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Article A VINDICATION OF MASONRY. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Vindication Of Masonry.
A VINDICATION OF MASONRY .
IF a man were placed in a beautiful garden , would not his mind , on a calm survey of its rich collections , be affected with the most exquisite delig ht?—The groves , the grottos , the artful wilds , the flowery parterres , the opening vistoes , the lofty cascades , the winding streams ; the whole variegated scene would awaken his sensibility , and inspire his soul with the' most exalted ideas . When
he obseved the delicate order , the nice symmetry , and beautiful disposition of every part , which , though seemingly compleat in itself , yet reflected surprising and new beauties on each other , so that nothing could be wanting to make one beautifuf ^ hole ; with what bewitching sensations would his mind be agitated' ! A view of this delightful scene would naturally lead him to admire and venerate [ the
happy genius of him who contrived it . " if the productions of art can so forcibly impress the human mind with surprise and admiration ,. with how much greater astonishment , and with what more profound reverence , must we behold the objects of nature , which , on every hand , present to our view unbounded scenes of leasure and delihtin which divinity and wisdom are alike
conp g , spicuous t The scenes which she displays are indeed too expanded for the narrow capacity of man ; yet it is easy , from the uniformity of the whole , to comprehend what may lead to the true source of happiness , the grand Author of existence , the supreme Governor of the
jvorld , the one perfect and unsullied beauty 1 > Besides all the gaieties and pleasing prospects which every where surround us , and with which our senses are every moment gratified ; besides the symmetry , good order , and proportion that appear in the whole works of the creation , there is something farther that affects the reflecting mind , and draws its attention nearer to the Divinity ; the universal harmony and affection which subsist throughout the
different species of beings of every rank and denomination . These are the sure cements of the rational world , and by these alone the rational world subsists . Could we think that it was possible for them to be dissolved , Nature too , and man , the chief work of God , would soon return to chaos , and universal ruin ensue . If we look around us , we shall find that , in the whole order of
beings , from the seraph that adores and burns , down to the most inconsiderable insect , all , according to their proportion in the scale of existence , have , more or less , implanted in them by wise Nature , the principle of uniting with others of the same species with themselves . Do we not observe some of even the most inconsiderable animals formed into different ranks and societies for the benefit and
protection of each other ? Need I name the careful ant , or the industrious bee ? insects which the wisest of men has recommended as a pattern of unwearied industry and prudent foresight . £ TO HE CONTINUED . ] . '
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Vindication Of Masonry.
A VINDICATION OF MASONRY .
IF a man were placed in a beautiful garden , would not his mind , on a calm survey of its rich collections , be affected with the most exquisite delig ht?—The groves , the grottos , the artful wilds , the flowery parterres , the opening vistoes , the lofty cascades , the winding streams ; the whole variegated scene would awaken his sensibility , and inspire his soul with the' most exalted ideas . When
he obseved the delicate order , the nice symmetry , and beautiful disposition of every part , which , though seemingly compleat in itself , yet reflected surprising and new beauties on each other , so that nothing could be wanting to make one beautifuf ^ hole ; with what bewitching sensations would his mind be agitated' ! A view of this delightful scene would naturally lead him to admire and venerate [ the
happy genius of him who contrived it . " if the productions of art can so forcibly impress the human mind with surprise and admiration ,. with how much greater astonishment , and with what more profound reverence , must we behold the objects of nature , which , on every hand , present to our view unbounded scenes of leasure and delihtin which divinity and wisdom are alike
conp g , spicuous t The scenes which she displays are indeed too expanded for the narrow capacity of man ; yet it is easy , from the uniformity of the whole , to comprehend what may lead to the true source of happiness , the grand Author of existence , the supreme Governor of the
jvorld , the one perfect and unsullied beauty 1 > Besides all the gaieties and pleasing prospects which every where surround us , and with which our senses are every moment gratified ; besides the symmetry , good order , and proportion that appear in the whole works of the creation , there is something farther that affects the reflecting mind , and draws its attention nearer to the Divinity ; the universal harmony and affection which subsist throughout the
different species of beings of every rank and denomination . These are the sure cements of the rational world , and by these alone the rational world subsists . Could we think that it was possible for them to be dissolved , Nature too , and man , the chief work of God , would soon return to chaos , and universal ruin ensue . If we look around us , we shall find that , in the whole order of
beings , from the seraph that adores and burns , down to the most inconsiderable insect , all , according to their proportion in the scale of existence , have , more or less , implanted in them by wise Nature , the principle of uniting with others of the same species with themselves . Do we not observe some of even the most inconsiderable animals formed into different ranks and societies for the benefit and
protection of each other ? Need I name the careful ant , or the industrious bee ? insects which the wisest of men has recommended as a pattern of unwearied industry and prudent foresight . £ TO HE CONTINUED . ] . '