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Article SYMBOL OF GLORY* ← Page 9 of 11 →
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Symbol Of Glory*
rous of becoming useful to tho science of Freemasonry he will not be content with a more superficial knowledge of the externals , but will examine its exterior secrets with the feelings of an enthusiast , and by bringing forth its latent virtues into view , will himself reap a full share of the blessings which it is so well calculated to confer on society at large . " In the third lecture , Dr . Oliver advocates
with great power and conclusiveness an expansive developement of the lecture-system , a gradual amendment of some faulty details in the working of Lodges ; and enforces the necessity of progress in Freemasonry as in all other sciences and institutions , so as not to run the risk of lagging behind the onward march of the age . He notices two parties in English Freemasonry ; the oneif we may so
, say , Observantist , the other Expansive . Wo have already alluded to a similar divided movement in French Masonry . "In England " ( he writes ) , " there is an influential party whose study it is to discourage all scientific disquisitions connected with Freemasonry . Such a course , if persisted in , would throw , us back upon the dark ages and furnish our adversaries with a weapon which they would
not fail to wield with fearful effect . But happily we have a sufficiency of liberal minded Brethren who are anxious to place tho beauties of Masonic benevolence , and the excellencies of Masonic science fairly before tho public , that its light may shine before men , to the glory of T . G . A . 0 . T . U . who is in heaven . These two
sections entertain very different opinions on the best means of promoting and cementing the general interests of the Craft . The former think it inexpedient to allow any alterations to be made in tho system ; lest , under the idea of improvement , innovation should creep in , which might , in process of time , change the very essence of the institution , and gradually deprive it of those characteristics which are considered to be its greatest ornaments . The other
party , who are also numerous and influential , are of opinion that Masonry ought to keep pace with all other scientific improvements ; and that- in the rapid progress of mental enlightenment , which distinguishes the present era , if this Order alone should remain stationary , and take no part in forwarding the march of intellect in its own peculiar sphereit will forfeit its claim to public notice or
, approbation . " " In the present state of intellectual improvements , men do not meet together for the insane purpose of hearing repetitions of truisms with which they are already acquainted . Their minds rush forward to something new . They will not consent to retrogradenor are they satisfied with remaining stationary . Time is
, considered too valuable to be wasted without actual improvement ; and it is by the exercise of the intellect that it is strengthened and rendered capable of renewed exertion . To Freemasonry , as in all other human pursuits , the onward principle must be applied , if we would make it applicable to the poetry and philosophy of life ; or
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Symbol Of Glory*
rous of becoming useful to tho science of Freemasonry he will not be content with a more superficial knowledge of the externals , but will examine its exterior secrets with the feelings of an enthusiast , and by bringing forth its latent virtues into view , will himself reap a full share of the blessings which it is so well calculated to confer on society at large . " In the third lecture , Dr . Oliver advocates
with great power and conclusiveness an expansive developement of the lecture-system , a gradual amendment of some faulty details in the working of Lodges ; and enforces the necessity of progress in Freemasonry as in all other sciences and institutions , so as not to run the risk of lagging behind the onward march of the age . He notices two parties in English Freemasonry ; the oneif we may so
, say , Observantist , the other Expansive . Wo have already alluded to a similar divided movement in French Masonry . "In England " ( he writes ) , " there is an influential party whose study it is to discourage all scientific disquisitions connected with Freemasonry . Such a course , if persisted in , would throw , us back upon the dark ages and furnish our adversaries with a weapon which they would
not fail to wield with fearful effect . But happily we have a sufficiency of liberal minded Brethren who are anxious to place tho beauties of Masonic benevolence , and the excellencies of Masonic science fairly before tho public , that its light may shine before men , to the glory of T . G . A . 0 . T . U . who is in heaven . These two
sections entertain very different opinions on the best means of promoting and cementing the general interests of the Craft . The former think it inexpedient to allow any alterations to be made in tho system ; lest , under the idea of improvement , innovation should creep in , which might , in process of time , change the very essence of the institution , and gradually deprive it of those characteristics which are considered to be its greatest ornaments . The other
party , who are also numerous and influential , are of opinion that Masonry ought to keep pace with all other scientific improvements ; and that- in the rapid progress of mental enlightenment , which distinguishes the present era , if this Order alone should remain stationary , and take no part in forwarding the march of intellect in its own peculiar sphereit will forfeit its claim to public notice or
, approbation . " " In the present state of intellectual improvements , men do not meet together for the insane purpose of hearing repetitions of truisms with which they are already acquainted . Their minds rush forward to something new . They will not consent to retrogradenor are they satisfied with remaining stationary . Time is
, considered too valuable to be wasted without actual improvement ; and it is by the exercise of the intellect that it is strengthened and rendered capable of renewed exertion . To Freemasonry , as in all other human pursuits , the onward principle must be applied , if we would make it applicable to the poetry and philosophy of life ; or