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  • Sept. 8, 1888
  • Page 4
  • MASONIC PRINCIPLES.
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The Freemason's Chronicle, Sept. 8, 1888: Page 4

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Masonic Principles.

MASONIC PRINCIPLES .

An Address by Eev . W . D . Patlon , to Advance Lodge , No . 114 , F . and A . M ., at Florence , Kansas , 30 th December lb 87 , aud published in , "The Herald" 7 th January 18 S 8 .

WHILE tho hoary years oi antiquity mark the ripened maturity of the Brotherhood of Masonry , theso unnumbered years also mark its material strength and moral power . The foundation rock upon which Freemasonry has built

during the ages is an open acknowledgment of the one living and true God , an open avowal of man ' s personal responsibility to God , and his dependence upon Him . " As Masons we aro taught , " says one , " never to

commence any great or important undertaking without first invoking the blessing of Deity . " The Holy Bible is acknowledged as the " greafc light" of Masonry , as "the corner-stone upon which Masonry has been erected , the

centre from which the radiating lines of principle diverge . " Resting upon this grand foundation principle it combines in its charter "that charity which has been justly described as the chief of all the social virtues . " As one

says , " The Brethren are enjoined ever to bear in mind and acfc upon fche dictates of brotherly love , relief , and truth , the first rendering us affectionate , the second generous , the third just . And again we are enjoined , as Masons , to ever

remember thafc the great objects of our association are the restraint of improper desires and passions , the cultivation of an active benevolence , and the promotion of a correct knowledge of the duties we owe to God , our neighbour and ourselves . "

With my understanding of fche principles of Freemasonry , as laid down in the great charter of our Ancient Order , I can say with the Rev . T . M . Harris , a distinguished divine

of this country , that " its laws are reason and equity ; its principles , benevolence and love ; its religion , purity aud truth ; its intention , peace on earth ; and its disposition , good will toward men . "

The Rev . Chas . Brockwell , a minister of the church of England , in a sermon preached before the Grand Lodge more than a century back , said , " I have had the honour of being a member of the ancient and honourable society for

many years , have sustained many of its offices , and can and do own in this sacred place , and before the Grand Architect of the Universe , that I never could observe aught therein but what was justifiable and commendable ,

according to the strictest rules of society ; this being founded on the precepts of the Gospel , the doing the will of God , and subduing passions , and highly conducing to every sacred and social virtue . "

The Rev . Dr . Milne , Grand Chaplain , in a sermon before the Grand Lodge of England , in 1788 , says , "I think we are warranted in contending that a society thus constituted , and which may be rendered so admirable an engine of improvement , far from meriting any reproach or

contumelious treatment deserves highly of the community . "

Washington , a worthy Brother Mason , and a noble Christian man , living a conscientious Christian life , says , " That a just application of the principles on which the Masonic Fraternity is founded must be promotive of

private virtue and public prosperity ; and it is most fervently to be wished thafc the conduct of every member of the Fraternity , as well as those publications that discover

fche principles which actuate them , may tend to convince mankind that the grand object of Masonry is to promote the happiness of the human race . "

The fact is , as every Brother Mason knows , that the Holy Bible is the great chart book by which every member of this Ancient Fraternity is to square his life and actions , the rule by which his passions are to be circumscribed

and restrained within the limits of virtue and Christian propriety . The gospel law of temperance and sobriety is the law binding every Brother Mason , whether he lives worthy of his sacred obligation or proves recreant to his solemn vows .

Upon the open pages of the Bible , with its sacred precepts facing us , we have taken solemn obligations which bind us to its blesaed teachings , which unite us in the

sacred ties of friendship , love and truth , aud which ouo-nb to eiuvaie and ennoble uur lives . 1 say these things , not for your information , brethren , bufc because they are true ,

and we should bear witness to the truth , both by remem

Masonic Principles.

bering and living it ; and I say them also because I wish all to know that these are our charter principles . I havo quoted the words of others at some length , thafc all may know that good men , that Christian men of the

past , and Christian men of the present , regard our Institution as in entire harmony with the teachings of God ' s Word ; and I would add just here , that it is only reasonable and fair fco accord honesty to men who havo shown by

their lives that they aro true , honest Christian men ; also that it is only the part of Christian honesty to take the testimony of conscientious Christian men when they testify to the principles of our Fraternity .

