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  • The Masonic Magazine
  • Dec. 1, 1874
  • Page 28
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The Masonic Magazine, Dec. 1, 1874: Page 28

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    Article THE SPIRIT OF FREEMASONRY. ← Page 2 of 3 →
Page 28

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

The Spirit Of Freemasonry.

larger dimensions ; but the surpassing excellence of that building over all others consisted in its cost , and in the magnificence of its decorations . Built of enormous blocks of white marble , put together with all the architectural symmetry and harmony

which the most ingenious workmen could devise , it was a monument of skill and ingenuity . In the superb glory of that temple ; the order manifest at its creation and the gorgeous ceremony of its dedication—in all these things the true

craftsman sees the symbols of a still more glorious temple , with its golden streets . And the Mason who does not look beyond the mere forms and ceremonies of the institution fails , utterly fails , to realize the import of its teachings . Its sublime truths are

indeed mysteries to him . But no brother can fail to become a better and a wiser Mason if he carefully pauses on his way through the degrees , and studies the allegories and symbols so profusely set before him . If he turns to the right or to the

left , the lessons of truth are there before him , and it only remains for him to study then deep and hidden meaning . It is necessary that I should state these facts ,

because whatever good effect , or whatever good impression Masonry is calculated to produce are all but lost upon the careless or unthinking Mason . The system has certain lessons of practical wisdom to teach , and a certain impression for good to produceor elsehow shall we account for the

, , hold which it has upon the learned , the great and the good of all ages and nations . A system which has outlived centuries of conflicts , of defeats and victories , and which has become so extended in its ramifications , must certainly contain within itself

living principles of paramount importance . To bring to light some of these principles , and to show their practical bearings upon us as Masons , is at present our object . When a candidate once passes the door of a Masonic Lodgehe is made to feel that

, whatever distinctions prevail in the outside world , within that lodge all are equal . It is quite true that in a Masonic Lodge we have certain distinctions , which are secured by moral worth , and , it may be , intellectual culture ; yet , neverthelessthe

, broad fact remains , that we , as Masons , are a . ' : equal , and meet upon the common basis of a brotherhood . This fact will appear patent to everyone who realizes that

Freemasonry is not an association , order or institution , but a fraternity . So that within a Masonic Lodge the poorest Mason may feel himself as the equal of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . A Mason is made to feel

at the very threshold that he is a poor candidate in a state of darkness , and that all that lies before him in the world of Masonry has to be acquired by patient labour , close observation , and by a spirit willing to learn . Such an ordeal is well calculated to take from a man all vain conceitand

, all silly , pulfed-up ideas of superiority . Here , also , in this fact lies the grave responsibility of a Freemason when about to cast his vote for the admission of a candidate for initiation . By such a vote you are about admitting one into the fraternity ,

and as a matter of course , into the most intimate and confidential relationship to yourselves . It behoves you , therefore , to weigh the matter honestly and fearlessly , and to act according to your well-founded convictions . On such an occasion it is

necessarj' that eveiy Alason should lay aside all prejudices , and to weigh such an one in the scale of righteousness , to see whether he comes up to the weights of the temple , and to come up to the requirements of our ancient usages . If by reason of carelessness or unfaithfulnessan unworthy

, man is admitted , you do yourselves and the fraternity at large an irreparable injury . Then again , on the other hand , if by reason of prejudice , a narrow mind , a mere matter of feeling , a good and true man , well calculated to grace our mystic gatheringsis

re-, jected , you yourselves , and the fraternity at large suffer a grievous loss . The more attention I devote to Masonic Ritual , the more am I convinced , that if we faithfully and honestly carry out its requirements , ' we cannot fail to maintain for

our institution the distinguished and honourable position -which it ever has held . In the entered apprentice degree the candidate is required to declare his belief in the existence of God , because He is the source of all knowledge , and the fountain of all light , and how can a man enter upon the search of that which he does not believe ml His existence is the central fact of

human life , and every other light or knowledge is only a broken reflection from tho great sun . Therefore it is that no one can take even the first step in Masonry until he declares his belief hi the great I am , of

