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Article EXTRACT FROM THE PRECEDING RULES. ← Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Extract From The Preceding Rules.
Honour the Order of Freemasons , which has extended itself as far as enlightened reason ; and come to our temples to do homage to the sacred rights of humanity . ' GOD suffers men to partake of the unlimited , eternal happiness , which he found from eternity in himself .
Strive to resemble this divine Original , by making all mankind as happy as thou canst ; nothing good can be imagined that is not an object of thy activity . Effectual and universal benevolence be the Plumb-rule of th y actions . Anticipate the cries of the miserable , or at least remain not
insensible to them . Detest avarice and ostentation . Do not look for the reward of virtue in the plaudits of the multitude , but in the innermost recesses of thy own heart ; and if thou canst not make as many happy as thou wishest , reflect on the sacred ' tie of benevolence that unites us , and exert thyself to the utmost at our fruitful labours .
BE affable and serviceable . Kindle virtue in every heart . Rejoice at thy neighbour ' s prosperity , and never embitter it with envy . Forgive thy enemy , and if thou wouldst revenge thyself on him —• do it by benevolence . Fulfil , by that means , one of the most exalted commands of Religion , and pursue the career of thy original dignity .
VI .
VII .
SCRUTINISE thy heart to discover its most secret dispositions . Thy soul is the rough ashlar , which thou shalt polish . Offer up to the Deity regular inclinations and restrained passions . Let thy course of life be without blemish and chaste , thy soul penetrated with love of truth , candid and modest . Beware of the dismal consequences of pride ; pride it was that
first caused the degradation of man . Study the meaning of our emblems ; under their veil important , satisfactory truths are concealed : meditations alone will improve thee .
VIII .
EVERY Freemason , without any consideration to what sect of religion he belongs , where he is born , or what rank he holds , is thy brother , and has a claim upon thy assistance . Honour in human society the adopted gradations of rank : in our assemblies we acknowledge only the preference of virtue to vice . Beware of introducing amongst us profane distinctions , by which equality would suffer ; and be not ashamed before the world of an honest man whom thou hast acknowledged as a Brother ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Extract From The Preceding Rules.
Honour the Order of Freemasons , which has extended itself as far as enlightened reason ; and come to our temples to do homage to the sacred rights of humanity . ' GOD suffers men to partake of the unlimited , eternal happiness , which he found from eternity in himself .
Strive to resemble this divine Original , by making all mankind as happy as thou canst ; nothing good can be imagined that is not an object of thy activity . Effectual and universal benevolence be the Plumb-rule of th y actions . Anticipate the cries of the miserable , or at least remain not
insensible to them . Detest avarice and ostentation . Do not look for the reward of virtue in the plaudits of the multitude , but in the innermost recesses of thy own heart ; and if thou canst not make as many happy as thou wishest , reflect on the sacred ' tie of benevolence that unites us , and exert thyself to the utmost at our fruitful labours .
BE affable and serviceable . Kindle virtue in every heart . Rejoice at thy neighbour ' s prosperity , and never embitter it with envy . Forgive thy enemy , and if thou wouldst revenge thyself on him —• do it by benevolence . Fulfil , by that means , one of the most exalted commands of Religion , and pursue the career of thy original dignity .
VI .
VII .
SCRUTINISE thy heart to discover its most secret dispositions . Thy soul is the rough ashlar , which thou shalt polish . Offer up to the Deity regular inclinations and restrained passions . Let thy course of life be without blemish and chaste , thy soul penetrated with love of truth , candid and modest . Beware of the dismal consequences of pride ; pride it was that
first caused the degradation of man . Study the meaning of our emblems ; under their veil important , satisfactory truths are concealed : meditations alone will improve thee .
VIII .
EVERY Freemason , without any consideration to what sect of religion he belongs , where he is born , or what rank he holds , is thy brother , and has a claim upon thy assistance . Honour in human society the adopted gradations of rank : in our assemblies we acknowledge only the preference of virtue to vice . Beware of introducing amongst us profane distinctions , by which equality would suffer ; and be not ashamed before the world of an honest man whom thou hast acknowledged as a Brother ,