Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
An Address, Delivered To The Brethren Of St. John's Lodge, No. 534, Lancaster.
latingto the measurement of the earth , and emphatically referring to its creation ; a liberal ox free MASON signifying a friend and admirer , or a professor of liberal science , in contradistinction to an operative Mason . But , though Masonry primarily inculcates morals and the reli gion of nature , it has caught an additional spark from the li ght of revelation and the Sun of righteousness * . And though Masonry continues to burn with subordinate lustreit lihts the human traveller the same
, g road : it breathes a concordant spirit of universal benevolence and brotherly love . ; adds one thread more to thc silken cord of evangelical charity , which binds man to man , and crowns the cardinal virtues with christian graces . Thus it aids the cause of virtue , by giving additional wei ght to moral obligations ; and promotes public happiness , by enjoining a peaceable submission to every existing mode of
government . But it may be said , why has it been always locked up in secrecy ? The Almighty locks up gold in the earth and pearls in the ocean , not to bury them unkindly from human use , but to reward human industry for its search of them . And why do men lock up precious thingsbut to keep them from pilfering and unhallowed
, hands ? Moreover , silence aud secrecy inspire awe and solemnity-. Hence the moral precepts , Illustrations , Allegories , Signs and Tokens , of Masonry , are prohibited from being written or printed , and have been with oracular caution transmitted by oral tradition from
generation to generation . But after all , it must be confessed , that its harmless secrets are but centinels and guards against imposition ; and to the credit of human nature be it said , that they have never been betrayed , even by those who have basely deserted almost every other conscientious engagement . Let each of us , then , in our respective spheres as Men and Masons , be the generous friends of every useful and ornamental art and
science ; cultivate each moral and social virtue ; and make our fundamental principles live by exhibiting in our lives and actions an unfeigned BROTHERLY LOVE to each other and all mankind ; a cheerful communication of RELIEF to distressed brethren and fellow-creatures ; and an invariable adherence to TRUTH and sincerity in all we say or do . Let sobriety temper all our social moments , and good hours
procure us the praise of regularity from our families and friends . Let strict caution and discretion guard us from making any undue discoveries to the uninformed . And let us by our exemplary conduct convince the world , that by being Masons we are better men ; remembering that an impious and dissolute Mason is a disgrace to human natureby having broke his initiating , vows and obligationsboth as
, , a Christian and a Brother . Then may we humbly hope that a blessing will descend from the MOST HIGH upon our labours and our meetings ; and that , from associating as Brethren in unity f here , we shall meet again as BRETHREN in HLISS hereafter .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
An Address, Delivered To The Brethren Of St. John's Lodge, No. 534, Lancaster.
latingto the measurement of the earth , and emphatically referring to its creation ; a liberal ox free MASON signifying a friend and admirer , or a professor of liberal science , in contradistinction to an operative Mason . But , though Masonry primarily inculcates morals and the reli gion of nature , it has caught an additional spark from the li ght of revelation and the Sun of righteousness * . And though Masonry continues to burn with subordinate lustreit lihts the human traveller the same
, g road : it breathes a concordant spirit of universal benevolence and brotherly love . ; adds one thread more to thc silken cord of evangelical charity , which binds man to man , and crowns the cardinal virtues with christian graces . Thus it aids the cause of virtue , by giving additional wei ght to moral obligations ; and promotes public happiness , by enjoining a peaceable submission to every existing mode of
government . But it may be said , why has it been always locked up in secrecy ? The Almighty locks up gold in the earth and pearls in the ocean , not to bury them unkindly from human use , but to reward human industry for its search of them . And why do men lock up precious thingsbut to keep them from pilfering and unhallowed
, hands ? Moreover , silence aud secrecy inspire awe and solemnity-. Hence the moral precepts , Illustrations , Allegories , Signs and Tokens , of Masonry , are prohibited from being written or printed , and have been with oracular caution transmitted by oral tradition from
generation to generation . But after all , it must be confessed , that its harmless secrets are but centinels and guards against imposition ; and to the credit of human nature be it said , that they have never been betrayed , even by those who have basely deserted almost every other conscientious engagement . Let each of us , then , in our respective spheres as Men and Masons , be the generous friends of every useful and ornamental art and
science ; cultivate each moral and social virtue ; and make our fundamental principles live by exhibiting in our lives and actions an unfeigned BROTHERLY LOVE to each other and all mankind ; a cheerful communication of RELIEF to distressed brethren and fellow-creatures ; and an invariable adherence to TRUTH and sincerity in all we say or do . Let sobriety temper all our social moments , and good hours
procure us the praise of regularity from our families and friends . Let strict caution and discretion guard us from making any undue discoveries to the uninformed . And let us by our exemplary conduct convince the world , that by being Masons we are better men ; remembering that an impious and dissolute Mason is a disgrace to human natureby having broke his initiating , vows and obligationsboth as
, , a Christian and a Brother . Then may we humbly hope that a blessing will descend from the MOST HIGH upon our labours and our meetings ; and that , from associating as Brethren in unity f here , we shall meet again as BRETHREN in HLISS hereafter .