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Article PROGRESSIVE STUDIES. Page 1 of 2 Article PROGRESSIVE STUDIES. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Progressive Studies.
PROGRESSIVE STUDIES .
HAVING been admonished as to the necessity of exercising due caution and prudence in his progressive studies , the E . A . very naturally casts about him for the sources of advice and counsel from which he may hope to derive the most sterling * and reliable assistance . In this
larva condition , so to speak , of his speculative attainmentswhen , as wc have said , the mind of the young Mason is receptive , and capable of being moulded like the potter ' s clay—be very properly regards all by whom he is
surrounded as new friends , bound together by an indissoluble tie of brotherhood , and from whom he has a right to expect nothing but sure and faithful guidance . If our Institution were anything bat human in root and branch , and if the body of its members were immaculate , these infantile
expectations could not fail to be realised to the utmost ; but he must be a bold Mason indeed who would assert that perfection is attained by an average study only of the Masonic art . The adage holds now as ever that a good Mason must , perforce , be a good man . Practically to exemplify all
the principles of morality and virtue contained in the curriculum of our system must be to raise the standard of the man to the hi ghest perfection of human excellence ; the closer he adheres to the ancient lines aud landmarks which are set before him in the Order the more marked must be
the uprightness of his thoughts and tlie rectitude of his actions ; and that any departure from these elevating and refining precepts , which are the pivot npon which the whole system of Masonry revolves , is possible , the E . A ., has yet to discover . With his foot upon the first round of that ladder
whose summit reaches to the firmament of all that is pure and estimable , he is now , perhaps more than at any other period of his career , filled with an ardent and sincere determination to acquit himself as a worthy member of a society from which radiato at every point lessons of new and
sublime import to his after life . What had hitherto been to him a passing show—a mere pageant , surrounded by a halo of fascinating mystery , but perhaps after all possessing but shallow foundation—he discovers to be a grand ancl tangible reality worth striving after , a study of which it is eminently
desirable that he shonld be the master . Grasping , then , the banner with the strange device , his motto now is " Excelsior ; " he looks not back upon the cavernous void from which ho has safely emerged ; and b y the assistance of the effulgence which radiates from those three pedestals , he
proceeds , with " firm bnt humble confidence , " on his jonrneyings in the pathway of Light . In this beautiful system of morality , veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols , he sees Wisdom , Strength and Beauty depicted in every object upon which his eye rests within the tabernacle * , and , if he
be the pattern novitiate we would endeavour to pourtray , he longs to shape the rough ashlar into the perfect by a course of apt and judicious research . Care must here be exercised that a laudable ambition is not allowed to overleap itself into impetuosity—thafc rock npon which so many a
promising barque has split . Nor is this necessary brakepower far t * seek iu a well-regulated Lodge . In the case of the seasoned Past Master , who knows that a kindly but firm application of the rein is essential to the right direction and development of all youthful aspirations , he will always be found guarded in his tactics towards the voune * Annrentir-R
Just as the expert master of any profession curbs the pardonable ambition of his pupil , who if left alone would attempt work beyond his power , aud by acquiring a slovenl y style would inevitably become but an indifferent workman ,
Progressive Studies.
