Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine. Or General And Complete Library.
Our Order instructs us in our duty to the great Artificer of the Universe ; directs us to behave as becomes creatures to their Creator ; ' to be satisfied with his . dispensations , and always to rely upon Him whose wisdom cannot mistake our happiness , whose goodness cannot contradict it . It directs us to be peaceable subjects , to g ive no umbrage to the civil powers , and never to be concerned in plots and conspiracies against the well-being of the nation ; and as political matters have
sown the seeds of discord amongst the nearest relations , and most intimate friends , iware wisel y enjoined , in our assemblies , never to speak of them . It instructs us in 6 ur duty to our neig hbour ; teaches us to injure him in none of his connections , and in all our dealings with him to act with justice and impartiality . It discourages defamation ; it bids us not to
circulate any whisper of infamy , improve any hint of suspicion , or publish any failure of conduct . It orders us to be faithful to our trusts ; to deceive not him who relieth upon us ; to be above the meanness of dissimulation ; to let the words of our mouths be the thoughts of our hearts , and whatsoever we promise , religiously to perform .
It teaches inviolable secresy ; bids us to the unenlightened never to discover our mystic rites , or betray a confidence a brother has placed in us . —It warms our hearts with true philanthropy , with that philanthropy which directs us never to permit a wretched fellow-creature to pass b ' y unnoticed—never to pass by , till we have presented him with the cup of consolation , and have made him drink copious draug hts of the heart-reviving milk of human kindness . It makes us lovers of order ;
stifles enmity , wrath , and dissention , and nourishes love , peace , friendship , and every social virtue ; it tells us to seek our happiness in the happiness we bestow , and to love our neig hbour as ourselves . It informs us that we are all children of one father ; that man is an infirm , short-lived creature , who passes away like a shadow ; that he is hastening to that p lace where human titles and distinctions arc not considered ; where the trappings of pride wilt be taken away , and virtue alone have the pre-eminence ; and , thus instructed , ive profess ,
that merit is the only proper distinction . We are not to vaunt . ourselves upon our riches , or our honours , but to clothe ourselves with humility ; to condescend to men of low estate ; to be the friends of merit in whatever rank we find it . We are connected with men of the most indigent circumstances , and in a Lodge ( though our Order deprives no n ? an of the honour due to his dignity or character ) , we rank as Brethren on a level ; and , out of a Lodge , the most abject wretch
we behold belongs to the great fraternity of mankind ; and , therefore , when it is in our-power , it is our duty , to support the distressed , and patronise the neglected . It directs us tq divest ourselves of confined and bigoted notions ( the source of so many cruel persecutions ) , and teaches us , that humanity is the soul of all religions . We never suffer any relig ious disputes in our Lodges ( such disputes tend to disturb the tranquillity of the mind ) , and , as Masons , we only pursue the universal relig ion , the reli g ion of nature . Worshippers ' of the God of mercy , < we believe that , in every nation , he
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine. Or General And Complete Library.
Our Order instructs us in our duty to the great Artificer of the Universe ; directs us to behave as becomes creatures to their Creator ; ' to be satisfied with his . dispensations , and always to rely upon Him whose wisdom cannot mistake our happiness , whose goodness cannot contradict it . It directs us to be peaceable subjects , to g ive no umbrage to the civil powers , and never to be concerned in plots and conspiracies against the well-being of the nation ; and as political matters have
sown the seeds of discord amongst the nearest relations , and most intimate friends , iware wisel y enjoined , in our assemblies , never to speak of them . It instructs us in 6 ur duty to our neig hbour ; teaches us to injure him in none of his connections , and in all our dealings with him to act with justice and impartiality . It discourages defamation ; it bids us not to
circulate any whisper of infamy , improve any hint of suspicion , or publish any failure of conduct . It orders us to be faithful to our trusts ; to deceive not him who relieth upon us ; to be above the meanness of dissimulation ; to let the words of our mouths be the thoughts of our hearts , and whatsoever we promise , religiously to perform .
It teaches inviolable secresy ; bids us to the unenlightened never to discover our mystic rites , or betray a confidence a brother has placed in us . —It warms our hearts with true philanthropy , with that philanthropy which directs us never to permit a wretched fellow-creature to pass b ' y unnoticed—never to pass by , till we have presented him with the cup of consolation , and have made him drink copious draug hts of the heart-reviving milk of human kindness . It makes us lovers of order ;
stifles enmity , wrath , and dissention , and nourishes love , peace , friendship , and every social virtue ; it tells us to seek our happiness in the happiness we bestow , and to love our neig hbour as ourselves . It informs us that we are all children of one father ; that man is an infirm , short-lived creature , who passes away like a shadow ; that he is hastening to that p lace where human titles and distinctions arc not considered ; where the trappings of pride wilt be taken away , and virtue alone have the pre-eminence ; and , thus instructed , ive profess ,
that merit is the only proper distinction . We are not to vaunt . ourselves upon our riches , or our honours , but to clothe ourselves with humility ; to condescend to men of low estate ; to be the friends of merit in whatever rank we find it . We are connected with men of the most indigent circumstances , and in a Lodge ( though our Order deprives no n ? an of the honour due to his dignity or character ) , we rank as Brethren on a level ; and , out of a Lodge , the most abject wretch
we behold belongs to the great fraternity of mankind ; and , therefore , when it is in our-power , it is our duty , to support the distressed , and patronise the neglected . It directs us tq divest ourselves of confined and bigoted notions ( the source of so many cruel persecutions ) , and teaches us , that humanity is the soul of all religions . We never suffer any relig ious disputes in our Lodges ( such disputes tend to disturb the tranquillity of the mind ) , and , as Masons , we only pursue the universal relig ion , the reli g ion of nature . Worshippers ' of the God of mercy , < we believe that , in every nation , he