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A Sermon Preached Before The Grand Lodge Of The Most Ancient And Honourable Fraternity
Nor does Masonry , in thus exciting to the practice of the virtue in Question , confine its views to the transitory and unsatisfying pursuitsof the present world . It enlarges its range , and , in concurrence ' with the spirit of the gospel , takes an higher direction , even to those future and invisible things , ' -which are eternal . Its language is—Be not slothful in businessnor slothful in reliion . Labour for the meat
, g -which perisbeth less than for that which enduretb unto everlasting life ,-and , whilst employed in the business of your secular professions , and in the duties of your respective Lodges , neglect not that more important occupation , the care of your immortality . ... Be diligent to make your calling and election sure ; and WOKK OUT your salvation with fear and trembling .
2 . Subjection to lawful authority is another duty recommended by our profession , and which should therefore highly endear it to the community . The strict subordination that is maintained in our Lodges , the cheerful obedience which those of inferior order yield to their superiors in office , aud the terms of respect in wiiich they address them , are princip les which do not spend their influence
within the walls of a structure dedicated to Masonry , but imperceptibly diffuse themselves into general society , and become excellent means of rendering those who are actuated by them loyal subjects , faithful dependents , and inviolable observers of the laws of . their country . At the same time , the mild and equal nature of our government as effectually checks every sentiment of harshness and oppression ; and presents those ideas of a pure and perfect republic , the reality of which we in vain now look for in the most boasted political constitutions which bear that name .
3 . Some other circumstances respecting the Craft are both signir Scant as emblems , and useful in stimulating to the practice of various duties of the man and of the citizen . They remind us , that candour , purity , and white-robed innocence should characterise our thoughts and conversation ; that w . e should constantly abide within the COMPASS of frugality and temperance ; and . in our proceedings with others be careful to measure and regulate pur actions by the RULE and SQUARE
of strict integrity and justice . Indeed , of all the interests of men in society , Masonry is peculiarly tender ; respecting itself , and teachin g its votaries to respect , that ' admirable maxim of our religion : What-, soever ye would that men should do to you , do ye even so unto thzm *— *¦ That rule of equity , by which every claim of right may be immediateladjusted— " that lawof which find the
y , every man may exposition ' in his own breast , and which may always be observed without any other qualifications than honesty of intention , and purity of will—7 and , let me add , in the words of a good writer , a law " which should be engraved on every heart ; as , by the command of the emperor Severus , it was engraved upon his palace and public buildings ¦) - . "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Sermon Preached Before The Grand Lodge Of The Most Ancient And Honourable Fraternity
Nor does Masonry , in thus exciting to the practice of the virtue in Question , confine its views to the transitory and unsatisfying pursuitsof the present world . It enlarges its range , and , in concurrence ' with the spirit of the gospel , takes an higher direction , even to those future and invisible things , ' -which are eternal . Its language is—Be not slothful in businessnor slothful in reliion . Labour for the meat
, g -which perisbeth less than for that which enduretb unto everlasting life ,-and , whilst employed in the business of your secular professions , and in the duties of your respective Lodges , neglect not that more important occupation , the care of your immortality . ... Be diligent to make your calling and election sure ; and WOKK OUT your salvation with fear and trembling .
2 . Subjection to lawful authority is another duty recommended by our profession , and which should therefore highly endear it to the community . The strict subordination that is maintained in our Lodges , the cheerful obedience which those of inferior order yield to their superiors in office , aud the terms of respect in wiiich they address them , are princip les which do not spend their influence
within the walls of a structure dedicated to Masonry , but imperceptibly diffuse themselves into general society , and become excellent means of rendering those who are actuated by them loyal subjects , faithful dependents , and inviolable observers of the laws of . their country . At the same time , the mild and equal nature of our government as effectually checks every sentiment of harshness and oppression ; and presents those ideas of a pure and perfect republic , the reality of which we in vain now look for in the most boasted political constitutions which bear that name .
3 . Some other circumstances respecting the Craft are both signir Scant as emblems , and useful in stimulating to the practice of various duties of the man and of the citizen . They remind us , that candour , purity , and white-robed innocence should characterise our thoughts and conversation ; that w . e should constantly abide within the COMPASS of frugality and temperance ; and . in our proceedings with others be careful to measure and regulate pur actions by the RULE and SQUARE
of strict integrity and justice . Indeed , of all the interests of men in society , Masonry is peculiarly tender ; respecting itself , and teachin g its votaries to respect , that ' admirable maxim of our religion : What-, soever ye would that men should do to you , do ye even so unto thzm *— *¦ That rule of equity , by which every claim of right may be immediateladjusted— " that lawof which find the
y , every man may exposition ' in his own breast , and which may always be observed without any other qualifications than honesty of intention , and purity of will—7 and , let me add , in the words of a good writer , a law " which should be engraved on every heart ; as , by the command of the emperor Severus , it was engraved upon his palace and public buildings ¦) - . "