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Article PROVINCIAL. ← Page 14 of 44 →
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Provincial.
which not only convey intellectual gratification of the most exalted character , but contribute at the same time to qualify them for the highest offices and distinctions of the Order . In the technical phraseology of Masonry , the anxious Brother must pass through the temple of virtue , before he can arrive at the temple of honour . He must learn obedience before he can be entrusted ivith command . An ambition to participate in these distinctionsought to be fostered in every Masonic bosomas a
, , stimulus to excel in the practice of virtue and science , whicli is the sole aim and end of Freemasonry . In the usual occupations of the Lodge , the communication of knowledge is mutual . Each Brother has his own prescribed share in the work ; and hence superior merit is sure to meet with distinction . In tracing the devious paths of science , or in inculcating the beauty of moral virtue , there runs through the entire system an equal incitement to attain excellence ; knowledge is
graduallimy parted , and the mind proceeds deliberately , step by step , from the Portico to the middle chamber of the Tempie ; ancl from thence to the Sanctum Sanctorum . In tlie first degree , a knowledge of God , and of the moral duties ivhich he requires of his creatures , is systematically inculcated . The second degree gives the zealous aspirant access , by the winding staircase , to the Temple at Jerusalem ; inculcates the seven liberal sciences ; and leads him forward rapidly to the investigation of
those important truths by which mankind , in all ages , have been so greatly benefited ; while the third degree introduces the perfectly initiated candidate into the hol y of holies , gives him a view of the sacred cherubim and cloud of glory ; and prepares his mind for the full blaze of splendour which surrounds him in the Royal Arch . And , as our
excellent Brother Preston has so justly observed , ' He who has traced tlie art in a regular progress from the commencement of the first to the conclusion of the third degree , must have amassed an ample store of knowledge , and will reflect with pleasure on the good effects of his past diligence and attention . By applying the improvements he has made to tbe general advantage of society , he will secure to himself the approbation of all good men , and the veneration of Masons . ' TJie
introduction of a series of tests for each degree , is an excellent improvement on the old system ; and tends , at the Jeast , to impress on every initiated Brother , some general idea of the nature and design of Freemasonry , which in former times few gave themselves tlie trouble to attain . It was enough that they had been initiated , and rendered capable of attending the convivialities of the Order ; and they contented themselves with this negative meritwithout aspiring to liilier gratifications . These tests
, g , Jiowever , have excited in the Bretliren a spirit of inquiry ; and having attained this limited knowledge—having ascended this first step leading to the temple of science , they are induced to emulate further acquisitions . " Finding that there exists in the order SECRETS , whicli , like the adyta of the ancient temples , are hidden from vulgar eyes , they exercise their ingenuity in an anxious search after its-real mysteries ; and soon become acquainted with those solemn truthsivhich Freemasonry never fails to
, confer on lier active and zealous admirers . Hence it is that the present age abounds in scientific Masons , beyond a ] J former precedent . And this cannot fail to increase the popularity and influence of the Craft , and render it an object of honourable ambition to men , eminent , not only for their literary attainments , but also for rank , virtue , and distinction . Then will it be truly a royal art , not merel y because it is patronized and practised by Kings and Princes , but also from the regal supremacy
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
which not only convey intellectual gratification of the most exalted character , but contribute at the same time to qualify them for the highest offices and distinctions of the Order . In the technical phraseology of Masonry , the anxious Brother must pass through the temple of virtue , before he can arrive at the temple of honour . He must learn obedience before he can be entrusted ivith command . An ambition to participate in these distinctionsought to be fostered in every Masonic bosomas a
, , stimulus to excel in the practice of virtue and science , whicli is the sole aim and end of Freemasonry . In the usual occupations of the Lodge , the communication of knowledge is mutual . Each Brother has his own prescribed share in the work ; and hence superior merit is sure to meet with distinction . In tracing the devious paths of science , or in inculcating the beauty of moral virtue , there runs through the entire system an equal incitement to attain excellence ; knowledge is
graduallimy parted , and the mind proceeds deliberately , step by step , from the Portico to the middle chamber of the Tempie ; ancl from thence to the Sanctum Sanctorum . In tlie first degree , a knowledge of God , and of the moral duties ivhich he requires of his creatures , is systematically inculcated . The second degree gives the zealous aspirant access , by the winding staircase , to the Temple at Jerusalem ; inculcates the seven liberal sciences ; and leads him forward rapidly to the investigation of
those important truths by which mankind , in all ages , have been so greatly benefited ; while the third degree introduces the perfectly initiated candidate into the hol y of holies , gives him a view of the sacred cherubim and cloud of glory ; and prepares his mind for the full blaze of splendour which surrounds him in the Royal Arch . And , as our
excellent Brother Preston has so justly observed , ' He who has traced tlie art in a regular progress from the commencement of the first to the conclusion of the third degree , must have amassed an ample store of knowledge , and will reflect with pleasure on the good effects of his past diligence and attention . By applying the improvements he has made to tbe general advantage of society , he will secure to himself the approbation of all good men , and the veneration of Masons . ' TJie
introduction of a series of tests for each degree , is an excellent improvement on the old system ; and tends , at the Jeast , to impress on every initiated Brother , some general idea of the nature and design of Freemasonry , which in former times few gave themselves tlie trouble to attain . It was enough that they had been initiated , and rendered capable of attending the convivialities of the Order ; and they contented themselves with this negative meritwithout aspiring to liilier gratifications . These tests
, g , Jiowever , have excited in the Bretliren a spirit of inquiry ; and having attained this limited knowledge—having ascended this first step leading to the temple of science , they are induced to emulate further acquisitions . " Finding that there exists in the order SECRETS , whicli , like the adyta of the ancient temples , are hidden from vulgar eyes , they exercise their ingenuity in an anxious search after its-real mysteries ; and soon become acquainted with those solemn truthsivhich Freemasonry never fails to
, confer on lier active and zealous admirers . Hence it is that the present age abounds in scientific Masons , beyond a ] J former precedent . And this cannot fail to increase the popularity and influence of the Craft , and render it an object of honourable ambition to men , eminent , not only for their literary attainments , but also for rank , virtue , and distinction . Then will it be truly a royal art , not merel y because it is patronized and practised by Kings and Princes , but also from the regal supremacy