend the fatherless , the widow , and him that hath no helper . " It is moie blessed to give than to receive" was a maxim inculcated by our redeeming God , whose whole life was an excellent comment on the ennobling doctrine ; all his miracles were prompted by a benevolent intent . Independently of a glorious reward hereafter , the man of charity enjoys an immediate and delihtful satisfaction—for what sensations can be equally pleasurable
g with those ivhieh arise in a heart glowing with genuine philanthropy . These refined pursuits tend to heighten and improve our nature , and draw us nearer to our God ; they raise us to a resemblance to our Creator , and fit us to enjoy his presence . Charity has something so excellent in itself , its nature is so congenial to our best feelings , that wise and good men of all ages have made it their chief glory , and proved it their hihest happiness ; while a narrowmoroseand churlish
g , , temper has ever exposed the subject of it to general scorn . Christians as well as Masons , impelled by such motives , and with such advantages in view , possess a still further inducement to the cultivation of this benevolent principle , from its own singular nature ; for when we give our bread to the hungry , and drink to the thirsty , when we perforin all the generous offices of charity , we do it not to our Brethren only , not to frail , perishable flesh and blood , but to the God of Gods and Lord o ;
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
Christianity went hand in hand . Founded by wisdom more than human , possessing records which had existed during twenty-eight revolving centuries , and laying claim to an origin still more remote , this society belonged to no country , but embraced men of all countries , travelling from kingdom to kingdom and from shore to shore ; it cemented together and made of one soul thousands upon thousands of different climesiving to them all one heart and one hand—the heart of
benevo-, g lence and the hand of charity . To elucidate before strangers the character of an institution boasting of mystic secrets , was certainly a task of no ordinary difficulty ; his remarks , however , would relate chiefly to ' a principle which showed the genius of Masonry more than any otherthat spirit of philanthropy , of mutual love ancl affection , which constituted this fraternity a peculiar people among the nations of the earthmade one member a brother to another , nay more than a brother , "for
there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother . " It is an ancient maxim , in perfect unison with the text , that "friendship must be mutual , " ancl Masons of all men were ready to subscribe to this sentiment . Besides a good conscience and a good name , friendship was the best boon of heaven—it was the characteristic of the early disciples of the gospel , of whom it was said , " behold how these Christians love one another" but more especially was it evinced in the union which
sub-; sisted between the sainted patron of the Order and the Divine Redeemer . Masons called themselves by the endearing name of Brethren , they distinguished each other by tokens , and were easily led to regard one another with an affection superior even to the love of kindred ; theirs was not the common friendship of the world—not the summer friendship
which flies after prospez-ity , and leaves in the wintry blasts of adversity —it was founded on principle , not on passion . He did not intend to say much on the subject of active benevolence , although a remark or two mig ht not be without its use , at least to renew the generous feelings of his auditory . To do good was the principal virtue of the human mind ; and the doctrine of charity was distinctly recognised by this institution , whose members acknowledged their duty to instruct the
ignorant , to feed the hungry , to clothe the naked , to befriend the fatherless , the widow , and him that hath no helper . " It is moie blessed to give than to receive" was a maxim inculcated by our redeeming God , whose whole life was an excellent comment on the ennobling doctrine ; all his miracles were prompted by a benevolent intent . Independently of a glorious reward hereafter , the man of charity enjoys an immediate and delihtful satisfaction—for what sensations can be equally pleasurable
g with those ivhieh arise in a heart glowing with genuine philanthropy . These refined pursuits tend to heighten and improve our nature , and draw us nearer to our God ; they raise us to a resemblance to our Creator , and fit us to enjoy his presence . Charity has something so excellent in itself , its nature is so congenial to our best feelings , that wise and good men of all ages have made it their chief glory , and proved it their hihest happiness ; while a narrowmoroseand churlish
g , , temper has ever exposed the subject of it to general scorn . Christians as well as Masons , impelled by such motives , and with such advantages in view , possess a still further inducement to the cultivation of this benevolent principle , from its own singular nature ; for when we give our bread to the hungry , and drink to the thirsty , when we perforin all the generous offices of charity , we do it not to our Brethren only , not to frail , perishable flesh and blood , but to the God of Gods and Lord o ;