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Article GLASGOW MASONICS. ← Page 10 of 12 →
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Glasgow Masonics.
but certain track left by our Brethren , the Artificers of lonin—leaves us to linger in reverential awe before that heaven-directed pile , ( prefiguring- a more glorious dispensation , which rose , in noiselos perfection , the echoes undisturbed by sound of hammer , axe , or iron implement , on the hallowed hei ghts of Moriah , under the auspices of the " wisest of men" anil his associates , the Birams of Tyre)—still more intimate are our relations with the Brethren of the Middle Agestbe
, transcendant merits of whose labours are daily becoming better known and more highly appreciated , the eloquent theme of the Antiquarian Architect , tbe most popular and prolific subject of the pencil of the modern Artist , reproduced in our factories in every possible variety , in the numberless objects ivhich minister to our domestic comfort and contribute to the gratification of refined taste . The prominent , as well as onloriginal feature of Roman architectureis the arch
y , ; but the arch of tbe Romans ivas a clumsy and unscientific production , dependent for its durability ancl strength on the redundant mass of material employed and the admirable qualities of their cement . They knew nothing of that scientific balance and mutual resistance of parts , by which , in the hands of the Freemasons of the Middle Ages , it enabled them to effect such magnificent results with materials so insignificaut and apparently so inadequate . The
sculptured enrichments , too , of their bosses , corbels , and capitals and bases of columns , in point of g-race and beauty , are unsurpassed by the best efforts of Grecian art , and display an exhaustless varietj-, to which all living- nature was tributary and to ivhich classic art could make no pretension . It was a principle with them , that nothing be
introduced without its meaning and its use ; their heart was in their work—whatever they did , it was their pride and ambition to do their very best ; and the only reward they looked for , was the Masonic distinction which honest merit was certain to secure . If the progress of the building was slow , the design admitted of successive addition ; and what they did , was done in a manner as perfect and substantial as it was possible to do . It is the manifest neglect of these principles ,
ivhich constitutes the opprobrium of modern construction—the absence of truthfulness , the prevalence of hollow pretension , to make the greatest possible display with the least expenditure of skill and money , is the only ambition , justifying the bitter criticism of a recent reviewer on the prevailing fashion of the day : ' Now , copying- tbe deformity of a gigantic barn , now aping the graces of a classic temple , now running to seed in that bristling conglomeration of pinnacles which of
seems to be tbe distinguishing characteristic modern Scottish Gothic ' Freemasons , it is true , do not now—and more the pity!—stand in the same practical relation with building operations as formerly ; but they can still , and they ought to , exercise an important influence upon them , by calling constant attention in their lodges to the essential qualities of good construction , which should always exemplify the Masonic attributes of Wisdom , Strength , and Beauty ; and surely an
association of such universal diffusion , linking togcihcr in the bonds of Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth every n giou of the earth , every district , every hamlet almost , and whicli , even on the wild and stormy main , as far as eye may strain or glass can reach , demonstrates its existence and claims its privileges , is not inadequate to the most important results in any gootl and useful direction ! I shall not even attempt to express bow hi ghly I value the honour done
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Glasgow Masonics.
but certain track left by our Brethren , the Artificers of lonin—leaves us to linger in reverential awe before that heaven-directed pile , ( prefiguring- a more glorious dispensation , which rose , in noiselos perfection , the echoes undisturbed by sound of hammer , axe , or iron implement , on the hallowed hei ghts of Moriah , under the auspices of the " wisest of men" anil his associates , the Birams of Tyre)—still more intimate are our relations with the Brethren of the Middle Agestbe
, transcendant merits of whose labours are daily becoming better known and more highly appreciated , the eloquent theme of the Antiquarian Architect , tbe most popular and prolific subject of the pencil of the modern Artist , reproduced in our factories in every possible variety , in the numberless objects ivhich minister to our domestic comfort and contribute to the gratification of refined taste . The prominent , as well as onloriginal feature of Roman architectureis the arch
y , ; but the arch of tbe Romans ivas a clumsy and unscientific production , dependent for its durability ancl strength on the redundant mass of material employed and the admirable qualities of their cement . They knew nothing of that scientific balance and mutual resistance of parts , by which , in the hands of the Freemasons of the Middle Ages , it enabled them to effect such magnificent results with materials so insignificaut and apparently so inadequate . The
sculptured enrichments , too , of their bosses , corbels , and capitals and bases of columns , in point of g-race and beauty , are unsurpassed by the best efforts of Grecian art , and display an exhaustless varietj-, to which all living- nature was tributary and to ivhich classic art could make no pretension . It was a principle with them , that nothing be
introduced without its meaning and its use ; their heart was in their work—whatever they did , it was their pride and ambition to do their very best ; and the only reward they looked for , was the Masonic distinction which honest merit was certain to secure . If the progress of the building was slow , the design admitted of successive addition ; and what they did , was done in a manner as perfect and substantial as it was possible to do . It is the manifest neglect of these principles ,
ivhich constitutes the opprobrium of modern construction—the absence of truthfulness , the prevalence of hollow pretension , to make the greatest possible display with the least expenditure of skill and money , is the only ambition , justifying the bitter criticism of a recent reviewer on the prevailing fashion of the day : ' Now , copying- tbe deformity of a gigantic barn , now aping the graces of a classic temple , now running to seed in that bristling conglomeration of pinnacles which of
seems to be tbe distinguishing characteristic modern Scottish Gothic ' Freemasons , it is true , do not now—and more the pity!—stand in the same practical relation with building operations as formerly ; but they can still , and they ought to , exercise an important influence upon them , by calling constant attention in their lodges to the essential qualities of good construction , which should always exemplify the Masonic attributes of Wisdom , Strength , and Beauty ; and surely an
association of such universal diffusion , linking togcihcr in the bonds of Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth every n giou of the earth , every district , every hamlet almost , and whicli , even on the wild and stormy main , as far as eye may strain or glass can reach , demonstrates its existence and claims its privileges , is not inadequate to the most important results in any gootl and useful direction ! I shall not even attempt to express bow hi ghly I value the honour done