Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Didactics; Or, Short Moral Lessons Of Universal Adaptation.
reputation , aud national respectability , uniting all orders iu one bond of constitutional support , and patient moral endurance of tlie most aggravated hardships , that no event hardly can break , nor any circumstance tarnish . Let every man in the kingdom cultivate these sentiments , and exhibit them in action on every suitable occasion , and his person and property are as safe from outrage and violence in the district where the acutest penury and distress prevails , as if every one lived in affluence . However humble his station , the honest workman has a heart to appreciate the compassion and relief of bis superior—and he does appreciate them .
Prodigus et stultus donat qua ; spernit et odit . —HORACE . THE present period of vast national distress and financial embarrassment , solicits all classes of tbe community , but especially tbe rich , so to audit their rentals and estates , that no charge of a useless and wanton expenditure shall be alleged against them whilst their poor brethren , have need . Under no circumstances is a profligate extravagance justifiable ;
more particularly when thousands of our fellow-countrymen have hardly a morsel of bread to eat . The daily waste in the houses of many who revel in luxury and dissipation , would actually feed hundreds , who are literally cankering in starvation—with "daily bread . " What an awful reflection to the virtuous mind ! Prodigality may be defined to be an improvident disposition of the mind , which blindly impels mankind to indulge in wanton and inconsiderate expenditure for the gratification of
a futile vanity—a depraved appetite for animal pleasures—or a petty ambition , as grovelling as the object which excites it . When human beings become infected with this distempered taste , they rush headlong into every folly—every obscene levity—every paltry action , regardless of all admonition , or moral consequences . They really seem as if urged on by some demon-like phrensy , pursuing tbe wildest track of life , and
No . XLVI .-A PROFLIGATE EXTRAVAGANCE JUSTIFIABLE IN NONE .
recklessly hastening on , as it were , unimpeded by any restraints of compunction or remorse , until they speedily attain the climax of their passion—a workhouse—a madhouse . —or a jail . Such is commonly the melancholy fate of all those who , for a while , fascinate the senses of the thoughtless and young , but excite the pity of the grave and reflecting part of mankind . They dazzle , in the social hemisphere , like the meteor ' s glare among the steady beaming stars , leaving on the mind of the
casual spectator no stronger impression than a momentary and monitory amazement at the phenomenon . How beautiful is the sacred history of the prodigal son , who , taking his patrimony , departed into a far country and wasted his substance in riotous living ! One might suppose that the study of that character would prevent many engaging in similar courses . But the simple fact isthat existing instances of the bitterest sequel to a life of profligacy
, and wasteful extravagance , produces little or no restraint upon others entering upon the same rash conduct . Difficile est plurimum virtutem revereri qui semper secunda fortuna sit usus . Men , who engage their time , talents , and fortune , in a constant round of dissipation and prodigality , often inconsistent with their real means , are senseless to the consequences either to themselves or society . The qualifications of mind and
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Didactics; Or, Short Moral Lessons Of Universal Adaptation.
reputation , aud national respectability , uniting all orders iu one bond of constitutional support , and patient moral endurance of tlie most aggravated hardships , that no event hardly can break , nor any circumstance tarnish . Let every man in the kingdom cultivate these sentiments , and exhibit them in action on every suitable occasion , and his person and property are as safe from outrage and violence in the district where the acutest penury and distress prevails , as if every one lived in affluence . However humble his station , the honest workman has a heart to appreciate the compassion and relief of bis superior—and he does appreciate them .
Prodigus et stultus donat qua ; spernit et odit . —HORACE . THE present period of vast national distress and financial embarrassment , solicits all classes of tbe community , but especially tbe rich , so to audit their rentals and estates , that no charge of a useless and wanton expenditure shall be alleged against them whilst their poor brethren , have need . Under no circumstances is a profligate extravagance justifiable ;
more particularly when thousands of our fellow-countrymen have hardly a morsel of bread to eat . The daily waste in the houses of many who revel in luxury and dissipation , would actually feed hundreds , who are literally cankering in starvation—with "daily bread . " What an awful reflection to the virtuous mind ! Prodigality may be defined to be an improvident disposition of the mind , which blindly impels mankind to indulge in wanton and inconsiderate expenditure for the gratification of
a futile vanity—a depraved appetite for animal pleasures—or a petty ambition , as grovelling as the object which excites it . When human beings become infected with this distempered taste , they rush headlong into every folly—every obscene levity—every paltry action , regardless of all admonition , or moral consequences . They really seem as if urged on by some demon-like phrensy , pursuing tbe wildest track of life , and
No . XLVI .-A PROFLIGATE EXTRAVAGANCE JUSTIFIABLE IN NONE .
recklessly hastening on , as it were , unimpeded by any restraints of compunction or remorse , until they speedily attain the climax of their passion—a workhouse—a madhouse . —or a jail . Such is commonly the melancholy fate of all those who , for a while , fascinate the senses of the thoughtless and young , but excite the pity of the grave and reflecting part of mankind . They dazzle , in the social hemisphere , like the meteor ' s glare among the steady beaming stars , leaving on the mind of the
casual spectator no stronger impression than a momentary and monitory amazement at the phenomenon . How beautiful is the sacred history of the prodigal son , who , taking his patrimony , departed into a far country and wasted his substance in riotous living ! One might suppose that the study of that character would prevent many engaging in similar courses . But the simple fact isthat existing instances of the bitterest sequel to a life of profligacy
, and wasteful extravagance , produces little or no restraint upon others entering upon the same rash conduct . Difficile est plurimum virtutem revereri qui semper secunda fortuna sit usus . Men , who engage their time , talents , and fortune , in a constant round of dissipation and prodigality , often inconsistent with their real means , are senseless to the consequences either to themselves or society . The qualifications of mind and