Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Light And Truth Of Masonry Explained, Being The Substance Of A Charge
THE LIGHT AND TRUTH OF MASONRY EXPLAINED , BEING THE SUBSTANCE OF A CHARGE
Delivered at Plymouth , in April , 1757 , BY THOMAS DUNCKERLEY , ESQ . P . G . M .
BRETHREN , if L r T and TRUTH being the great essentials of the Royal ^ Craft , I shall begin this discourse ( prepared for the opening of this Room ) with that awful message which St . JOHN delivered to the world , That God is Li ght , and in him is no darkness at all ; and that we are not worth of the true Fellowshipunless walk in
y , we the Light , and clothe Truth . O ! sacred Light ! whose orient beams make manifest that Truth which unites all good and faithful Masons in a heavenly Fellowship . ' This sublime part of Masonry is that firm base on which is raised the shaft of Faith , that supports a beautiful entablature of good works : it is the foundation of a superstructure unbounded as ° the universeand durable
, as eternity . To attempt a description of tins stupendous fabrick may seem presumptuous in me , who have been so few years a Mason : but as you , my Brethren , were pleased to request something of this kind , give me leave to assure you . that I am truly sensible of the honour : and though there are several among you , who by knowledge and long experience are well qualified for such an undertaking , yet as it is my duty to
execute your commands , I shall cheerfully begin the work ; and humbly hope by patience and industry to make some amends for the little time I have served . The Li ght and Truth which St . JOHN takes notice of in his message to the World , being a principal part ofsublime Masonry , I have , as _ 1 observed before , taken it for the subject of my discourse , on this solemn occasion intreat
. . I you to hear me with attention ; and whatever deficiencies you may discover in this Essay impute ' it to inexperience , and admonish me with Brotherly Love , that while I am pleading the cause of Truth I may be free from error . God said let there be Light ; and there was Li ght . Without it the . rude matter of Chaos , though brought into form , would still have been to little Let
purpose . your-Li ght so shine before men , that they may see your good worfc , was the advice of him that was a Li ght to . lighten the Gentiles . Our Li ghts are not hid , but placed on Candlesticks ; and these are silent monitors continuall y intimating tons , that as thz ancient and honorable /;// % ¦ £ . 'we wear has placed us above the rest of mankind , so all our duties to our Heavenl y Master , our fellow creatures , and ourselves , should be formed and contrived bv the wisdom of God ' s word ; strengthened and supported by Love , Truth ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Light And Truth Of Masonry Explained, Being The Substance Of A Charge
THE LIGHT AND TRUTH OF MASONRY EXPLAINED , BEING THE SUBSTANCE OF A CHARGE
Delivered at Plymouth , in April , 1757 , BY THOMAS DUNCKERLEY , ESQ . P . G . M .
BRETHREN , if L r T and TRUTH being the great essentials of the Royal ^ Craft , I shall begin this discourse ( prepared for the opening of this Room ) with that awful message which St . JOHN delivered to the world , That God is Li ght , and in him is no darkness at all ; and that we are not worth of the true Fellowshipunless walk in
y , we the Light , and clothe Truth . O ! sacred Light ! whose orient beams make manifest that Truth which unites all good and faithful Masons in a heavenly Fellowship . ' This sublime part of Masonry is that firm base on which is raised the shaft of Faith , that supports a beautiful entablature of good works : it is the foundation of a superstructure unbounded as ° the universeand durable
, as eternity . To attempt a description of tins stupendous fabrick may seem presumptuous in me , who have been so few years a Mason : but as you , my Brethren , were pleased to request something of this kind , give me leave to assure you . that I am truly sensible of the honour : and though there are several among you , who by knowledge and long experience are well qualified for such an undertaking , yet as it is my duty to
execute your commands , I shall cheerfully begin the work ; and humbly hope by patience and industry to make some amends for the little time I have served . The Li ght and Truth which St . JOHN takes notice of in his message to the World , being a principal part ofsublime Masonry , I have , as _ 1 observed before , taken it for the subject of my discourse , on this solemn occasion intreat
. . I you to hear me with attention ; and whatever deficiencies you may discover in this Essay impute ' it to inexperience , and admonish me with Brotherly Love , that while I am pleading the cause of Truth I may be free from error . God said let there be Light ; and there was Li ght . Without it the . rude matter of Chaos , though brought into form , would still have been to little Let
purpose . your-Li ght so shine before men , that they may see your good worfc , was the advice of him that was a Li ght to . lighten the Gentiles . Our Li ghts are not hid , but placed on Candlesticks ; and these are silent monitors continuall y intimating tons , that as thz ancient and honorable /;// % ¦ £ . 'we wear has placed us above the rest of mankind , so all our duties to our Heavenl y Master , our fellow creatures , and ourselves , should be formed and contrived bv the wisdom of God ' s word ; strengthened and supported by Love , Truth ,