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Article PRESENT STATE OF AFFAIRS . ← Page 2 of 7 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Present State Of Affairs .
live , or irresolute—that in them the Masonic virtues should be negative . That a heavy blow has been struck , the friends of good order , whether active or passive , must seriously deplore ; and that it should have proceeded from so high a quarter , is of
still more lamentable consideration ; because it was fondly hoped , that history would have finally crowned with a coronal of gratitude , the chief of an era far surpassing in time and fruition any previous period of Masonic prosperity . The wound rankles the deeper because it has been selfinflicted—tlie stain is the more indelible , because it so defaces
the achievements which had been previously emblazoned on that chieftain ' s Masonic shield , as to leave it utterly irreparable by the most persevering and earnest efforts of futurity . And we are left to mourn in sorrow , commingled with bitterness , that the glory of a long and useful life has been
eventually dimmed by the repudiation of prudence and wisdom , for the reckless exercise of power in the cause of folly and injustice .
Whilst yet the storm is lingering around us , if we cannot allay it with the wand of Prospero , let us at least examine the unnatural phenomenon as calmly as we may . It is no common , no elemental strife ; but the contention of human passions with Masonic principles . Nor is it the less
virulent because ignorance engendered it ; for wickedness has supported it , and power has made it destructive . Even its examination is dangerous ; but danger should never deter the independent journalist . To him the past is a
portion of history , which it is his undoubted duty to record . The present , a period of practical application , he must not venture to evade . The future , the uncertain day in which his labours will have to be judged by their motives or effects . And we will endeavour to perform this duty without fear ,
as without favour , towards the highest born or the lowliest one . We will speak the truth , however unpalatable ; we will encourage the innocent and , exposing , punish the guilty . We aver , then , that there is too much of pretence in the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Present State Of Affairs .
live , or irresolute—that in them the Masonic virtues should be negative . That a heavy blow has been struck , the friends of good order , whether active or passive , must seriously deplore ; and that it should have proceeded from so high a quarter , is of
still more lamentable consideration ; because it was fondly hoped , that history would have finally crowned with a coronal of gratitude , the chief of an era far surpassing in time and fruition any previous period of Masonic prosperity . The wound rankles the deeper because it has been selfinflicted—tlie stain is the more indelible , because it so defaces
the achievements which had been previously emblazoned on that chieftain ' s Masonic shield , as to leave it utterly irreparable by the most persevering and earnest efforts of futurity . And we are left to mourn in sorrow , commingled with bitterness , that the glory of a long and useful life has been
eventually dimmed by the repudiation of prudence and wisdom , for the reckless exercise of power in the cause of folly and injustice .
Whilst yet the storm is lingering around us , if we cannot allay it with the wand of Prospero , let us at least examine the unnatural phenomenon as calmly as we may . It is no common , no elemental strife ; but the contention of human passions with Masonic principles . Nor is it the less
virulent because ignorance engendered it ; for wickedness has supported it , and power has made it destructive . Even its examination is dangerous ; but danger should never deter the independent journalist . To him the past is a
portion of history , which it is his undoubted duty to record . The present , a period of practical application , he must not venture to evade . The future , the uncertain day in which his labours will have to be judged by their motives or effects . And we will endeavour to perform this duty without fear ,
as without favour , towards the highest born or the lowliest one . We will speak the truth , however unpalatable ; we will encourage the innocent and , exposing , punish the guilty . We aver , then , that there is too much of pretence in the