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Article THE FREEMASONS' REPOSITORY. ← Page 2 of 4 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Repository.
Can there be a more endearing tie , than to know that we have the power to make a fellow creature happy ? This humane , thts geeerous disposition fires the breast with the most manly feelings , and enlivens that spirit of compassion which is the glory of the human frame ; and , which not only rivets , but outshines every other pleasure the mmd is capable of enjoying . As human nature rises in the scale of things , arise not feel in
so do the social affections likewise . Do we our breasts a strong propensity to friendship ? Enjoy we not a p leasure , when it is firm arid cemented ; and feel we not a patn when n deadens or declines ? What sweetens life but friendship ; what diverts care but friendship ? what ah ^ 'iates pain , or makes sorrow smile , but friendship ?— sacred , holy friendship ! The progress of friendship is connexionsbut is uni
not confined ' to the narrow circle of private , - versal , and extends to every branch of the human race ; though its influence is unbounded , yet it exerts itself more or less vehemently as the objefts it favours are nearer or more remote . Hence springs true , patriotism , which fires the soul with the most generous flame , creates the best and most disinterested virtue , and inspires that public spirit to and
and heroic ardour , which enables us support a good cause , risk our lives in its defence . This commendable virtue crowns the lover of his country with unfading laurels , gives lustre to all his adlions , and consecrates his name-to latest ages . The warrior's glory may consist in murder , and the rude ravage of the desolating sword ; but the blood of thousands will not stain tha hands of his ° country ' s friend . But to return -, the charitable and
friendly person makes every one ' s lot and situation in life his own ; that with those who rejoice , he rejoices ; with those who weep , he weens ; nor is more familiar to the house of mirth and feastmg _ thart to the habitations of mourning and woe : as man himself he g lories in the title of friend to mankind . Doth indigence ever stretch forth its hands to him in vain ? As & the wants of modest , umsoliating merit left for moment unsupported ? Is the tear of ityor the sig h of
a p , sympathy , ever refused to the throbs of agonizing grief ? The affl ' iaed in body , the distressed in mind , engage equally a double portion of his care . Even towards an enemy , the moment we have resolved to relieve his distress , to consult his interest , to treat him generously , our whole frame is immediately softened with social symand benevolence ' v / e view him with quite other eyes ;
Humapathy ; nity resumes her empire ; every emotion of Revenge expires , and the enemy is lost in the friend : but , when we behold the dawn of reciprocal affeftion , and discover the marks of rising gratitude ; when we are conscious of be-friending the virtuous , the affectionate , then rises the gadlike flame triumphant in its full perfeftion ; every pleasing image sentimentevery social passion springs up
, every generous , within us ; the heart warms , expands , and overflows . O , ye divine affe & ions 1 with what sublime enthusiasm do ye fill the soul , raise it above the world and above itself , and inspire it with the joys of heaven ! - Indeed , good and kind affections are their own reward ; they are the most delig htful sensations of the soul , dispersing the cares and brightening all the prospefts of life . Poor and sickly are the joys of vanity
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Repository.
Can there be a more endearing tie , than to know that we have the power to make a fellow creature happy ? This humane , thts geeerous disposition fires the breast with the most manly feelings , and enlivens that spirit of compassion which is the glory of the human frame ; and , which not only rivets , but outshines every other pleasure the mmd is capable of enjoying . As human nature rises in the scale of things , arise not feel in
so do the social affections likewise . Do we our breasts a strong propensity to friendship ? Enjoy we not a p leasure , when it is firm arid cemented ; and feel we not a patn when n deadens or declines ? What sweetens life but friendship ; what diverts care but friendship ? what ah ^ 'iates pain , or makes sorrow smile , but friendship ?— sacred , holy friendship ! The progress of friendship is connexionsbut is uni
not confined ' to the narrow circle of private , - versal , and extends to every branch of the human race ; though its influence is unbounded , yet it exerts itself more or less vehemently as the objefts it favours are nearer or more remote . Hence springs true , patriotism , which fires the soul with the most generous flame , creates the best and most disinterested virtue , and inspires that public spirit to and
and heroic ardour , which enables us support a good cause , risk our lives in its defence . This commendable virtue crowns the lover of his country with unfading laurels , gives lustre to all his adlions , and consecrates his name-to latest ages . The warrior's glory may consist in murder , and the rude ravage of the desolating sword ; but the blood of thousands will not stain tha hands of his ° country ' s friend . But to return -, the charitable and
friendly person makes every one ' s lot and situation in life his own ; that with those who rejoice , he rejoices ; with those who weep , he weens ; nor is more familiar to the house of mirth and feastmg _ thart to the habitations of mourning and woe : as man himself he g lories in the title of friend to mankind . Doth indigence ever stretch forth its hands to him in vain ? As & the wants of modest , umsoliating merit left for moment unsupported ? Is the tear of ityor the sig h of
a p , sympathy , ever refused to the throbs of agonizing grief ? The affl ' iaed in body , the distressed in mind , engage equally a double portion of his care . Even towards an enemy , the moment we have resolved to relieve his distress , to consult his interest , to treat him generously , our whole frame is immediately softened with social symand benevolence ' v / e view him with quite other eyes ;
Humapathy ; nity resumes her empire ; every emotion of Revenge expires , and the enemy is lost in the friend : but , when we behold the dawn of reciprocal affeftion , and discover the marks of rising gratitude ; when we are conscious of be-friending the virtuous , the affectionate , then rises the gadlike flame triumphant in its full perfeftion ; every pleasing image sentimentevery social passion springs up
, every generous , within us ; the heart warms , expands , and overflows . O , ye divine affe & ions 1 with what sublime enthusiasm do ye fill the soul , raise it above the world and above itself , and inspire it with the joys of heaven ! - Indeed , good and kind affections are their own reward ; they are the most delig htful sensations of the soul , dispersing the cares and brightening all the prospefts of life . Poor and sickly are the joys of vanity