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Article THE FREEMASONS' REPOSITORY. ← Page 3 of 4 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Repository.
are next to do ; for in consequence of that they stand still and do nothing . Where the plan is ri g htly laid , order , method , and dispatch , are the consequence . Every man ' s life roust be unprofitable if he lives without a plan , and I may add , that it must be disagreeable . The eye can never survey with any pleasure an edifice , in the lines of which there is neither regularity nor correspondence ; as if the parts which it is composed of had come together by chance . Our
life also must be a life of truth . If we are true and exaft in our principles , we should be as true in our practice and dealings . It were to be wished that the truth and rectitude of mathematical elements could be transferred to our lives and conversations . And here my brethren will give me leave to remind them that the sense of all those symbols and signs with which our profession so very properly abounds , should
be expressed in the conduct of our lives . Jf our art goes by rule , so should our behaviour go by a rule of ri g ht and justice : our actions should be such as will square with the laws of God ; our characters should be as nearly parallel as may be , to the best of those who have adorned our society in days past ; and whatever may be our rank , or station in a civil capacity , we must place ourselves on a level with
our brethren . We call ourselves free ; but no one can be that who is the slave of vice . True freedom is only to be found in the service of God : and it matters not by whom we are accepted here , if God . shall not accept us and our works at last . It is generally conceived , that they wdio wish to be received into our society , do it with a desire of
some new wisdom : let them then remember , that wisdom is the work ot great patience and perseverance . Great works are always to be effected by slow degrees . ' Forty and six years was this temple in building , ' said the Jews , and with truth . Think not then that science is the work of a day . If we consider God as the author of society , the best service we can perform to him is that of making ourselves useful to society by
a due performance of what are called the social duties of life ; such are due to our governors , our relations , to our friends , to our country , and to all mankind , as being brethren from the same father . Our benevolence must not be confined or exclusive . Does not the gospel inform us that Jesus Christ extended his goodness to a Samaritan > though the nation of the Samaritans was at that time more hateful than
all others to the nation of the Jews . The benevolence which is universal is most like the goodness of God , who willeth not that any should perish . To the poor they that are rich should communicate of their abundance . To the weak they who arc strong should give their support . To them who arc in darkness they that have knowledge should be ready to give . light ; without
first asking who the poor , or the weak , or the ignorant are , in their names , their countries , or their reli g ious professions . To g ive light to all , and help to all , so far as our abilities extend , and to promote universal love and charity , is the great object of our ancient and honourable institution . To put us constantly in mind of it , we g ive to every member of our society the name of Brother . If we think it an
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Repository.
are next to do ; for in consequence of that they stand still and do nothing . Where the plan is ri g htly laid , order , method , and dispatch , are the consequence . Every man ' s life roust be unprofitable if he lives without a plan , and I may add , that it must be disagreeable . The eye can never survey with any pleasure an edifice , in the lines of which there is neither regularity nor correspondence ; as if the parts which it is composed of had come together by chance . Our
life also must be a life of truth . If we are true and exaft in our principles , we should be as true in our practice and dealings . It were to be wished that the truth and rectitude of mathematical elements could be transferred to our lives and conversations . And here my brethren will give me leave to remind them that the sense of all those symbols and signs with which our profession so very properly abounds , should
be expressed in the conduct of our lives . Jf our art goes by rule , so should our behaviour go by a rule of ri g ht and justice : our actions should be such as will square with the laws of God ; our characters should be as nearly parallel as may be , to the best of those who have adorned our society in days past ; and whatever may be our rank , or station in a civil capacity , we must place ourselves on a level with
our brethren . We call ourselves free ; but no one can be that who is the slave of vice . True freedom is only to be found in the service of God : and it matters not by whom we are accepted here , if God . shall not accept us and our works at last . It is generally conceived , that they wdio wish to be received into our society , do it with a desire of
some new wisdom : let them then remember , that wisdom is the work ot great patience and perseverance . Great works are always to be effected by slow degrees . ' Forty and six years was this temple in building , ' said the Jews , and with truth . Think not then that science is the work of a day . If we consider God as the author of society , the best service we can perform to him is that of making ourselves useful to society by
a due performance of what are called the social duties of life ; such are due to our governors , our relations , to our friends , to our country , and to all mankind , as being brethren from the same father . Our benevolence must not be confined or exclusive . Does not the gospel inform us that Jesus Christ extended his goodness to a Samaritan > though the nation of the Samaritans was at that time more hateful than
all others to the nation of the Jews . The benevolence which is universal is most like the goodness of God , who willeth not that any should perish . To the poor they that are rich should communicate of their abundance . To the weak they who arc strong should give their support . To them who arc in darkness they that have knowledge should be ready to give . light ; without
first asking who the poor , or the weak , or the ignorant are , in their names , their countries , or their reli g ious professions . To g ive light to all , and help to all , so far as our abilities extend , and to promote universal love and charity , is the great object of our ancient and honourable institution . To put us constantly in mind of it , we g ive to every member of our society the name of Brother . If we think it an