-
Articles/Ads
Article MASONRY'S CONSUMMATION. Page 1 of 2 Article MASONRY'S CONSUMMATION. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonry's Consummation.
MASONRY'S CONSUMMATION .
By W . D . Henderson , Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons of Tennessee . MASONRY is an institution of education by precept and example . It has nothing to fear from its enemies without , so long as Masons are true to those noble principles
within , which constitute its foundation and which give strength and support to every stone of this beautiful , mystic Temple , even up to the capstone itself . But to be true to them they must have a thorough knowledge of their import , and this information is essential to a proper discharge of their duties as Masons . In
Operative Masonry no one can become a skilled workman who does not apply himself diligently during the time of apprenticeship . Look abroad over our land to-day at the many schools of technology established for the purpose of imparting a thorough knowledge of any particular branch of industry , whereby the
workman may travel as a master workman and draw master s wages . So it is equally true in Speculative Masonry . Masons must study the principles of their Order , and be enthused with an interest founded upon love , which ever seeks after truth , before they can properly practice it themselves or teach it to others .
Masonry is not a mere form which can be learned in a day , but a principle which progresses by extending its tenets from mind to mind , cultivating those tenets in the soul , and by evermore disseminating and practicing that glorious principle upon which all Masonry is founded , the sublime and everlasting principle of truth divine .
A knowledge of Masonry imbues the mind with a sense of stability , confidence and love , while ignorance is the mother of innovation , distrust and hate . This discredit of ignorance , though , lies not in an inability to learn , but either in unreflecting refusal or in thoughtless indifference .
And , in my humble judgment , in this lack of Masonic knowledge among so large a portion of the membership , lies the greatest danger to the Institution itself . The same danger menaces our republican form of government to-day , by the daily number of emigrants thrown upon our shores ; people who have
with us no sympathy of purpose—for good ; who do not understand our institutions , and care not to , and who have no reverence for the memory of the heroic dead , no love for oar traditions , no conception of American patriotism , because they have had no part in the glorious past and care not for the hope
of the future . They are to-day an element of uncertainty which our wisest statesmen are endeavouring to mould into a homogeneous population , failing in which , this unassimilated mass may one day turn and rend to destruction the very institutions that have fostered and protected them from weakness
to strength , and the only way possible to avert the dangers incident to the introduction of this foreign element hi to our commonwealth is to teach and educate them up to a thorough knowledge and love of our institutions and unparalleled history . It is equally true in our beloved Order . Those becoming allied with us must be assimilated by the body , for it is as clear as the
light of the meridian sun , that not only should every member love the Institution of Masonry , but he should be taught its principles , which alone and truly make him a Mason , until he knows why he loves it . And unless Masons are imbued with such a knowledge and love of their Order we will ultimately have , instead of a shapely pile resembling the Temple iu the Apocalypse of John , the falling walls and broken columns of an unsightly
. Another danger to which I desire to call attention is the disinclination to attend ordinary meetings , and the non observance of a legal notice . We know that a summons will not be issued
except from necessity or some extraordinary circumstance , and when so issued it is our duty , not only in compliance with our obligation , but from a sense of charity and love of tbe Order , to extend and lengthen rather than contract or limit our cable
tow . Masonry is an Order pre-eminently founded upon the recognition and observance of law , order , peace and harmony . It is to-day a condition and not a theory . Its extension and usefulness are dependent upon its inculcation and practice of all those principles of the Order which tend to unity hearts , build homes ,
and keep the hearthstone warm . It should rock the cradle of the orphan , soothe the weary brow of the widow , and water with tears the sweet flowers of gentleness , mercy and love . God's word of truth is the rock upon which it is founded , and therein we are enjoined to the proper observance of all those principles of right doing , tending to the development of the individual , the protection of childhood , and the stability of th % home .
