-
Articles/Ads
Article PROVINCIAL. ← Page 15 of 44 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
which Masons will possess over the rest of mankind . Our occupations are distinguished by the most perfect brotherly love . ' Masons unite with the virtuous of every persuasion in the firm ancl pleasing bond of fraternal love ; they are taught to view the errors of mankind with compassion , and to strive b y the purity of their own conduct , to demonstrate the superior excellence of the faith they may profess . Thus Masonry is the centre of union between good men and true , and the happy means
of conciliating friendship amongst those who must otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance . This quotation from one of those beautiful charges bequeathed to us by our ancient Brethren , will show the universality of our system , denoted curiologically by the extent of our Lodges . We meet on the level . AAHien the Lodge is opened , the Brethren , whatever be their diversity of rank , are equal ; and in the process of working the Lodgeeach bears the burthen assigned to him b
, y the Master , in the pursuit of that common object the acquisition of knowledge . 'A King in the Lodge is reminded , that although a crown may adorn the head , or a sceptre the hand , the blood in his veins is derived in the common parent of mankind , and is no better than that of the meanest subject . —The statesman , the senator , and the artist , are there taught that equall y with others , they are exposed by nature to infirmity ancl disease ; and that an unforeseen misfortuneor a disordered
, frame , may impair their faculties ancl reduce them to a level with the meanest species . This checks pride , ancl incites courtesy of behaviourmen of inferior talents , or who are not placed by fortune in such exalted stations , are instructed to regard their superiors with peculiar esteem : when they discover them voluntarily divested ofthe trappings of external
grandeur , and condescending , in the badge of innocence and bond of friendship , to trace wisdom ancl follow virtue , assisted by those who are of a rank beneath them . —Virtue is true nobility—wisdom is the channel by which virtue is directed and conveyed ; wisdom and virtue onl y mark distinction amongst Masons . '—{ Old lectures . ) As we thus meet on the level , we also part on the square . AVhen the Loclge is closed and the jewels put by , each individual resumes his rank in society ; and honour
is given to whom it is due . Ancl thus we afford a practical illustration of the sublime and divine precept , 'by this shall all men know that you are my disci ples , if you love one another . ' The hours of refreshment are appropriated to moderate convivialities and social enjoyment , as a relaxation from the severe studies and exertions which occupied the attention during the period of labour . It is however admitted ^ but with sorrow and regret , that amongst Masons there are still to be found a few individuals
who consider the refreshment as the principal object of their initiation ; and for this evil there is no remedy , so long as the passions of men are allowed to influence their reason : ancl carnal deliglits are suffered to supersede intellectual amusements . Being , however , impressed with these ideas , and forgetting that the toil of Masonry is but ' the feast of reason and the flow of soul ; ' they entertain an unworthy opinion of the institutionand by indulging too freely in the allowed refreshments of
, the Lodge , would , if they were permitted to indulge their propensities , at once disgrace themselves , and bring discredit on the Order ; and hence the finest of all human institutions would be degraded below the legitimate standard , and suffer a certain degree of obliquy from the misconduct of an erring Brother . A celebrated writer , Macnish , tlie 'modern Pythagorean' of Hlackwood and Fraser , has the following severe censure upon us in his ' Anatomy of Drunkenness . '
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
which Masons will possess over the rest of mankind . Our occupations are distinguished by the most perfect brotherly love . ' Masons unite with the virtuous of every persuasion in the firm ancl pleasing bond of fraternal love ; they are taught to view the errors of mankind with compassion , and to strive b y the purity of their own conduct , to demonstrate the superior excellence of the faith they may profess . Thus Masonry is the centre of union between good men and true , and the happy means
of conciliating friendship amongst those who must otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance . This quotation from one of those beautiful charges bequeathed to us by our ancient Brethren , will show the universality of our system , denoted curiologically by the extent of our Lodges . We meet on the level . AAHien the Lodge is opened , the Brethren , whatever be their diversity of rank , are equal ; and in the process of working the Lodgeeach bears the burthen assigned to him b
, y the Master , in the pursuit of that common object the acquisition of knowledge . 'A King in the Lodge is reminded , that although a crown may adorn the head , or a sceptre the hand , the blood in his veins is derived in the common parent of mankind , and is no better than that of the meanest subject . —The statesman , the senator , and the artist , are there taught that equall y with others , they are exposed by nature to infirmity ancl disease ; and that an unforeseen misfortuneor a disordered
, frame , may impair their faculties ancl reduce them to a level with the meanest species . This checks pride , ancl incites courtesy of behaviourmen of inferior talents , or who are not placed by fortune in such exalted stations , are instructed to regard their superiors with peculiar esteem : when they discover them voluntarily divested ofthe trappings of external
grandeur , and condescending , in the badge of innocence and bond of friendship , to trace wisdom ancl follow virtue , assisted by those who are of a rank beneath them . —Virtue is true nobility—wisdom is the channel by which virtue is directed and conveyed ; wisdom and virtue onl y mark distinction amongst Masons . '—{ Old lectures . ) As we thus meet on the level , we also part on the square . AVhen the Loclge is closed and the jewels put by , each individual resumes his rank in society ; and honour
is given to whom it is due . Ancl thus we afford a practical illustration of the sublime and divine precept , 'by this shall all men know that you are my disci ples , if you love one another . ' The hours of refreshment are appropriated to moderate convivialities and social enjoyment , as a relaxation from the severe studies and exertions which occupied the attention during the period of labour . It is however admitted ^ but with sorrow and regret , that amongst Masons there are still to be found a few individuals
who consider the refreshment as the principal object of their initiation ; and for this evil there is no remedy , so long as the passions of men are allowed to influence their reason : ancl carnal deliglits are suffered to supersede intellectual amusements . Being , however , impressed with these ideas , and forgetting that the toil of Masonry is but ' the feast of reason and the flow of soul ; ' they entertain an unworthy opinion of the institutionand by indulging too freely in the allowed refreshments of
, the Lodge , would , if they were permitted to indulge their propensities , at once disgrace themselves , and bring discredit on the Order ; and hence the finest of all human institutions would be degraded below the legitimate standard , and suffer a certain degree of obliquy from the misconduct of an erring Brother . A celebrated writer , Macnish , tlie 'modern Pythagorean' of Hlackwood and Fraser , has the following severe censure upon us in his ' Anatomy of Drunkenness . '