We do not claim that Masonry is religion , but we do claim that no Atheist can be a Mason ; and we claim also thafc the tenets of Masonry are in full accord with the moral law of God as promulgated on Mount Sinai , and

with the tenets of Christianity as laid down by the Master

Himself ; and we would say still farther , and say it to every member of the Fraternity , as well as to the world , fchafc the most conscientious Christian Mason is the best pattern and example of Masonry .

If a Brother Mason fails to live a life of integrity ,

honesty , virtue and temperance , he fails to live a true Mason ; he does violence to the principles he has espoused , and is unworthy of the name he bears .

If a Brother Mason lives a life of intemperance , licentiousness , profligacy , or immorality , he subjects himself to censure of suspension or even expulsion from the Brotherhood .

Let us nofc forget thafc we are exhorted to maintain " a virtuous and amiable conduct , unfeigned piety to God , and an inflexible fidelity to our trust . " And let us not forget that we are charged , and bound by duty , honour ,

and gratitude , to be faithful to our trust , to support the dignity of our character on every occasion ; and by the regularity of our behaviour afford the best example for fche conduct of others . We feel at liberty to urge upon every

brother , not only to maintain a deportment worthy of the grand moral principles which characterize Freemasonry , bufc also to accept by a living faith the teachings of those Scriptures which we esteem as our grand Magna Oharta .

lo do this is consistent . In the language of one who understands well the spirit of our Institution and the principles upon which ifc rests , I would say , "The spirit of Masonry is humble ; ifc boasts not against the church , and

its asylum does not seek to rival the glory of that temple whose foundations are the apostles and prophets , and whose corner-stone is Christ himself . Catching the spirit of its earlier faith , and gemming its banner with the symbols of

truth , it would move down through the ages in the service of the church . " "All it knows of truth ancl duty , of God , and of man ' s destiny , " says a writer , " it has learned by faith from the Scripture , that inestimable gift of God to

man . Without the arrogance of philosophy , without the boast of inspiration , without undue pride even in its own traditions , it proclaims to the world that all its light is

borrowed from the Christian ' s Bible . Masonry acknowledges its sublime precepts as the unerring truth of God , accepts its tenets as the only infallible rule of conduct , and

professes that it teaches all men how to live in this life , and ensures to all who follow ifcs teachings an inheritance in the kingdom which was before the foundation of the world . " One of the mosfc prominent tenets of Masonry is that

Christian charity which Paul so strongly urges upon us , saying , "Above all things put on charity , which is the bond of perfectness . " We are fco maintain this broad , farreaching charity towards the Brotherhood of mankind ; we

are to strive for their uplifting , to sympathize with , and help one another as we journey together , common heirs to an inheritance of suffering , affliction , bereavement and sorrow ; and in a special manner are we to administer relief and comfort to the distressed and needy , to the widow and

orphan of those who are united in the fraternal bonds and fellowship of our- Ancient Order . And surely this is neither selfish nor narrow in any true sense . The most that can be said of it is that it is limited and specific in its distributing to the necessities of those of its own

household . And as to this specific charity toward those who have specific claims upon it , because of the sacred bonds of fraternal relationship the gratitude of the widow , aud the orphan , the sick and the afflicted , the needy and the distressed , answer back from every clime and from every age , they answer with tears of grateful acknowledgment

