Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Speech
to build a church , - and for that reason your own vocation ought to be your most important study . False brethren , it is , truef may build castles in the air , but a good Mason works upon no such fickle foundation : so square your actions as to live within compass : be obedient to the officers chosen to govern the Lodge ; consider they are of your own appointing , and are trusted with an unlimited power by you . As
well henceforwards as this solemn day , let each salute his brother with a cheerful countenance ; that as long as our feet shall stand upon this earthly foundation , we may join heart and hand , and , as it were , with one voice issuing from the same throat , declare our principles of brotherly love , relief , and truth , to one another ; after which , and a strict observance of our obligations , we can be in no danger from the malice
of our enemies without the Lodge , nor in perils among false brethren within . - And now , gentlemen , I have reserved my last admonitions for you : my office , as 1 said before , must excuse my boldness , and your candour forgive , my impertinence . But-1 cannot help telling you , that a gentleman without ' some knowledge of arts and sciences , is like a fine
shell of a house , without suitable finishing or furniture : the education of most of you has been noble , if an academical one may be called so ; and I doubt not but your improvements in literature are equal to it : but if the study of geometry and architecture might likewise be admitted , how pleasant and beneficial they would be , I . do not presume to inform you . Ingenuas didicisse fideliter artes , Emollit mores , nee sink esse feros ;
says Ovid . And it is likewise said , that a man who has a taste for music , painting , or architecture , is like one that has another sense , when compared with such as have no relish for those arts . It is true , by signs , words , and tokens , you are put upon a level with the meanest Brother ; but then yon are at liberty to exceed them , as far as a superior genius and education will conduct you . I am credibl y informed ,
that in most Lodges in London , and several other parts of this kingdom , a lecture on some point of Geometry or Architecture is given at every meeting : and why the Mother Lodge of them all fhould so far forget her own institutions , cannot be accounted for but from her extreme old age . However , being now sufficiently awakened and revived by the comfortable appearance of so many worthy sons , 1 must
tell you , that she expects that every gentleman who is called a Freemason , fhould not be startled at a problem in geometry , a proposition in Euclid , or , at least , be wanting in the history and just distinctions of the five orders of architecture . To sum all : since we are so happily met to celebrate this annual solemnity , let neither Dane nor NormanGoth nor Vandalstart to
, , up disturb the harmony of it ; that the world may hear and admire that , even at this critical time , all parties are buried in Masonry ; but let us so behave ourselves here and elsewhere , that the distinguishing characteristics of the whole Brotherhood may be to be called good Chrispans , loyal subjects , true Britons , as well as Freemasons .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Speech
to build a church , - and for that reason your own vocation ought to be your most important study . False brethren , it is , truef may build castles in the air , but a good Mason works upon no such fickle foundation : so square your actions as to live within compass : be obedient to the officers chosen to govern the Lodge ; consider they are of your own appointing , and are trusted with an unlimited power by you . As
well henceforwards as this solemn day , let each salute his brother with a cheerful countenance ; that as long as our feet shall stand upon this earthly foundation , we may join heart and hand , and , as it were , with one voice issuing from the same throat , declare our principles of brotherly love , relief , and truth , to one another ; after which , and a strict observance of our obligations , we can be in no danger from the malice
of our enemies without the Lodge , nor in perils among false brethren within . - And now , gentlemen , I have reserved my last admonitions for you : my office , as 1 said before , must excuse my boldness , and your candour forgive , my impertinence . But-1 cannot help telling you , that a gentleman without ' some knowledge of arts and sciences , is like a fine
shell of a house , without suitable finishing or furniture : the education of most of you has been noble , if an academical one may be called so ; and I doubt not but your improvements in literature are equal to it : but if the study of geometry and architecture might likewise be admitted , how pleasant and beneficial they would be , I . do not presume to inform you . Ingenuas didicisse fideliter artes , Emollit mores , nee sink esse feros ;
says Ovid . And it is likewise said , that a man who has a taste for music , painting , or architecture , is like one that has another sense , when compared with such as have no relish for those arts . It is true , by signs , words , and tokens , you are put upon a level with the meanest Brother ; but then yon are at liberty to exceed them , as far as a superior genius and education will conduct you . I am credibl y informed ,
that in most Lodges in London , and several other parts of this kingdom , a lecture on some point of Geometry or Architecture is given at every meeting : and why the Mother Lodge of them all fhould so far forget her own institutions , cannot be accounted for but from her extreme old age . However , being now sufficiently awakened and revived by the comfortable appearance of so many worthy sons , 1 must
tell you , that she expects that every gentleman who is called a Freemason , fhould not be startled at a problem in geometry , a proposition in Euclid , or , at least , be wanting in the history and just distinctions of the five orders of architecture . To sum all : since we are so happily met to celebrate this annual solemnity , let neither Dane nor NormanGoth nor Vandalstart to
, , up disturb the harmony of it ; that the world may hear and admire that , even at this critical time , all parties are buried in Masonry ; but let us so behave ourselves here and elsewhere , that the distinguishing characteristics of the whole Brotherhood may be to be called good Chrispans , loyal subjects , true Britons , as well as Freemasons .