Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar03100
Imag ine that it is any part of their profession , in any degree , to contemn the obligations , or to reject the doctrines laid down'in the volume of Sacred Writ . On the contrary , they who observe the antient ordinances , the various charges , and different public documents which have appeared , under authority , as forming the code of the Societymust allow that the grand desi of the Institution
, gn is to co-operate with the inspired writings in building up . the human soul into a beautiful , virtuous , and therefore . glorious temple , fit for the inhabitation of the Supreme Architect of the Universe : , There are , undoubtedly , many'Brethren among us who are not Christians , but though their religious profession does not preclude them from enjoying the primary benefits of the Order , yet it is well considerable and
known to the Society , that there are some mysteries valuable privileges which , on that account , they are necessarily debarred from . MASONRY received its finishing touches , its grand completing stroke in the , g lorious display of the'Christian Revelation . Every Christian grace enters into the true-Masonic character . The Doctrines , even the most peculiar and sublime doc" been termed
trines of Christianity , as some of them have , are regarded as holy , and just , and true , in our Lodges ; I may add also , that they are . illustrated in such a manner , as to tend to the settling the pious mind on the firm basis of a consistent , orthodox belief . -It is our principal endeavour to form our minds into the sublimest conceptions of the . Divine Being , and to the most implicit and regular obedience of all his dispensations and precepts : and we are , therefore , sensible that nothing conduceth so well to the accomplishment of these important ends as the sincere profession of
Christianity . Ifyou , Sir , was truly and properly made and raised , In an European Lodge ( or indeed in any properly constituted Lodge ) , I must be so free as to say that you are not only an apostate from Religion , but also a renegado from Masonry . Your evident intentions in that absurd performance of yours , are to destroy all principles of religious faith in the minds of men and consequentlthe moral force of all
, y , theiractions . By obtaining this' laudable purpose oaths will no longer be considered as obligatory , and the true fraternal character will be rejected at ' the pleasure of those who regard themselves , as under . no tie of justice , but are actuated only by the mean principle of selfishness . An uniformity in impious opinions may , perhaps , link the sons of
Infidelity together for a little while , but those very opinions will teach them to violate each other ' s rig hts when inclination , or the plea of convenience shall stimulate them to do it . ' Society , therefore , must be rendered an anarchical state when those grand principles upon which only it can stand , shall be taken away . And in such a situation what would become of Masonry ? This sublime Institution refines Society into a more beautiful and a more perfect system , by joining men together in closer and more affectionate relations than is the case in the enlarged state of social intercourse .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar03100
Imag ine that it is any part of their profession , in any degree , to contemn the obligations , or to reject the doctrines laid down'in the volume of Sacred Writ . On the contrary , they who observe the antient ordinances , the various charges , and different public documents which have appeared , under authority , as forming the code of the Societymust allow that the grand desi of the Institution
, gn is to co-operate with the inspired writings in building up . the human soul into a beautiful , virtuous , and therefore . glorious temple , fit for the inhabitation of the Supreme Architect of the Universe : , There are , undoubtedly , many'Brethren among us who are not Christians , but though their religious profession does not preclude them from enjoying the primary benefits of the Order , yet it is well considerable and
known to the Society , that there are some mysteries valuable privileges which , on that account , they are necessarily debarred from . MASONRY received its finishing touches , its grand completing stroke in the , g lorious display of the'Christian Revelation . Every Christian grace enters into the true-Masonic character . The Doctrines , even the most peculiar and sublime doc" been termed
trines of Christianity , as some of them have , are regarded as holy , and just , and true , in our Lodges ; I may add also , that they are . illustrated in such a manner , as to tend to the settling the pious mind on the firm basis of a consistent , orthodox belief . -It is our principal endeavour to form our minds into the sublimest conceptions of the . Divine Being , and to the most implicit and regular obedience of all his dispensations and precepts : and we are , therefore , sensible that nothing conduceth so well to the accomplishment of these important ends as the sincere profession of
Christianity . Ifyou , Sir , was truly and properly made and raised , In an European Lodge ( or indeed in any properly constituted Lodge ) , I must be so free as to say that you are not only an apostate from Religion , but also a renegado from Masonry . Your evident intentions in that absurd performance of yours , are to destroy all principles of religious faith in the minds of men and consequentlthe moral force of all
, y , theiractions . By obtaining this' laudable purpose oaths will no longer be considered as obligatory , and the true fraternal character will be rejected at ' the pleasure of those who regard themselves , as under . no tie of justice , but are actuated only by the mean principle of selfishness . An uniformity in impious opinions may , perhaps , link the sons of
Infidelity together for a little while , but those very opinions will teach them to violate each other ' s rig hts when inclination , or the plea of convenience shall stimulate them to do it . ' Society , therefore , must be rendered an anarchical state when those grand principles upon which only it can stand , shall be taken away . And in such a situation what would become of Masonry ? This sublime Institution refines Society into a more beautiful and a more perfect system , by joining men together in closer and more affectionate relations than is the case in the enlarged state of social intercourse .