But Masonry is not exhausted in its care for the individual , nor do its foundations of solicitude run dry in ministering to the weak and weary . True Masonry inculcates a love of and fosters a determination to maintain the laws of our country . It is law abiding , patriotic
Masonry's Consummation.
and peaceful—ever seeking to sustain the right , uphold the law and preserve peace . And it should be a matter of profound congratulation to every Mason to observe the obedience and submissive spirit of the people of our grand , united country , to the political change of government from one great political party to
another . " Without a jar , without the stoppage of a single wheel , in the twinkling of an eye , the government of seventy million proud people will be changed , and our national machinery will go on as smoothly and as irresistibly as it has from its beginning . " Back to their peaceful vocations in life the millions of American freemen return after the result of a Presidential
contest is known , as silently and submissively as sank the brave Highlanders of Roderick ' Dhu into the banks of heather . This fact should be a fruitful source of encouragement to our Order , when we can point with patriotic pride to our organisation as a moving and influential factor in promoting peace , obedience to law , and love of country .
The Masonic Fraternity , in exercising its broad spirit of charity among the people , has ever been an active force in counselling peace to disturbing elements , sowing seeds of good will among men , extending higher forms of civilisation , and establishing a deeper and purer morality among the people .
Political changes , marked by peace during their exciting activities , truly indicate the stability of our institutions . And specially is this true when we observe the onward progress of a higher intelligence , a loftier code of morals , and a more devoted spirit of patriotism .
The change of administration of public affairs from one great political organisation to another , has become as quiet and peaceful as the delicate hues blend in the bow of promise on the bosom of the cloud . In enunciating and emphasising the fundamental principles which brought together the sisterhood of States into
one Federal unity , no organisation has , doubtless , been more active in promoting the harmonious co-operation of our nationality than Masonry itself . It has ever been a leading factor in cultivating peace , upholding justice , and strengthening all moral forces which make for the safety , the happiness and the national glory of the people .
An Order which has accomplished so much good in promoting national existence should ever be watchful and ready to occupy advanced ground and broader fields of usefulness for national prosperity . Where the vanguard tents to-day the rear
guard should camp to-morrow . Renewed energy and welldirected efforts should characterise our future history in spreading far and wide the cardinal principles of our Order , having for its ulterior purpose the good of our race and the ultimate glory of our nation .
And now , what is the chapiter to the pillar , the key to the arch , the conclusion of the whole matter ? It is not needful that I should remind you that the foundation and crown of our Order is the peerless virtue of Brotherly love . Without that bond of union we are as atoms of dust blown by the winds . If we are
not watchful and solicitous of each other ' s honour , and esteem not each other better than ourselves , but devour and rend , and for peace sow discord , for love breed hate , we shall not only destroy each other , but in this mutual destruction imitate in our blindness Samson of old , who , pulling down the pillars of the temple , was himself buried amid its ruins .
Contention begets contention , strife but adds to strife , crimination courts recrimination , but love disarms , and like the sweet , bright shining of the sun , when winter is passed , fills all hearts with gladness and brings to the blossom all that is noblest and most blessed in the heart of man . Gherist this virtue . Be
strong in Faith , radiant with Hope , invincible in Love . For until the temple not made with hands be seen iu resplendent glory in the opening heavens , Faith , Hope and Charity shall endure , standing ever triumphant , like whitewinged angels of light over the weak and fleeting ; yet , let it be remembered , that in the inscrutable will of Him who has fashioned all worlds , it has been eternally decreed that-the greatest of these shall be charity .
Again , it is a trite , oft-repeated , and largely a true saying : " First impressions are the most lasting . " We all know this from personal experience . Some beautiful bit of landscape , when first seen , the sweet and hallowed memories of childhood , some
magnificent work of art , some sweet vision of beauty , dream of genius , either on canvas or in stone , when first we stand before its overpowering grandeur , all make first impressions as lasting as life . Therefore , let us endeavour to make the first impressions in Masonry good .
If , when the candidate is first met , he is received in a light and frivolous manner ; if the Officers are careless , ignorant of the work and unconcerned ; if the members are rude and boisterous ; if the beauty , dignity , and solemnity of the degree are to be
sacrificed to a spirit of ill-advised and half-suppressed merriment , then , indeed , are its beauties and symbols so marred , and its truths left so obscured , as to totally impair the harmony and usefulness of not only itself , but all subsequent degrees . Remember you are to make first impressions ; therefore let
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonry's Consummation.
