Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine: Or, General And Complete Library.
the storms and waves of life . —He carries that erect , even deportment and disposition of mind ,, that never inclines to . give or exaggerate offence , but strives to facilitate conviction by argument , in the gentlest manner and softest language , not by a haughty overbearingness , or an inflamed debate;—considering that amity and social harmony ought to flourish and abound iu all human societies , but particularly among the fraternitywhose names are enrolled in
, the books of everlasting scientific records , to maintain and ever kindle that mysterious zeal , which enlightens us to see , with feeling compassion , the turbulent disquietudes , and vitiated principles of most of the unselected and uncivilized part of mankind . These are , brethren , the united qualifications of a perfect and good Masonwhichin shortare a'fund of universal knowledge and
lite-, , , rature , adorned with the practice of all social and religious virtues . But , Brethren , let none be disheartened at so seemingly great an accomplishment to be a perfect Mason : it is not necessary that every one should attain to it ; there are , and ought to'be , degrees of dignity and subordination . Our particular callings are appointed
to each of us by the great God , wherein we are obliged to act as rar as our power reaches ; God requires no more . Some are entrusted with ten talents , some with five , and some only with one : the greater are the advantages , the greater the trust ; every brother of us may be a good Mason , and a good citizen of the world ; there is no man without his talent , and he has it in his own power to make himself a veiy valuable and useful memberby setting his heart
, wholly and industriously upon that lot which Providence has assigned him ; not wanting he knows not what , looking for it he knows not where '; and if he had it , would not know what to do with it . We may be all candidates in different perfections for honour and advantages , and in our several callings may respectively contribute to the well-doing of the whole . The mechanical science
can be no more spared than the intellectual : the prince cannot say to the merchant , or the merchant to the sailor , we have no need of thee ; nor can the archilect , or master of work , say to the craftsman and apprentice , nor the craftsman to the labourer ^ we have no need of thee . We then may certainly , in our different stations , study the proper apparatus to divine ulilitv , society , and converse .
Then pray permit me here , brethren , to take a short retrospect into the surprising creation of the world . God said , " Let there be light , and there was li ght . "—The heavens immediately opened ; and declared the glory of Hie Grand Architect of the World , and the : firmament spangled with his handy work . Oh ! what an amazing all-powerful scene was this ! It must fill every heart with glowing adoration to the almighty King of kingswho commanded the
pri-, mary light , and thus manifested to us , by his own works , social subordination in the heavenly bodies , with their dependencies , on the assistance the } ' received from one another . The sun , who rules the day , gives li ght to the moon ; the moon , who rules the ni ght , tells to the listening earth the surprising story of her birth ; " so
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine: Or, General And Complete Library.
the storms and waves of life . —He carries that erect , even deportment and disposition of mind ,, that never inclines to . give or exaggerate offence , but strives to facilitate conviction by argument , in the gentlest manner and softest language , not by a haughty overbearingness , or an inflamed debate;—considering that amity and social harmony ought to flourish and abound iu all human societies , but particularly among the fraternitywhose names are enrolled in
, the books of everlasting scientific records , to maintain and ever kindle that mysterious zeal , which enlightens us to see , with feeling compassion , the turbulent disquietudes , and vitiated principles of most of the unselected and uncivilized part of mankind . These are , brethren , the united qualifications of a perfect and good Masonwhichin shortare a'fund of universal knowledge and
lite-, , , rature , adorned with the practice of all social and religious virtues . But , Brethren , let none be disheartened at so seemingly great an accomplishment to be a perfect Mason : it is not necessary that every one should attain to it ; there are , and ought to'be , degrees of dignity and subordination . Our particular callings are appointed
to each of us by the great God , wherein we are obliged to act as rar as our power reaches ; God requires no more . Some are entrusted with ten talents , some with five , and some only with one : the greater are the advantages , the greater the trust ; every brother of us may be a good Mason , and a good citizen of the world ; there is no man without his talent , and he has it in his own power to make himself a veiy valuable and useful memberby setting his heart
, wholly and industriously upon that lot which Providence has assigned him ; not wanting he knows not what , looking for it he knows not where '; and if he had it , would not know what to do with it . We may be all candidates in different perfections for honour and advantages , and in our several callings may respectively contribute to the well-doing of the whole . The mechanical science
can be no more spared than the intellectual : the prince cannot say to the merchant , or the merchant to the sailor , we have no need of thee ; nor can the archilect , or master of work , say to the craftsman and apprentice , nor the craftsman to the labourer ^ we have no need of thee . We then may certainly , in our different stations , study the proper apparatus to divine ulilitv , society , and converse .
Then pray permit me here , brethren , to take a short retrospect into the surprising creation of the world . God said , " Let there be light , and there was li ght . "—The heavens immediately opened ; and declared the glory of Hie Grand Architect of the World , and the : firmament spangled with his handy work . Oh ! what an amazing all-powerful scene was this ! It must fill every heart with glowing adoration to the almighty King of kingswho commanded the
pri-, mary light , and thus manifested to us , by his own works , social subordination in the heavenly bodies , with their dependencies , on the assistance the } ' received from one another . The sun , who rules the day , gives li ght to the moon ; the moon , who rules the ni ght , tells to the listening earth the surprising story of her birth ; " so