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On Freemasonry. Evidences, Doctrines, And Traditions.
are so abstruse and comprehensive , as to exceed the compass of man's ordinary life to become perfectly acquainted with them . And hence Preston says that , " to exhaust the various subjects of which it treats , would transcend the brightest genius . " In conformity with the principle already laid down , this degree refers to the Mosaic dispensation ,
when the Deity revealed himself by more awful sanctions , and governed his people by observances more complicated , and injunctions more severe . In the Lectures of the Second Degree , we receive instruction on two important divisions of the Craft , viz . Speculative and Operative Masonry , as the Essenes or
Jewish Masons had the same number of sections—theorique and practique . The former is a code of morals , the latter a detail of science . Speculative Masonry gives us noble lessons in the duties of self-government and social duty , and is an instructor in those virtues which form the grace ancl ornament of private life , and lead the faithful practitioner
to the happiness of the Grand Lodge above . Operative Masonry does not consist in the mechanical details of trade , or the practical labours of the working artizan , but inculcates the theories of scientific improvement , with their application to morals , and the production of good works , or righteousness of life . It is true , our emblems include the tools and
implements of architecture , but they refer to spiritual duties , and the fulfilment of moral obligations , and hence are considered as jewels of inestimable value .
Here the noble sciences of Grammar , Rhetoric , Logic , Arithmetic , Geometry , Music , and Astronomy , are presented to the view , to all of which , the Fellow-Craft Mason is requested to give his general attention , and to employ his talents in the investigation of one or more , as time or inclination may permit . The symbols of Geometry and
Astronomy are the most prominent objects in the Lodges of this degree , and are discussed in the lectures with more than ordinary care . The Tracing Board is a rich constellation of religion , virtue , and science , and leads the enquiring Brother from the works of art to those of nature , and thence up to the great source and author of truth—the God of
Nature . The first remarkable object that commands our attention in the Tracing Board , is the winding staircase , with the two ancient wardens guarding the approaches to the mysterious sacellum .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry. Evidences, Doctrines, And Traditions.
are so abstruse and comprehensive , as to exceed the compass of man's ordinary life to become perfectly acquainted with them . And hence Preston says that , " to exhaust the various subjects of which it treats , would transcend the brightest genius . " In conformity with the principle already laid down , this degree refers to the Mosaic dispensation ,
when the Deity revealed himself by more awful sanctions , and governed his people by observances more complicated , and injunctions more severe . In the Lectures of the Second Degree , we receive instruction on two important divisions of the Craft , viz . Speculative and Operative Masonry , as the Essenes or
Jewish Masons had the same number of sections—theorique and practique . The former is a code of morals , the latter a detail of science . Speculative Masonry gives us noble lessons in the duties of self-government and social duty , and is an instructor in those virtues which form the grace ancl ornament of private life , and lead the faithful practitioner
to the happiness of the Grand Lodge above . Operative Masonry does not consist in the mechanical details of trade , or the practical labours of the working artizan , but inculcates the theories of scientific improvement , with their application to morals , and the production of good works , or righteousness of life . It is true , our emblems include the tools and
implements of architecture , but they refer to spiritual duties , and the fulfilment of moral obligations , and hence are considered as jewels of inestimable value .
Here the noble sciences of Grammar , Rhetoric , Logic , Arithmetic , Geometry , Music , and Astronomy , are presented to the view , to all of which , the Fellow-Craft Mason is requested to give his general attention , and to employ his talents in the investigation of one or more , as time or inclination may permit . The symbols of Geometry and
Astronomy are the most prominent objects in the Lodges of this degree , and are discussed in the lectures with more than ordinary care . The Tracing Board is a rich constellation of religion , virtue , and science , and leads the enquiring Brother from the works of art to those of nature , and thence up to the great source and author of truth—the God of
Nature . The first remarkable object that commands our attention in the Tracing Board , is the winding staircase , with the two ancient wardens guarding the approaches to the mysterious sacellum .