-
Articles/Ads
Article FREEMASONS' REPOSITORY. ← Page 3 of 5 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasons' Repository.
cut off as a rotten member , whose longer continuance with you would endanger the whole constitution . 1 imagine it will be expected that before I quit this head I should say something concerning what are generally called the Secrets of Masonry , which have been so loudly exclaimed against , and so greatly misrepresented . Butthough 1 am bound to hail and conceal those SecretsI trust I shall be believedwhen I declare I speak the truth
, , before God , and lie not ; when 1 affirm that as to their nature they are strictly decent , innocent , well contrived , and rational , consisting in mere notes of distinction and emblematical signs and words , serving to put us in mind of that obligation we Masons lay under , never to re-X'eal any of these Secrets touching Masonry ; and are designed only to discover a true brotherwhen we meet himas % vell in the dark
, , , as in the lig ht ; and to guard against the intrusions of the artful , designing , and reprobate part of the world , to the end that the good principles of Masonry , so far as human prudence and wisdom can contrive , may not be prostituted to the dishonour of God , and the ridicule of that Friendly Society ; since it has been , for some time , so much the polite taste to ridicule every thing that is soberseriousand
reli-, , g ious . This then may serve as an answer to that common question put to Masons , viz . ' If your secrets be so innocent and rational , wh y then should you be so exceeding cautious of their , being divulged ?' . Another question also I have had frequently put to me , viz . 'If
there were not some terrible Secret concealed , which none of you dare to reveal , how comes it to pass that Masons of the most profligate lives , who have not the least regard to the strongest obligations , have never divulged it ?' To this I answer , Masonry is a progressive science , and not to be attained in any degree of perfection , but by time , patience , and a considerable lication and industry : for no one is admitted to the
proapp foundest Secrets , or the highest honours of this fraternity , till , by time , we are assured he has learned secrecy and morality ; and then , and not till then , he is admitted to participate of all the Secrets belonging to that good-fellowship . Hence you may easily perceive , that it would be as impossible for a fresh made brother to reveal all the Secrets of Masonry , as it would
be for an apprentice , just entered on his apprenticeship , to perform the work of one who has already served his master seven years ; or , for such a one to disclose all the secrets of the craft , he was just bound unto , which are seldom entrusted to his knowledge , till by a faithful servitude he has proved himself worthy of that trust and confidence . I in thelast laceto make an application of what has been
come now , p , said . ' . And first to you , my brethren ! . Since you are governed by such wholesome laws , let your lives correspond with that purity which they enjoin . ' Consider that you are brought out of darkness into light . * Lei therefore that ti ght which
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasons' Repository.
cut off as a rotten member , whose longer continuance with you would endanger the whole constitution . 1 imagine it will be expected that before I quit this head I should say something concerning what are generally called the Secrets of Masonry , which have been so loudly exclaimed against , and so greatly misrepresented . Butthough 1 am bound to hail and conceal those SecretsI trust I shall be believedwhen I declare I speak the truth
, , before God , and lie not ; when 1 affirm that as to their nature they are strictly decent , innocent , well contrived , and rational , consisting in mere notes of distinction and emblematical signs and words , serving to put us in mind of that obligation we Masons lay under , never to re-X'eal any of these Secrets touching Masonry ; and are designed only to discover a true brotherwhen we meet himas % vell in the dark
, , , as in the lig ht ; and to guard against the intrusions of the artful , designing , and reprobate part of the world , to the end that the good principles of Masonry , so far as human prudence and wisdom can contrive , may not be prostituted to the dishonour of God , and the ridicule of that Friendly Society ; since it has been , for some time , so much the polite taste to ridicule every thing that is soberseriousand
reli-, , g ious . This then may serve as an answer to that common question put to Masons , viz . ' If your secrets be so innocent and rational , wh y then should you be so exceeding cautious of their , being divulged ?' . Another question also I have had frequently put to me , viz . 'If
there were not some terrible Secret concealed , which none of you dare to reveal , how comes it to pass that Masons of the most profligate lives , who have not the least regard to the strongest obligations , have never divulged it ?' To this I answer , Masonry is a progressive science , and not to be attained in any degree of perfection , but by time , patience , and a considerable lication and industry : for no one is admitted to the
proapp foundest Secrets , or the highest honours of this fraternity , till , by time , we are assured he has learned secrecy and morality ; and then , and not till then , he is admitted to participate of all the Secrets belonging to that good-fellowship . Hence you may easily perceive , that it would be as impossible for a fresh made brother to reveal all the Secrets of Masonry , as it would
be for an apprentice , just entered on his apprenticeship , to perform the work of one who has already served his master seven years ; or , for such a one to disclose all the secrets of the craft , he was just bound unto , which are seldom entrusted to his knowledge , till by a faithful servitude he has proved himself worthy of that trust and confidence . I in thelast laceto make an application of what has been
come now , p , said . ' . And first to you , my brethren ! . Since you are governed by such wholesome laws , let your lives correspond with that purity which they enjoin . ' Consider that you are brought out of darkness into light . * Lei therefore that ti ght which