Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine: Or, General And Complete Library.
mean mortai to grasp ; yet he can easil y comprehend so much as will lead him to that true source of happiness , the grand Architect Otal ! , the one perfect and unsullied beauty ! For besides all the gaieties with which our senses are every moment presented , and the symmetry , good order , and proportion that appear in the whole , there is something further that will affect the considering mind , something of turn to
a nearer divinity , yea , almost the divinity itself ; that is , the well adapted ties to the present circumstance of things , which link men and societies together . These are the sure cements of the rational world , and ' tis these alone by which the rational world subsists ; and could we think that it was possible for them to be dissolved nature tooand the chief work of God
, , man , would soon return to Chaos , and one universal ruin take place . If we look around us , we shall find , that in the whole scale of beings , from the most inconsiderable insect , to the seraph that adores and burns , all , according to their proportion in the scale of existence , have more or less this principle of uniting with others of the same species with themselvesimplanted bwise natureand
, y * cannot we discern some of these minute animals forming themselves into societies ? Need I name the careful ant , or the industrious bee ? insects , which the wisest of men has recommended as a pattern of industry and prudent foresi ght : But , let us raise our ideas higher , and we shall still find that this innate principle of friendship arises m proportion as they themselves seem to advance
nearer to the degree of rational , and there can be no better way of judging of the superiority of one part of the animal brute creation above the other , than by observing what degrees of kindness , friendship , and seeming good nature they enjoy . But that is a disquisition fitter for the philosopher ' s chair , than that wherein I have now the honour to be .
It is sufficient for us to consider ourselves , to think on those benevolent dispositions , and on that good temper of soul , which indul gent and wise nature has so kindly bestowed upon us . As human nature rises in the scale of things , so do the social affections arise iiKewise . Do we not feel in our breasts a strong propensity to friendship ? Feel we not a pleasure when it is cemented and firm , and pain when it is the decline and
a on dead ? What sweetens life but friendship ? What diverts the cares of time but friendship ? What alleviates pain , and makes sorrow smile , but friendship , sacred holy friendship ? But as this is either more universal , extending to the whole human race , whom , as partners of the same common nature with ourselves loveand
, we , are strongly inclined to favour ; or it is more confined , and exerts itself the more vehemently as the objects about winch it is versant are nearer or more remote . Thus , the Jove of one ' s country fires the soul , and makes it kindle into a noble patriot timoe , creates the best and most disinterested virtue , inspires public stunt , and that heroic ardor which engages men to throw life itself away m such a generous and noble cause , No kind of friendship
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine: Or, General And Complete Library.
mean mortai to grasp ; yet he can easil y comprehend so much as will lead him to that true source of happiness , the grand Architect Otal ! , the one perfect and unsullied beauty ! For besides all the gaieties with which our senses are every moment presented , and the symmetry , good order , and proportion that appear in the whole , there is something further that will affect the considering mind , something of turn to
a nearer divinity , yea , almost the divinity itself ; that is , the well adapted ties to the present circumstance of things , which link men and societies together . These are the sure cements of the rational world , and ' tis these alone by which the rational world subsists ; and could we think that it was possible for them to be dissolved nature tooand the chief work of God
, , man , would soon return to Chaos , and one universal ruin take place . If we look around us , we shall find , that in the whole scale of beings , from the most inconsiderable insect , to the seraph that adores and burns , all , according to their proportion in the scale of existence , have more or less this principle of uniting with others of the same species with themselvesimplanted bwise natureand
, y * cannot we discern some of these minute animals forming themselves into societies ? Need I name the careful ant , or the industrious bee ? insects , which the wisest of men has recommended as a pattern of industry and prudent foresi ght : But , let us raise our ideas higher , and we shall still find that this innate principle of friendship arises m proportion as they themselves seem to advance
nearer to the degree of rational , and there can be no better way of judging of the superiority of one part of the animal brute creation above the other , than by observing what degrees of kindness , friendship , and seeming good nature they enjoy . But that is a disquisition fitter for the philosopher ' s chair , than that wherein I have now the honour to be .
It is sufficient for us to consider ourselves , to think on those benevolent dispositions , and on that good temper of soul , which indul gent and wise nature has so kindly bestowed upon us . As human nature rises in the scale of things , so do the social affections arise iiKewise . Do we not feel in our breasts a strong propensity to friendship ? Feel we not a pleasure when it is cemented and firm , and pain when it is the decline and
a on dead ? What sweetens life but friendship ? What diverts the cares of time but friendship ? What alleviates pain , and makes sorrow smile , but friendship , sacred holy friendship ? But as this is either more universal , extending to the whole human race , whom , as partners of the same common nature with ourselves loveand
, we , are strongly inclined to favour ; or it is more confined , and exerts itself the more vehemently as the objects about winch it is versant are nearer or more remote . Thus , the Jove of one ' s country fires the soul , and makes it kindle into a noble patriot timoe , creates the best and most disinterested virtue , inspires public stunt , and that heroic ardor which engages men to throw life itself away m such a generous and noble cause , No kind of friendship