“The Masonic Magazine: 1874-12-01, Page 28” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 8 May 2025, django:8000/periodicals/mmg/issues/mmg_01121874/page/28/.
  • List
  • Grid
Title Category Page
Monthly Masonic Summary. Article 1
Untitled Article 2
THE VOICE OF THE BUILDERS. Article 2
OUR MASONIC MSS. Article 3
MARGARET'S TEST; OR, CHARITY ITS OWN REWARD. Article 5
IS THE POPE A FREEMASON? Article 6
AN AFTER DINNER CONVERSATION. Article 9
HOW MAY I KNOW YOU TO BE A MASON? Article 13
RECORDS OF THE PAST. Article 14
PEARLS AND BLACKBERRIES. Article 16
" SO MOTE IT BE." Article 19
CHARLES DICKENS—A LECTURE. Article 19
LIGHT, BEAUTIFUL LIGHT. Article 25
"ON DISTINCTIONS OF LANGUAGES." Article 26
THE SPIRIT OF FREEMASONRY. Article 27
THE SOLOMONIC ORIGIN OF FREEMASONRY. Article 29
DOWN BY THE SEA. Article 30
COUNSEL TO LIVE MASONICALLY. Article 31
INCINERATION. Article 32
CHIPPINGS. Article 32
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

The Spirit Of Freemasonry.

larger dimensions ; but the surpassing excellence of that building over all others consisted in its cost , and in the magnificence of its decorations . Built of enormous blocks of white marble , put together with all the architectural symmetry and harmony

which the most ingenious workmen could devise , it was a monument of skill and ingenuity . In the superb glory of that temple ; the order manifest at its creation and the gorgeous ceremony of its dedication—in all these things the true

craftsman sees the symbols of a still more glorious temple , with its golden streets . And the Mason who does not look beyond the mere forms and ceremonies of the institution fails , utterly fails , to realize the import of its teachings . Its sublime truths are

indeed mysteries to him . But no brother can fail to become a better and a wiser Mason if he carefully pauses on his way through the degrees , and studies the allegories and symbols so profusely set before him . If he turns to the right or to the

left , the lessons of truth are there before him , and it only remains for him to study then deep and hidden meaning . It is necessary that I should state these facts ,

because whatever good effect , or whatever good impression Masonry is calculated to produce are all but lost upon the careless or unthinking Mason . The system has certain lessons of practical wisdom to teach , and a certain impression for good to produceor elsehow shall we account for the

, , hold which it has upon the learned , the great and the good of all ages and nations . A system which has outlived centuries of conflicts , of defeats and victories , and which has become so extended in its ramifications , must certainly contain within itself

living principles of paramount importance . To bring to light some of these principles , and to show their practical bearings upon us as Masons , is at present our object . When a candidate once passes the door of a Masonic Lodgehe is made to feel that

, whatever distinctions prevail in the outside world , within that lodge all are equal . It is quite true that in a Masonic Lodge we have certain distinctions , which are secured by moral worth , and , it may be , intellectual culture ; yet , neverthelessthe

, broad fact remains , that we , as Masons , are a . ' : equal , and meet upon the common basis of a brotherhood . This fact will appear patent to everyone who realizes that

Freemasonry is not an association , order or institution , but a fraternity . So that within a Masonic Lodge the poorest Mason may feel himself as the equal of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . A Mason is made to feel

at the very threshold that he is a poor candidate in a state of darkness , and that all that lies before him in the world of Masonry has to be acquired by patient labour , close observation , and by a spirit willing to learn . Such an ordeal is well calculated to take from a man all vain conceitand

, all silly , pulfed-up ideas of superiority . Here , also , in this fact lies the grave responsibility of a Freemason when about to cast his vote for the admission of a candidate for initiation . By such a vote you are about admitting one into the fraternity ,

and as a matter of course , into the most intimate and confidential relationship to yourselves . It behoves you , therefore , to weigh the matter honestly and fearlessly , and to act according to your well-founded convictions . On such an occasion it is

necessarj' that eveiy Alason should lay aside all prejudices , and to weigh such an one in the scale of righteousness , to see whether he comes up to the weights of the temple , and to come up to the requirements of our ancient usages . If by reason of carelessness or unfaithfulnessan unworthy

, man is admitted , you do yourselves and the fraternity at large an irreparable injury . Then again , on the other hand , if by reason of prejudice , a narrow mind , a mere matter of feeling , a good and true man , well calculated to grace our mystic gatheringsis

re-, jected , you yourselves , and the fraternity at large suffer a grievous loss . The more attention I devote to Masonic Ritual , the more am I convinced , that if we faithfully and honestly carry out its requirements , ' we cannot fail to maintain for

our institution the distinguished and honourable position -which it ever has held . In the entered apprentice degree the candidate is required to declare his belief in the existence of God , because He is the source of all knowledge , and the fountain of all light , and how can a man enter upon the search of that which he does not believe ml His existence is the central fact of

human life , and every other light or knowledge is only a broken reflection from tho great sun . Therefore it is that no one can take even the first step in Masonry until he declares his belief hi the great I am , of

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