Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine: And Cabinet Of Universal Literature.
and effectual modes of communicating its instructions . But of this the enlightened brother alone can form a judgment , or make the comparison . We , who have happily made the experiment , are convinced . of its transcendent excellence in this particular . The unenli g htened by Masonry can onl y form vague and uncertain conjectures of the utility of the royal craftor of the modes of initiation into
, its various ^ degrees ; or of the subsequent , different , delightful , and beneficial instructions respectively communicated . As it is highly becoming every member of this society to preserve the dignity of our noble institution , we conceive one of the best methods of doing it is , by acting as worthy Free-maso 7 is ourselves ; and by admitting among us only those , who in all probability will
demean themselves as worthy members . These two methods seem to us naturally connected together . For if we are in reality worthy Free-masons ourselves , we shall have a strong aversion to the admission of any person , who would reflect the least disgrace upon our respectable fraternity ; and consequentl y , in the most effectual mannerwe shall preserve its dignity . Whereas if we become unworth
, y members ourselves , it will of course be a matter of indifference to us whom we admit ; and thus we shall entail upon it . double disgrace . As we ought to be irreproachable in our own demeanor , so we ougJit to be certified , that our candidates for Free-masonry have the . requisite qualifications , which indispensably ought to be , a good reputationan honest method of livingsound moralsand a competent
, , , understanding . No member that has the honour of the society , or even his own , sincerely at heart , will presume to nominate any who ; are not possessed of these valuable qualities . In that case , it would be incumbent upon every worthy brother to give a negative , and to reprobate so indecorous a nomination .
It is to be supposed , at least among ourselves , that , as enli ghtened Free-masons , we have more just , sublime , and comprehensive ideas , with respect to virtue , decorum , and the dignity of human nature , than the generality of mankind . It is to be apprehended , that we grant admission to none but men of principle , of virtue , honour , and integrity ; lest the royal craft , instead of being an object of deserved venerationfall into disesteemaud become a subject of ridiculeIt
, , . is therefore to be expected , that not the -wealth , the station , or the power of any man , shall procure from us his admission into our respective lodges ; but his , pio ] : riety . of conduct , his upri ghtness , his goodness . Such indeed as answer this description will be an honour to our sublime craft , and are best qualified to reap from it every desirable advantage . And although it is a maxim with us to solicit
none to enter into our society , yet we shall , be always exceedingly glad to enroll such worth y persons in the honourable list of our numerous members . Those are egregiously deceived , and may they ever be disappointed in their application for admittance as Freemasons , who consider us in the li ght of a Bacchanalian societ ]' , or under any similar ignoble idea . ¦ Our association indeed admits of all be-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine: And Cabinet Of Universal Literature.
and effectual modes of communicating its instructions . But of this the enlightened brother alone can form a judgment , or make the comparison . We , who have happily made the experiment , are convinced . of its transcendent excellence in this particular . The unenli g htened by Masonry can onl y form vague and uncertain conjectures of the utility of the royal craftor of the modes of initiation into
, its various ^ degrees ; or of the subsequent , different , delightful , and beneficial instructions respectively communicated . As it is highly becoming every member of this society to preserve the dignity of our noble institution , we conceive one of the best methods of doing it is , by acting as worthy Free-maso 7 is ourselves ; and by admitting among us only those , who in all probability will
demean themselves as worthy members . These two methods seem to us naturally connected together . For if we are in reality worthy Free-masons ourselves , we shall have a strong aversion to the admission of any person , who would reflect the least disgrace upon our respectable fraternity ; and consequentl y , in the most effectual mannerwe shall preserve its dignity . Whereas if we become unworth
, y members ourselves , it will of course be a matter of indifference to us whom we admit ; and thus we shall entail upon it . double disgrace . As we ought to be irreproachable in our own demeanor , so we ougJit to be certified , that our candidates for Free-masonry have the . requisite qualifications , which indispensably ought to be , a good reputationan honest method of livingsound moralsand a competent
, , , understanding . No member that has the honour of the society , or even his own , sincerely at heart , will presume to nominate any who ; are not possessed of these valuable qualities . In that case , it would be incumbent upon every worthy brother to give a negative , and to reprobate so indecorous a nomination .
It is to be supposed , at least among ourselves , that , as enli ghtened Free-masons , we have more just , sublime , and comprehensive ideas , with respect to virtue , decorum , and the dignity of human nature , than the generality of mankind . It is to be apprehended , that we grant admission to none but men of principle , of virtue , honour , and integrity ; lest the royal craft , instead of being an object of deserved venerationfall into disesteemaud become a subject of ridiculeIt
, , . is therefore to be expected , that not the -wealth , the station , or the power of any man , shall procure from us his admission into our respective lodges ; but his , pio ] : riety . of conduct , his upri ghtness , his goodness . Such indeed as answer this description will be an honour to our sublime craft , and are best qualified to reap from it every desirable advantage . And although it is a maxim with us to solicit
none to enter into our society , yet we shall , be always exceedingly glad to enroll such worth y persons in the honourable list of our numerous members . Those are egregiously deceived , and may they ever be disappointed in their application for admittance as Freemasons , who consider us in the li ght of a Bacchanalian societ ]' , or under any similar ignoble idea . ¦ Our association indeed admits of all be-