Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine: Or, General And Complete Library.
I have . already mentioned our general charities as they are at present conducted ; it remains now that I consider particular donations o-iven from private lodges , either to those that are not masons , . or to a brother in distress . And first , with respect to a' Cliarity like this before us ; perhaps it is better to be distributed in small sumsthat more may receive the benefit , than to g ive it in larger
, sums , which would confine it to few . With regard to a brother in distress , who should happen to apply to this lodge , or any particular member for relief , it is necessary that I inform you in what manner you areto receive him . And here I cannot help regretting , that such is the depravity of the human heartthere is no reliion or society free from bad professors ,
, g or unworthy members , for as it is impossible for us to read the heart pf man , the best regulated societies may be imposed on , by the insinuations of the artful , and hypocrisy of the abandoned . It should therefore by no means lessen the dignity and excellency of the royal craft , because it is our misfortune to have bad men among us , any more than the purity and holiness of the Christian religion should be
doubted , because too many of the wicked and profligate approach the holy altar . •Since , therefore , these things are so : be careful whenever a brother applies for relief , to examine strictly whether he is worthy of acceptance : enquire the cause of his misfortunes , and if you are satisfied they are not the result of vice or extravagance , relieve him
with such a sum as the lodge shall think proper , and assist him with your interest and recommendation , that he may be employed according to his capacity , and not eat the bread of idleness . This will be acting consistent with TRUTH , which is the third grand principle of Masonry . TRUTH is a divine attribute , and the foundation of all masonic virtues ' to be good and trueis part of the first great lesson we
: men , are taught ; and at the commencement of our freedom , we are ex- , hortedto be fervent and zealous in the practice of truth and goodness . It is not sufficient that we walk in tlie light , unless we do the truth . All hypocrisy and deceit must be banished from us—Sincerity and plain dealing comp leat the harmony of the brethren , within and without the lodge ; and will render us acceptable in the
sio-ht of that great Being , unco znbom all hearts are open , all de-sires known , and fmm whom no secrets are hid . There is a charm in truth that draws and attracts the mind continually towards it : the more we discover , the more we desire , and the great reward is , wisdom , virtue , and happiness . This is an edifice founded upon a rock , which malice cannot shake or time destroy . ' What a secret
satis-, faction do we enjoy , when in searching for truth , we find the fist principles of useful science , still preserved among us , as we received them , by oral tradition from the earliest ages ; and we also find this truth corroborated by the testimonies of the best and greatest men the world has produced . But this is not all ; the sacred writ-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine: Or, General And Complete Library.
I have . already mentioned our general charities as they are at present conducted ; it remains now that I consider particular donations o-iven from private lodges , either to those that are not masons , . or to a brother in distress . And first , with respect to a' Cliarity like this before us ; perhaps it is better to be distributed in small sumsthat more may receive the benefit , than to g ive it in larger
, sums , which would confine it to few . With regard to a brother in distress , who should happen to apply to this lodge , or any particular member for relief , it is necessary that I inform you in what manner you areto receive him . And here I cannot help regretting , that such is the depravity of the human heartthere is no reliion or society free from bad professors ,
, g or unworthy members , for as it is impossible for us to read the heart pf man , the best regulated societies may be imposed on , by the insinuations of the artful , and hypocrisy of the abandoned . It should therefore by no means lessen the dignity and excellency of the royal craft , because it is our misfortune to have bad men among us , any more than the purity and holiness of the Christian religion should be
doubted , because too many of the wicked and profligate approach the holy altar . •Since , therefore , these things are so : be careful whenever a brother applies for relief , to examine strictly whether he is worthy of acceptance : enquire the cause of his misfortunes , and if you are satisfied they are not the result of vice or extravagance , relieve him
with such a sum as the lodge shall think proper , and assist him with your interest and recommendation , that he may be employed according to his capacity , and not eat the bread of idleness . This will be acting consistent with TRUTH , which is the third grand principle of Masonry . TRUTH is a divine attribute , and the foundation of all masonic virtues ' to be good and trueis part of the first great lesson we
: men , are taught ; and at the commencement of our freedom , we are ex- , hortedto be fervent and zealous in the practice of truth and goodness . It is not sufficient that we walk in tlie light , unless we do the truth . All hypocrisy and deceit must be banished from us—Sincerity and plain dealing comp leat the harmony of the brethren , within and without the lodge ; and will render us acceptable in the
sio-ht of that great Being , unco znbom all hearts are open , all de-sires known , and fmm whom no secrets are hid . There is a charm in truth that draws and attracts the mind continually towards it : the more we discover , the more we desire , and the great reward is , wisdom , virtue , and happiness . This is an edifice founded upon a rock , which malice cannot shake or time destroy . ' What a secret
satis-, faction do we enjoy , when in searching for truth , we find the fist principles of useful science , still preserved among us , as we received them , by oral tradition from the earliest ages ; and we also find this truth corroborated by the testimonies of the best and greatest men the world has produced . But this is not all ; the sacred writ-