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Article CHAPTER II. ← Page 4 of 5 →
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Chapter Ii.
the rose of beauty and gloves of innocence were placed upon a pedestal , covered with a beautifully embroidered white satin cloth , and the oldest Mason offered them on a crimson velvet cushion . " After this , let no one say that Masons neglect to pay due honour to female virtue and excellence . The public observe with great curiosity all these reciprocal acts of mutual love and esteem , and prize them accordingly . And as example is better even than precept , they will endeavour to imitate them , each in his own circle of acquaintance ; and thus Freemasonry becomes a vehicle of incalculable benefit to those who have not received initiation into its
mysteries . What was said of the early Christians may be also said of us . — " it is inconceivable what unremitting diligence the Christians use to succourone another , since they have abandoned our religion ( these are the words of a pagan writer ) to adore a crucified man . Their teachers have acquired the wonderful art of persuading them that they are all brothers , insomuch that the whole of their possessions are given up for the general welfare . Nothing has contributed more to the progress of the Christian
superstition than their attention to the poor ancl friendless ; for they have hospitals and asylums for indigence and infirmity in every city ; and it is no small ground of reproach to us , that we should be so glaringly deficient in these things , whilst the Galileans cherish ancl relieve not only the wretched of their own communion , but likewise of ours . " A remarkable peculiarity of Freemasonry is , that it does not court popularity ; which may be one reason whit has become so highl
y y esteemed in modern times . All our proceedings are carried on with the simple and exclusive design of working out its principles for our own mental improvement and happiness , both temporal and eternal . " We trace wisdom and follow virtue , " that we may be happy ourselves and communicate happiness to others ; but with no end in view which is connected with the applause of men . We aim at the cultivation of peace and harmony—peace on earth , and goodwill towards men—ancl our
progress in their attainment is marked ancl attested by the flourishing state of our lodges , and the respect which is universally conceded , as if by common consent , to the name and character of a Mason . We look upon ourselves as one great family , however we may be diversified by climate , education , or religion , which make no difference in the application of our principles , united as we are by an indissoluble bond to promote the welfare of each other , and associated for the noble purpose of improving the moral ancl social condition of mankind . Ancl in this
place I cannot resist the impulse of quoting a passage from the Suffblk Rector ' s " Stray Leaves , " it applies so well to the subject in hand . —The members of a Freemasons' lodge had solicited the Rev . Mr . Gresham for the use of his church for an anniversary sermon . After many objections on his part had been ably refuted by the deputation , he at length said" I am hostile to you because you combine . " The banker now fired his broadside— " We do . We are as a city
at unity in itself . We form a band of united brethren ; bound by one solemn obligation , stringent upon all , from the highest to the lowest . And the object of our combination ? boundless charity and untiring benevolence . We must be charitable and kindly affectioned to all ; but more especially to our brethren . With them we are ever to sympathize readily , and their necessities to succour cheerfully . Respect are we to have none , either as to colour , creed , or country . And yet is our charity VOL . vi . T
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Chapter Ii.
the rose of beauty and gloves of innocence were placed upon a pedestal , covered with a beautifully embroidered white satin cloth , and the oldest Mason offered them on a crimson velvet cushion . " After this , let no one say that Masons neglect to pay due honour to female virtue and excellence . The public observe with great curiosity all these reciprocal acts of mutual love and esteem , and prize them accordingly . And as example is better even than precept , they will endeavour to imitate them , each in his own circle of acquaintance ; and thus Freemasonry becomes a vehicle of incalculable benefit to those who have not received initiation into its
mysteries . What was said of the early Christians may be also said of us . — " it is inconceivable what unremitting diligence the Christians use to succourone another , since they have abandoned our religion ( these are the words of a pagan writer ) to adore a crucified man . Their teachers have acquired the wonderful art of persuading them that they are all brothers , insomuch that the whole of their possessions are given up for the general welfare . Nothing has contributed more to the progress of the Christian
superstition than their attention to the poor ancl friendless ; for they have hospitals and asylums for indigence and infirmity in every city ; and it is no small ground of reproach to us , that we should be so glaringly deficient in these things , whilst the Galileans cherish ancl relieve not only the wretched of their own communion , but likewise of ours . " A remarkable peculiarity of Freemasonry is , that it does not court popularity ; which may be one reason whit has become so highl
y y esteemed in modern times . All our proceedings are carried on with the simple and exclusive design of working out its principles for our own mental improvement and happiness , both temporal and eternal . " We trace wisdom and follow virtue , " that we may be happy ourselves and communicate happiness to others ; but with no end in view which is connected with the applause of men . We aim at the cultivation of peace and harmony—peace on earth , and goodwill towards men—ancl our
progress in their attainment is marked ancl attested by the flourishing state of our lodges , and the respect which is universally conceded , as if by common consent , to the name and character of a Mason . We look upon ourselves as one great family , however we may be diversified by climate , education , or religion , which make no difference in the application of our principles , united as we are by an indissoluble bond to promote the welfare of each other , and associated for the noble purpose of improving the moral ancl social condition of mankind . Ancl in this
place I cannot resist the impulse of quoting a passage from the Suffblk Rector ' s " Stray Leaves , " it applies so well to the subject in hand . —The members of a Freemasons' lodge had solicited the Rev . Mr . Gresham for the use of his church for an anniversary sermon . After many objections on his part had been ably refuted by the deputation , he at length said" I am hostile to you because you combine . " The banker now fired his broadside— " We do . We are as a city
at unity in itself . We form a band of united brethren ; bound by one solemn obligation , stringent upon all , from the highest to the lowest . And the object of our combination ? boundless charity and untiring benevolence . We must be charitable and kindly affectioned to all ; but more especially to our brethren . With them we are ever to sympathize readily , and their necessities to succour cheerfully . Respect are we to have none , either as to colour , creed , or country . And yet is our charity VOL . vi . T