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Article A GENERAL CHARGE TO MASONRY. ← Page 4 of 5 →
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A General Charge To Masonry.
sant it is to contribute to the innocent delight , and promote the lawful advantage of one another ; and always to couversg with security without any the least suspicion of fraudulent , ' injurious , or malicious practices . Now , in order to cherish and promote this harmony within doors and withoutlet us first lay- hold on the surest means to stop the
, mouth of Detraction , by endeavouring to lead a pure and unblemished life . Let us consider , my brethren , that not the reputation of one only , but that of the whole society is affected by a brother ' s misbehaviour . Invested as we are with that distinguishing Badge , which at this day is the glory of the greatest Potentates upon earth , we should scorn to act beneath the dignity of our profession . Let '
us then walk worth y of our vocation , and do honour to our profession . Let us rejoice in every opportunity of serving and obliging each other ; for then , and only then are we answering the great end of our institution . Brotherl y love , relief , and truth , oblige us not only to be compassionate and benevolentbut to administer that relief
, and comfort which the condition of any member requires , and we can bestow , without manifest inconvenience to ourselves . No artful dissimulation of affection can ever be allowed among those who are upon a level ; nor can persons who live within compass , act otherwise than upon the square , consistently with the golden
rule of doing as they would be done by . For among us , every one is , or should be , another self : so that he that hates another , must necessarily abhor himself also ; he that prejudices another , injures his own nature ; and he that doth not relieve a distressed brother , starves a member of his own body . But then this relief is not to be bestowed upon the idle , indolent , and extravagant ; but upon the unfortunateindustrioussuccessless brother .
, , Let us next remember that the regulations of this society are calculated , not only for the prevention of enmity , wrath , and dissension , but for the promotion of love , peace , and friendship ; then here surely conversation must be attended with mutual confidence , freedom , and complacency . He who neither contrives mischief against others , nor suspects any against himself , has his mind
always serene , and his affections composed . ' All the human faculties rejoice in order , ha ' rmony ,-and proportion ; by this our society subsists , and upon this depends its wisdom , strength , and beauty . Let therefore no narrow distinctions discompose this goodly frame , or disturb its symmetry ; but when good and worthy men offer themselves , let them ever have the first place in our esteem ; but as for the
abettors of atheism , irreligion , libertinism , infidelity—let us , in the words of the prophet , shake our hands from them , just as a person Would do , who happens to have burning - coals or some venemous creature fastening upon his flesh . In such a case none would stand a moment to consider ; none would debate with himself the expediency of the thing ; but instantly fling off the pernicious incumbrance ; instantly endeavour to disengage himself from the clinging 3 M
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A General Charge To Masonry.
sant it is to contribute to the innocent delight , and promote the lawful advantage of one another ; and always to couversg with security without any the least suspicion of fraudulent , ' injurious , or malicious practices . Now , in order to cherish and promote this harmony within doors and withoutlet us first lay- hold on the surest means to stop the
, mouth of Detraction , by endeavouring to lead a pure and unblemished life . Let us consider , my brethren , that not the reputation of one only , but that of the whole society is affected by a brother ' s misbehaviour . Invested as we are with that distinguishing Badge , which at this day is the glory of the greatest Potentates upon earth , we should scorn to act beneath the dignity of our profession . Let '
us then walk worth y of our vocation , and do honour to our profession . Let us rejoice in every opportunity of serving and obliging each other ; for then , and only then are we answering the great end of our institution . Brotherl y love , relief , and truth , oblige us not only to be compassionate and benevolentbut to administer that relief
, and comfort which the condition of any member requires , and we can bestow , without manifest inconvenience to ourselves . No artful dissimulation of affection can ever be allowed among those who are upon a level ; nor can persons who live within compass , act otherwise than upon the square , consistently with the golden
rule of doing as they would be done by . For among us , every one is , or should be , another self : so that he that hates another , must necessarily abhor himself also ; he that prejudices another , injures his own nature ; and he that doth not relieve a distressed brother , starves a member of his own body . But then this relief is not to be bestowed upon the idle , indolent , and extravagant ; but upon the unfortunateindustrioussuccessless brother .
, , Let us next remember that the regulations of this society are calculated , not only for the prevention of enmity , wrath , and dissension , but for the promotion of love , peace , and friendship ; then here surely conversation must be attended with mutual confidence , freedom , and complacency . He who neither contrives mischief against others , nor suspects any against himself , has his mind
always serene , and his affections composed . ' All the human faculties rejoice in order , ha ' rmony ,-and proportion ; by this our society subsists , and upon this depends its wisdom , strength , and beauty . Let therefore no narrow distinctions discompose this goodly frame , or disturb its symmetry ; but when good and worthy men offer themselves , let them ever have the first place in our esteem ; but as for the
abettors of atheism , irreligion , libertinism , infidelity—let us , in the words of the prophet , shake our hands from them , just as a person Would do , who happens to have burning - coals or some venemous creature fastening upon his flesh . In such a case none would stand a moment to consider ; none would debate with himself the expediency of the thing ; but instantly fling off the pernicious incumbrance ; instantly endeavour to disengage himself from the clinging 3 M