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Article THE CHARGE ← Page 3 of 4 →
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The Charge
This languid mortal body is but a dead husk , which will moulder and drop off at last , or , like a bubble , burst ; while the soul , m a flutter , expatiates for eternal life the vast abyss of incdrriprehension . We use it too much as a machine for pleasure , and often wear it out , neglected , before its natural period : yet there is hardly livingbut would gladly exchange itin a state' of decay ,
a man , , , for another new earthly body ,, and renew his life to another grand climacterick ; so loath , ' so unreclaimed , and irreconciled are we to part with this contemptible mud . Yet , fond , foolish man ! it is in vain to deceive ourselves ; no man , however great , not even Solomon , with his faculty of wisdom , and in ail his glory , could procure the desirable exchange
. It is indisputably evident that princes , as well as peasants , must equally submit to the common dissolution of matter , and when the hour of our death approaches , none dare to ask from whence , nor why , it comes ; it is God ' s decree that every one shall die ; death is his messenger , to enforce his law ; nor will he let any of us carry from hence any mark of human pride , treasures , or honours , or any obtained
proof of our earthly consequence , but a good conscience , from . a well-spent " life;—from whence reflects the most brilliant legacy we can leave our friends in this world , a good name . None but the actions of the great and just Can shine , when mingled are , with common dust ; Then we , in life , should pay respect to fame , And leave behind us an unspotted name . . ' E .
But oh ! when we go from hence into eternity , and are ' called upon at the dreadful tribunal of heaven , to give an account each of his talent , whether it be good , or whether it be evil , what a striking difference wilt there be between those , who can , when examined , give the blessed pass-word , and with joy behold the gates of everr lasting life opened for them , to be welcomed into heavenly lodges by the grand master of heavenwith bands of seraphic
musiccom-, , posed of seraphims , cherubims , and the whole order of angels ; ancl tbe miserable such , who have not studied in this holy book the mysteries of heaven ;• that , when they knock , the gates shall not be opened , but shall be excluded from celestial light , and the joy of the father , like faithless cowans . Does not this recoil back with concussive emotion ( as when a rampart cannon is discharged ) on
our minds and reflections ? If so , let us be timely warned , and incessantly keep in the tracks of virtue , and , by holy perseverance , become worthy of knowing the heavenly pass-word , before the Almighty Grand Master handles his Hiram , the thunder-bolt of heaven , and strikes the dreadful stroke of summons . Let us also inwardly digest the holy bible ; let its doctrines and
precepts ever accompany our conditions in life , that we may , ' like true Masons , dwell even here in the house of the Lord our God , and admire the beauties of his holy temple . Let us have a lively failh in Christ our Saviour , be in perfect charity with all the world , and as brethren with one another . Let u § strive heartily to do good * ¦ ¦ ¦ . ; 4 B
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Charge
This languid mortal body is but a dead husk , which will moulder and drop off at last , or , like a bubble , burst ; while the soul , m a flutter , expatiates for eternal life the vast abyss of incdrriprehension . We use it too much as a machine for pleasure , and often wear it out , neglected , before its natural period : yet there is hardly livingbut would gladly exchange itin a state' of decay ,
a man , , , for another new earthly body ,, and renew his life to another grand climacterick ; so loath , ' so unreclaimed , and irreconciled are we to part with this contemptible mud . Yet , fond , foolish man ! it is in vain to deceive ourselves ; no man , however great , not even Solomon , with his faculty of wisdom , and in ail his glory , could procure the desirable exchange
. It is indisputably evident that princes , as well as peasants , must equally submit to the common dissolution of matter , and when the hour of our death approaches , none dare to ask from whence , nor why , it comes ; it is God ' s decree that every one shall die ; death is his messenger , to enforce his law ; nor will he let any of us carry from hence any mark of human pride , treasures , or honours , or any obtained
proof of our earthly consequence , but a good conscience , from . a well-spent " life;—from whence reflects the most brilliant legacy we can leave our friends in this world , a good name . None but the actions of the great and just Can shine , when mingled are , with common dust ; Then we , in life , should pay respect to fame , And leave behind us an unspotted name . . ' E .
But oh ! when we go from hence into eternity , and are ' called upon at the dreadful tribunal of heaven , to give an account each of his talent , whether it be good , or whether it be evil , what a striking difference wilt there be between those , who can , when examined , give the blessed pass-word , and with joy behold the gates of everr lasting life opened for them , to be welcomed into heavenly lodges by the grand master of heavenwith bands of seraphic
musiccom-, , posed of seraphims , cherubims , and the whole order of angels ; ancl tbe miserable such , who have not studied in this holy book the mysteries of heaven ;• that , when they knock , the gates shall not be opened , but shall be excluded from celestial light , and the joy of the father , like faithless cowans . Does not this recoil back with concussive emotion ( as when a rampart cannon is discharged ) on
our minds and reflections ? If so , let us be timely warned , and incessantly keep in the tracks of virtue , and , by holy perseverance , become worthy of knowing the heavenly pass-word , before the Almighty Grand Master handles his Hiram , the thunder-bolt of heaven , and strikes the dreadful stroke of summons . Let us also inwardly digest the holy bible ; let its doctrines and
precepts ever accompany our conditions in life , that we may , ' like true Masons , dwell even here in the house of the Lord our God , and admire the beauties of his holy temple . Let us have a lively failh in Christ our Saviour , be in perfect charity with all the world , and as brethren with one another . Let u § strive heartily to do good * ¦ ¦ ¦ . ; 4 B