so the Officers of a Lodge are responsible for the early training of those who aro initiated under their rule , and for their gradual growth in Masonic knowledge . Under such auspices as we point out , the foundation is laid upon which the young Mason is enabled to raise a superstructure perfect
in all its parts and honourable to the builder . He lays his lines and plans with a mind untinged by doubt or uncertainty ; and under skilful direction from tho overseers of the work he gains confidence as he proceeds to tho more finished branches of his profession . Many a Mason who has become
an ornament to tho Craft , and a faithful monitor to those with whom he is associated , has occasion to reflect upon the " word in season" which was thus kindly administered to him at the outset of his Masonic journeying . To break in rudely or abruptly upon even seeming precocity is
sometimes to nip a fair blossom in tho bud , or to torture into deformity the promising sapling of a goodly tree . It is not merely the prerogative , bnt also the privilege , of the veterans to the Craft to guide and rule the recruits , and to mould the material at their command to the best possible
uses . Taken thus in hand by benign ancl intelligent superiors , there are sanguine hopes that the initiate may take his onward steps with prudence mingled with zeal ; - and every advance made in this spirit , ancl under such surveillance , brings with it sheaves of ripened grain into the
storohouseof his Masonic experience . Witness the increasing attention which he pays to the recurring sentences of the ritual , as—now entitled to sit amongst the brethren , clothed and in his right mind—he aids in the initiation of newcomers into the Lodge . Carefully observing the attitude of the poor
and penniless enquirer after light and truth , ho is wont to follow inarticulately every word thafc falls from the Master and his Wardens , noting mentally the prominent passages which fell so grandly on his ear bufc a short time before . And then , that touch of Nature which maketh the whole
world kin prompts him at the earliest convenience to commune with the students in his lower form , aud with them to con over those lessons and instructions with which they have thus early been entrusted . " As iron sharpenoth iron , so doth the countenance of man his friend ; " ancl nowhere
is the scriptural proverb more fully illustrated than within the precincts of a Masonic lodge . With single eye to the upholding of those sacred precepts , and in anticipation of still higher illustrations of symbolic grandeur which he is admonished are to follow , the initiate concentrates his wholo
soul on the working out of those principles which adorn tho profession to which he has attached his name . Expanding into a magnanimity which is the natural outcome of such teaching , he embraces every opportunity of practising thoso virtues which he has professed to admire and promised to
support . Wise is the E . A . who eschews the too intimate acquaintanceship and example of those elder brethren who flaunt their " little knowledge " in profuse signs and
grandiloquent phrases , and who regard the frivolities which occasionally surround Masonry as fcheir chief concern , while they emblazon the eloquent symbols of our Order on every occasion on their trade marks . He regards the utilisation
of membership for such purposes to be a violation of thafc professedly sincere declaration that he was prompted to unite himself with the brethren " from no mercenary or other unworthy motive ; " and he has such a wholesome disgust at this prostitution of the system thafc he squeamishly
avoids brandishing his own acquirements , or copying such unseemly example . Let the Officer who is careful for the dignity and wellbeing of the Lodge whose interests he ia pledged to uphold encourage such traits in the character of those in whom he is able to trace the germa of an intelligent
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Progressive Studies.
PROGRESSIVE STUDIES .
HAVING been admonished as to the necessity of exercising due caution and prudence in his progressive studies , the E . A . very naturally casts about him for the sources of advice and counsel from which he may hope to derive the most sterling * and reliable assistance . In this
larva condition , so to speak , of his speculative attainmentswhen , as wc have said , the mind of the young Mason is receptive , and capable of being moulded like the potter ' s clay—be very properly regards all by whom he is
surrounded as new friends , bound together by an indissoluble tie of brotherhood , and from whom he has a right to expect nothing but sure and faithful guidance . If our Institution were anything bat human in root and branch , and if the body of its members were immaculate , these infantile
expectations could not fail to be realised to the utmost ; but he must be a bold Mason indeed who would assert that perfection is attained by an average study only of the Masonic art . The adage holds now as ever that a good Mason must , perforce , be a good man . Practically to exemplify all
the principles of morality and virtue contained in the curriculum of our system must be to raise the standard of the man to the hi ghest perfection of human excellence ; the closer he adheres to the ancient lines aud landmarks which are set before him in the Order the more marked must be
the uprightness of his thoughts and tlie rectitude of his actions ; and that any departure from these elevating and refining precepts , which are the pivot npon which the whole system of Masonry revolves , is possible , the E . A ., has yet to discover . With his foot upon the first round of that ladder
whose summit reaches to the firmament of all that is pure and estimable , he is now , perhaps more than at any other period of his career , filled with an ardent and sincere determination to acquit himself as a worthy member of a society from which radiato at every point lessons of new and
sublime import to his after life . What had hitherto been to him a passing show—a mere pageant , surrounded by a halo of fascinating mystery , but perhaps after all possessing but shallow foundation—he discovers to be a grand ancl tangible reality worth striving after , a study of which it is eminently
desirable that he shonld be the master . Grasping , then , the banner with the strange device , his motto now is " Excelsior ; " he looks not back upon the cavernous void from which ho has safely emerged ; and b y the assistance of the effulgence which radiates from those three pedestals , he
proceeds , with " firm bnt humble confidence , " on his jonrneyings in the pathway of Light . In this beautiful system of morality , veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols , he sees Wisdom , Strength and Beauty depicted in every object upon which his eye rests within the tabernacle * , and , if he
be the pattern novitiate we would endeavour to pourtray , he longs to shape the rough ashlar into the perfect by a course of apt and judicious research . Care must here be exercised that a laudable ambition is not allowed to overleap itself into impetuosity—thafc rock npon which so many a
promising barque has split . Nor is this necessary brakepower far t * seek iu a well-regulated Lodge . In the case of the seasoned Past Master , who knows that a kindly but firm application of the rein is essential to the right direction and development of all youthful aspirations , he will always be found guarded in his tactics towards the voune * Annrentir-R
Just as the expert master of any profession curbs the pardonable ambition of his pupil , who if left alone would attempt work beyond his power , aud by acquiring a slovenl y style would inevitably become but an indifferent workman ,
Progressive Studies.