for the helping hand , the timely relief , the sympathizing

“The Freemason's Chronicle: 1888-09-08, Page 4” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 1 July 2025, django:8000/periodicals/fcn/issues/fcn_08091888/page/4/.
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Title Category Page
THE COST OF THE MASONIC INSTITUTIONS. Article 1
UNITED GRAND LODGE. Article 2
HOW TO PROMOTE HAPPINESS. Article 3
MASONIC PRINCIPLES. Article 4
THE HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK. Article 5
THE LATE EMPEROR OF GERMANY AND FREEMASONRY. Article 6
NOTICES OF MEETINGS. Article 7
ROSICRUCIAN SOCIETY. Article 7
Obituary. Article 7
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Article 8
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF NORTHUMBERLAND. Article 8
SCOTLAND. Article 9
CORRESPONDENCE. Article 10
THE ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS. Article 10
Untitled Ad 10
OPENING OF A NEW HALL IN HULL. Article 10
THE OLD ENGLAND MASONIC BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION. Article 10
Untitled Article 10
Untitled Article 10
THE THEATRES, &c. Article 11
MARK MASONRY. Article 11
ROYAL ARCH. Article 11
Untitled Ad 11
DIARY FOR THE WEEK. Article 12
Untitled Ad 13
Untitled Ad 13
Untitled Ad 13
Untitled Ad 13
LIST OF RARE AND VALUABLE WORKS ON FREEMASONRY. Article 14
Untitled Ad 15
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Masonic Principles.

MASONIC PRINCIPLES .

An Address by Eev . W . D . Patlon , to Advance Lodge , No . 114 , F . and A . M ., at Florence , Kansas , 30 th December lb 87 , aud published in , "The Herald" 7 th January 18 S 8 .

WHILE tho hoary years oi antiquity mark the ripened maturity of the Brotherhood of Masonry , theso unnumbered years also mark its material strength and moral power . The foundation rock upon which Freemasonry has built

during the ages is an open acknowledgment of the one living and true God , an open avowal of man ' s personal responsibility to God , and his dependence upon Him . " As Masons we aro taught , " says one , " never to

commence any great or important undertaking without first invoking the blessing of Deity . " The Holy Bible is acknowledged as the " greafc light" of Masonry , as "the corner-stone upon which Masonry has been erected , the

centre from which the radiating lines of principle diverge . " Resting upon this grand foundation principle it combines in its charter "that charity which has been justly described as the chief of all the social virtues . " As one

says , " The Brethren are enjoined ever to bear in mind and acfc upon fche dictates of brotherly love , relief , and truth , the first rendering us affectionate , the second generous , the third just . And again we are enjoined , as Masons , to ever

remember thafc the great objects of our association are the restraint of improper desires and passions , the cultivation of an active benevolence , and the promotion of a correct knowledge of the duties we owe to God , our neighbour and ourselves . "

With my understanding of fche principles of Freemasonry , as laid down in the great charter of our Ancient Order , I can say with the Rev . T . M . Harris , a distinguished divine

of this country , that " its laws are reason and equity ; its principles , benevolence and love ; its religion , purity aud truth ; its intention , peace on earth ; and its disposition , good will toward men . "

The Rev . Chas . Brockwell , a minister of the church of England , in a sermon preached before the Grand Lodge more than a century back , said , " I have had the honour of being a member of the ancient and honourable society for

many years , have sustained many of its offices , and can and do own in this sacred place , and before the Grand Architect of the Universe , that I never could observe aught therein but what was justifiable and commendable ,

according to the strictest rules of society ; this being founded on the precepts of the Gospel , the doing the will of God , and subduing passions , and highly conducing to every sacred and social virtue . "

The Rev . Dr . Milne , Grand Chaplain , in a sermon before the Grand Lodge of England , in 1788 , says , "I think we are warranted in contending that a society thus constituted , and which may be rendered so admirable an engine of improvement , far from meriting any reproach or

contumelious treatment deserves highly of the community . "

Washington , a worthy Brother Mason , and a noble Christian man , living a conscientious Christian life , says , " That a just application of the principles on which the Masonic Fraternity is founded must be promotive of

private virtue and public prosperity ; and it is most fervently to be wished thafc the conduct of every member of the Fraternity , as well as those publications that discover

fche principles which actuate them , may tend to convince mankind that the grand object of Masonry is to promote the happiness of the human race . "

The fact is , as every Brother Mason knows , that the Holy Bible is the great chart book by which every member of this Ancient Fraternity is to square his life and actions , the rule by which his passions are to be circumscribed

and restrained within the limits of virtue and Christian propriety . The gospel law of temperance and sobriety is the law binding every Brother Mason , whether he lives worthy of his sacred obligation or proves recreant to his solemn vows .

