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The Freemasons' Magazine: And Cabinet Of Universal Literature.
The spirit of the fulminating priest will be tamed , and a moral brother , though of a different persuasion , engage his esteem . Thus all those disputes which embitter life , and sour the temper , are avoided ; and every face is clad with smiles , while the common good of all , the general design of the craft , is zealously pursued . Is it not then evident that Masonry is of universal advantage to mankind ? for sureunless discord and harmony be the sameit must
, , be so . Is it not likewise reconcileable to the best policy ? for it prevents that heat of passion , and those , partial animosities , which different interests too often create . Masonry teaches us to be faithful to our king , and true to our countvy , to avoid turbulent measures , and to submit with reverence to the decisions of legislative power . It is surelthen no mean advantageno trifling acquistionto any
y , , community or state , to have under its power and jurisdiction , a body of men-. who are \ oyal subjects , patrons of science , and friends to mankind . Does not Masonry therefore of itself command the highest regard r " Does it not claim the greatest esteem ? Does it not merit the most exclusive patronage ? Without doubtIf all that is good and amiable
. , if all that is useful to mankind or society , be deserving a wise man ' s attention , Masonry claims it in the hi g hest degree . What berautiful ideas does it not inspire ? How does it open and enlarge the mind ? And how abundant a source of satisfaction does it afford ? Does it not recommend universal benevolence , and every virtue which can
endear one man to another ? -And is it not particularly adapted to g ive the mind the most disinterested , the most generous , notions ? An uniformity of opinion , not only useful in exigencies , but pleasing in familiar life , universally prevails among Masons , strengthens all the ties of their friendship , and equally promotes love and esteem . Masons are brethren , and amongst brothers there exists no invidious distinctions . ' A king is remindedthat though a crown adorns his
, head , and a sceptre his hand , yet the blood in his veins is derived from the common parent of mankind , and is no better than that of the meanest of his subjects . Men in inferior stations are taught to love their superiors , when they see them divested of their grandeur , and condescending to trace the ' paths of wisdom , and follow virtue , assisted by those of a rank beneath them . Virtue is true nobility . ;
and wisdom is the channel by which it is directed and conveyed . Wisdom and virtue , therefore , are the great characteristics of Masons . Masonry inculcates universal love and benevolence , and disposes the heart to particular acts of goodness . A Mason , possessed of this amiable , this god-iike disposition , is shocked at misery , under every form or appearance His pity is not only excitedbut he is prompted ,
, as far as is consistent with the rules of prudence , to alleviate the pain of the sufferer , and cheerfully to contribute to his relief . For this end our funds are raised , and our charities established on the firmest foundation . When a brother is iu distress , what heart does not ache ? ' When he is hungry , do ' we- not convey him food ? Do we not clothe him , when he is naked ? Do we not fly to his relief ]
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine: And Cabinet Of Universal Literature.
The spirit of the fulminating priest will be tamed , and a moral brother , though of a different persuasion , engage his esteem . Thus all those disputes which embitter life , and sour the temper , are avoided ; and every face is clad with smiles , while the common good of all , the general design of the craft , is zealously pursued . Is it not then evident that Masonry is of universal advantage to mankind ? for sureunless discord and harmony be the sameit must
, , be so . Is it not likewise reconcileable to the best policy ? for it prevents that heat of passion , and those , partial animosities , which different interests too often create . Masonry teaches us to be faithful to our king , and true to our countvy , to avoid turbulent measures , and to submit with reverence to the decisions of legislative power . It is surelthen no mean advantageno trifling acquistionto any
y , , community or state , to have under its power and jurisdiction , a body of men-. who are \ oyal subjects , patrons of science , and friends to mankind . Does not Masonry therefore of itself command the highest regard r " Does it not claim the greatest esteem ? Does it not merit the most exclusive patronage ? Without doubtIf all that is good and amiable
. , if all that is useful to mankind or society , be deserving a wise man ' s attention , Masonry claims it in the hi g hest degree . What berautiful ideas does it not inspire ? How does it open and enlarge the mind ? And how abundant a source of satisfaction does it afford ? Does it not recommend universal benevolence , and every virtue which can
endear one man to another ? -And is it not particularly adapted to g ive the mind the most disinterested , the most generous , notions ? An uniformity of opinion , not only useful in exigencies , but pleasing in familiar life , universally prevails among Masons , strengthens all the ties of their friendship , and equally promotes love and esteem . Masons are brethren , and amongst brothers there exists no invidious distinctions . ' A king is remindedthat though a crown adorns his
, head , and a sceptre his hand , yet the blood in his veins is derived from the common parent of mankind , and is no better than that of the meanest of his subjects . Men in inferior stations are taught to love their superiors , when they see them divested of their grandeur , and condescending to trace the ' paths of wisdom , and follow virtue , assisted by those of a rank beneath them . Virtue is true nobility . ;
and wisdom is the channel by which it is directed and conveyed . Wisdom and virtue , therefore , are the great characteristics of Masons . Masonry inculcates universal love and benevolence , and disposes the heart to particular acts of goodness . A Mason , possessed of this amiable , this god-iike disposition , is shocked at misery , under every form or appearance His pity is not only excitedbut he is prompted ,
, as far as is consistent with the rules of prudence , to alleviate the pain of the sufferer , and cheerfully to contribute to his relief . For this end our funds are raised , and our charities established on the firmest foundation . When a brother is iu distress , what heart does not ache ? ' When he is hungry , do ' we- not convey him food ? Do we not clothe him , when he is naked ? Do we not fly to his relief ]