Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
German Masonic Teaching One Hundred Years Ago.
In all our assemblies you are always reminded of this when you enter this house ;* endeavour to maintain it before the whole world . Be true to your end and be true to virtue in order to fulfil your duties ; thus learn to respect yourselves , and the world will not withdraw its approval from you . Whoever , in respect of this last duty , is altogether indifferent , possesses not the least touch of feeling , which we may regard as the germ of all true honour , and which is only altogether dead and extinguished in one who is
utterly vicious ! Oh , my brethren , great , is the honourable thought to be a friend of virtue ! This should animate your present efforts , should be your surest companion in the pathway of life , your consolation in unpleasant and painful events , your joy in happiness and wellbeing , your attendant into eternity . Ten times greater shame must cover us , if we wander from the right way , since we profess to avoid the base , and banish them from our circle , since we recommend to our brethren virtue and morality , and hold so firmly by the observance of our laws and ordinances , and proclaim ourselves to the world as friends of humanity .
No , let our pride be the intelligent pride of true service , our honour the honour of virtue . Honour the Order . This is my third request . Honour it in the persuasion of its excellency , without reference to so-called " observances " f and systems , more especially when we know the origin of the Order , have mastered its organization in full , and have learned to look upon its history , and are infected neither by a desire of novelty nor
fanaticism . Honour it before the world by prudent behaviour , ancl wise examples , by loving works and deeds , by true Masonic zeal . Perhaps Providence has a near future of happier times for the Order for the completion of its end , unattainable by itself . Honour it by industrious meditations on its excellent secrets , which lie hidden under the veil of hieroglyphics . Collect together the researches and knowledge of intelligent and prudent members of the Order , but with caution ancl without misuse . Then you will never repent to have entered into this Association ; you will be able to find more tranquillity in it than the dumb observers of our customs .
And now , my brethren , allow these my wishes and entreaties to be for ever ' impressed on your hearts '; this is the best remembrance which you can present me with , the reward for any humble services rendered to this Lodge . Receive from me , my brethren , now these symbols of my office , with the most lively thanks for your kindly trust hi my lowly , powers . May all my successors , nevertheless , in this honourable post , bear them as a sacred remembrance of their duties . As much as I could do I did . Faults in respect of readiness of speech , a brother will cover with a mantle of love ,
and where the heart utters the only language of our assemblies , no rules are required . , Truth in artistic clothing is herself there without any pomp . Truth—Masonic Truth- —I spoke to you , and in good hearts it took root . Have I , however , fulfilled my duty . with truth , with zeal , with industiy , with the attention which , at my undertaking of the same , was so impressively inculcated by your Master ?
I read in your countenances the , for me , happy and flattering reply to my question . So at last I am released from this my place as Orator of this "just" and " perfect" Lodge ; but I am not severed from your heart , Honourable Master , who have always loved me . No ! So much the more am I linked to it , so much the more is my separation sorrowful . I have so much to be thankful for , that I cannot find words sufficient to express my gratitude . You were my brother , friend , teacher , and counsellor . You were all to me , and under this name will I ever admire , prize , and honour you .. Happily and cheerfully may your life flow on , to your own reward and contentment , the good of the Fatherland , the welfare of the Order and our Minerva , unto dis-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
German Masonic Teaching One Hundred Years Ago.
In all our assemblies you are always reminded of this when you enter this house ;* endeavour to maintain it before the whole world . Be true to your end and be true to virtue in order to fulfil your duties ; thus learn to respect yourselves , and the world will not withdraw its approval from you . Whoever , in respect of this last duty , is altogether indifferent , possesses not the least touch of feeling , which we may regard as the germ of all true honour , and which is only altogether dead and extinguished in one who is
utterly vicious ! Oh , my brethren , great , is the honourable thought to be a friend of virtue ! This should animate your present efforts , should be your surest companion in the pathway of life , your consolation in unpleasant and painful events , your joy in happiness and wellbeing , your attendant into eternity . Ten times greater shame must cover us , if we wander from the right way , since we profess to avoid the base , and banish them from our circle , since we recommend to our brethren virtue and morality , and hold so firmly by the observance of our laws and ordinances , and proclaim ourselves to the world as friends of humanity .
No , let our pride be the intelligent pride of true service , our honour the honour of virtue . Honour the Order . This is my third request . Honour it in the persuasion of its excellency , without reference to so-called " observances " f and systems , more especially when we know the origin of the Order , have mastered its organization in full , and have learned to look upon its history , and are infected neither by a desire of novelty nor
fanaticism . Honour it before the world by prudent behaviour , ancl wise examples , by loving works and deeds , by true Masonic zeal . Perhaps Providence has a near future of happier times for the Order for the completion of its end , unattainable by itself . Honour it by industrious meditations on its excellent secrets , which lie hidden under the veil of hieroglyphics . Collect together the researches and knowledge of intelligent and prudent members of the Order , but with caution ancl without misuse . Then you will never repent to have entered into this Association ; you will be able to find more tranquillity in it than the dumb observers of our customs .
And now , my brethren , allow these my wishes and entreaties to be for ever ' impressed on your hearts '; this is the best remembrance which you can present me with , the reward for any humble services rendered to this Lodge . Receive from me , my brethren , now these symbols of my office , with the most lively thanks for your kindly trust hi my lowly , powers . May all my successors , nevertheless , in this honourable post , bear them as a sacred remembrance of their duties . As much as I could do I did . Faults in respect of readiness of speech , a brother will cover with a mantle of love ,
and where the heart utters the only language of our assemblies , no rules are required . , Truth in artistic clothing is herself there without any pomp . Truth—Masonic Truth- —I spoke to you , and in good hearts it took root . Have I , however , fulfilled my duty . with truth , with zeal , with industiy , with the attention which , at my undertaking of the same , was so impressively inculcated by your Master ?
I read in your countenances the , for me , happy and flattering reply to my question . So at last I am released from this my place as Orator of this "just" and " perfect" Lodge ; but I am not severed from your heart , Honourable Master , who have always loved me . No ! So much the more am I linked to it , so much the more is my separation sorrowful . I have so much to be thankful for , that I cannot find words sufficient to express my gratitude . You were my brother , friend , teacher , and counsellor . You were all to me , and under this name will I ever admire , prize , and honour you .. Happily and cheerfully may your life flow on , to your own reward and contentment , the good of the Fatherland , the welfare of the Order and our Minerva , unto dis-