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Article THE FREEMASONS' QUARTERLY REVIEW. ← Page 8 of 8
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The Freemasons' Quarterly Review.
Where these Masonic persecutions will end it is impossible to foresee . Some of their results may be more easily surmised ; perhaps among the earliest maybe such a movement among the Craft , as will unite the great body of true Freemasons , whatever their Lodges may be , for the common
good . To look among the Grand Officers for leaders would be the most stupid absurdity . Let our Brethren recollect the old fable of the waggoner , and each sturdily set his shoulder to the wheel , until some one or other of the riant clique of Masonic persecutors shall be placed in the situation of the philosopher who was enforced to a confession in the " Palace of Truth , " * and
said" I associated myself with some others like myself , and among us , we formed a vast and hardy project . AVe wished to reign and domineer over the minds of men ; and we had a celebrated magician for a chief , who gave us a talisman , on which were engraven these three words , BENEVOLENCE , TOLERANCE , PHIXOSOPUY . " My friend , " said the magician , " the virtue of these three words is such , that , to obtain your end , you have only incessantly to repeat themand rest faithfully attached
, and submissive to your chief . With , this talisman and my protection , you will want neither knowledge nor genius ; you may daringly say and write all the extravagancies which shall enter your imagination , you shall have an exclusive authority to reason wrong , be inconsistent , trouble established order , overturn moral principles , and corrupt manners , without losing your consequence . It you are attacked ,. make no reply , beware of discussion . I permit you to declaimto affirmand to consult
, , , but not to reason . Keep constantly repeating the same thing , Benevolence , Tolerance , Philosophy . Should it be proved you are neither benevolent , tolerant , nor a philosopher , be not frightened ; only repeat and cry ivith more force and obstinacy than ever these three sacred and magic words , Benevolence , Tolerance , Philosophy , and you shall triumph over all your enemies , at least as long as I shall live . "
To make this singular passage perfectly applicable , the reader has but to substitute " Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth , " for Benevolence , Tolerance , and Philosophy . The space we have found it necessary to devote to the chief and absorbing feature of the period , precludes other editoiial remarks from the present number .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Quarterly Review.
Where these Masonic persecutions will end it is impossible to foresee . Some of their results may be more easily surmised ; perhaps among the earliest maybe such a movement among the Craft , as will unite the great body of true Freemasons , whatever their Lodges may be , for the common
good . To look among the Grand Officers for leaders would be the most stupid absurdity . Let our Brethren recollect the old fable of the waggoner , and each sturdily set his shoulder to the wheel , until some one or other of the riant clique of Masonic persecutors shall be placed in the situation of the philosopher who was enforced to a confession in the " Palace of Truth , " * and
said" I associated myself with some others like myself , and among us , we formed a vast and hardy project . AVe wished to reign and domineer over the minds of men ; and we had a celebrated magician for a chief , who gave us a talisman , on which were engraven these three words , BENEVOLENCE , TOLERANCE , PHIXOSOPUY . " My friend , " said the magician , " the virtue of these three words is such , that , to obtain your end , you have only incessantly to repeat themand rest faithfully attached
, and submissive to your chief . With , this talisman and my protection , you will want neither knowledge nor genius ; you may daringly say and write all the extravagancies which shall enter your imagination , you shall have an exclusive authority to reason wrong , be inconsistent , trouble established order , overturn moral principles , and corrupt manners , without losing your consequence . It you are attacked ,. make no reply , beware of discussion . I permit you to declaimto affirmand to consult
, , , but not to reason . Keep constantly repeating the same thing , Benevolence , Tolerance , Philosophy . Should it be proved you are neither benevolent , tolerant , nor a philosopher , be not frightened ; only repeat and cry ivith more force and obstinacy than ever these three sacred and magic words , Benevolence , Tolerance , Philosophy , and you shall triumph over all your enemies , at least as long as I shall live . "
To make this singular passage perfectly applicable , the reader has but to substitute " Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth , " for Benevolence , Tolerance , and Philosophy . The space we have found it necessary to devote to the chief and absorbing feature of the period , precludes other editoiial remarks from the present number .