Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Charge
Therefore , to afford succour to the distressed , to divide our bread rdth the industrious poor , and to put the misguided traveller into his way , are qualifications inherent in the Craft , and suitable to its dignity , and such as the worthy Members of that great Body have at all times strove with indefatigable pains to accomplish . These and such like benefits , arising from a strict observance of the princiles of the Craft ( as numbers of Brethren have lately
p , experienced ) if duly considered , will be found not only to equal , but exceed any Society in being . If so , the worthy Members of this great and useful Society , can never betoo careful in the election of Members ; I mean a thorough knowledge of the ( character and circumstances of a candidate that begs to be initiated into the mystery of FREE MASONRY .
Upon this depends the welfare or destruction of the Craft ; for as regularity , virtue , and concord , are the only ornaments of human nature ( which is often too prone to act in different capacities ) , so tlie happiness of life depends , in a great measure , on our own election , and a prudent choice of those steps . For human society cannot subsist without concordand the
main-, tenance of mutual good offices ; for , like the working of an arch of stone , it would fall to the ground , provided one piece did not properly support ' another . In former times , every man ( at his request ) was not admitted into the Craft , ( though perhaps of a good and moral reputation ) ,
nor allowed to share the benefits of our Ancient and Noble Institution ,-unless he was endued with such skill in MASONRY , as he might ' thereby ' be able to prove the Art , either in plan or workmanship ; or had such an affluence of fortune as should enable him to employ , honour , and protect the Craftsmen . I would not be understood , by this , to mean that no reputable tradesmen should receive any of our benefits ; buton the
, contrary , am of opinion , that they are valuable members of the commonwealth , andoftenhave proved themselves real ornaments to the Lodges . Those whom I aim at are the miserable wretches of low life ( often introduced by excluded men ) , some of whom can neither read nor write ; and when ( by the assistance of MASONRY ) they
are admitted into the company of their betters , they too often act beyond their capacities ; and under pretence of searching for knowledge , thev fall into scenes of g luttony aud drunkenness , and thereby neglect their necessary occupations , and injure their poor families , who imagine they have a just cause to pour out all their exclamations and invectives against the whole body of FREE MASONRY
, without considering or knowing that our constitutions and principles are quite opposite to such base proceedings . The next thing to be considered , is the choice of officers to rule and govern the Lodge , according to the ancient and wholesome laws of our constitution : and this is a matter of great concern ; fo »
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Charge
Therefore , to afford succour to the distressed , to divide our bread rdth the industrious poor , and to put the misguided traveller into his way , are qualifications inherent in the Craft , and suitable to its dignity , and such as the worthy Members of that great Body have at all times strove with indefatigable pains to accomplish . These and such like benefits , arising from a strict observance of the princiles of the Craft ( as numbers of Brethren have lately
p , experienced ) if duly considered , will be found not only to equal , but exceed any Society in being . If so , the worthy Members of this great and useful Society , can never betoo careful in the election of Members ; I mean a thorough knowledge of the ( character and circumstances of a candidate that begs to be initiated into the mystery of FREE MASONRY .
Upon this depends the welfare or destruction of the Craft ; for as regularity , virtue , and concord , are the only ornaments of human nature ( which is often too prone to act in different capacities ) , so tlie happiness of life depends , in a great measure , on our own election , and a prudent choice of those steps . For human society cannot subsist without concordand the
main-, tenance of mutual good offices ; for , like the working of an arch of stone , it would fall to the ground , provided one piece did not properly support ' another . In former times , every man ( at his request ) was not admitted into the Craft , ( though perhaps of a good and moral reputation ) ,
nor allowed to share the benefits of our Ancient and Noble Institution ,-unless he was endued with such skill in MASONRY , as he might ' thereby ' be able to prove the Art , either in plan or workmanship ; or had such an affluence of fortune as should enable him to employ , honour , and protect the Craftsmen . I would not be understood , by this , to mean that no reputable tradesmen should receive any of our benefits ; buton the
, contrary , am of opinion , that they are valuable members of the commonwealth , andoftenhave proved themselves real ornaments to the Lodges . Those whom I aim at are the miserable wretches of low life ( often introduced by excluded men ) , some of whom can neither read nor write ; and when ( by the assistance of MASONRY ) they
are admitted into the company of their betters , they too often act beyond their capacities ; and under pretence of searching for knowledge , thev fall into scenes of g luttony aud drunkenness , and thereby neglect their necessary occupations , and injure their poor families , who imagine they have a just cause to pour out all their exclamations and invectives against the whole body of FREE MASONRY
, without considering or knowing that our constitutions and principles are quite opposite to such base proceedings . The next thing to be considered , is the choice of officers to rule and govern the Lodge , according to the ancient and wholesome laws of our constitution : and this is a matter of great concern ; fo »