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Extracts From Two Sermons, Preached Before The Ancient And Honourable Society Of Freemasons,
posing the absurdity and weakness of the objections usually brought against it . " Masonry I affirm to be a mystic science , wherein , under apt figures , select numbers , and choice emblems , solemn and important truths , naturally tending to improve the understanding , mend the heartand to bind us more closely to one anotherare
, , most expressly contained . In proportion as the wise , the learned , and the good have studied it , they have loved it . But like ali other virtuous characters , or things , it hath met with persecution . Its enemies have been many , nor have its friends been few . Mature reflection on the characters of its adversaries , in a great measuredestroys ail they say . Forin the first placeno truly
, , , sensible man will ever speak against what he doth not understand . There are some bigots in their opinions against it . It is , cry they , a bad thing , —an unlawful thing , —a sinful thing . —Why ? Because we detest it , and abhor it . To pity such , is no mean part of Christian love ; since , I am persuaded , that even in good hearts the first emotions respecting them , were those of scorn and contempt .
Of what use is it to reason with bigots , whether in reli gion , morals , or politics ? There are some who speak against it , more from the vanity of saying somewhat on the point , than that they can urge a single ntrtiona ! objection . If it be good , say the } ' , why not tell it ? But we apprehendcontinue these wise-acresthere is nothing in it .
, , As for words , —signs , —tokens , —all stuff , —depend upon it , there are no such things . Now , what genuine Son of Ancient Masonry would hold converse with su ^ h people ? Let them prattle on ;—if it pleases any who hear , they must be as weak as themselves , and it never can injure you .
The weightiest tbjection is yet to come , nor will I flinch from it . Many thinking , serious , and judicious persons , argue thus : The reason why we are enemies to Masonry is , the effects , which , from close observation , we have repeatedly traced . We have seen those , who call themselves warm zealous Masons , most regular in their attendance on the Lodge , —ready to go any
lengths , both as to distance of place , loss of time , and expences , in pursuit of Masonry , ' who never appeared at church , and frequently left their families without bread . Others we have remarked , apparently brimful of Masonry , and vastly fond of each Brother , doubtless , in the Lodge , according to their principles , who yet would cheat , deceive , and supplant those very brethren in trade ,
and the ordinary transactions of society . They would defame them , and were it practicable , we have beheld them attempting to take , as it were , the very bread out of their mouths . Instead of being friends to mankind , or one another , they are liker wolves , preying with ferocity on whatever conies in their way . In the first place , the abuse of a thing is no valid objection to its inherent goodness . How many call themselves Christians , who are a disgrace to it , yet ultimately - hurt not the gospel , but them-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Extracts From Two Sermons, Preached Before The Ancient And Honourable Society Of Freemasons,
posing the absurdity and weakness of the objections usually brought against it . " Masonry I affirm to be a mystic science , wherein , under apt figures , select numbers , and choice emblems , solemn and important truths , naturally tending to improve the understanding , mend the heartand to bind us more closely to one anotherare
, , most expressly contained . In proportion as the wise , the learned , and the good have studied it , they have loved it . But like ali other virtuous characters , or things , it hath met with persecution . Its enemies have been many , nor have its friends been few . Mature reflection on the characters of its adversaries , in a great measuredestroys ail they say . Forin the first placeno truly
, , , sensible man will ever speak against what he doth not understand . There are some bigots in their opinions against it . It is , cry they , a bad thing , —an unlawful thing , —a sinful thing . —Why ? Because we detest it , and abhor it . To pity such , is no mean part of Christian love ; since , I am persuaded , that even in good hearts the first emotions respecting them , were those of scorn and contempt .
Of what use is it to reason with bigots , whether in reli gion , morals , or politics ? There are some who speak against it , more from the vanity of saying somewhat on the point , than that they can urge a single ntrtiona ! objection . If it be good , say the } ' , why not tell it ? But we apprehendcontinue these wise-acresthere is nothing in it .
, , As for words , —signs , —tokens , —all stuff , —depend upon it , there are no such things . Now , what genuine Son of Ancient Masonry would hold converse with su ^ h people ? Let them prattle on ;—if it pleases any who hear , they must be as weak as themselves , and it never can injure you .
The weightiest tbjection is yet to come , nor will I flinch from it . Many thinking , serious , and judicious persons , argue thus : The reason why we are enemies to Masonry is , the effects , which , from close observation , we have repeatedly traced . We have seen those , who call themselves warm zealous Masons , most regular in their attendance on the Lodge , —ready to go any
lengths , both as to distance of place , loss of time , and expences , in pursuit of Masonry , ' who never appeared at church , and frequently left their families without bread . Others we have remarked , apparently brimful of Masonry , and vastly fond of each Brother , doubtless , in the Lodge , according to their principles , who yet would cheat , deceive , and supplant those very brethren in trade ,
and the ordinary transactions of society . They would defame them , and were it practicable , we have beheld them attempting to take , as it were , the very bread out of their mouths . Instead of being friends to mankind , or one another , they are liker wolves , preying with ferocity on whatever conies in their way . In the first place , the abuse of a thing is no valid objection to its inherent goodness . How many call themselves Christians , who are a disgrace to it , yet ultimately - hurt not the gospel , but them-