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Article THE ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED RITE. ← Page 8 of 9 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Ancient And Accepted Rite.
expected to make some allusion to tlie position in which I stand , as having recently been admitted a member of the Hi gher Grades , as they are called , of Masonry ; and I do so with the greater earnestness , because I know an impression is abroad that there is an intention , in the resuscitation of those Degrees in England , to place them in antagonism to the Grand Lodge of England . If it Avere so—if it
, coulcl be so , —I unhesitatingly avow that I woulcl never have taken a single step beyond the Boyal Arch degree , and never have sought to learn the mysteries of the Ancient and Accepted Bite . I know nothing of antagonism in Masonry , and never will know any . I believe its principles to be founded upon the imperishable basis of " Brotherly Love , Belief , and Truth ; " and whatever be the degree ,
or whatever the rank , to which any one may attain in Masonry , if he build not undeviatingly and perseveringly upon that basis , I hold that he is nofc entitled to the designation of " a true and worth y Brother amongst us . " I unhesitatingly assert that I am in my heart and soul a Craft Mason , and one , AA'ho deeply values that door of entrance , by which alone I am amongst my Brethren present on this
occasion ^ If anything could injure the universalit y of that—the first and original foundation of the Order—I would shrink from it with dismay , and be the first to put my feeble powers of mind and body into exercise to prevent so unhallowed a catastrophe . But as I could not be here had I not been regularly initiated , passed , and raised in a Craft Lodge , ancl afterwards exalted in a Eoyal Arch Chapter , you
Avill be the last persons in the world to consider these observations either obtrusive or ill placed , inasmuch as your O . B . ' s compel you to admit and agree to them . I find Brethren in the Hi gher Grades , who have done suit and service to the cause of Craft Masonry , — -Brethren who love it as dearly as I love it myself ; and I have yet to learn—should I ever learn it , you will never see me here again—that there is anything in what are termed the Hiher Degrees incompatible with
g my adhesion to a Master Mason ' s Lodge , or with my fidelity as a Craftsman to the high and ennobling principles , to Avhich the three first degrees are the regular and onl y acknowledged steps . I take Charity , in its broadest extent , to be the rock and bulwark of each and every degree of our Order—not mere almsgiving to our noble Institutions ; that is but one , and far from being the only , or the most important duty
Aye have to fulfil—but " Brotherl y Love , " which not only " doeth , " but " thinketh , no ill to his neighbour . " This is the definition of Charity , which I have been taught by the Volume of the Sacred Law to revere , and of which Masonry is intended to be a practical fulfilment and a positive verification , conferring " Peace on earth , goodwill towards men ; " and whilst I have a hand to Avrite , a pen to wield , and
a voice to speak , this is the principle for which I Avill alone contend , —this the only imperishable A'irtue which I Avill labour to extend . I trust I may be pardoned for detaining you at some length ; but I am sure I shall be excused for doing so , when I say that I have felt it to be an imperative duty to say thus much , on the first occasion of my being present at the meeting of the High Grades Union , that Ave may VOL . II . T
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Ancient And Accepted Rite.
expected to make some allusion to tlie position in which I stand , as having recently been admitted a member of the Hi gher Grades , as they are called , of Masonry ; and I do so with the greater earnestness , because I know an impression is abroad that there is an intention , in the resuscitation of those Degrees in England , to place them in antagonism to the Grand Lodge of England . If it Avere so—if it
, coulcl be so , —I unhesitatingly avow that I woulcl never have taken a single step beyond the Boyal Arch degree , and never have sought to learn the mysteries of the Ancient and Accepted Bite . I know nothing of antagonism in Masonry , and never will know any . I believe its principles to be founded upon the imperishable basis of " Brotherly Love , Belief , and Truth ; " and whatever be the degree ,
or whatever the rank , to which any one may attain in Masonry , if he build not undeviatingly and perseveringly upon that basis , I hold that he is nofc entitled to the designation of " a true and worth y Brother amongst us . " I unhesitatingly assert that I am in my heart and soul a Craft Mason , and one , AA'ho deeply values that door of entrance , by which alone I am amongst my Brethren present on this
occasion ^ If anything could injure the universalit y of that—the first and original foundation of the Order—I would shrink from it with dismay , and be the first to put my feeble powers of mind and body into exercise to prevent so unhallowed a catastrophe . But as I could not be here had I not been regularly initiated , passed , and raised in a Craft Lodge , ancl afterwards exalted in a Eoyal Arch Chapter , you
Avill be the last persons in the world to consider these observations either obtrusive or ill placed , inasmuch as your O . B . ' s compel you to admit and agree to them . I find Brethren in the Hi gher Grades , who have done suit and service to the cause of Craft Masonry , — -Brethren who love it as dearly as I love it myself ; and I have yet to learn—should I ever learn it , you will never see me here again—that there is anything in what are termed the Hiher Degrees incompatible with
g my adhesion to a Master Mason ' s Lodge , or with my fidelity as a Craftsman to the high and ennobling principles , to Avhich the three first degrees are the regular and onl y acknowledged steps . I take Charity , in its broadest extent , to be the rock and bulwark of each and every degree of our Order—not mere almsgiving to our noble Institutions ; that is but one , and far from being the only , or the most important duty
Aye have to fulfil—but " Brotherl y Love , " which not only " doeth , " but " thinketh , no ill to his neighbour . " This is the definition of Charity , which I have been taught by the Volume of the Sacred Law to revere , and of which Masonry is intended to be a practical fulfilment and a positive verification , conferring " Peace on earth , goodwill towards men ; " and whilst I have a hand to Avrite , a pen to wield , and
a voice to speak , this is the principle for which I Avill alone contend , —this the only imperishable A'irtue which I Avill labour to extend . I trust I may be pardoned for detaining you at some length ; but I am sure I shall be excused for doing so , when I say that I have felt it to be an imperative duty to say thus much , on the first occasion of my being present at the meeting of the High Grades Union , that Ave may VOL . II . T