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Article A VINDICATION OF MASONRY. ← Page 4 of 5 →
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A Vindication Of Masonry.
jjy y ielding to vice and intemperance , not only disgrace themselves ; but reflect dishonour upon Masonry in general . It is this unfortunate circumstance which has given rise to those severe and unjust reflections , which the prejudiced part of mankind have so liberally bestowed upon us . But let these apostate brethren know , and let it be proclaimed to the world at large , that they are unworthy of their trustand thatwhatever name or designation they assumethey are
, , , in reality no Masons . It is as possible for a mouse to move a mountain , or a man to calm the boisterous ocean , as it is for a principled Mason to commit a dishonourable action . Masonry consists in virtuous improvement , in cheerful and innocent pastime , and not in lewd debauchery or unguarded excess . . But though unhappy brethren thus transgress , no wise man will
draw any argument from thence against the society , or urge it as an objection against the institution . If the wicked lives of men were admitted as an argument against the relig ion which they profess , Christianity itself , with all its . divine beauties , would be exposed to censure . Let us therefore endeavour strenuously to support the dignity of our charactersand by reforming the abuses which have
, crept in among us , display Masonty in its primitive lustre , and convince mankind that the source from which it flows is truly divine . It is this conduct which can alone retrieve the ancient glory of the Craft . Our generous and good actions must distinguish our title to the privileges of Masonry , and the regularity of our behaviour
display their influence and utility . Thus the world will admire our sanctity of manners , and effectually reconcile our uniform conduct with the incomparable tenets we profess to admire . As our order is founded upon harmony , and subsists by regularity and proportion ; so our passions ought to be properly restrained , and be ever subservient to the dictates of rig ht reason . As the delicate pleasures of friendshiharmonize our mindsand exclude rancour ,
p , malice , and ill-nature ; so we ought to live like brethren bound by the same tie , always cultivating fraternal affection , and reconciling ourselves to the practice of those duties , which are the basis on which the structure we erect must be supported . By improving our minds in the principles of morality and virtue ; weenlarge our understandingsand more effectually answer the great ends of our
exist-, ence . Such as violate our laws , or infringe on good order , we mark with a peculiar odium ; and . if our mild endeavours to refo / m their Jives should not answer the good purposes intended , we ex ^ el them our assemblies , as unfit members of society . This is the practice which should universally prevail among Masons . Our outward conduct being directed by our inward principles ,
we should be equally careful to avoid censure and reproach . Useful knowledge ought to be the » reat object of our desire ; for . the ways of wisdom are beautiful , and lead to pleasure . We ought to search into nature , as the advantages accruing from so agreeable a stud y will amply compensate our unwearied assiduity . Knowledge fiiust be attained by degrees , and is not every where to be found
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Vindication Of Masonry.
jjy y ielding to vice and intemperance , not only disgrace themselves ; but reflect dishonour upon Masonry in general . It is this unfortunate circumstance which has given rise to those severe and unjust reflections , which the prejudiced part of mankind have so liberally bestowed upon us . But let these apostate brethren know , and let it be proclaimed to the world at large , that they are unworthy of their trustand thatwhatever name or designation they assumethey are
, , , in reality no Masons . It is as possible for a mouse to move a mountain , or a man to calm the boisterous ocean , as it is for a principled Mason to commit a dishonourable action . Masonry consists in virtuous improvement , in cheerful and innocent pastime , and not in lewd debauchery or unguarded excess . . But though unhappy brethren thus transgress , no wise man will
draw any argument from thence against the society , or urge it as an objection against the institution . If the wicked lives of men were admitted as an argument against the relig ion which they profess , Christianity itself , with all its . divine beauties , would be exposed to censure . Let us therefore endeavour strenuously to support the dignity of our charactersand by reforming the abuses which have
, crept in among us , display Masonty in its primitive lustre , and convince mankind that the source from which it flows is truly divine . It is this conduct which can alone retrieve the ancient glory of the Craft . Our generous and good actions must distinguish our title to the privileges of Masonry , and the regularity of our behaviour
display their influence and utility . Thus the world will admire our sanctity of manners , and effectually reconcile our uniform conduct with the incomparable tenets we profess to admire . As our order is founded upon harmony , and subsists by regularity and proportion ; so our passions ought to be properly restrained , and be ever subservient to the dictates of rig ht reason . As the delicate pleasures of friendshiharmonize our mindsand exclude rancour ,
p , malice , and ill-nature ; so we ought to live like brethren bound by the same tie , always cultivating fraternal affection , and reconciling ourselves to the practice of those duties , which are the basis on which the structure we erect must be supported . By improving our minds in the principles of morality and virtue ; weenlarge our understandingsand more effectually answer the great ends of our
exist-, ence . Such as violate our laws , or infringe on good order , we mark with a peculiar odium ; and . if our mild endeavours to refo / m their Jives should not answer the good purposes intended , we ex ^ el them our assemblies , as unfit members of society . This is the practice which should universally prevail among Masons . Our outward conduct being directed by our inward principles ,
we should be equally careful to avoid censure and reproach . Useful knowledge ought to be the » reat object of our desire ; for . the ways of wisdom are beautiful , and lead to pleasure . We ought to search into nature , as the advantages accruing from so agreeable a stud y will amply compensate our unwearied assiduity . Knowledge fiiust be attained by degrees , and is not every where to be found