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Article ON THE PRESENT STATE OF FREEMASONRY. ← Page 3 of 3
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On The Present State Of Freemasonry.
sons of peace , ancl the depraved mind will shrink back from curiosity under the covert of a ridicule which will do honour to its object ; while the truly estimable of mankind will press forward with respectful ardour for admission , and labour afterwards , with a glorious industry , in the support and embellishment of it . In close connection with this imperfection is another , and that is ,
the rapid mode of elevating young members . Scarcel y has the name of apprentice been given to the new-made Brother , but he is hurried , without a noviciate , to another degree , and so onwards , till he can scarce discriminate the peculiar marks of each ; and from the confused representation which his mind forms of the whole , it is not to be wondered at that his expectation is deadenedand his respect sinks
, into indifference . Shall he who knows pot how to handle the chissel , be set to form or perfect a plan ?—All this would be ridiculous in the ordinary occupations of life ; can it be at all less so in that which professes the elevation of human nature by the expansion of the mental powers ? ' What is found to be so easy and soon to be attained will lose a
proportion of its value , and will become an object not of serious , but entirely of amusive consideration . Formerly , to be a Freemason excited a particular observation in those who were not so distinguished , and was a peculiar recommendation to those who were . At present this does not appear to be the case . The number is so multiplied , that , like the title of esquire affixed to a name , it ceases , at least in itself , to attract either curiosity or respect .
The great philosopher from whom I have chosen a motto for these desultory remarks , was more cautious in the plan and conduct of that society which he founded . Many preparatives , and arduous ones too , were indispensibly necessary to procure the honour of being a Pythagorean . ' A moral strictness was the primary requisite for initiation ; a subjugation of the passions , a close and inviolable secies ; , * , with an active industry , were the only recommendations to a second
degree ; and a more refined elevation of sentiment and conduct , led the student to the summit of philosophic mystery . All this kept up the spirit of generous emulation , and united it at the same time to the most exalted friendship ; the prize of true honour lay open to all . Virtue alone was the path to it , and it was on \ y the fault of him \ vho failed that kept him from it . But the number of genuine
Pythagoreans could not be great . Allowed ; but they were virtuous , they were friends , indissolubly such ; and the society was venerated because virtue was its badge and its crown . I hope no Brother will take offence at these reflections . They were prompted by a sincere love of the Society , and a concern to see any of its interests injured ; ancl are thus thrown out in print for
the serious consideration of all who ' are actuated by the same sentiments . .To reform is at all times honourable ; and in the concerns of a large community every member should bring his own exertion , as if the whole work depended upon his labours alone . - W
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Present State Of Freemasonry.
sons of peace , ancl the depraved mind will shrink back from curiosity under the covert of a ridicule which will do honour to its object ; while the truly estimable of mankind will press forward with respectful ardour for admission , and labour afterwards , with a glorious industry , in the support and embellishment of it . In close connection with this imperfection is another , and that is ,
the rapid mode of elevating young members . Scarcel y has the name of apprentice been given to the new-made Brother , but he is hurried , without a noviciate , to another degree , and so onwards , till he can scarce discriminate the peculiar marks of each ; and from the confused representation which his mind forms of the whole , it is not to be wondered at that his expectation is deadenedand his respect sinks
, into indifference . Shall he who knows pot how to handle the chissel , be set to form or perfect a plan ?—All this would be ridiculous in the ordinary occupations of life ; can it be at all less so in that which professes the elevation of human nature by the expansion of the mental powers ? ' What is found to be so easy and soon to be attained will lose a
proportion of its value , and will become an object not of serious , but entirely of amusive consideration . Formerly , to be a Freemason excited a particular observation in those who were not so distinguished , and was a peculiar recommendation to those who were . At present this does not appear to be the case . The number is so multiplied , that , like the title of esquire affixed to a name , it ceases , at least in itself , to attract either curiosity or respect .
The great philosopher from whom I have chosen a motto for these desultory remarks , was more cautious in the plan and conduct of that society which he founded . Many preparatives , and arduous ones too , were indispensibly necessary to procure the honour of being a Pythagorean . ' A moral strictness was the primary requisite for initiation ; a subjugation of the passions , a close and inviolable secies ; , * , with an active industry , were the only recommendations to a second
degree ; and a more refined elevation of sentiment and conduct , led the student to the summit of philosophic mystery . All this kept up the spirit of generous emulation , and united it at the same time to the most exalted friendship ; the prize of true honour lay open to all . Virtue alone was the path to it , and it was on \ y the fault of him \ vho failed that kept him from it . But the number of genuine
Pythagoreans could not be great . Allowed ; but they were virtuous , they were friends , indissolubly such ; and the society was venerated because virtue was its badge and its crown . I hope no Brother will take offence at these reflections . They were prompted by a sincere love of the Society , and a concern to see any of its interests injured ; ancl are thus thrown out in print for
the serious consideration of all who ' are actuated by the same sentiments . .To reform is at all times honourable ; and in the concerns of a large community every member should bring his own exertion , as if the whole work depended upon his labours alone . - W