so the Officers of a Lodge are responsible for the early training of those who aro initiated under their rule , and for their gradual growth in Masonic knowledge . Under such auspices as we point out , the foundation is laid upon which the young Mason is enabled to raise a superstructure perfect
in all its parts and honourable to the builder . He lays his lines and plans with a mind untinged by doubt or uncertainty ; and under skilful direction from tho overseers of the work he gains confidence as he proceeds to tho more finished branches of his profession . Many a Mason who has become
an ornament to tho Craft , and a faithful monitor to those with whom he is associated , has occasion to reflect upon the " word in season" which was thus kindly administered to him at the outset of his Masonic journeying . To break in rudely or abruptly upon even seeming precocity is
sometimes to nip a fair blossom in tho bud , or to torture into deformity the promising sapling of a goodly tree . It is not merely the prerogative , bnt also the privilege , of the veterans to the Craft to guide and rule the recruits , and to mould the material at their command to the best possible
uses . Taken thus in hand by benign ancl intelligent superiors , there are sanguine hopes that the initiate may take his onward steps with prudence mingled with zeal ; - and every advance made in this spirit , ancl under such surveillance , brings with it sheaves of ripened grain into the
storohouseof his Masonic experience . Witness the increasing attention which he pays to the recurring sentences of the ritual , as—now entitled to sit amongst the brethren , clothed and in his right mind—he aids in the initiation of newcomers into the Lodge . Carefully observing the attitude of the poor
and penniless enquirer after light and truth , ho is wont to follow inarticulately every word thafc falls from the Master and his Wardens , noting mentally the prominent passages which fell so grandly on his ear bufc a short time before . And then , that touch of Nature which maketh the whole
world kin prompts him at the earliest convenience to commune with the students in his lower form , aud with them to con over those lessons and instructions with which they have thus early been entrusted . " As iron sharpenoth iron , so doth the countenance of man his friend ; " ancl nowhere
is the scriptural proverb more fully illustrated than within the precincts of a Masonic lodge . With single eye to the upholding of those sacred precepts , and in anticipation of still higher illustrations of symbolic grandeur which he is admonished are to follow , the initiate concentrates his wholo
soul on the working out of those principles which adorn tho profession to which he has attached his name . Expanding into a magnanimity which is the natural outcome of such teaching , he embraces every opportunity of practising thoso virtues which he has professed to admire and promised to
support . Wise is the E . A . who eschews the too intimate acquaintanceship and example of those elder brethren who flaunt their " little knowledge " in profuse signs and
grandiloquent phrases , and who regard the frivolities which occasionally surround Masonry as fcheir chief concern , while they emblazon the eloquent symbols of our Order on every occasion on their trade marks . He regards the utilisation
of membership for such purposes to be a violation of thafc professedly sincere declaration that he was prompted to unite himself with the brethren " from no mercenary or other unworthy motive ; " and he has such a wholesome disgust at this prostitution of the system thafc he squeamishly
avoids brandishing his own acquirements , or copying such unseemly example . Let the Officer who is careful for the dignity and wellbeing of the Lodge whose interests he ia pledged to uphold encourage such traits in the character of those in whom he is able to trace the germa of an intelligent