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Article THE PRESENT ASPECT. ← Page 5 of 8 →
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The Present Aspect.
mire , both as regards the past , and they will draw happy inferences for the future . Suppose for a moment that such of our brethren , who are thus mistaken , were correct , and we thank heaven that our conviction is drawn from our moral obligation , having
disposed us to examine closely into the subject , and we honestly declare they are but mistaken—still , if correct , would not the mere compliance with individual opinion prove the " slavery" of the many—would not this compromise of public opinion be fraught with a two-fold evil ?
—first , by the indirect meaning it conveys , that it is agreeable to preside over those who lack the honesty to express an opinion ; and next , by the surrender of that great moral check , without which , power cannot be kept equipoised . We will not even question the propriety of the influence which the Members of a privileged department of the Order possess , because we cheerfully acknowledge that
both the privilege and the influence , when honourably exercised , have a most excellent effect ; but we must declare that the apathy of those who are not so privileged , has thrown into other hands the responsibility of action , and thus power or rule has of necessity become almost
irresponsible , and the monitory check , so necessary to permanent security , having been withheld for a very considerable time , it is not surprising that the privileged class view the return to labour for the despatch of business with momentary feelings of distrust;—we honestly believe they will be but momentary . The spontaneous activity which
has g iven a new birth unto things , appears like a masonic avatar , of a joyous character ; it will rightly interpret doubtful matters—it will give to power its just prerogative , and to the faltering Freemason a lesson of kindness . It will prove that the golden rule should guide all in their respective spheres ; and that the possession of power is but a stew-ardship held in trust for the benefit of all .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Present Aspect.
mire , both as regards the past , and they will draw happy inferences for the future . Suppose for a moment that such of our brethren , who are thus mistaken , were correct , and we thank heaven that our conviction is drawn from our moral obligation , having
disposed us to examine closely into the subject , and we honestly declare they are but mistaken—still , if correct , would not the mere compliance with individual opinion prove the " slavery" of the many—would not this compromise of public opinion be fraught with a two-fold evil ?
—first , by the indirect meaning it conveys , that it is agreeable to preside over those who lack the honesty to express an opinion ; and next , by the surrender of that great moral check , without which , power cannot be kept equipoised . We will not even question the propriety of the influence which the Members of a privileged department of the Order possess , because we cheerfully acknowledge that
both the privilege and the influence , when honourably exercised , have a most excellent effect ; but we must declare that the apathy of those who are not so privileged , has thrown into other hands the responsibility of action , and thus power or rule has of necessity become almost
irresponsible , and the monitory check , so necessary to permanent security , having been withheld for a very considerable time , it is not surprising that the privileged class view the return to labour for the despatch of business with momentary feelings of distrust;—we honestly believe they will be but momentary . The spontaneous activity which
has g iven a new birth unto things , appears like a masonic avatar , of a joyous character ; it will rightly interpret doubtful matters—it will give to power its just prerogative , and to the faltering Freemason a lesson of kindness . It will prove that the golden rule should guide all in their respective spheres ; and that the possession of power is but a stew-ardship held in trust for the benefit of all .