-
Articles/Ads
Article THE PRINCIPLES OF FREE MASONRY EXPLAINED. ← Page 6 of 15 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Principles Of Free Masonry Explained.
Free Masonry . No body who understands the nature and tendency of our divine religion , will be surprised , that I have mentioned it as a most effedlual mean to remove the disorders of mankind ; but the dubious character under which Free Masonry is known in the world , will , I am afraid , lead many worthy people to blame me for pointing it out , as any , way conducive to the happiness of societyso contrary to their
, own opinion of it . But I intreat all such , to lay aside their prejudices for a little , and judge from the account I am going to g ive of that institution , whether I am in the wrong , for calling it a most' effectual mean to remove the evils that spring from society . Under this head , ' shall first give you a short account of Christianity , and then explain the principles of Free Masonry .
The Christian religion , my brethren , under which you have tire happ iness to live , is , of all the blessings which the divine goodness has conferred on the children of men , by far the . greatest and most excellent . It points out the way by which they may rise superior to all their present temptations and infirmities , and obtain glory , honor and immortality , in their future existence . The way ' to ' these inestimable
benefits lies in a full conviction of the divine origin of revelation ; in the sinceiest endeavours to live obedient to the divine law ; and in a firm reliance on the divine mercy for salvation through Jesus Christ , the Redeemer of the world . The direCl tendency of the doClrines and precepts of Christianity , is to reclaim mankind from every kind of vice ;'
to train them up to the practice of universal piety and virtue ; and thus to restore them to their ori ginal dignity and perfeCUon . By giving them the bri g htest views of the divine wisdom , - power , and goodness ; the holy religion excites in their minds that supreme admiration , fear ; ^ nd gratitude , which these excellencies demand . " - It calls upon them to imitate the Most High in his justice , veracity , tenderness , forbearanceand in all his other moral perfectionsas the best evidence they
, , can give of their love to him , and the best way to advance their owii happiness . It holds put to them the most mortifying , but just picture of their own weakness , foll y , and perversity , in order to' render theni humble and diffident of themselves ; and to teach them all that sweetness , candour , and humanity , with which they ought to view theilrespective failings . It presses upon every man the duties he owes to
himself , commanding him to check every passion that would carry him beyond the bounds of temperance , sobriety , or chastity . To erfgage them to fulfil the duties they all owe to God , to one another , and to themselves , it assures them of a future state of rewards and punishments , where happiness awaits the pious ^ and misery shall be ' the por _ iionof tlie wipke'd , It is admirably suited Jo the Weakness of human
jiature : God , who knows how unable the there sense of duty , or the hopes of invisible and untried pleasures are , to support men against the strong temptations with whiph they are surrounded , has graciously promised them the power and wisdom of his Hol y S pirit , to assist p d dirgft them in their progress in 'holiness , the sure road to hap'J pjness . ¦ ' . - - " - - - ¦!•• "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Principles Of Free Masonry Explained.
Free Masonry . No body who understands the nature and tendency of our divine religion , will be surprised , that I have mentioned it as a most effedlual mean to remove the disorders of mankind ; but the dubious character under which Free Masonry is known in the world , will , I am afraid , lead many worthy people to blame me for pointing it out , as any , way conducive to the happiness of societyso contrary to their
, own opinion of it . But I intreat all such , to lay aside their prejudices for a little , and judge from the account I am going to g ive of that institution , whether I am in the wrong , for calling it a most' effectual mean to remove the evils that spring from society . Under this head , ' shall first give you a short account of Christianity , and then explain the principles of Free Masonry .
The Christian religion , my brethren , under which you have tire happ iness to live , is , of all the blessings which the divine goodness has conferred on the children of men , by far the . greatest and most excellent . It points out the way by which they may rise superior to all their present temptations and infirmities , and obtain glory , honor and immortality , in their future existence . The way ' to ' these inestimable
benefits lies in a full conviction of the divine origin of revelation ; in the sinceiest endeavours to live obedient to the divine law ; and in a firm reliance on the divine mercy for salvation through Jesus Christ , the Redeemer of the world . The direCl tendency of the doClrines and precepts of Christianity , is to reclaim mankind from every kind of vice ;'
to train them up to the practice of universal piety and virtue ; and thus to restore them to their ori ginal dignity and perfeCUon . By giving them the bri g htest views of the divine wisdom , - power , and goodness ; the holy religion excites in their minds that supreme admiration , fear ; ^ nd gratitude , which these excellencies demand . " - It calls upon them to imitate the Most High in his justice , veracity , tenderness , forbearanceand in all his other moral perfectionsas the best evidence they
, , can give of their love to him , and the best way to advance their owii happiness . It holds put to them the most mortifying , but just picture of their own weakness , foll y , and perversity , in order to' render theni humble and diffident of themselves ; and to teach them all that sweetness , candour , and humanity , with which they ought to view theilrespective failings . It presses upon every man the duties he owes to
himself , commanding him to check every passion that would carry him beyond the bounds of temperance , sobriety , or chastity . To erfgage them to fulfil the duties they all owe to God , to one another , and to themselves , it assures them of a future state of rewards and punishments , where happiness awaits the pious ^ and misery shall be ' the por _ iionof tlie wipke'd , It is admirably suited Jo the Weakness of human
jiature : God , who knows how unable the there sense of duty , or the hopes of invisible and untried pleasures are , to support men against the strong temptations with whiph they are surrounded , has graciously promised them the power and wisdom of his Hol y S pirit , to assist p d dirgft them in their progress in 'holiness , the sure road to hap'J pjness . ¦ ' . - - " - - - ¦!•• "