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Article ON FREEMASONRY. ← Page 4 of 7 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry.
difficult to eradicate . The members of a Lodge , therefore , ought to be particularly on their guard that an unfavourable prejudice against the Craft be not created ; because , in such a case , every little deviation , which , under extraordinary circumstances , may he unavoidable , will be magnified into a serious fault . Ancl when transgressions , even though they be imaginary , are multiplied in the bosoms of those who ought to be most dear to every Free and Accepted Masonand whose happiness it
, is their duty to promote by every attention in their power ; an estrangement of heart may be occasioned , which will embitter domestic comfort , and produce misunderstandings and disagreements , for which the pleasures ancl enjoyments of Freemasonry will in vain be expected to compensate . Nothing can supply the loss of domestic comfort , which is the one great source of happiness which an all-wise Creator has provided for us
on earth . If , therefore , a fear of injuring the interests of Freemasonry fail to induce the observance of decorous hours in the conduct of a Lodge , let this consideration be superadded—let an attention to the comforts , and a respect for the prejudices of their families , prompt the Fraternity to avoid late sittings . It is a practice which answers no one good purpose—which secures no valuable end—which conveys no true gratification in the enjoyment , and embitters the reflections of the ensuing day . And beyond all this , it places in jeopardy those fireside comforts—those
domestic virtues , which the religion we profess , the Masonry we practice , and the reason with which the divinity has endowed us—alike concur in stimulating us to cultivate and adorn . To carry out all these points , and to bear'harmless the Order during the process , much depends on the knowledge and judgment of the Master ; and it is of such importance to the prosperity of Freemasonry that this officer be judiciously selected , that it behoves every candidate to consider well his capabilities for the office before his election . It
is not enough that he is au fait at the openings and closings of the several degrees , and well acquainted with all other routine ceremonies ; he ought also to be conversant with the history , the antiquity , and the philosophy of the Order ; and the tendency of its mysteries and pursuits to promote the practice of Christian morality , for on this knowledge will the success of his administration depend . In these days bodies of men meet together for other purposes than to hear the repeated recitation of
a series of common-place maxims , which soon lose their interest , ancl become as sounding brass and a-tinkling cymbal . Even an acquaintance with the traditions of Freemasonry is not without its utility . They lead to something of a higher character , and are intimately connected with its philosophy . The most minute legend , although abstractedly it may be considered trifling and unmeaning , is not without its use , and if traced to its elements , will be found to bear a relation to facts or doctrines connected with our best and dearest interests .
It appears to me , that in the revision of the lectures at the Union , a great omission occurs which it would be well to supply , and in the present taste for scientific lectures and investigations , nothing would tend to elevate the character of Freemasonry more than to afford an opportunity for its indulgence by furnishing the means of carrying out the references of the Order , by the introduction of a higher range of science . Freemasonry , to be completely successful , should take precedence in science , as it does in morals ami the exercise of heaven-born charity ; and there is no institution under the sun which equals it in the walks of
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry.
difficult to eradicate . The members of a Lodge , therefore , ought to be particularly on their guard that an unfavourable prejudice against the Craft be not created ; because , in such a case , every little deviation , which , under extraordinary circumstances , may he unavoidable , will be magnified into a serious fault . Ancl when transgressions , even though they be imaginary , are multiplied in the bosoms of those who ought to be most dear to every Free and Accepted Masonand whose happiness it
, is their duty to promote by every attention in their power ; an estrangement of heart may be occasioned , which will embitter domestic comfort , and produce misunderstandings and disagreements , for which the pleasures ancl enjoyments of Freemasonry will in vain be expected to compensate . Nothing can supply the loss of domestic comfort , which is the one great source of happiness which an all-wise Creator has provided for us
on earth . If , therefore , a fear of injuring the interests of Freemasonry fail to induce the observance of decorous hours in the conduct of a Lodge , let this consideration be superadded—let an attention to the comforts , and a respect for the prejudices of their families , prompt the Fraternity to avoid late sittings . It is a practice which answers no one good purpose—which secures no valuable end—which conveys no true gratification in the enjoyment , and embitters the reflections of the ensuing day . And beyond all this , it places in jeopardy those fireside comforts—those
domestic virtues , which the religion we profess , the Masonry we practice , and the reason with which the divinity has endowed us—alike concur in stimulating us to cultivate and adorn . To carry out all these points , and to bear'harmless the Order during the process , much depends on the knowledge and judgment of the Master ; and it is of such importance to the prosperity of Freemasonry that this officer be judiciously selected , that it behoves every candidate to consider well his capabilities for the office before his election . It
is not enough that he is au fait at the openings and closings of the several degrees , and well acquainted with all other routine ceremonies ; he ought also to be conversant with the history , the antiquity , and the philosophy of the Order ; and the tendency of its mysteries and pursuits to promote the practice of Christian morality , for on this knowledge will the success of his administration depend . In these days bodies of men meet together for other purposes than to hear the repeated recitation of
a series of common-place maxims , which soon lose their interest , ancl become as sounding brass and a-tinkling cymbal . Even an acquaintance with the traditions of Freemasonry is not without its utility . They lead to something of a higher character , and are intimately connected with its philosophy . The most minute legend , although abstractedly it may be considered trifling and unmeaning , is not without its use , and if traced to its elements , will be found to bear a relation to facts or doctrines connected with our best and dearest interests .
It appears to me , that in the revision of the lectures at the Union , a great omission occurs which it would be well to supply , and in the present taste for scientific lectures and investigations , nothing would tend to elevate the character of Freemasonry more than to afford an opportunity for its indulgence by furnishing the means of carrying out the references of the Order , by the introduction of a higher range of science . Freemasonry , to be completely successful , should take precedence in science , as it does in morals ami the exercise of heaven-born charity ; and there is no institution under the sun which equals it in the walks of