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Article THE FREEMASONS' REPOSITORY . ← Page 2 of 4 →
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The Freemasons' Repository .
seemingly unmerited necessities of some so plainly call for the exercise of the tender affections in the relief and assistance of others . In this view of human nature every partial distinction is- overlooked ;—' there is neither Jew nor Gentile , Barbarian , Scythian , bond nor fiee ;' but every man is a brother , and should be a friend to every man , as all are derived from one common parent , and partake of the same natureby the universal law of whichby common , humanit
, , y , each individual is bound to look upon himself as a part or member of that great community which comprehends all mankind ; assent into the world designedly to assist in forwarding the welfare and happiness of his associates , whom he finds possessed of the same perfections and imperfeftions with himself , and consequently , as called to the constant exercise of universal benevolence ; to take a friendly part
in the calamities of others ; to g ive as freely as he has received , and to with-hold no good from such as stand in need , when it is in his power to confer it . As reason then cannot but approve what the law of nature itself thus plainly enjoins , so is it in like manner conformable to the innate bias ofthe human mind ( 0 be kindly affectioned one towards another : and were it not that pride , resentment , inordinate self-love , and other contemptible and sordid passions , are too frequently permitted , unhappily , to over-rule this original inclination ofthe soul , the
beneficial fruits and effects of it in men ' s lives ' would universally appear . That pleasing sensation of mind which arises from the communication of good to others , is such , that few who are qualified for it , would willingly forego this addition to their other enjoyments . In this case , experience is the best conviction ; and those who at any time have exercised themselves in acts of beneficence will have been trulysensible how joyful and pleasant a thing it is to do good and to
communicate ; how lig ht that burden is , which we voluntarily sustain in behalf of those who , by wanting , claim our assistance ; or according to the emphatical declaration of one who was most experienced in acts of mercy , that if is more blessed to give than to receive . Hence it arises , that even in this present depraved state of the world , where the corrupt tendencies of men ' s vitiated inclinations do not forcibly
preclude so happy a propensity , they are still anxious to maintain a general intercourse and communication with each other ; that they endeavour to extend their connections ; to enlarge and multiply their friendships and dependencies , by a mutual exchange of real services ; and even to institute societies and fraternities , by a communication of arts , labour , and industry : and since an unfeigned regard to each other ' s good is the only possible means of maintaining and cementing a happy union in any body of men , it plainly appears what is the direction and tendency of unbiassed and uncorrupted nature .
To go still further , as a sincere regard to each other ' s welfare is conformable to the in-born propensity of the human mind , so is it no less agreeable to that nature of the Supreme Being , which is held forth for our imitation . The universal Parent of mankind , in the general dispensations of his
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Repository .
seemingly unmerited necessities of some so plainly call for the exercise of the tender affections in the relief and assistance of others . In this view of human nature every partial distinction is- overlooked ;—' there is neither Jew nor Gentile , Barbarian , Scythian , bond nor fiee ;' but every man is a brother , and should be a friend to every man , as all are derived from one common parent , and partake of the same natureby the universal law of whichby common , humanit
, , y , each individual is bound to look upon himself as a part or member of that great community which comprehends all mankind ; assent into the world designedly to assist in forwarding the welfare and happiness of his associates , whom he finds possessed of the same perfections and imperfeftions with himself , and consequently , as called to the constant exercise of universal benevolence ; to take a friendly part
in the calamities of others ; to g ive as freely as he has received , and to with-hold no good from such as stand in need , when it is in his power to confer it . As reason then cannot but approve what the law of nature itself thus plainly enjoins , so is it in like manner conformable to the innate bias ofthe human mind ( 0 be kindly affectioned one towards another : and were it not that pride , resentment , inordinate self-love , and other contemptible and sordid passions , are too frequently permitted , unhappily , to over-rule this original inclination ofthe soul , the
beneficial fruits and effects of it in men ' s lives ' would universally appear . That pleasing sensation of mind which arises from the communication of good to others , is such , that few who are qualified for it , would willingly forego this addition to their other enjoyments . In this case , experience is the best conviction ; and those who at any time have exercised themselves in acts of beneficence will have been trulysensible how joyful and pleasant a thing it is to do good and to
communicate ; how lig ht that burden is , which we voluntarily sustain in behalf of those who , by wanting , claim our assistance ; or according to the emphatical declaration of one who was most experienced in acts of mercy , that if is more blessed to give than to receive . Hence it arises , that even in this present depraved state of the world , where the corrupt tendencies of men ' s vitiated inclinations do not forcibly
preclude so happy a propensity , they are still anxious to maintain a general intercourse and communication with each other ; that they endeavour to extend their connections ; to enlarge and multiply their friendships and dependencies , by a mutual exchange of real services ; and even to institute societies and fraternities , by a communication of arts , labour , and industry : and since an unfeigned regard to each other ' s good is the only possible means of maintaining and cementing a happy union in any body of men , it plainly appears what is the direction and tendency of unbiassed and uncorrupted nature .
To go still further , as a sincere regard to each other ' s welfare is conformable to the in-born propensity of the human mind , so is it no less agreeable to that nature of the Supreme Being , which is held forth for our imitation . The universal Parent of mankind , in the general dispensations of his