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Article LECTURE ON FREEMASONRY, ← Page 4 of 7 →
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Lecture On Freemasonry,
required some sort of initiation in their statesmen , before they considered them fit to take office . If Ave go back thousands of years , and examine , unprejudiced by early impressions , the laAvs , customs , and religious observances of early nations , Ave find that the Indians , Ethiopians , Egyptians , the JeAvs , the Greeks , and the Romans , concealed their principal learning under hieroglyphics , and many other symbols ; ancl this proves that sensual
representations , or signs , Avork closer upon our hearts , according to that vacillating SAviss philosopher , Rousseau , than words . Our Masonic Society has to this day retained many most interesting symbols in its instructions , when properly explained by a scientific lecturer , ancl not garbled by ignorant pretenders , AA 7 1 IO by dint of merel y a good memory , and some assurance , intrude themselves on a well informed assembl y of Brethren , by g iving a lecture , not composed b y themselves , but taught them verbatim . This kind of lecturing might be obviated b y the appointment of scientific lecturers to every Lodge , Avhereby the chair mi g ht be regularly filled by respectable Masters , Avithout adding the duty of lecturing to their other arduous labours .
At our introduction into Masonry , we seek for an able guide to conduct us from this dark state of human life into light , ancl Avhen arri \ -ed at that desired point , Ave are struck Avith the symbolic representations before us ; and under promises of fidelity we begin our career in this Secret Society of free and accepted Masons , we emerge gradually from the loAvest vale , and by study arrive at the highest degree of the occult science , or to the greatest mental perfection . This advancement in the sciences Avas practised in the temples of Indiaof AA'hich I have
, already spoken ; . he same Avas the ease in the Pyramids of Egypt , Avhere the loAver apartments served for the Initiations , aud Avhere a gradual ascent entitled them b y time , patience , and industry , to the higher branches of learning . The seven liberal arts and sciences unveil the Mystery ; columns , temples , and palaces , spring in proud array from the hands of the operator , under the Avisest of Masters . This was the stud y of the primitive Secret Societies , ancl it is the sole ambition of the
modern Secret Society of Masons to continue the praiseworthy endeavours of their ancient Brethren , and if uncalled upon to erect material edifices , they continue to erect temples to charity in their hearts for the shelter of the homeless Brethren * the AvidoAV , and the orphan .
The Avord Mystery has given occasion to many improper impressions against our Masonic Societies . Treason , infidelity , a charge of taking rash and unnecessary obligations , have been laid to their responsibility , yet none of these charges have ever been substantiated by their persecutors . The word Mystery has brought down anathemas from over-zealous divines upon the heads of Masons , and has induced merciless governors to use their Aveapons against the CraftAvhen upon a sliht enquiry the
, g Church as well as the Staie might be informed , that devotion to God , obedience to the State ancl to all superiors , brotherly love , and universal charity , are the principles which separate our Fraternity from all other Secret Societies which have of late years risen , to the degradation of religion , and to the danger of good order in society aud the State . Freemasons used the word Mystery in the plain sense according to
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Lecture On Freemasonry,
required some sort of initiation in their statesmen , before they considered them fit to take office . If Ave go back thousands of years , and examine , unprejudiced by early impressions , the laAvs , customs , and religious observances of early nations , Ave find that the Indians , Ethiopians , Egyptians , the JeAvs , the Greeks , and the Romans , concealed their principal learning under hieroglyphics , and many other symbols ; ancl this proves that sensual
representations , or signs , Avork closer upon our hearts , according to that vacillating SAviss philosopher , Rousseau , than words . Our Masonic Society has to this day retained many most interesting symbols in its instructions , when properly explained by a scientific lecturer , ancl not garbled by ignorant pretenders , AA 7 1 IO by dint of merel y a good memory , and some assurance , intrude themselves on a well informed assembl y of Brethren , by g iving a lecture , not composed b y themselves , but taught them verbatim . This kind of lecturing might be obviated b y the appointment of scientific lecturers to every Lodge , Avhereby the chair mi g ht be regularly filled by respectable Masters , Avithout adding the duty of lecturing to their other arduous labours .
At our introduction into Masonry , we seek for an able guide to conduct us from this dark state of human life into light , ancl Avhen arri \ -ed at that desired point , Ave are struck Avith the symbolic representations before us ; and under promises of fidelity we begin our career in this Secret Society of free and accepted Masons , we emerge gradually from the loAvest vale , and by study arrive at the highest degree of the occult science , or to the greatest mental perfection . This advancement in the sciences Avas practised in the temples of Indiaof AA'hich I have
, already spoken ; . he same Avas the ease in the Pyramids of Egypt , Avhere the loAver apartments served for the Initiations , aud Avhere a gradual ascent entitled them b y time , patience , and industry , to the higher branches of learning . The seven liberal arts and sciences unveil the Mystery ; columns , temples , and palaces , spring in proud array from the hands of the operator , under the Avisest of Masters . This was the stud y of the primitive Secret Societies , ancl it is the sole ambition of the
modern Secret Society of Masons to continue the praiseworthy endeavours of their ancient Brethren , and if uncalled upon to erect material edifices , they continue to erect temples to charity in their hearts for the shelter of the homeless Brethren * the AvidoAV , and the orphan .
The Avord Mystery has given occasion to many improper impressions against our Masonic Societies . Treason , infidelity , a charge of taking rash and unnecessary obligations , have been laid to their responsibility , yet none of these charges have ever been substantiated by their persecutors . The word Mystery has brought down anathemas from over-zealous divines upon the heads of Masons , and has induced merciless governors to use their Aveapons against the CraftAvhen upon a sliht enquiry the
, g Church as well as the Staie might be informed , that devotion to God , obedience to the State ancl to all superiors , brotherly love , and universal charity , are the principles which separate our Fraternity from all other Secret Societies which have of late years risen , to the degradation of religion , and to the danger of good order in society aud the State . Freemasons used the word Mystery in the plain sense according to