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Article MASONRY RESTORED TO ITS GENUINE PRINCIPLES. ← Page 2 of 4 →
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Masonry Restored To Its Genuine Principles.
expectations of an enlightened age like this . While all else is progressing towards perfection , it is painful to see that Masonry alone is stationary . ° We know not by whom these lectures and rites were revised ancl modelled ; but forty years' experience has proved that they leave on the minds of the initiated but imperfect impressions . We have heard Masons complain of them ; and we have seen Brethren become indifferent to the forms of an institution because they did not answer their expectations . What was the remedy for this evil ?—There was but one ; to remodel our rites .
But who could or should undertake such a labour?—A general meeting?—Committees?—Several delegated Masons?—Certainly not ; for a century would pass away ere they agreed on the subject matter before them , or its proper form . 'This sort of legislation must issue from a single brain ; there must be unity of intention , unity of action . Zeal or love of mankind in one man could alone attempt such a work .
It has been permitted to us to possess this zeal , and we have remodelled the rites and lectures of initiation . We beseech our Brethren to forgive us for it . It is neither pride nor presumption whicli has induced us to do it , as they will perceive . We have decided upon doing it only with a view to restore to Masonry the power and dignity which appertain to it . We wished that Freemasonry should be understood , loved , ancl respected , and that it shoulcl be cited as the greatest
school on earth for truth , magnanimity , ancl for every virtue . Masonry is a Priesthood superior to all others ; for , without reward , salary , cunning invention , violence , or subterfuge , without any other resource but reason , it teaches all the good that exists here below . We think , therefore , that the initiation into its mysteries should be solemnized with such a series of forms and rites , with such powerful evidences * of reasoning as could justly be called LIGHT b y those to -ivhom we shoulcl promise them .
We have recalled into action those forgotten conditions which served to make the candidate ' s character known , which obliged him to reflect , _ to attach great importance to the step he was about to take , and to inspire him in the beginning with a high respect for the institution into which he sought an entrance . We have wished that the candidates should be most carefull y examined as to the feelings and morality which they had acquired
and learned in the profane world , in order that such real instruction might be given , as could guard them from the errors and falsehoods which are the shame ancl thc misfortune of this world . We have then restored Masonry to its genuine principles , —Truth and Brotherly Love ; and we have remodelled its initiations on the principles and precepts which flow from them . These principles and precepts ive have included completely in those
five degrees , which ages have consecrated as the most essential , 1 . E AP 2 . F . C . 3 . MM . 4 . Ros . Cruc . 5 . Grande Em . * Of the other degrees we have only given a summary view ; they are to be imparted by communication onl y , and we have added short , but sufficient instructions .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonry Restored To Its Genuine Principles.
expectations of an enlightened age like this . While all else is progressing towards perfection , it is painful to see that Masonry alone is stationary . ° We know not by whom these lectures and rites were revised ancl modelled ; but forty years' experience has proved that they leave on the minds of the initiated but imperfect impressions . We have heard Masons complain of them ; and we have seen Brethren become indifferent to the forms of an institution because they did not answer their expectations . What was the remedy for this evil ?—There was but one ; to remodel our rites .
But who could or should undertake such a labour?—A general meeting?—Committees?—Several delegated Masons?—Certainly not ; for a century would pass away ere they agreed on the subject matter before them , or its proper form . 'This sort of legislation must issue from a single brain ; there must be unity of intention , unity of action . Zeal or love of mankind in one man could alone attempt such a work .
It has been permitted to us to possess this zeal , and we have remodelled the rites and lectures of initiation . We beseech our Brethren to forgive us for it . It is neither pride nor presumption whicli has induced us to do it , as they will perceive . We have decided upon doing it only with a view to restore to Masonry the power and dignity which appertain to it . We wished that Freemasonry should be understood , loved , ancl respected , and that it shoulcl be cited as the greatest
school on earth for truth , magnanimity , ancl for every virtue . Masonry is a Priesthood superior to all others ; for , without reward , salary , cunning invention , violence , or subterfuge , without any other resource but reason , it teaches all the good that exists here below . We think , therefore , that the initiation into its mysteries should be solemnized with such a series of forms and rites , with such powerful evidences * of reasoning as could justly be called LIGHT b y those to -ivhom we shoulcl promise them .
We have recalled into action those forgotten conditions which served to make the candidate ' s character known , which obliged him to reflect , _ to attach great importance to the step he was about to take , and to inspire him in the beginning with a high respect for the institution into which he sought an entrance . We have wished that the candidates should be most carefull y examined as to the feelings and morality which they had acquired
and learned in the profane world , in order that such real instruction might be given , as could guard them from the errors and falsehoods which are the shame ancl thc misfortune of this world . We have then restored Masonry to its genuine principles , —Truth and Brotherly Love ; and we have remodelled its initiations on the principles and precepts which flow from them . These principles and precepts ive have included completely in those
five degrees , which ages have consecrated as the most essential , 1 . E AP 2 . F . C . 3 . MM . 4 . Ros . Cruc . 5 . Grande Em . * Of the other degrees we have only given a summary view ; they are to be imparted by communication onl y , and we have added short , but sufficient instructions .