Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Sermon Preached At Greenwich, On The Festival Of St. John The Baptist, June 24, 1774,
is capable of . As a lover of peace , he is anxious to put a stop to all improper debates , and to make a full reconcilement with his ad ^ versary as soon as it can be accomplished : While , 'justly sensible of oppressive wrongs , he with equal reason detests every frivolous contest , and every litig ious suit . If he has given offence , he is ready to acknowledge and repair it . If others have offended him , he is willing to embrace any overture of submission that may cancel their
guilt . Being the friend of man , he is ardently desirous to he at peace with man . Amidst the great variety of human tempers and human opinions , he will always strive to maintain a consistent character of moderation and goodness ; not once attempting to quarrel with the Jew , while lie pretends to maintain peace with the Gentile , nor to be rude to the Barbarianwhile he professes to be kind to the
, Greek ; nor to be submissive to the great , or patient with the froward , while he is insolent to the meek and lowljr ; but ready to extend his good-will to all estates , conditions , and characters of men , to pay a due regard to the universal rig hts of the human race , and to consider that God bath made of one blood every nation upon the earth . Such is the lovely temper and engaging conduct of that amjable man
ivho lives in unity with his brethren—A conduct which was eminently displayed by the unspotted example of our Lord , who always breathed a spirit of unlimited friendship to the world , and in whom the words of the prophet were fully accomplished , that he shoidd reveal to men the abundance of peace .
But still more to enforce the practice of that duty which the text recommends , let us consider to what merited blame and reproach we must in a particular manner expose ourselves , if it be not our constant pursuit to live together in unity . Need I mention the malicious triumph which any schism or contest among us would give to the enemies of our ancient craft . A factious spirit would soon check the progress of true MASONRYand strengthen every vulgar
preju-, dice against us . We all find it extremely difficult , amidst the frailty of our nature , theshortness of our lives , and the imperfection of our knowledge , to discharge the several duties of our grand and peculiar character . The very best and most eminent among us seldom reach those hi gh attainments , which our excellent institution-is fitted to promote ; and why should we then augment our care and labour
, or create new obstacles to our own improvement , as well as to the increase of qur society , by such disputes as may give offence to the world at large , or by such contracted views as may tend to divide us among ourselves ? Let it never be in the power of any candid man to say , that he had the most respectable ideas of the Fraternity of FREEMASONSwhile at a distance he observed your beautiful order
, , decorum , and sociability pf temper ; b , ut that when he approached nigher to the mysterious scene , and could yievy them in a fuller light , he with grief discovered not only those infirmities and errors which are inseparable from human nature , but many of the worst failures incident to unguarded minds . He could perceive an undue f l pire of pre-emiuence , a neglect or violation of fundamental rules ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Sermon Preached At Greenwich, On The Festival Of St. John The Baptist, June 24, 1774,
is capable of . As a lover of peace , he is anxious to put a stop to all improper debates , and to make a full reconcilement with his ad ^ versary as soon as it can be accomplished : While , 'justly sensible of oppressive wrongs , he with equal reason detests every frivolous contest , and every litig ious suit . If he has given offence , he is ready to acknowledge and repair it . If others have offended him , he is willing to embrace any overture of submission that may cancel their
guilt . Being the friend of man , he is ardently desirous to he at peace with man . Amidst the great variety of human tempers and human opinions , he will always strive to maintain a consistent character of moderation and goodness ; not once attempting to quarrel with the Jew , while lie pretends to maintain peace with the Gentile , nor to be rude to the Barbarianwhile he professes to be kind to the
, Greek ; nor to be submissive to the great , or patient with the froward , while he is insolent to the meek and lowljr ; but ready to extend his good-will to all estates , conditions , and characters of men , to pay a due regard to the universal rig hts of the human race , and to consider that God bath made of one blood every nation upon the earth . Such is the lovely temper and engaging conduct of that amjable man
ivho lives in unity with his brethren—A conduct which was eminently displayed by the unspotted example of our Lord , who always breathed a spirit of unlimited friendship to the world , and in whom the words of the prophet were fully accomplished , that he shoidd reveal to men the abundance of peace .
But still more to enforce the practice of that duty which the text recommends , let us consider to what merited blame and reproach we must in a particular manner expose ourselves , if it be not our constant pursuit to live together in unity . Need I mention the malicious triumph which any schism or contest among us would give to the enemies of our ancient craft . A factious spirit would soon check the progress of true MASONRYand strengthen every vulgar
preju-, dice against us . We all find it extremely difficult , amidst the frailty of our nature , theshortness of our lives , and the imperfection of our knowledge , to discharge the several duties of our grand and peculiar character . The very best and most eminent among us seldom reach those hi gh attainments , which our excellent institution-is fitted to promote ; and why should we then augment our care and labour
, or create new obstacles to our own improvement , as well as to the increase of qur society , by such disputes as may give offence to the world at large , or by such contracted views as may tend to divide us among ourselves ? Let it never be in the power of any candid man to say , that he had the most respectable ideas of the Fraternity of FREEMASONSwhile at a distance he observed your beautiful order
, , decorum , and sociability pf temper ; b , ut that when he approached nigher to the mysterious scene , and could yievy them in a fuller light , he with grief discovered not only those infirmities and errors which are inseparable from human nature , but many of the worst failures incident to unguarded minds . He could perceive an undue f l pire of pre-emiuence , a neglect or violation of fundamental rules ,