Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine. Or General And Complete Library.
worthy of reproof ; that the tongue of the slanderer ( always ready to revile you ) may be put to silence . Be models of virtue to mankind ( examples profit more than precepts ) , lead uncorrupt lives , do the thing which is right , and speak the truth from your hearts ; slander not your nei ghbour and do no other evil unto him , and let your good , actions convince the world of the wisdom and advantages of my institution .
Oh ! my Sons ! the unworthiness of some of those who have been initiated into my Order , but who have not made themselves acquainted with me , and who , because I am a friend to rational gaiety , have ignoj-antly thought excesses might be indulged in , has been disgraceful to themselves , and discredited me . Have I any occasion to mention charity tp the UNION LODGE—to
: that Lodge to which ho object of distress has ever applied without being relieved—to that Lodge which , catching the true spirit of my institution , has decreed that , on the festivals of St . John , there should alwavs be a collection made for charitable purposes , and that the Master
or Wardens should recommend the propriety of it . Whilst free from care you are enjoying the blessings of Providence , you forget not to raise the drooping spirits , and exhilarate the desponding hearts of indigent brethren ; ' arid ' whilst you know one worthy man is deprived of the necessaries of life , you cannot enjoy its superfluities . Ye have passed from death unto life , because ye love the brethren . With the chains of benevolence and social affection , my Sons , I link the welfare of every
particular with that of the whole : the chief foundation of my institution is charity ; I cry aloud to my children , not to pass by on the other side when they see objects of distress , but to go to them , and have compassion upon them ; to bind up their wounds , pouring in oil and wine ; to set them on their own beasts ; to ' carry them to a place of safety , ' and take care of them . 1 bid them weep for those who are in trouble ; never to see any perish for want of clothing , of suffer the stranger to lodge in the street , but to open the door to the traveller . Never to cause the eyes of the widow to fail , or eat ' the morsel by themselves
alone , and the fatherless not be partakers thereof . " I she-. y them the path which is perfumed by the breath of benediction , and which leads to the celestial Lodge where the merciful shall obtain mercy . ' But some of my children mig ht have inclination to assist the poor in their trouble , and not be able to do so without prejudicing themselves or their families : remember , my Sons , that when 1 direct you to be charitableI direct to be far ' without doing injury to
, you . so as asyou can yourselves or your connections . But money is not the only thing the unfortunate stand in need of ; compassion points otit many resources tp those who are not rich for the relief of the'indigent ; such as consolation , advice , protection , & c . The distressed' often stand in need only of ? . tongue to make known their complaints ; they often want no more than a word they cannot speaka reason they are ashamed to give , or
en-, trance at the door of a great man , . which they cannot obtain . Ye are connected , my Sons , by sacred ties ; I warn you never to weaken , nevei' to be forgetful of them . I have only to add , that I wish you happy . Virtue , my Sons ,- confers peace of mind here , and happiness in the regions of immortality , ' " ' '
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine. Or General And Complete Library.
worthy of reproof ; that the tongue of the slanderer ( always ready to revile you ) may be put to silence . Be models of virtue to mankind ( examples profit more than precepts ) , lead uncorrupt lives , do the thing which is right , and speak the truth from your hearts ; slander not your nei ghbour and do no other evil unto him , and let your good , actions convince the world of the wisdom and advantages of my institution .
Oh ! my Sons ! the unworthiness of some of those who have been initiated into my Order , but who have not made themselves acquainted with me , and who , because I am a friend to rational gaiety , have ignoj-antly thought excesses might be indulged in , has been disgraceful to themselves , and discredited me . Have I any occasion to mention charity tp the UNION LODGE—to
: that Lodge to which ho object of distress has ever applied without being relieved—to that Lodge which , catching the true spirit of my institution , has decreed that , on the festivals of St . John , there should alwavs be a collection made for charitable purposes , and that the Master
or Wardens should recommend the propriety of it . Whilst free from care you are enjoying the blessings of Providence , you forget not to raise the drooping spirits , and exhilarate the desponding hearts of indigent brethren ; ' arid ' whilst you know one worthy man is deprived of the necessaries of life , you cannot enjoy its superfluities . Ye have passed from death unto life , because ye love the brethren . With the chains of benevolence and social affection , my Sons , I link the welfare of every
particular with that of the whole : the chief foundation of my institution is charity ; I cry aloud to my children , not to pass by on the other side when they see objects of distress , but to go to them , and have compassion upon them ; to bind up their wounds , pouring in oil and wine ; to set them on their own beasts ; to ' carry them to a place of safety , ' and take care of them . 1 bid them weep for those who are in trouble ; never to see any perish for want of clothing , of suffer the stranger to lodge in the street , but to open the door to the traveller . Never to cause the eyes of the widow to fail , or eat ' the morsel by themselves
alone , and the fatherless not be partakers thereof . " I she-. y them the path which is perfumed by the breath of benediction , and which leads to the celestial Lodge where the merciful shall obtain mercy . ' But some of my children mig ht have inclination to assist the poor in their trouble , and not be able to do so without prejudicing themselves or their families : remember , my Sons , that when 1 direct you to be charitableI direct to be far ' without doing injury to
, you . so as asyou can yourselves or your connections . But money is not the only thing the unfortunate stand in need of ; compassion points otit many resources tp those who are not rich for the relief of the'indigent ; such as consolation , advice , protection , & c . The distressed' often stand in need only of ? . tongue to make known their complaints ; they often want no more than a word they cannot speaka reason they are ashamed to give , or
en-, trance at the door of a great man , . which they cannot obtain . Ye are connected , my Sons , by sacred ties ; I warn you never to weaken , nevei' to be forgetful of them . I have only to add , that I wish you happy . Virtue , my Sons ,- confers peace of mind here , and happiness in the regions of immortality , ' " ' '