MASONRY'S CONSUMMATION .
By W . D . Henderson , Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons of Tennessee . MASONRY is an institution of education by precept and example . It has nothing to fear from its enemies without , so long as Masons are true to those noble principles
within , which constitute its foundation and which give strength and support to every stone of this beautiful , mystic Temple , even up to the capstone itself . But to be true to them they must have a thorough knowledge of their import , and this information is essential to a proper discharge of their duties as Masons . In
Operative Masonry no one can become a skilled workman who does not apply himself diligently during the time of apprenticeship . Look abroad over our land to-day at the many schools of technology established for the purpose of imparting a thorough knowledge of any particular branch of industry , whereby the
workman may travel as a master workman and draw master s wages . So it is equally true in Speculative Masonry . Masons must study the principles of their Order , and be enthused with an interest founded upon love , which ever seeks after truth , before they can properly practice it themselves or teach it to others .
Masonry is not a mere form which can be learned in a day , but a principle which progresses by extending its tenets from mind to mind , cultivating those tenets in the soul , and by evermore disseminating and practicing that glorious principle upon which all Masonry is founded , the sublime and everlasting principle of truth divine .
A knowledge of Masonry imbues the mind with a sense of stability , confidence and love , while ignorance is the mother of innovation , distrust and hate . This discredit of ignorance , though , lies not in an inability to learn , but either in unreflecting refusal or in thoughtless indifference .
And , in my humble judgment , in this lack of Masonic knowledge among so large a portion of the membership , lies the greatest danger to the Institution itself . The same danger menaces our republican form of government to-day , by the daily number of emigrants thrown upon our shores ; people who have
with us no sympathy of purpose—for good ; who do not understand our institutions , and care not to , and who have no reverence for the memory of the heroic dead , no love for oar traditions , no conception of American patriotism , because they have had no part in the glorious past and care not for the hope
of the future . They are to-day an element of uncertainty which our wisest statesmen are endeavouring to mould into a homogeneous population , failing in which , this unassimilated mass may one day turn and rend to destruction the very institutions that have fostered and protected them from weakness
to strength , and the only way possible to avert the dangers incident to the introduction of this foreign element hi to our commonwealth is to teach and educate them up to a thorough knowledge and love of our institutions and unparalleled history . It is equally true in our beloved Order . Those becoming allied with us must be assimilated by the body , for it is as clear as the
light of the meridian sun , that not only should every member love the Institution of Masonry , but he should be taught its principles , which alone and truly make him a Mason , until he knows why he loves it . And unless Masons are imbued with such a knowledge and love of their Order we will ultimately have , instead of a shapely pile resembling the Temple iu the Apocalypse of John , the falling walls and broken columns of an unsightly
. Another danger to which I desire to call attention is the disinclination to attend ordinary meetings , and the non observance of a legal notice . We know that a summons will not be issued
except from necessity or some extraordinary circumstance , and when so issued it is our duty , not only in compliance with our obligation , but from a sense of charity and love of tbe Order , to extend and lengthen rather than contract or limit our cable
tow . Masonry is an Order pre-eminently founded upon the recognition and observance of law , order , peace and harmony . It is to-day a condition and not a theory . Its extension and usefulness are dependent upon its inculcation and practice of all those principles of the Order which tend to unity hearts , build homes ,
and keep the hearthstone warm . It should rock the cradle of the orphan , soothe the weary brow of the widow , and water with tears the sweet flowers of gentleness , mercy and love . God's word of truth is the rock upon which it is founded , and therein we are enjoined to the proper observance of all those principles of right doing , tending to the development of the individual , the protection of childhood , and the stability of th % home .
