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Article A DISCOURSE, ← Page 2 of 3 →
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A Discourse,
Kng reflexion , that if the selection be not as perfect as die purity of the Institution would demand , it will be found as much so as the universality of its plan can admit of j if the necessary allowance be ; made for the imperfection of all mundane establishments . With regard to the degeneracy of the members—They are men—and a ? such , liable to err . But a more intimate intercourse with persons of virtuous princiles—their being constantly employed in the same work
p with such—frequent lessons of morality—the anxiety of preserving their reputation . —which they must feel in a more exquisite degree , as on it depends that of a society of worthy persons—wj . ii retain them within the bounds of their duty—and proper admonitions , from their brothers or superiors , bring them back , should they happen to recede . When those lenient means prove ineffectualsuitable correction is re-r
, curred to : then if the delinquent continue refractory , expulsion puts it ; put of his power to injure any longer the character of the craft . Masons profess " to live /'// BROTHERLY LOVE , and lo smooth to each other the ragged paths of adversity . " " To live in BROTHERLY LOVE . "—In this , Masonry only requires strifter observance of what natural and revealed relig ion prescribe .
" To smooth to each other the rugged paths of adversity , " is but a natural consequence of brotherl y love . If there be a period in man ' s life , . wherein he is more entitled , than in any other , to demand from his fellow creatures , the observance of that command of GOD , " Thou fhalt love th y neig hbour ( is thyself , " it is in the hour of distress . Our predecessors at first united principally the better to afford to the distressed that relief which aggregate bodies can procure more amply than
individuals . Seldom ( perhaps I ought to say , never ) was the assistance of a Lodge unsuccessfully implored , when the applicant had not rendered himself unworthy of it . Lastly . Masons profess " . to keep the most INVIOLABLE , SECRECY on certain parts of their , institution . " Taciturnity has ahvays been their characteristic virtue . In the early ages of the world , the professors oi
all sciences required it from their disci ples , and SqLO . vtoi . forbade the workmen he employed to impart the secrets of their art to their apprentices , until , by a long probation , they had proved themselves worthy of being further advanced . The ignorant , whose jealousy generally reviles what they do notun- * derstand , have vainl y endeavoured to make this Fraternity the object
of their ridicule . But malice and envy must be silent , when , on the list of the votaries of . MASONRY , appear the names of trie greatest and best of men in all countries . In Europe : over the Masoris jii that part of the world presided ft Frederick * , ' ; "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Discourse,
Kng reflexion , that if the selection be not as perfect as die purity of the Institution would demand , it will be found as much so as the universality of its plan can admit of j if the necessary allowance be ; made for the imperfection of all mundane establishments . With regard to the degeneracy of the members—They are men—and a ? such , liable to err . But a more intimate intercourse with persons of virtuous princiles—their being constantly employed in the same work
p with such—frequent lessons of morality—the anxiety of preserving their reputation . —which they must feel in a more exquisite degree , as on it depends that of a society of worthy persons—wj . ii retain them within the bounds of their duty—and proper admonitions , from their brothers or superiors , bring them back , should they happen to recede . When those lenient means prove ineffectualsuitable correction is re-r
, curred to : then if the delinquent continue refractory , expulsion puts it ; put of his power to injure any longer the character of the craft . Masons profess " to live /'// BROTHERLY LOVE , and lo smooth to each other the ragged paths of adversity . " " To live in BROTHERLY LOVE . "—In this , Masonry only requires strifter observance of what natural and revealed relig ion prescribe .
" To smooth to each other the rugged paths of adversity , " is but a natural consequence of brotherl y love . If there be a period in man ' s life , . wherein he is more entitled , than in any other , to demand from his fellow creatures , the observance of that command of GOD , " Thou fhalt love th y neig hbour ( is thyself , " it is in the hour of distress . Our predecessors at first united principally the better to afford to the distressed that relief which aggregate bodies can procure more amply than
individuals . Seldom ( perhaps I ought to say , never ) was the assistance of a Lodge unsuccessfully implored , when the applicant had not rendered himself unworthy of it . Lastly . Masons profess " . to keep the most INVIOLABLE , SECRECY on certain parts of their , institution . " Taciturnity has ahvays been their characteristic virtue . In the early ages of the world , the professors oi
all sciences required it from their disci ples , and SqLO . vtoi . forbade the workmen he employed to impart the secrets of their art to their apprentices , until , by a long probation , they had proved themselves worthy of being further advanced . The ignorant , whose jealousy generally reviles what they do notun- * derstand , have vainl y endeavoured to make this Fraternity the object
of their ridicule . But malice and envy must be silent , when , on the list of the votaries of . MASONRY , appear the names of trie greatest and best of men in all countries . In Europe : over the Masoris jii that part of the world presided ft Frederick * , ' ; "