Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine: And Cabinet Of Universal Literature.
THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE: AND CABINET OF UNIVERSAL LITERATURE .
FOR APRIL 1796 . — ' - ~~*«! m $$ &@^ ffl !® mi * i ** ' ——* THE QUESTION ,
* ' OF WHAT USE IS FREE-MASONRY TO MANKIND 1 » ANSVVESED .
. cS ©« =- ~ TJJTE may evidently trace from reason , and the nature of things , the V f wise ends ancl designs of the sacred Institution of Masonry ; which not onl y cultivates and improvesa real and Undisguised friendship among men , but teaches them the more important duties of society . Vain then is each idle surmise against this sacred art , which our enemies may either meanlcherish in their own bosomsor ignorantl
y , y pro mulgate to the uninterested world . By decrying Masonry , they derogate from human nature itselfj and from that good order and wise constitution of things , which the Almighty author of the world has iramed for the government of mankind , and has established as the basis of the moral system ; which , by a secret , but attractive force , disposes the human heart to every social virtue . Can friendship , or social deli
ghts , be the object of reproach ? Can that wisdom , which hoary time has sanctified , be the object of ridicule' ? In candour , let us pity those men , who vainly pretend to censure or contemn what , through want of instruction , they cannot comprehend ! Let us now proceed , and consider in what shape Masonry is of universal utilit-to mankindhow it is reconcilable to the best policy
y , , why it deserves the general esteem , and why all men are bound to promote it . Abstracting from the pure pleasures which arise from a friendship so wisel y constituted , and which it is scarcely possible any circumstance or occurrence can erase ; let us consider , that Masonry is a science , confined to no particular'country , but diffused over the
whole terrestrial globe . Where arts flourish , there it flourishes too . Add to this , that by secret and . inviolable signs , carefully preserved among ourselves throughout the world , Masonry becomes an universal language . By this means many advantages are gained : men of all religions , ancl of all nations , are united . Tlie distant Chinese , the wild Arab , or the American savage , will embrace , a brother Briton ; and he will know , that beside the common ties of humanit y , there is still a stronger obligation to engage him to kind and friendl y actions . VOL . vi , F f
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine: And Cabinet Of Universal Literature.
THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE: AND CABINET OF UNIVERSAL LITERATURE .
FOR APRIL 1796 . — ' - ~~*«! m $$ &@^ ffl !® mi * i ** ' ——* THE QUESTION ,
* ' OF WHAT USE IS FREE-MASONRY TO MANKIND 1 » ANSVVESED .
. cS ©« =- ~ TJJTE may evidently trace from reason , and the nature of things , the V f wise ends ancl designs of the sacred Institution of Masonry ; which not onl y cultivates and improvesa real and Undisguised friendship among men , but teaches them the more important duties of society . Vain then is each idle surmise against this sacred art , which our enemies may either meanlcherish in their own bosomsor ignorantl
y , y pro mulgate to the uninterested world . By decrying Masonry , they derogate from human nature itselfj and from that good order and wise constitution of things , which the Almighty author of the world has iramed for the government of mankind , and has established as the basis of the moral system ; which , by a secret , but attractive force , disposes the human heart to every social virtue . Can friendship , or social deli
ghts , be the object of reproach ? Can that wisdom , which hoary time has sanctified , be the object of ridicule' ? In candour , let us pity those men , who vainly pretend to censure or contemn what , through want of instruction , they cannot comprehend ! Let us now proceed , and consider in what shape Masonry is of universal utilit-to mankindhow it is reconcilable to the best policy
y , , why it deserves the general esteem , and why all men are bound to promote it . Abstracting from the pure pleasures which arise from a friendship so wisel y constituted , and which it is scarcely possible any circumstance or occurrence can erase ; let us consider , that Masonry is a science , confined to no particular'country , but diffused over the
whole terrestrial globe . Where arts flourish , there it flourishes too . Add to this , that by secret and . inviolable signs , carefully preserved among ourselves throughout the world , Masonry becomes an universal language . By this means many advantages are gained : men of all religions , ancl of all nations , are united . Tlie distant Chinese , the wild Arab , or the American savage , will embrace , a brother Briton ; and he will know , that beside the common ties of humanit y , there is still a stronger obligation to engage him to kind and friendl y actions . VOL . vi , F f