Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Charge
punishments , could ever extort the secret ( even ) from the weakest * member of the whole Fraternity . ^ Therefore , I humbly presume , it will , of consequence , be granted , that the welfare and good of mankind was the cause or motive of so grand an institution as FREE MASONRY ( no Art yet being so extensively useful ) , which not only tends to protect its members from external injuriesbut to polish the rusty dispositions of iniquitous
, minds , and also to retain them within the pleasant bounds of true religion , morality , and virtue ; for such are the precepts of this Royal Art , that if those who have the honour of being members thereof would but live according to the true principles of the Ancient Craft , every man that is endowed with trie least spark of honour or honesty must , of course , approve their actions , and ,
consequent ! }' , endeavour to follow their steps . A Mason is obliged , by his tenure , to believe firmly in the true worship of the Eternal God , as well as in all those sacred records which the dignitaries and fathers of the church have compiled and published for the use of all good men . So that no one who rightly understands the Artcan possibly tread in the . irreliious paths of
, g the unhappy Libertine , or be induced to follow the arrogant professors of Atheism or Deism ; neither is he to be stained w . ith the gross errors of blind superstition , but may have the liberty of embracing what faith he shall think proper , provided at all times he pays a due reverence to his Creator , and by the world deals with
honour and honesty , ever making that golden precept the standard rule of his actions , which engages , " To do unto all men as he would they should do unto him . " For the Craft , instead of entering into idle and unnecessary disputes concerning the different opinions and persuasions of men , admits into the Fraternity all that are good and true ; whereby it hath brought about the means of reconciliation amongst personswhowithout that assistance
, , , would have remained at perpetual variance . A Mason is a lover of quiet ; is always subject to the civil powers , provided they do not infringe upon the limited bounds of religion and reason ; and it was never yet known , that a real Craftsman was concerned in an } ' dark plot , designs , or contrivances against the Statebecause the welfare of the nation is his
, peculiar care ; so that from the hi ghest to the lowest step of magistracy , due regard and deference is paid by him . But as MASONRY ha ; h , at several times , felt the injurious effects of war , bloodshed , and devastation , it was a stronger engagement to the Craftsmen to act agreeable to the rules of peace and loyalty , the many proofs of which behaviour hath occasioned the ancient
kings and powers to protect and defend them . But if a Brother should be so far unhappy as to rebel against the State , he would meet with no countenance from his fellows ; nor would they keep any private converse with him , whereby the government mi g ht have cause to be jealous , or take the least umbrage .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Charge
punishments , could ever extort the secret ( even ) from the weakest * member of the whole Fraternity . ^ Therefore , I humbly presume , it will , of consequence , be granted , that the welfare and good of mankind was the cause or motive of so grand an institution as FREE MASONRY ( no Art yet being so extensively useful ) , which not only tends to protect its members from external injuriesbut to polish the rusty dispositions of iniquitous
, minds , and also to retain them within the pleasant bounds of true religion , morality , and virtue ; for such are the precepts of this Royal Art , that if those who have the honour of being members thereof would but live according to the true principles of the Ancient Craft , every man that is endowed with trie least spark of honour or honesty must , of course , approve their actions , and ,
consequent ! }' , endeavour to follow their steps . A Mason is obliged , by his tenure , to believe firmly in the true worship of the Eternal God , as well as in all those sacred records which the dignitaries and fathers of the church have compiled and published for the use of all good men . So that no one who rightly understands the Artcan possibly tread in the . irreliious paths of
, g the unhappy Libertine , or be induced to follow the arrogant professors of Atheism or Deism ; neither is he to be stained w . ith the gross errors of blind superstition , but may have the liberty of embracing what faith he shall think proper , provided at all times he pays a due reverence to his Creator , and by the world deals with
honour and honesty , ever making that golden precept the standard rule of his actions , which engages , " To do unto all men as he would they should do unto him . " For the Craft , instead of entering into idle and unnecessary disputes concerning the different opinions and persuasions of men , admits into the Fraternity all that are good and true ; whereby it hath brought about the means of reconciliation amongst personswhowithout that assistance
, , , would have remained at perpetual variance . A Mason is a lover of quiet ; is always subject to the civil powers , provided they do not infringe upon the limited bounds of religion and reason ; and it was never yet known , that a real Craftsman was concerned in an } ' dark plot , designs , or contrivances against the Statebecause the welfare of the nation is his
, peculiar care ; so that from the hi ghest to the lowest step of magistracy , due regard and deference is paid by him . But as MASONRY ha ; h , at several times , felt the injurious effects of war , bloodshed , and devastation , it was a stronger engagement to the Craftsmen to act agreeable to the rules of peace and loyalty , the many proofs of which behaviour hath occasioned the ancient
kings and powers to protect and defend them . But if a Brother should be so far unhappy as to rebel against the State , he would meet with no countenance from his fellows ; nor would they keep any private converse with him , whereby the government mi g ht have cause to be jealous , or take the least umbrage .