Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Sermon,
perhaps is even invited , or at least loses half the venom of its sting —at this interesting period , I say , see the preserving hand of Benevolence stretched out to relieve and comfort ; and the hapless A'ictims of despair snatched from this scene of nameless misery ' into another which affords them every comfort , and excites the liveliest sensations of gratitude to their benefactor and their God ! Oh lovely Christian-Charity ! when that awful period shall arrive
that drops the curtain over the present scene , and levels the unpityhio * Dives , with the despised and suffering Lazarus ; when all distinct tion , except moral and reli gious , shall vanish ; when the great luminaries of the firmament shall cease to diffuse their cheering li ght , and this planet on which we stand shall drop from her orbit , and ° be ' consigned to irretrievable destruction ; even then thou shalt survive thy ' immortal friendth
votarys ; y lustre shall enli ghten the obscurity of human infirmities ; and th y glory obliterate even a multitude of sins ! _ But as Christianity does , not confine the duty of Charity to the single act of relieving the wretched , but extends it " to the uniform . cultivation of the most benevolent sentiments , and the practice of all social and relative duties ; so do the principles and precepts of the
Society before whom I have the honour of appearing here , inculcate the observance of it in its greatest latitude , and inforce it b y the best sanctions . Notwithstanding the undistinguishing censures passed upon the Society ( often for the faults of a few individuals ) by those who are ( indeed who must be ) totally ignorant of its excellence , yet , like Christianityit has stood the shock of
, ages , and the force of undiscerning prejudice . Indeed , it may also , perhaps , like Christianity , thank its opponents for much new li ght , from time to time thrown in upon the sublime excellence of its nature , ancl the stability of its institution ; -- opponents—in some sort , more welcome than its friends , as they do it a signal service without disgracing it , and haA'e no demand ' for the favours confer
on pur gratitude they . The stronger its adversaries , the greater its triumph . Like Christianity— that great sunport of human welfare , and of human hope—the virtuous institution of MASONRY ( which by the bye is admirably calculated to extend the faith and interests of Christianity * , the virtuous institution of MASONRY . I 833-- ) , like a well built arch , stands the firmer in proportion to the load of opposition .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Sermon,
perhaps is even invited , or at least loses half the venom of its sting —at this interesting period , I say , see the preserving hand of Benevolence stretched out to relieve and comfort ; and the hapless A'ictims of despair snatched from this scene of nameless misery ' into another which affords them every comfort , and excites the liveliest sensations of gratitude to their benefactor and their God ! Oh lovely Christian-Charity ! when that awful period shall arrive
that drops the curtain over the present scene , and levels the unpityhio * Dives , with the despised and suffering Lazarus ; when all distinct tion , except moral and reli gious , shall vanish ; when the great luminaries of the firmament shall cease to diffuse their cheering li ght , and this planet on which we stand shall drop from her orbit , and ° be ' consigned to irretrievable destruction ; even then thou shalt survive thy ' immortal friendth
votarys ; y lustre shall enli ghten the obscurity of human infirmities ; and th y glory obliterate even a multitude of sins ! _ But as Christianity does , not confine the duty of Charity to the single act of relieving the wretched , but extends it " to the uniform . cultivation of the most benevolent sentiments , and the practice of all social and relative duties ; so do the principles and precepts of the
Society before whom I have the honour of appearing here , inculcate the observance of it in its greatest latitude , and inforce it b y the best sanctions . Notwithstanding the undistinguishing censures passed upon the Society ( often for the faults of a few individuals ) by those who are ( indeed who must be ) totally ignorant of its excellence , yet , like Christianityit has stood the shock of
, ages , and the force of undiscerning prejudice . Indeed , it may also , perhaps , like Christianity , thank its opponents for much new li ght , from time to time thrown in upon the sublime excellence of its nature , ancl the stability of its institution ; -- opponents—in some sort , more welcome than its friends , as they do it a signal service without disgracing it , and haA'e no demand ' for the favours confer
on pur gratitude they . The stronger its adversaries , the greater its triumph . Like Christianity— that great sunport of human welfare , and of human hope—the virtuous institution of MASONRY ( which by the bye is admirably calculated to extend the faith and interests of Christianity * , the virtuous institution of MASONRY . I 833-- ) , like a well built arch , stands the firmer in proportion to the load of opposition .