Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Opinions Concerning Masonry. With The Character Op A True Freemason.
band to the grave , than have him joined to the society of Freemasons . Some , again , have supposed , that when a man is made a Mason , lie is obliged to sit naked on a hot gridiron , and that he is afterwards put to the fatigue of rolling a great gun-bullet about the room where the Lodge is convened ; which torture and exercise must naturall y
tend to impair his vital , natural , and animal functions , and weaken his constitution . Perhaps the thoughts of these things terrify some bf the ladies , and make them averse to their husbands becoming Masons . Thus different are the opinions of people concerning the mysteries of Freemasomy . These things being premised , I shall justmention the qualifications necessary for a Freemason .
I . He must not be atheistical , superstitious , idolatrous , seditious , rebellious , nor covetous ; but must worship and obey Him who created , upholds , preserves , and governs the universe , living peaceably and walking humbly . II . He must avoid contentions , divisions , and animosities , and promote those things which tend to make mankind happy . III . He must not be high minded in prosperitybut patient in
ad-, versity . IV . He' must be kind to himself , to his family , to his neighbours , to strangers , to captives , and to prisoners . V . He must feed the hungry , clothe the naked , relieve the oppressed , visit the sick , and bury the dead ; and contribute to the relief of the poor , in proportion to his abilities .
VI . He must shun bad company , avoid intemperance , use no bad language , and be exemplary in his life and conversation—then will he be a GOOD MASON .
A Charge
A CHARGE
BELIVERED- BY THE EIGHT WORSHIPFUL MASTER , ON HIS RESIGNING THE CHAIR .
WORTHV nitETHBr . y , T } ROVIDE 3 s CE having placed me in such a sphere of life as to - - afford me but little time for speculation , I cannot pretend to Jiave made mankind my particular study ; yet this I have observed , that curiosity is one of the most prevailing passions in the human breast . The mind of man is kept in a pe ' rpetual thirst after knowledge
, ftor can he bear to be ignorant of what he thinks others know . Any thing secret or iiav immediately excites an uneasy sensation , and becomes the proper fuel of curiosity , which will be found stronger or weaker in proportion to the opportunities that individuals have for indulging it . It is observable further , that , when this passion is excited , and not instantly gratified , instead of waiting for better
intelligence , and using the proper means of removrm g the darkness that envelopes the object of it , we precipitately form ideas which are generally in the extremes . If the object promotes pleasure or ad-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Opinions Concerning Masonry. With The Character Op A True Freemason.
band to the grave , than have him joined to the society of Freemasons . Some , again , have supposed , that when a man is made a Mason , lie is obliged to sit naked on a hot gridiron , and that he is afterwards put to the fatigue of rolling a great gun-bullet about the room where the Lodge is convened ; which torture and exercise must naturall y
tend to impair his vital , natural , and animal functions , and weaken his constitution . Perhaps the thoughts of these things terrify some bf the ladies , and make them averse to their husbands becoming Masons . Thus different are the opinions of people concerning the mysteries of Freemasomy . These things being premised , I shall justmention the qualifications necessary for a Freemason .
I . He must not be atheistical , superstitious , idolatrous , seditious , rebellious , nor covetous ; but must worship and obey Him who created , upholds , preserves , and governs the universe , living peaceably and walking humbly . II . He must avoid contentions , divisions , and animosities , and promote those things which tend to make mankind happy . III . He must not be high minded in prosperitybut patient in
ad-, versity . IV . He' must be kind to himself , to his family , to his neighbours , to strangers , to captives , and to prisoners . V . He must feed the hungry , clothe the naked , relieve the oppressed , visit the sick , and bury the dead ; and contribute to the relief of the poor , in proportion to his abilities .
VI . He must shun bad company , avoid intemperance , use no bad language , and be exemplary in his life and conversation—then will he be a GOOD MASON .
A Charge
A CHARGE
BELIVERED- BY THE EIGHT WORSHIPFUL MASTER , ON HIS RESIGNING THE CHAIR .
WORTHV nitETHBr . y , T } ROVIDE 3 s CE having placed me in such a sphere of life as to - - afford me but little time for speculation , I cannot pretend to Jiave made mankind my particular study ; yet this I have observed , that curiosity is one of the most prevailing passions in the human breast . The mind of man is kept in a pe ' rpetual thirst after knowledge
, ftor can he bear to be ignorant of what he thinks others know . Any thing secret or iiav immediately excites an uneasy sensation , and becomes the proper fuel of curiosity , which will be found stronger or weaker in proportion to the opportunities that individuals have for indulging it . It is observable further , that , when this passion is excited , and not instantly gratified , instead of waiting for better
intelligence , and using the proper means of removrm g the darkness that envelopes the object of it , we precipitately form ideas which are generally in the extremes . If the object promotes pleasure or ad-