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Article WHAT IS THE ORDER OF FREEMASONRY? ← Page 3 of 4 →
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What Is The Order Of Freemasonry?
In fine , as far as we can trace back the Order , we find the same supported by sages , by men of learning , and protected by Princes ; which would never have been the case , if no grand object had been in view . We must not suppose that the late King of Prussia * who was great in all his actions , would have announced himself Protector-General of the Order , had he found the same trivial , or the institution of folly . Nothis sublime philosopherwhose piercing eye nothing could
, , escape , early reconnoitered the funds of wisdom treasured up in its recesses , and lent his power to safeguard the workmen . After this glaring instance , I need say no more : it sufficiently proves the order to be of moment , and that those are greatly mistaken , who-value it no better than a club under restriction . Permit me , Brethren , ye who have hitherto thought thus light of
what should fill your minds with veneration for itself , with a true sense of the Supreme Architect of Heaven and Earth , with fraternal love ; with every virtue ; with true honour : —permit me , "I say , to request that you will no longer trifle away your precious moments , but enquire what the order means , for your welfare ? Ye ask of whom ? Of your Masters . Study the laws ; the Masonic sciences ; qualify
yourselves for preferment ; seek it ; and do hot stop in the midst of your career , that ye may not be found hindmost on the day of trial I Most sincerely do I wish , my Brethren , that it was in my power to separate you from all that hinders your progress in the Royal Art ; lead you right , and speed your felicity : then would you add new splendour to our Orderand assist in bringing the same into that
re-, nown again , which it bore , when our Lodges were yet scientific schools of virtue . In this elevated situation , would your porches be exempt from the approaches of the unworthy , who then durst not reply , You are no better than we ! nor with such like weapons attempt to strike you . dumb , and force you to admit them : no , your superiority in knowledge , and in virtue , would abash them , and the
repulse would turn them back from the path of error . Even the prepossessed multitude would retract , and admire you , when they beheld , that neither favour nor gold could unhinge your gates , for the deformed in body or the abject in mind to enter . Instances like these , and the good arising to mankind in general from your meetings , would soon intitle you to command involuntary esteem from all .
This , my Brethren , is a faint delineation of our Noble Order , and a concise detail of its rise and progress . The same is , as we know , not religion , but has reli gion for its basis . No one can be a good Free Mason , who does not worship the true and living God , or neglects to observe the rites of that religion which he openly professes : besides , he must be a worthy member of society , and one who , by his conduct gains respect , and does honour to the Order .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
What Is The Order Of Freemasonry?
In fine , as far as we can trace back the Order , we find the same supported by sages , by men of learning , and protected by Princes ; which would never have been the case , if no grand object had been in view . We must not suppose that the late King of Prussia * who was great in all his actions , would have announced himself Protector-General of the Order , had he found the same trivial , or the institution of folly . Nothis sublime philosopherwhose piercing eye nothing could
, , escape , early reconnoitered the funds of wisdom treasured up in its recesses , and lent his power to safeguard the workmen . After this glaring instance , I need say no more : it sufficiently proves the order to be of moment , and that those are greatly mistaken , who-value it no better than a club under restriction . Permit me , Brethren , ye who have hitherto thought thus light of
what should fill your minds with veneration for itself , with a true sense of the Supreme Architect of Heaven and Earth , with fraternal love ; with every virtue ; with true honour : —permit me , "I say , to request that you will no longer trifle away your precious moments , but enquire what the order means , for your welfare ? Ye ask of whom ? Of your Masters . Study the laws ; the Masonic sciences ; qualify
yourselves for preferment ; seek it ; and do hot stop in the midst of your career , that ye may not be found hindmost on the day of trial I Most sincerely do I wish , my Brethren , that it was in my power to separate you from all that hinders your progress in the Royal Art ; lead you right , and speed your felicity : then would you add new splendour to our Orderand assist in bringing the same into that
re-, nown again , which it bore , when our Lodges were yet scientific schools of virtue . In this elevated situation , would your porches be exempt from the approaches of the unworthy , who then durst not reply , You are no better than we ! nor with such like weapons attempt to strike you . dumb , and force you to admit them : no , your superiority in knowledge , and in virtue , would abash them , and the
repulse would turn them back from the path of error . Even the prepossessed multitude would retract , and admire you , when they beheld , that neither favour nor gold could unhinge your gates , for the deformed in body or the abject in mind to enter . Instances like these , and the good arising to mankind in general from your meetings , would soon intitle you to command involuntary esteem from all .
This , my Brethren , is a faint delineation of our Noble Order , and a concise detail of its rise and progress . The same is , as we know , not religion , but has reli gion for its basis . No one can be a good Free Mason , who does not worship the true and living God , or neglects to observe the rites of that religion which he openly professes : besides , he must be a worthy member of society , and one who , by his conduct gains respect , and does honour to the Order .