-
Articles/Ads
Article MASONIC INTELLIGENCE. ← Page 6 of 9 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Intelligence.
by easy and apposite symbols . By them we learn the analogy between physical and mora ! good ; to judge of the wisdom of the Creator by the works of the creation : and hence we infer , that our wise Master-builder , who has planned and completed a habitation so suitr able to our wants , so convenient to our enjoyments , during pur temporary residence herehas exercised still more wisdom in contriving
, , more strength in supporting , and more beauty in adorning those eternal mansions where he has promised to receive and reward all faithful Masons hereafter . ?¦ ' Thus are our faith and hope exercised by Masonic studies : but there is a virtue which Divine authority has pronounced greater than faith and hope , apd to this excellent virtue of Charity are our Masonic
labours more especially directed . For this is the student reminded * " to consider the whole race of mankind as one family , inhabitants of one planet , descended from one common pair of ancestors , and sent into , the world for tbemutualaid , support , and protection of each other ; " and that , as the pale of our society incloses persons of every nation , rank , and opinionno reliiousnationalor party prejudices should discover
, g , , themselves at our meetings ; but that , as our Brother Preston very feelingly expresses it , " both hearts and tongues should join in promoting each other ' s welfare , and rejoicing in each other ' s prosperity . " In a word , that we should not only profess , but practise the three grand principles of Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth . ' There are . some , I well know , who are so little acquainted with
our principles and our practices , as \ o contend , that the whole of Freemasonry consists in convivialit }' . TQ these we are not afraid to declare , that in this respect we boast only this superiority , that our meetings are not infested with strife and debate : and were this the only distinguishing characteristic of the Brotherhood , the candle , of Masonry might be pronounced to sink fastinto the socket . But to the honour of modern Masons be it spokenthat an institution has been
, lately established among ourselves , which , though the latest , is perhaps the brightest jewel in the Masonic diadem . You will easily perr . ceive that I allude to our infant Charity in St . George ' s Fields ; an institution which resembles the universality of our order , by being confined to no parish , country , or climate ; it is enough that the objects are the female issue of deceased or distressed Brethren . They
are capable of election between the age of five and nine , aud remain under the roof of this Asylum till fifteen . An ' when they ate obliged to make way for others , and sent out into the world to practise the duties and give examples of the virtues they have been taught , they are not abandoned by their generous benefactors , but cautiously placed out either as apprentices or domestic servantswith persons
, whose characters and situations have been scrupulously examined : a sum of money is g iven to fit them out ; and a further sum , if , after a period of probation , they are found worthy of the patronage they have received . It will reflect infinitely more credit on this infant institution , than any etilogium I can bestow on it , to state , that although
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Intelligence.
by easy and apposite symbols . By them we learn the analogy between physical and mora ! good ; to judge of the wisdom of the Creator by the works of the creation : and hence we infer , that our wise Master-builder , who has planned and completed a habitation so suitr able to our wants , so convenient to our enjoyments , during pur temporary residence herehas exercised still more wisdom in contriving
, , more strength in supporting , and more beauty in adorning those eternal mansions where he has promised to receive and reward all faithful Masons hereafter . ?¦ ' Thus are our faith and hope exercised by Masonic studies : but there is a virtue which Divine authority has pronounced greater than faith and hope , apd to this excellent virtue of Charity are our Masonic
labours more especially directed . For this is the student reminded * " to consider the whole race of mankind as one family , inhabitants of one planet , descended from one common pair of ancestors , and sent into , the world for tbemutualaid , support , and protection of each other ; " and that , as the pale of our society incloses persons of every nation , rank , and opinionno reliiousnationalor party prejudices should discover
, g , , themselves at our meetings ; but that , as our Brother Preston very feelingly expresses it , " both hearts and tongues should join in promoting each other ' s welfare , and rejoicing in each other ' s prosperity . " In a word , that we should not only profess , but practise the three grand principles of Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth . ' There are . some , I well know , who are so little acquainted with
our principles and our practices , as \ o contend , that the whole of Freemasonry consists in convivialit }' . TQ these we are not afraid to declare , that in this respect we boast only this superiority , that our meetings are not infested with strife and debate : and were this the only distinguishing characteristic of the Brotherhood , the candle , of Masonry might be pronounced to sink fastinto the socket . But to the honour of modern Masons be it spokenthat an institution has been
, lately established among ourselves , which , though the latest , is perhaps the brightest jewel in the Masonic diadem . You will easily perr . ceive that I allude to our infant Charity in St . George ' s Fields ; an institution which resembles the universality of our order , by being confined to no parish , country , or climate ; it is enough that the objects are the female issue of deceased or distressed Brethren . They
are capable of election between the age of five and nine , aud remain under the roof of this Asylum till fifteen . An ' when they ate obliged to make way for others , and sent out into the world to practise the duties and give examples of the virtues they have been taught , they are not abandoned by their generous benefactors , but cautiously placed out either as apprentices or domestic servantswith persons
, whose characters and situations have been scrupulously examined : a sum of money is g iven to fit them out ; and a further sum , if , after a period of probation , they are found worthy of the patronage they have received . It will reflect infinitely more credit on this infant institution , than any etilogium I can bestow on it , to state , that although