-
Articles/Ads
Article THE FREEMASONS' REPOSITORY. ← Page 2 of 5 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Repository.
ercise the powers of that faculty , with the view of tracing the source , or examining the nature of the soul . Every exertion is rendered feeble , and becomes ineffectual . The attention is bewildered , and the most presumptuous necessitated to recede from the enquiry , convinced , like Archimedes , that there is not-a spot to fix upon . Should the reader of these preliminary observations be disposed to allow with methat the spirit and princiles of Masonry have a very
, p powerful tendency to improve , and , by that improvement , to add efficacy and vigour to the faculty of the soul , by rendering it feelingly alive to every sensation which reverberates the sentiment of the Deity , let him not hence infer an intention to offer any observations ill derogation of the reasoning faculty ; for , though it be considered subordinate , yet it is not beneath the solicitous regard
of the real Mason . Little is required to convince him that it forms an essential trait in his character ; that the perfection of Reason and of Feeling mutually embellish each other , and , with the practice of
Virtue , constitute the dignity of man . Phese two powers exist distinctly , and by thy divine influence , O Virtue !' are often found jn unity , impregnating , and maturing the social affections which rivet man to man . The sentiment of the Grand Architect of the universe is the chief corner-stone laid in darkness , upon which the temple of Virtue is reared by Arts and by Science , under the direction of Reason : and if b y time or by violence every external vestige of the
¦ superstructure should be demolished , the order and the light of Masonry will ever direct us to the spot , where , though buried in the midst of ruins and of darkness , we may discover that stone , valuable for the memento ' s that it contains . How eloquent is it in the midst of silence I At its discovery the soul revolts at the ravages over human weakness , flies to the Deity for relief , and melts into the melancholy and grateful remembrance of our forefathers , and the contemplation of the mighty works that were done in their days , and in the old time before them .
Iii a former essay it has been remarked , that the first part of Masonry , referable to the passions , has a tendency to excite plcasura by gay and sprig htly beauties ; and that its object is to fix the temper upon a proper basis : that the second part is characterized by seriousness , the nature of the subject being more scientific , and tending to the improvement of the mind , or the reasoning powers . But it is in the last part that the soul is melted and touched b' II Penseroso . '
y The subject of this paper has been hitherto principally occupied in noticing the contrast between the reasoning powers and the faculty of the soul—the remainder is intended to be dedicated to the consideration of ' the / wss / o ;/ . ?; for upon their due regulation and direction depend our happiness , without a certain poition of which it would be of little avail to attempt to acquire and establish an habitual uniformity of
temper , to enlarge the powers of the mind , or to improve the faculty of the soul . Dr . Sayers , in his ingenious disquisitions metaphysical and literary , has , in my opinion , so well elucidated the nature of the passions , selfish as well as social , as referable to the masonic system , that I am satisfied I cannot do the subject greater justice than prin-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Repository.
ercise the powers of that faculty , with the view of tracing the source , or examining the nature of the soul . Every exertion is rendered feeble , and becomes ineffectual . The attention is bewildered , and the most presumptuous necessitated to recede from the enquiry , convinced , like Archimedes , that there is not-a spot to fix upon . Should the reader of these preliminary observations be disposed to allow with methat the spirit and princiles of Masonry have a very
, p powerful tendency to improve , and , by that improvement , to add efficacy and vigour to the faculty of the soul , by rendering it feelingly alive to every sensation which reverberates the sentiment of the Deity , let him not hence infer an intention to offer any observations ill derogation of the reasoning faculty ; for , though it be considered subordinate , yet it is not beneath the solicitous regard
of the real Mason . Little is required to convince him that it forms an essential trait in his character ; that the perfection of Reason and of Feeling mutually embellish each other , and , with the practice of
Virtue , constitute the dignity of man . Phese two powers exist distinctly , and by thy divine influence , O Virtue !' are often found jn unity , impregnating , and maturing the social affections which rivet man to man . The sentiment of the Grand Architect of the universe is the chief corner-stone laid in darkness , upon which the temple of Virtue is reared by Arts and by Science , under the direction of Reason : and if b y time or by violence every external vestige of the
¦ superstructure should be demolished , the order and the light of Masonry will ever direct us to the spot , where , though buried in the midst of ruins and of darkness , we may discover that stone , valuable for the memento ' s that it contains . How eloquent is it in the midst of silence I At its discovery the soul revolts at the ravages over human weakness , flies to the Deity for relief , and melts into the melancholy and grateful remembrance of our forefathers , and the contemplation of the mighty works that were done in their days , and in the old time before them .
Iii a former essay it has been remarked , that the first part of Masonry , referable to the passions , has a tendency to excite plcasura by gay and sprig htly beauties ; and that its object is to fix the temper upon a proper basis : that the second part is characterized by seriousness , the nature of the subject being more scientific , and tending to the improvement of the mind , or the reasoning powers . But it is in the last part that the soul is melted and touched b' II Penseroso . '
y The subject of this paper has been hitherto principally occupied in noticing the contrast between the reasoning powers and the faculty of the soul—the remainder is intended to be dedicated to the consideration of ' the / wss / o ;/ . ?; for upon their due regulation and direction depend our happiness , without a certain poition of which it would be of little avail to attempt to acquire and establish an habitual uniformity of
temper , to enlarge the powers of the mind , or to improve the faculty of the soul . Dr . Sayers , in his ingenious disquisitions metaphysical and literary , has , in my opinion , so well elucidated the nature of the passions , selfish as well as social , as referable to the masonic system , that I am satisfied I cannot do the subject greater justice than prin-