Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine: Or, General And Complete Library.
ought to be guarded against . Should any attempt to intrude into , or violate the rules of any society , under the advice of such impostors , they must be as bad , and as much dreaded . What I have remarked further from these sort of writers , induces me only to observe , that , as they call themselves visitors of some shining lodges , to prevent the least pretensions to the probability even of any intrusion or local discoveries in matters of form ( the
least consequential parts of Masonry ) , 1 would most humbly request all masters of lodges in general , to ordain a bye-law , as some lodges already have , that no visitor be » admitted , 'unless proposed and introduced by a member who knows him , and can certify his being a lawful brother . I hope what I say will not be looked upon as improper , for I have the honour to copy lhe advice of the great Sir
Christopher Wren on a similar occasion , in whose time , and long before , these . sorts of impositions had been offered to the public . I shall now beg your further indulgence to go on with my subject , and show , that besides the requisites of a perfect Mason , in being well read , having clear judgment , and ease of elocution , to explain sympathetically the mystic gate to the illuminated mansion of
Masonry , through its dark intricate avenues and passages , together with the wisdom , strength , order , beauty , and harmony of all the arts and sciences , co-operating with one another , and in being able to explain the true technical meaning of signs and tokens ; the singular use of the various symbolical hieroglyphics , and other various
disguised obscurities in the Royal Craft , which are the magnified perspectives to light and truth ; yet there be other essentials necessary , without which the greatest and most learned man cannot be a good Mason , and those are within the reach of every capacity , which J maj * assign to be the qualification of a good Mason . A good Mason then is an honest man , and as Pope said , " one of the noblest works of God ; " one who duly pays his duty to his great
Creator , and his allegiance to his king ; one who subdues his inordinate passions , and natural perverse will , in proper subjection to all superior degrees and orders of men , and all civil constitutional policy ; one who strives , by honest industry , to excel in that profession , trade , or science he is called to ; one who is just in all his dealings and dependencies ; temperatefaithfuland stead
, , y , cultivating his mind and behaviour with social adepts , and brotherly benignity in : ajl the duties of life ; owe who would willingly do to all men , as he would have them do to him ; nay , one who studies excellency in all moral duty ; to which laudable end , he particularly avoids ail party , or partial tale-bearing , which generally , out of a frail ill-judged design of entertaining or pleasing , animates
• incorrect sensations , leads people into irrecoverable difficulties , and generally proves a bane to society . He avoids with equal care , censoriousness , perverse contradiction , or captiousness , which often produce discord , or , at least , uneasiness . Re would not be seen in the throng of the vicious , nor intemperately sip the cup of ebriety . A good Mason is like a rock washed whiter , but not shaken with ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine: Or, General And Complete Library.
ought to be guarded against . Should any attempt to intrude into , or violate the rules of any society , under the advice of such impostors , they must be as bad , and as much dreaded . What I have remarked further from these sort of writers , induces me only to observe , that , as they call themselves visitors of some shining lodges , to prevent the least pretensions to the probability even of any intrusion or local discoveries in matters of form ( the
least consequential parts of Masonry ) , 1 would most humbly request all masters of lodges in general , to ordain a bye-law , as some lodges already have , that no visitor be » admitted , 'unless proposed and introduced by a member who knows him , and can certify his being a lawful brother . I hope what I say will not be looked upon as improper , for I have the honour to copy lhe advice of the great Sir
Christopher Wren on a similar occasion , in whose time , and long before , these . sorts of impositions had been offered to the public . I shall now beg your further indulgence to go on with my subject , and show , that besides the requisites of a perfect Mason , in being well read , having clear judgment , and ease of elocution , to explain sympathetically the mystic gate to the illuminated mansion of
Masonry , through its dark intricate avenues and passages , together with the wisdom , strength , order , beauty , and harmony of all the arts and sciences , co-operating with one another , and in being able to explain the true technical meaning of signs and tokens ; the singular use of the various symbolical hieroglyphics , and other various
disguised obscurities in the Royal Craft , which are the magnified perspectives to light and truth ; yet there be other essentials necessary , without which the greatest and most learned man cannot be a good Mason , and those are within the reach of every capacity , which J maj * assign to be the qualification of a good Mason . A good Mason then is an honest man , and as Pope said , " one of the noblest works of God ; " one who duly pays his duty to his great
Creator , and his allegiance to his king ; one who subdues his inordinate passions , and natural perverse will , in proper subjection to all superior degrees and orders of men , and all civil constitutional policy ; one who strives , by honest industry , to excel in that profession , trade , or science he is called to ; one who is just in all his dealings and dependencies ; temperatefaithfuland stead
, , y , cultivating his mind and behaviour with social adepts , and brotherly benignity in : ajl the duties of life ; owe who would willingly do to all men , as he would have them do to him ; nay , one who studies excellency in all moral duty ; to which laudable end , he particularly avoids ail party , or partial tale-bearing , which generally , out of a frail ill-judged design of entertaining or pleasing , animates
• incorrect sensations , leads people into irrecoverable difficulties , and generally proves a bane to society . He avoids with equal care , censoriousness , perverse contradiction , or captiousness , which often produce discord , or , at least , uneasiness . Re would not be seen in the throng of the vicious , nor intemperately sip the cup of ebriety . A good Mason is like a rock washed whiter , but not shaken with ,