Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Asylum For The Worthy Aged And Decayed Freemason.
deed you should never forget , that such is Masonry—so pure in prin .. cip . e so virtuous in practice , spreading its truths in quietude and simplicity , cementing the friendshi p of its members , ancl promoting its aggregate strength and importance , that it is even now denounced and condemned . Fhe promoters of our religion , the founders of our liberties , the hearts of benevolence who have established our most valuable institutions—nay , even the greatest champions of liberty to the captive , have
an cneir earliest efforts surrounded by opposition ( cheers . ) But they stand as immutable and imperishable marks of the unerring wisdom of the Great . Architect of the Universe , by whose counsels they have been guided , and by whose power they have been protected ; while the utmost effort of licentious power lies buried in the dust of oblivion . Far irom me he the intention to answer , or to observe otherwise than with respect upon the arguments of the illustrious Brother among Masons who htand
oug , I hope yet one clay will , occupy this chair . I say , far he it from me to clo anything , or say anything hut respectful of him . * et i cannot pass altogether in silence some of the topics by which this charity has heen denounced , and I fear is still assailed . Foremost stands that of its magnitude , which is said to be too great for the means at hand to sustain it . May not this he said even of the schools connected with the Masonic Order ; are they not flourishing ? ancl might they not iiave been crushed hail such arguments prevailed ? ( hear . ) The schools cannot educateall the children of Masons- ( the boys are not even hoarded
now ;; but they are m high repute , sought out by those who require them—and much clo 1 regret that the number of applicants constantly exceed the means , and while that is the fact , is not the utility of the institution mcontestibl y proved ? ancl though all the children cannot derive benefits from them , yet many clo , ancl more would ; but if the opposing arguments were good for anything , the schools never ought to have been established—ought not now to be smmorted . and . in fnc . t . ™ .-,,-,, ; ,,
error in mam taming them ( hear . ) But who dare say these schools are too great for Masons to support ? ( hear . ) AVho dare now affirm that tney are without utility , or have trenched on individual means , or have occasioned recklessness among the Fraternity ? ( hear . ) Where is there anyone mad enough even to breathe suspicion on their combined utility necessity , and excellence ? Ancl if no one dare take such a stand , surely we have a right to proclaim them excellent , and gather from the principlewhich called them into
, existence , some encouragement to persevere in our labours , extend our benevolence , and , amidst all other obligations , consider it is one of the most important to assist the decrepit ! , protect the aged , and comfort the infirm ancl distressed . It has been said that Masonry is general—calculated to operate on the masses of society , and , were it to isolate its charities , it would encourage laxity of habit and indifference to personal exertion . The best refutation ot such is b
a charge y a bold question—Is any among you more given to pleasure and less careful of his children , because there are senools for the education of the rising generation ? ( hear , hear . ) The idea is preposterous ; the expression is a libel on man as a beimr and pre-supposes the total abrogation of every good feeling as a Alason . Vould to God that no Mason eould be found , who after an avowed , mature , and deliberate reflection , should ever harbour such a thought much less give vent to an expression , which , while it calumniates a respectable class ol the community , involves its author in the worst of
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Asylum For The Worthy Aged And Decayed Freemason.
deed you should never forget , that such is Masonry—so pure in prin .. cip . e so virtuous in practice , spreading its truths in quietude and simplicity , cementing the friendshi p of its members , ancl promoting its aggregate strength and importance , that it is even now denounced and condemned . Fhe promoters of our religion , the founders of our liberties , the hearts of benevolence who have established our most valuable institutions—nay , even the greatest champions of liberty to the captive , have
an cneir earliest efforts surrounded by opposition ( cheers . ) But they stand as immutable and imperishable marks of the unerring wisdom of the Great . Architect of the Universe , by whose counsels they have been guided , and by whose power they have been protected ; while the utmost effort of licentious power lies buried in the dust of oblivion . Far irom me he the intention to answer , or to observe otherwise than with respect upon the arguments of the illustrious Brother among Masons who htand
oug , I hope yet one clay will , occupy this chair . I say , far he it from me to clo anything , or say anything hut respectful of him . * et i cannot pass altogether in silence some of the topics by which this charity has heen denounced , and I fear is still assailed . Foremost stands that of its magnitude , which is said to be too great for the means at hand to sustain it . May not this he said even of the schools connected with the Masonic Order ; are they not flourishing ? ancl might they not iiave been crushed hail such arguments prevailed ? ( hear . ) The schools cannot educateall the children of Masons- ( the boys are not even hoarded
now ;; but they are m high repute , sought out by those who require them—and much clo 1 regret that the number of applicants constantly exceed the means , and while that is the fact , is not the utility of the institution mcontestibl y proved ? ancl though all the children cannot derive benefits from them , yet many clo , ancl more would ; but if the opposing arguments were good for anything , the schools never ought to have been established—ought not now to be smmorted . and . in fnc . t . ™ .-,,-,, ; ,,
error in mam taming them ( hear . ) But who dare say these schools are too great for Masons to support ? ( hear . ) AVho dare now affirm that tney are without utility , or have trenched on individual means , or have occasioned recklessness among the Fraternity ? ( hear . ) Where is there anyone mad enough even to breathe suspicion on their combined utility necessity , and excellence ? Ancl if no one dare take such a stand , surely we have a right to proclaim them excellent , and gather from the principlewhich called them into
, existence , some encouragement to persevere in our labours , extend our benevolence , and , amidst all other obligations , consider it is one of the most important to assist the decrepit ! , protect the aged , and comfort the infirm ancl distressed . It has been said that Masonry is general—calculated to operate on the masses of society , and , were it to isolate its charities , it would encourage laxity of habit and indifference to personal exertion . The best refutation ot such is b
a charge y a bold question—Is any among you more given to pleasure and less careful of his children , because there are senools for the education of the rising generation ? ( hear , hear . ) The idea is preposterous ; the expression is a libel on man as a beimr and pre-supposes the total abrogation of every good feeling as a Alason . Vould to God that no Mason eould be found , who after an avowed , mature , and deliberate reflection , should ever harbour such a thought much less give vent to an expression , which , while it calumniates a respectable class ol the community , involves its author in the worst of