Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar03000
Jfou , Sir , as I suppose , have passed through the different degrees of Masonry , concerning which so much has been written , and so many opinions entertained ; and therefore you cannot but be sensible , that so far from its principles having the least tendency to encourage Scepticism , they all proceed from , and centre in Religion ; not in the-boasted reli gion of Nature , but that which professedlctfmfromabove
y e , . What else can be the bond of its union;—for the cultivation of every private and social virtue which it strongly recommends to , and insists upon from all its votaries , is totally incompatible with a state of ineli gion . With respect to the Lecture which have ivin book
you gen your , upon the Ori gin of Masonry , I shall say nothing ; as those of your readers who are of the Order are fully capable of judging upon its truth or probability , and in their minds I apprehend , the philosophic author will not rise in any high degree as a Free Mason . Weknow , and dare venture to declare to ' all the world , that no man can be a consistent Free Mason who denies a Divine Revelation ; that
even Revelation which is professed by Christian Believers , an ' d in the state of Immortality which that Revelation holds out to us . While , therefore , on the one hand , the serious , reasonable man will view yourattempfrto rob the soul of its best motive to good actions , and of its best hope under the various calamities of this life , with indignation and abhorrence ;—the genuine Mason will consider your mean and , I may add , infamous artifice of cloathing the rotten carcase of Infidelity under the garb of Masonry , as , a considerable aggravation of your guilt .
From their Lodges it should be the united determination of the Brethren to exclude you , as one who has basely endeavoured to wound their venerable parent to the heart under the appearance of a more particular affection , and a more extraordinary duty . . _ Permit me to ask you , hath Masonry indeed a Philosophy separate from the interests of Religion?—Are her votaries , even the most enlihtened of them
g , taught by her to despise , what you esteem popular superstitions * ?—If you would wish that the world should believe this of the Order , I am free to pronounce that both your heart and head must be in a state of miserable depravity , and wretched imbecility ; for should such a general opinion of it prevail , it would be for the interests of all governmentsand the duty of all
, legislator .-, to extirpate such an abominable system from off the face of the earth . But , in truth , no man who hath candidl y observed the conduct of Free Masons , 1 mean as a general bod y of men , can possibly
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar03000
Jfou , Sir , as I suppose , have passed through the different degrees of Masonry , concerning which so much has been written , and so many opinions entertained ; and therefore you cannot but be sensible , that so far from its principles having the least tendency to encourage Scepticism , they all proceed from , and centre in Religion ; not in the-boasted reli gion of Nature , but that which professedlctfmfromabove
y e , . What else can be the bond of its union;—for the cultivation of every private and social virtue which it strongly recommends to , and insists upon from all its votaries , is totally incompatible with a state of ineli gion . With respect to the Lecture which have ivin book
you gen your , upon the Ori gin of Masonry , I shall say nothing ; as those of your readers who are of the Order are fully capable of judging upon its truth or probability , and in their minds I apprehend , the philosophic author will not rise in any high degree as a Free Mason . Weknow , and dare venture to declare to ' all the world , that no man can be a consistent Free Mason who denies a Divine Revelation ; that
even Revelation which is professed by Christian Believers , an ' d in the state of Immortality which that Revelation holds out to us . While , therefore , on the one hand , the serious , reasonable man will view yourattempfrto rob the soul of its best motive to good actions , and of its best hope under the various calamities of this life , with indignation and abhorrence ;—the genuine Mason will consider your mean and , I may add , infamous artifice of cloathing the rotten carcase of Infidelity under the garb of Masonry , as , a considerable aggravation of your guilt .
From their Lodges it should be the united determination of the Brethren to exclude you , as one who has basely endeavoured to wound their venerable parent to the heart under the appearance of a more particular affection , and a more extraordinary duty . . _ Permit me to ask you , hath Masonry indeed a Philosophy separate from the interests of Religion?—Are her votaries , even the most enlihtened of them
g , taught by her to despise , what you esteem popular superstitions * ?—If you would wish that the world should believe this of the Order , I am free to pronounce that both your heart and head must be in a state of miserable depravity , and wretched imbecility ; for should such a general opinion of it prevail , it would be for the interests of all governmentsand the duty of all
, legislator .-, to extirpate such an abominable system from off the face of the earth . But , in truth , no man who hath candidl y observed the conduct of Free Masons , 1 mean as a general bod y of men , can possibly