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Article A DEFENCE OF MASONRY, ← Page 2 of 4 →
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A Defence Of Masonry,
What could induce the Dissector to take that oath , or the Magistrate to admit it , shall not , at this time , be decided . However , I must give the world joy of so notable a discovery , so honourable , so circumstantiated ! A mi ghty expectation was raised , and , without doubt , is wonderfully gratified , by this course of anatomy . It must be this ; it can be nothing else : it is , ns we always
supposed a whimsical cheat , supported by great names , to seduce fools ; who , once gulled out of their mone }' , keep the fraud secret , to draw in others . I confess , I cannot come into this method of arguing ; nor is it , in . my opinion , a fair way of treating a societ } -, to ruij implicitly with the cry , without examining whether these reproaches are founded
upon any thing in the mystery ( as now represented ) either wicked or ridiculous . For that stupid imputation of ' drawing in fools for the sake of their money , ' can have no wei ght in the present case : since the Fraternity , as it now stands , consists principally of Mem , bers of great honour and distinction , much superior to views so sordid and ungenerous .
For once , then , let this Dissection contain all the Secrets ox FKF . EMASO . VHY : admit that every word of it is genuine , and literally tr ' ue ; jirid that the whole scheme consists of no more , nor no less : yet , under all these concessions , under all the disadvantages and prejudices whatever , 1 cannot but still believe , there have been impositions upon mankind more ridiculous ; and that many have been drawn into a
society more pernicious . 1 would not be thought agitated upon this occasion , as if I . were any way concerned whether this Dissection be true or false ; or whether the credit of FJ ; EE _ MASO . VRY be affected b y it , or not . These consideraticms can g ive mc no trouble . My design is to address the serious and sensible part of mankind , by making a few impartial remarks upon this Dissection , without contending for the reputation of MASO-IJIY on the one hand , or reflecting upon the Dissector on the other . .- ¦ ...
- ¦ CHAP . n . TI-IE formidable objection , which has given offence to the bette'f pzrt of men , is the copy of the OATH , as it lies in the Dissection . It has been a matter of admiration , that so many persons of great piety , strict conscience , and unspotted character , should lay themselves under so solemn an obligation , under penalties so terrible and
astonishing , upon a subject so trifling and insignificant . To obviate this objection , I observe ; that the End , the Moral , and Purport of MASONKY , as described in the Dissection , is to subdue our Passions , not to do our own Will ; to make a daily progress in a laudable Art ; to promote Morality , ' Charity , good Fellowship , good Nature , and Humanity . This appears to be the substance , let the form , or vehicle , be ever so unaccountable . As for the terms relating to Architecture , Geometry , and Mathe-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Defence Of Masonry,
What could induce the Dissector to take that oath , or the Magistrate to admit it , shall not , at this time , be decided . However , I must give the world joy of so notable a discovery , so honourable , so circumstantiated ! A mi ghty expectation was raised , and , without doubt , is wonderfully gratified , by this course of anatomy . It must be this ; it can be nothing else : it is , ns we always
supposed a whimsical cheat , supported by great names , to seduce fools ; who , once gulled out of their mone }' , keep the fraud secret , to draw in others . I confess , I cannot come into this method of arguing ; nor is it , in . my opinion , a fair way of treating a societ } -, to ruij implicitly with the cry , without examining whether these reproaches are founded
upon any thing in the mystery ( as now represented ) either wicked or ridiculous . For that stupid imputation of ' drawing in fools for the sake of their money , ' can have no wei ght in the present case : since the Fraternity , as it now stands , consists principally of Mem , bers of great honour and distinction , much superior to views so sordid and ungenerous .
For once , then , let this Dissection contain all the Secrets ox FKF . EMASO . VHY : admit that every word of it is genuine , and literally tr ' ue ; jirid that the whole scheme consists of no more , nor no less : yet , under all these concessions , under all the disadvantages and prejudices whatever , 1 cannot but still believe , there have been impositions upon mankind more ridiculous ; and that many have been drawn into a
society more pernicious . 1 would not be thought agitated upon this occasion , as if I . were any way concerned whether this Dissection be true or false ; or whether the credit of FJ ; EE _ MASO . VRY be affected b y it , or not . These consideraticms can g ive mc no trouble . My design is to address the serious and sensible part of mankind , by making a few impartial remarks upon this Dissection , without contending for the reputation of MASO-IJIY on the one hand , or reflecting upon the Dissector on the other . .- ¦ ...
- ¦ CHAP . n . TI-IE formidable objection , which has given offence to the bette'f pzrt of men , is the copy of the OATH , as it lies in the Dissection . It has been a matter of admiration , that so many persons of great piety , strict conscience , and unspotted character , should lay themselves under so solemn an obligation , under penalties so terrible and
astonishing , upon a subject so trifling and insignificant . To obviate this objection , I observe ; that the End , the Moral , and Purport of MASONKY , as described in the Dissection , is to subdue our Passions , not to do our own Will ; to make a daily progress in a laudable Art ; to promote Morality , ' Charity , good Fellowship , good Nature , and Humanity . This appears to be the substance , let the form , or vehicle , be ever so unaccountable . As for the terms relating to Architecture , Geometry , and Mathe-