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them also to regard with awe , reverence , and admiration , the stupendous works of Him , " Who hath measured the waters in
the hollow of his hand , and meted out the heaven with His span , and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure , and weighed the mountains in scales , and the hills in a balance , '' and through the secret paths of nature and of science to trace the unerring hand of the GL A . O . T . IT . The secrets that are intrusted to Masons
are veiled in beautiful allegories , indelibly impressing themselves on the minds of each of us , and each illustrated by various symbols . The universal principles are to unite in one indissoluble bond of Brotherly love , men of the most opposite tenets , the most distant countries , and of the most contradictory opinions . Surely , Brethren , this presents a vast field for the imagination to dwell upon . In this
universal bond of Brotherhood , no horizon bounds the eye , no limitation here presents itself to say , thus far and no further shalt thou go ; but Preemasonry , spreading its branches around the habitable globe , throws the ample folds of its peaceful mantle around all who desire to enter , and are found worthy to be admitted / The doctrines inculcated by Preemasonry are , I take it , founded on the Sacred Law
of God , by which we are taught to form our standard of Truth and Justice , and by its precepts and examples to guide and to regulate our lives and actions ; and to this Preemasonry attaches so much importance , that no member is admitted into a participation with us in our privileges , without having had first pointed out to him the necessity that there exists for its serious contemplation and earnest
study , by all who are desirous of becoming good Masons and worthy members of society . That this is a solid foundation , I think none will feel disposed to deny ; and were the doctrines more studied than they are , and its precepts acted upon more generally by the Brethren at large , much , if not all , of the prejudice that now exists against
Preemasonry would cease , and instead of the Craft being regarded by many , who belong not to our Order , . with suspicion , it would be but another name for respect and veneration—respect for the antiquity of the Order , and the beautiful system that flows from it ; and veneration for the doctrines it teaches , and the benefit it has conferred and continues to confer upon mankind .
Upon this solid foundation Preemasonry has raised a glorious superstructure , and amongst the many ornaments that grace and adorn it , is found that noblest of all human virtues—Charity . Charitv , as is designated bv a * well-known author on Preemasonry * is
tlie chief of every social and moral virtue , and the distinguishing mark amongst good Masons . This virtue inculcates a supreme degree of love to the GL A . O . T . XL , and an unlimited affection to the beings of His creation , of all characters and of every denomination . " In the exercise of this virtue it is that we learn to estimate the actions of
those by whom we are surrounded , and instead of indulging in censorious conversation we rather seek to discover good objects as the * Preston , p . 17 .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Untitled Article
them also to regard with awe , reverence , and admiration , the stupendous works of Him , " Who hath measured the waters in
the hollow of his hand , and meted out the heaven with His span , and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure , and weighed the mountains in scales , and the hills in a balance , '' and through the secret paths of nature and of science to trace the unerring hand of the GL A . O . T . IT . The secrets that are intrusted to Masons
are veiled in beautiful allegories , indelibly impressing themselves on the minds of each of us , and each illustrated by various symbols . The universal principles are to unite in one indissoluble bond of Brotherly love , men of the most opposite tenets , the most distant countries , and of the most contradictory opinions . Surely , Brethren , this presents a vast field for the imagination to dwell upon . In this
universal bond of Brotherhood , no horizon bounds the eye , no limitation here presents itself to say , thus far and no further shalt thou go ; but Preemasonry , spreading its branches around the habitable globe , throws the ample folds of its peaceful mantle around all who desire to enter , and are found worthy to be admitted / The doctrines inculcated by Preemasonry are , I take it , founded on the Sacred Law
of God , by which we are taught to form our standard of Truth and Justice , and by its precepts and examples to guide and to regulate our lives and actions ; and to this Preemasonry attaches so much importance , that no member is admitted into a participation with us in our privileges , without having had first pointed out to him the necessity that there exists for its serious contemplation and earnest
study , by all who are desirous of becoming good Masons and worthy members of society . That this is a solid foundation , I think none will feel disposed to deny ; and were the doctrines more studied than they are , and its precepts acted upon more generally by the Brethren at large , much , if not all , of the prejudice that now exists against
Preemasonry would cease , and instead of the Craft being regarded by many , who belong not to our Order , . with suspicion , it would be but another name for respect and veneration—respect for the antiquity of the Order , and the beautiful system that flows from it ; and veneration for the doctrines it teaches , and the benefit it has conferred and continues to confer upon mankind .
Upon this solid foundation Preemasonry has raised a glorious superstructure , and amongst the many ornaments that grace and adorn it , is found that noblest of all human virtues—Charity . Charitv , as is designated bv a * well-known author on Preemasonry * is
tlie chief of every social and moral virtue , and the distinguishing mark amongst good Masons . This virtue inculcates a supreme degree of love to the GL A . O . T . XL , and an unlimited affection to the beings of His creation , of all characters and of every denomination . " In the exercise of this virtue it is that we learn to estimate the actions of
those by whom we are surrounded , and instead of indulging in censorious conversation we rather seek to discover good objects as the * Preston , p . 17 .