Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine, And Cabinet Of Universal Literature.
prehends a strict observance of the Apostle ' s exhortation , " Be ye temperate in all things ; " not only avoiding what is in itself improper , but also whatever has the most remote appearance of impropriety , that the tongue of the slanderer may be struck dumb , and malevolence be disarmed of its sting . Frugality , the natural associate of Prudence and Temperance , is what the meanest station necessarily calls forand the most exalted
, , cannot dispense with .- It is requisite in all stations , it is necessary to the supporting every desirable character , to the establishment of every society , to the interest of every individual in , the community ; it is a moral , it is a Christian , virtue ; it implies the strict observance of decorum in the seasons of relaxation , and of every enjoyment ; and is that temper of mindwhich is disposed to employ every acquisition
, only to the glory of the Giver , to our own happiness , and to that of our fellow-creatures . . If we fail not in the exercise of these virtues , ( which are essential supports of every Lodge of FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS ) they will effectually secure us from those errors which have proved so fataLto some societies : for Prudence will discover the absurdity of expecting
true harmony , without a due attention to the choice of our Members ; Temperance will check every appearance of excess , and fix rational limitations to our hours of enjoyment ; and Frugality will forbid extravagance , and keep our expences within proper bounds . The Lacedemonians had a law among them , that every one should serve the gods with as little expence as he could , herein differing from all other Grecians ; and Lycurgusbeing asked for what reason
, he made this institution , so disagreeable to the sentiments of all other men , answered , " lest at any time the service of the gods should be intermitted : " for he feared , if religion should be as expensive there as in other parts of Greece , it might some time or other happen , that the divine worship , through the covetousness of some , and the poverty of otherswould be neglected . This observation equallholds
, y good with respect to MASONS , and will , I hope , by them be properly Applied . I would not be understood here to mean , that , because these three moral virtues are particularly pointed out as essential to the good discipline and support of a Lodge , nothing more is required : for social must be united with moral excellencies . Were a man to be
merely prudent , temperate , and frugal , and yet be unaccustomed to the duties of humanity , sincerity , generosity , & c . he would be , a , t most , a useless , if not a worthless , member of society , and a much worse MASON . Permit me , in the next place , to remind you , that a due attendance on the Lodge , for your own improvement , and the reputation of MASONRY in generalis absolutely necessary : for your own
improve-, ment , —because the advantages , naturally resulting from the practice of the principles therein taught , are the hi ghest ornament of human nature ; and for the credit of the community , —because it is your indispensable duty to support such a character in life as is there en-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine, And Cabinet Of Universal Literature.
prehends a strict observance of the Apostle ' s exhortation , " Be ye temperate in all things ; " not only avoiding what is in itself improper , but also whatever has the most remote appearance of impropriety , that the tongue of the slanderer may be struck dumb , and malevolence be disarmed of its sting . Frugality , the natural associate of Prudence and Temperance , is what the meanest station necessarily calls forand the most exalted
, , cannot dispense with .- It is requisite in all stations , it is necessary to the supporting every desirable character , to the establishment of every society , to the interest of every individual in , the community ; it is a moral , it is a Christian , virtue ; it implies the strict observance of decorum in the seasons of relaxation , and of every enjoyment ; and is that temper of mindwhich is disposed to employ every acquisition
, only to the glory of the Giver , to our own happiness , and to that of our fellow-creatures . . If we fail not in the exercise of these virtues , ( which are essential supports of every Lodge of FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS ) they will effectually secure us from those errors which have proved so fataLto some societies : for Prudence will discover the absurdity of expecting
true harmony , without a due attention to the choice of our Members ; Temperance will check every appearance of excess , and fix rational limitations to our hours of enjoyment ; and Frugality will forbid extravagance , and keep our expences within proper bounds . The Lacedemonians had a law among them , that every one should serve the gods with as little expence as he could , herein differing from all other Grecians ; and Lycurgusbeing asked for what reason
, he made this institution , so disagreeable to the sentiments of all other men , answered , " lest at any time the service of the gods should be intermitted : " for he feared , if religion should be as expensive there as in other parts of Greece , it might some time or other happen , that the divine worship , through the covetousness of some , and the poverty of otherswould be neglected . This observation equallholds
, y good with respect to MASONS , and will , I hope , by them be properly Applied . I would not be understood here to mean , that , because these three moral virtues are particularly pointed out as essential to the good discipline and support of a Lodge , nothing more is required : for social must be united with moral excellencies . Were a man to be
merely prudent , temperate , and frugal , and yet be unaccustomed to the duties of humanity , sincerity , generosity , & c . he would be , a , t most , a useless , if not a worthless , member of society , and a much worse MASON . Permit me , in the next place , to remind you , that a due attendance on the Lodge , for your own improvement , and the reputation of MASONRY in generalis absolutely necessary : for your own
improve-, ment , —because the advantages , naturally resulting from the practice of the principles therein taught , are the hi ghest ornament of human nature ; and for the credit of the community , —because it is your indispensable duty to support such a character in life as is there en-