But Masonry is not exhausted in its care for the individual , nor do its foundations of solicitude run dry in ministering to the weak and weary . True Masonry inculcates a love of and fosters a determination to maintain the laws of our country . It is law abiding , patriotic
Masonry's Consummation.
and peaceful—ever seeking to sustain the right , uphold the law and preserve peace . And it should be a matter of profound congratulation to every Mason to observe the obedience and submissive spirit of the people of our grand , united country , to the political change of government from one great political party to
another . " Without a jar , without the stoppage of a single wheel , in the twinkling of an eye , the government of seventy million proud people will be changed , and our national machinery will go on as smoothly and as irresistibly as it has from its beginning . " Back to their peaceful vocations in life the millions of American freemen return after the result of a Presidential
contest is known , as silently and submissively as sank the brave Highlanders of Roderick ' Dhu into the banks of heather . This fact should be a fruitful source of encouragement to our Order , when we can point with patriotic pride to our organisation as a moving and influential factor in promoting peace , obedience to law , and love of country .
The Masonic Fraternity , in exercising its broad spirit of charity among the people , has ever been an active force in counselling peace to disturbing elements , sowing seeds of good will among men , extending higher forms of civilisation , and establishing a deeper and purer morality among the people .
Political changes , marked by peace during their exciting activities , truly indicate the stability of our institutions . And specially is this true when we observe the onward progress of a higher intelligence , a loftier code of morals , and a more devoted spirit of patriotism .
The change of administration of public affairs from one great political organisation to another , has become as quiet and peaceful as the delicate hues blend in the bow of promise on the bosom of the cloud . In enunciating and emphasising the fundamental principles which brought together the sisterhood of States into
one Federal unity , no organisation has , doubtless , been more active in promoting the harmonious co-operation of our nationality than Masonry itself . It has ever been a leading factor in cultivating peace , upholding justice , and strengthening all moral forces which make for the safety , the happiness and the national glory of the people .
An Order which has accomplished so much good in promoting national existence should ever be watchful and ready to occupy advanced ground and broader fields of usefulness for national prosperity . Where the vanguard tents to-day the rear
guard should camp to-morrow . Renewed energy and welldirected efforts should characterise our future history in spreading far and wide the cardinal principles of our Order , having for its ulterior purpose the good of our race and the ultimate glory of our nation .
And now , what is the chapiter to the pillar , the key to the arch , the conclusion of the whole matter ? It is not needful that I should remind you that the foundation and crown of our Order is the peerless virtue of Brotherly love . Without that bond of union we are as atoms of dust blown by the winds . If we are
not watchful and solicitous of each other ' s honour , and esteem not each other better than ourselves , but devour and rend , and for peace sow discord , for love breed hate , we shall not only destroy each other , but in this mutual destruction imitate in our blindness Samson of old , who , pulling down the pillars of the temple , was himself buried amid its ruins .
Contention begets contention , strife but adds to strife , crimination courts recrimination , but love disarms , and like the sweet , bright shining of the sun , when winter is passed , fills all hearts with gladness and brings to the blossom all that is noblest and most blessed in the heart of man . Gherist this virtue . Be
strong in Faith , radiant with Hope , invincible in Love . For until the temple not made with hands be seen iu resplendent glory in the opening heavens , Faith , Hope and Charity shall endure , standing ever triumphant , like whitewinged angels of light over the weak and fleeting ; yet , let it be remembered , that in the inscrutable will of Him who has fashioned all worlds , it has been eternally decreed that-the greatest of these shall be charity .
Again , it is a trite , oft-repeated , and largely a true saying : " First impressions are the most lasting . " We all know this from personal experience . Some beautiful bit of landscape , when first seen , the sweet and hallowed memories of childhood , some
magnificent work of art , some sweet vision of beauty , dream of genius , either on canvas or in stone , when first we stand before its overpowering grandeur , all make first impressions as lasting as life . Therefore , let us endeavour to make the first impressions in Masonry good .
If , when the candidate is first met , he is received in a light and frivolous manner ; if the Officers are careless , ignorant of the work and unconcerned ; if the members are rude and boisterous ; if the beauty , dignity , and solemnity of the degree are to be
sacrificed to a spirit of ill-advised and half-suppressed merriment , then , indeed , are its beauties and symbols so marred , and its truths left so obscured , as to totally impair the harmony and usefulness of not only itself , but all subsequent degrees . Remember you are to make first impressions ; therefore let