Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Precepts, Translated From The German, For The Freemasons' Magazine.
May the sublime idea , that thou walkest before the eyes of the Omnipresent , strengthen and support thee . ] ; Review daily the vow of mending thy life . Watch and meditate , and call to thy recollection at night a noble action , or a victory oyer thy passions , then lay down thy head in peace and-gather new strength .
Finally , study eagerly the meaning of the hieroglyphics and emblems which the Order lays before thee : even nature does not always unveil her secrets ; she must be observed , compared , and frequently watched with attention in her operations . Of all the sciences on whose extensive field the industry of men gather useful illustrations , none will afford thy heart heavenly satisfaction ,, but that . which instructeth thee in thy relation to God and the creation .
VIII . DUTIES TOWARDS BRETHREN . AMONGST the numberless inhabitants of the earth , thou . hast chosen , by a voluntary vow , the Freemasons as Brethren . Therefore never forget , that every Freemason , without distinction of the profession of his faith , country , or rank , the moment he offers thee his right handas the emblem of brotherly confidencehas
, , a sacred claim upon thy assistance and friendship . Equality was the first lot of nature , but was soon swerved from . The Mason restores the original rights of mankind ; he never sacrifices to vulgar prejudices ; the sacred Plumb-rule amongst us puts all ranks on a level .
Nevertheless , honour the distinctions of rank in civil life , which society has introduced or permitted . Oft are those gradations the productions of pride ; but pride-it would be in thee to struggle against or to disavow those distinctions which civil society acknowledges . But take care not to introduce profane -eminencies intoour
pre . ' temples , they are monsters to us . Lay down thy titles and ribbons at the door of the Lodge , and approach' attended only , by the train of thy virtues . In our assemblies , step behind him who is more virtuous and more enlightened : the dignity which distinguishes thee in the world remains unnoticed here .
Be not ashamed of an insignificant , but honest , man out of the Lodge , whom thou hast acknowledged' a short time before as a Brother ; the Order would then be ashamed of thee also , and send thee back to the profane theatre of the world , there to exercise thy pride . Is thy Brother in danger—haste thou to his assistance , and best"tale not to endanger thy own life for him . Is he distressed—' open thy purse to him , and rejoice in having found an opportunity to make so benign an use of thy gold . .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Precepts, Translated From The German, For The Freemasons' Magazine.
May the sublime idea , that thou walkest before the eyes of the Omnipresent , strengthen and support thee . ] ; Review daily the vow of mending thy life . Watch and meditate , and call to thy recollection at night a noble action , or a victory oyer thy passions , then lay down thy head in peace and-gather new strength .
Finally , study eagerly the meaning of the hieroglyphics and emblems which the Order lays before thee : even nature does not always unveil her secrets ; she must be observed , compared , and frequently watched with attention in her operations . Of all the sciences on whose extensive field the industry of men gather useful illustrations , none will afford thy heart heavenly satisfaction ,, but that . which instructeth thee in thy relation to God and the creation .
VIII . DUTIES TOWARDS BRETHREN . AMONGST the numberless inhabitants of the earth , thou . hast chosen , by a voluntary vow , the Freemasons as Brethren . Therefore never forget , that every Freemason , without distinction of the profession of his faith , country , or rank , the moment he offers thee his right handas the emblem of brotherly confidencehas
, , a sacred claim upon thy assistance and friendship . Equality was the first lot of nature , but was soon swerved from . The Mason restores the original rights of mankind ; he never sacrifices to vulgar prejudices ; the sacred Plumb-rule amongst us puts all ranks on a level .
Nevertheless , honour the distinctions of rank in civil life , which society has introduced or permitted . Oft are those gradations the productions of pride ; but pride-it would be in thee to struggle against or to disavow those distinctions which civil society acknowledges . But take care not to introduce profane -eminencies intoour
pre . ' temples , they are monsters to us . Lay down thy titles and ribbons at the door of the Lodge , and approach' attended only , by the train of thy virtues . In our assemblies , step behind him who is more virtuous and more enlightened : the dignity which distinguishes thee in the world remains unnoticed here .
Be not ashamed of an insignificant , but honest , man out of the Lodge , whom thou hast acknowledged' a short time before as a Brother ; the Order would then be ashamed of thee also , and send thee back to the profane theatre of the world , there to exercise thy pride . Is thy Brother in danger—haste thou to his assistance , and best"tale not to endanger thy own life for him . Is he distressed—' open thy purse to him , and rejoice in having found an opportunity to make so benign an use of thy gold . .