Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine: And Cabinet Of Universal Literature.
when he is in trouble ? Thus we evince the propriety of the title we assume , and demonstrate to the world , that the endearing term brother , among Masons , is not merely a name . If these acts are not sufficient to recommend so great and generous a plan , such a wise and good society , happy in themselves , and equally happy in the possession of every social virtue , nothing which is truly good can prevail . The man who resists arguments drawn
from such topics , must . be cahousto every nobfe principle " , and lost to all sense of honour . _ ' Nevertheless , though the fairest and the best ideas may be thus imprinted in the mind , there are brethren who , careless of their own reputation , disregard the instructive lessons of our noble science , and by yielding to vice and intemperanceriot onldisgrace themselves
, y , but reflect dishonour on Masonry in general . It is this unfortunate circumstance which has given rise to" those severe and unjust reflections , which the prejudiced part of mankind have so liberally bestowed upon us . But let these apostate brethren know , and let it be proclaimed to the world at large , that they are unworthy of their trustand that whatever name or designation they assumethey are in
, , reality no Masons . It is as possible for a mouse to move a mountain , or a man to calm the boisterous ocean , as it is for a principled Mason to commit a dishonourable action : Masonry consists in virtuous improvement , in cheerful and innocent pastime , and not in xlebauchen ' or excess . .- ;
But though unhappy brethren thus transgress , no wise man willdraw any argument from thence against the society , or urge it as an : objection against the institution . If the wicked lives of men were ; admitted as an argument , the reli g ion which they confess , Christianity , itself , with all its divine beauties , would be exposedto ' censure . Let us therefore endeavour strenuously to support the dignity of outcharactersand by reforming the abuses which havecrept in
, . among , us , display Masonry in its primitive lustre , and convince . mankind ; that the source from which it-flows is trul y divine . ' . ' It is this conduct which can alone retrieve the ancient glory of the ; craft . _ Our generous and good actions must distinguish our title , to : the privileges of Masonry , and the regularity of our behaviour display their influence and utility . Thus the world will admire ^ our sanctityof
manners , and effectually reconcile our uniform conduct with the incomparable tenets we profess and admire . As our order is founded upon harmony , and subsists by regularity and proportion ; so our passions ought to be properly restrained , and be ever subservient to the dictates of ri ght reason . As the delicate pleasures of friendship harmonize our minds , and exclude , rancour , malice illnature ht to live like
, or - ; so we oug brethren bound by the same tie , always cultivating fraternal affection , and reconciling ourselves to the practice of those duties , which are the basis on which the structure we erect must be supported . By improving our minds in the principles of morality and virtue , we enlarge our understandings , and more effectually answer the great ends of our existence F f 2 ¦
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine: And Cabinet Of Universal Literature.
when he is in trouble ? Thus we evince the propriety of the title we assume , and demonstrate to the world , that the endearing term brother , among Masons , is not merely a name . If these acts are not sufficient to recommend so great and generous a plan , such a wise and good society , happy in themselves , and equally happy in the possession of every social virtue , nothing which is truly good can prevail . The man who resists arguments drawn
from such topics , must . be cahousto every nobfe principle " , and lost to all sense of honour . _ ' Nevertheless , though the fairest and the best ideas may be thus imprinted in the mind , there are brethren who , careless of their own reputation , disregard the instructive lessons of our noble science , and by yielding to vice and intemperanceriot onldisgrace themselves
, y , but reflect dishonour on Masonry in general . It is this unfortunate circumstance which has given rise to" those severe and unjust reflections , which the prejudiced part of mankind have so liberally bestowed upon us . But let these apostate brethren know , and let it be proclaimed to the world at large , that they are unworthy of their trustand that whatever name or designation they assumethey are in
, , reality no Masons . It is as possible for a mouse to move a mountain , or a man to calm the boisterous ocean , as it is for a principled Mason to commit a dishonourable action : Masonry consists in virtuous improvement , in cheerful and innocent pastime , and not in xlebauchen ' or excess . .- ;
But though unhappy brethren thus transgress , no wise man willdraw any argument from thence against the society , or urge it as an : objection against the institution . If the wicked lives of men were ; admitted as an argument , the reli g ion which they confess , Christianity , itself , with all its divine beauties , would be exposedto ' censure . Let us therefore endeavour strenuously to support the dignity of outcharactersand by reforming the abuses which havecrept in
, . among , us , display Masonry in its primitive lustre , and convince . mankind ; that the source from which it-flows is trul y divine . ' . ' It is this conduct which can alone retrieve the ancient glory of the ; craft . _ Our generous and good actions must distinguish our title , to : the privileges of Masonry , and the regularity of our behaviour display their influence and utility . Thus the world will admire ^ our sanctityof
manners , and effectually reconcile our uniform conduct with the incomparable tenets we profess and admire . As our order is founded upon harmony , and subsists by regularity and proportion ; so our passions ought to be properly restrained , and be ever subservient to the dictates of ri ght reason . As the delicate pleasures of friendship harmonize our minds , and exclude , rancour , malice illnature ht to live like
, or - ; so we oug brethren bound by the same tie , always cultivating fraternal affection , and reconciling ourselves to the practice of those duties , which are the basis on which the structure we erect must be supported . By improving our minds in the principles of morality and virtue , we enlarge our understandings , and more effectually answer the great ends of our existence F f 2 ¦