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Article A VINDICATION OF MASONRY. Page 1 of 5 →
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A Vindication Of Masonry.
A VINDICATION OF MASONRY .
[ CONCLUDED FHOM OUR LAST . ] JF we raise our ideas hi gher , we shall find that this innate principle ot friendship arises in proportion as the objects seem to advance nearer to the degree of rational . There can be no better way ot judging of the superiority of one part of the animal creation above the otherthan b observing what degrees of kindness and seeming
, y good nature they enjoy . However , I shall , here pause , and refer the discussion of this philosophical disquisition to some more refined genius , of superior parts and abilities . To confine my subject to the rational species : let us think and meditate on these benevevolent dispositions and good temper of soul which indul gent nature has so kindl y bestowed upon us . As human nature rises the scale of
m things , so do the social affections likewise a ! " ' . ; P ? we 110 t feel m-our breasts a strong propensity to friendsnip . - Enjoy we not a pleasure when it is firm and cemented , and feel we not a pain when it deadens or declines ? What sweetens life but friendship ? What diverts care but friendship ? What alleviates pain or makes sorrow smile , but friendship ? sacred , h ' olv friendship ! , »¦ .
The progress of friendshi p is not confined to the narrow circle of private connections , but is universal , and extends to every branch of the human race . Though its influence is unbounded , yet it exerts itself more or less vehementl y as the objects it favours are nearer or more remote . Hence springs true patriotism , which fires the soul with the most generous flame , creates the best and most disinterested virtueand that
, inspires public spirit and heroic ardour , which enables us to support a good cause , and risk our lives in its defence . This commendable virtue crowns the lover of his country with unfading laurels , gives a lustre to all his actions , and consecrates his name to latest ages . The warrior ' s glory may consist in murder , and the n , de ravage of the desolating sword ; but the blood of thousands will not stain the hands
of his country ' s friend . His virtues are open , and of the noblest kind . Conscious integrity supports him a ° ainst the arm of power ; and should he bleed by tyrant hands , he gloriously dies a martyr in the cause of liberty , and leaves to posterity * an everlasting monument of the greatness of his soul . Should I name the hrst Brutus , the self-devoted Decii , or the self-condemned but unconquerable Caio ?
Friendship not onl y appears divine when employed in preserving the liberties of our country , but shines with equal splendour in the more tranquil hours of life . Before it rises into the noble flame of patriotism , aiming destruction at the heads of tyrants , thundering for imerty , and courting dangers in a good cause , we shall see it calm and moderate , burning with an even glow , improving the soft hours e . jjeace , and heightening the relish for virtue . Hence it is that
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Vindication Of Masonry.
A VINDICATION OF MASONRY .
[ CONCLUDED FHOM OUR LAST . ] JF we raise our ideas hi gher , we shall find that this innate principle ot friendship arises in proportion as the objects seem to advance nearer to the degree of rational . There can be no better way ot judging of the superiority of one part of the animal creation above the otherthan b observing what degrees of kindness and seeming
, y good nature they enjoy . However , I shall , here pause , and refer the discussion of this philosophical disquisition to some more refined genius , of superior parts and abilities . To confine my subject to the rational species : let us think and meditate on these benevevolent dispositions and good temper of soul which indul gent nature has so kindl y bestowed upon us . As human nature rises the scale of
m things , so do the social affections likewise a ! " ' . ; P ? we 110 t feel m-our breasts a strong propensity to friendsnip . - Enjoy we not a pleasure when it is firm and cemented , and feel we not a pain when it deadens or declines ? What sweetens life but friendship ? What diverts care but friendship ? What alleviates pain or makes sorrow smile , but friendship ? sacred , h ' olv friendship ! , »¦ .
The progress of friendshi p is not confined to the narrow circle of private connections , but is universal , and extends to every branch of the human race . Though its influence is unbounded , yet it exerts itself more or less vehementl y as the objects it favours are nearer or more remote . Hence springs true patriotism , which fires the soul with the most generous flame , creates the best and most disinterested virtueand that
, inspires public spirit and heroic ardour , which enables us to support a good cause , and risk our lives in its defence . This commendable virtue crowns the lover of his country with unfading laurels , gives a lustre to all his actions , and consecrates his name to latest ages . The warrior ' s glory may consist in murder , and the n , de ravage of the desolating sword ; but the blood of thousands will not stain the hands
of his country ' s friend . His virtues are open , and of the noblest kind . Conscious integrity supports him a ° ainst the arm of power ; and should he bleed by tyrant hands , he gloriously dies a martyr in the cause of liberty , and leaves to posterity * an everlasting monument of the greatness of his soul . Should I name the hrst Brutus , the self-devoted Decii , or the self-condemned but unconquerable Caio ?
Friendship not onl y appears divine when employed in preserving the liberties of our country , but shines with equal splendour in the more tranquil hours of life . Before it rises into the noble flame of patriotism , aiming destruction at the heads of tyrants , thundering for imerty , and courting dangers in a good cause , we shall see it calm and moderate , burning with an even glow , improving the soft hours e . jjeace , and heightening the relish for virtue . Hence it is that