Upon the open pages of the Bible , with its sacred precepts facing us , we have taken solemn obligations which bind us to its blesaed teachings , which unite us in the

sacred ties of friendship , love and truth , aud which ouo-nb to eiuvaie and ennoble uur lives . 1 say these things , not for your information , brethren , bufc because they are true ,

and we should bear witness to the truth , both by remem

Masonic Principles.

bering and living it ; and I say them also because I wish all to know that these are our charter principles . I havo quoted the words of others at some length , thafc all may know that good men , that Christian men of the

past , and Christian men of the present , regard our Institution as in entire harmony with the teachings of God ' s Word ; and I would add just here , that it is only reasonable and fair fco accord honesty to men who havo shown by

their lives that they aro true , honest Christian men ; also that it is only the part of Christian honesty to take the testimony of conscientious Christian men when they testify to the principles of our Fraternity .

We do not claim that Masonry is religion , but we do claim that no Atheist can be a Mason ; and we claim also thafc the tenets of Masonry are in full accord with the moral law of God as promulgated on Mount Sinai , and

with the tenets of Christianity as laid down by the Master

Himself ; and we would say still farther , and say it to every member of the Fraternity , as well as to the world , fchafc the most conscientious Christian Mason is the best pattern and example of Masonry .

If a Brother Mason fails to live a life of integrity ,

honesty , virtue and temperance , he fails to live a true Mason ; he does violence to the principles he has espoused , and is unworthy of the name he bears .

If a Brother Mason lives a life of intemperance , licentiousness , profligacy , or immorality , he subjects himself to censure of suspension or even expulsion from the Brotherhood .

Let us nofc forget thafc we are exhorted to maintain " a virtuous and amiable conduct , unfeigned piety to God , and an inflexible fidelity to our trust . " And let us not forget that we are charged , and bound by duty , honour ,

and gratitude , to be faithful to our trust , to support the dignity of our character on every occasion ; and by the regularity of our behaviour afford the best example for fche conduct of others . We feel at liberty to urge upon every

brother , not only to maintain a deportment worthy of the grand moral principles which characterize Freemasonry , bufc also to accept by a living faith the teachings of those Scriptures which we esteem as our grand Magna Oharta .

lo do this is consistent . In the language of one who understands well the spirit of our Institution and the principles upon which ifc rests , I would say , "The spirit of Masonry is humble ; ifc boasts not against the church , and

its asylum does not seek to rival the glory of that temple whose foundations are the apostles and prophets , and whose corner-stone is Christ himself . Catching the spirit of its earlier faith , and gemming its banner with the symbols of

truth , it would move down through the ages in the service of the church . " "All it knows of truth ancl duty , of God , and of man ' s destiny , " says a writer , " it has learned by faith from the Scripture , that inestimable gift of God to

man . Without the arrogance of philosophy , without the boast of inspiration , without undue pride even in its own traditions , it proclaims to the world that all its light is

borrowed from the Christian ' s Bible . Masonry acknowledges its sublime precepts as the unerring truth of God , accepts its tenets as the only infallible rule of conduct , and

professes that it teaches all men how to live in this life , and ensures to all who follow ifcs teachings an inheritance in the kingdom which was before the foundation of the world . " One of the mosfc prominent tenets of Masonry is that

Christian charity which Paul so strongly urges upon us , saying , "Above all things put on charity , which is the bond of perfectness . " We are fco maintain this broad , farreaching charity towards the Brotherhood of mankind ; we

are to strive for their uplifting , to sympathize with , and help one another as we journey together , common heirs to an inheritance of suffering , affliction , bereavement and sorrow ; and in a special manner are we to administer relief and comfort to the distressed and needy , to the widow and

orphan of those who are united in the fraternal bonds and fellowship of our- Ancient Order . And surely this is neither selfish nor narrow in any true sense . The most that can be said of it is that it is limited and specific in its distributing to the necessities of those of its own

household . And as to this specific charity toward those who have specific claims upon it , because of the sacred bonds of fraternal relationship the gratitude of the widow , aud the orphan , the sick and the afflicted , the needy and the distressed , answer back from every clime and from every age , they answer with tears of grateful acknowledgment

for the helping hand , the timely relief , the sympathizing

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