-
Articles/Ads
Article MASONIC DIDACTICS; Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Didactics;
MASONIC DIDACTICS ;
OB , SHORT MORAL ESSAYS OF UNIVERSAL ADAPTATION . BY BROTHER H . R . SLADE , LL . B . " Masonry is 3 peculiar system of morals . ' * No . XXVII . —THE CHARACTER OF VIRTUE .
sterna virtus Hcrculem fieri negat . —SENECA . Assuming that the word Herculem , in the above passage , from the great Latin Moralist , possesses a metaphorical signification , and by simply translating it into Fortitude , we may possibly throw a clearer light upon it than the words alone convey , enamouring the mind with the elegance of the simile . There can be no question in the rihtlconstituted mind about the
gy strength which habitual virtue gives to its energies under all circumstances ; nor has it ever been disputed , except by the libertine , that her ' precepts and impulses arm us against the temptations of misfortune . It is an uniform alliance with her dictates which preserves us in the paths of moral rectitude , and keeps us aloof from the foul contaminations of vice . It is a steady adherence to her principles of right and which constitutes the of moral hilosophinstituting
wrong very acme p y , her sacred code as the mainspring that sets in motion the entire ethical machinery . Neither time , place , nor incident , can affect the sentiments of him who takes Virtue for his guide through the moral sphere ; nor will her preponderating influence over the good man ' s judgment permit him to act otherwise than agreeably to her prescriptions . She fortifies the mind under every pressure of adversity , and enables its victim to look forward amidst the darkest gatherings of ill-fortune . It is Virtue alone that bears under
us up every perverse incident of life , and shields us against the attacks of every description of seduction or irritation . Among the ancients she was the first cause of good actions , and to Virtue they paid divine honours . Among the moderns she has assumed a more perfect form , presenting herself to our admiration in the garb of our holy religion . Thus authorised and sanctioned , her behests acquire double weight , and her rewards and punishments become more definite and certain .
_ To Virtue qualities of the rarest kind may be ascribed . She is patient in adversity , humble in prosperity ; generous , forgiving , unsuspicious ; candid , sincere , and liberal in opinion ; ranking the whole human race as brethren , and distinguishing each or any by the highest standard of human excellence , apart from any sordid considerations . ' * Virtue , " says an eminent statesman , " he would possess , though he never shewed itas he would wash to keep himself clean
, , though no one ever perceived it . " Whatever , therefore , the works we do , whether good or evil , the principle and effect are intimate to our consciences , and , despite of error , we universally acknowledge that Virtus tst summwm bonnm .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Didactics;
MASONIC DIDACTICS ;
OB , SHORT MORAL ESSAYS OF UNIVERSAL ADAPTATION . BY BROTHER H . R . SLADE , LL . B . " Masonry is 3 peculiar system of morals . ' * No . XXVII . —THE CHARACTER OF VIRTUE .
sterna virtus Hcrculem fieri negat . —SENECA . Assuming that the word Herculem , in the above passage , from the great Latin Moralist , possesses a metaphorical signification , and by simply translating it into Fortitude , we may possibly throw a clearer light upon it than the words alone convey , enamouring the mind with the elegance of the simile . There can be no question in the rihtlconstituted mind about the
gy strength which habitual virtue gives to its energies under all circumstances ; nor has it ever been disputed , except by the libertine , that her ' precepts and impulses arm us against the temptations of misfortune . It is an uniform alliance with her dictates which preserves us in the paths of moral rectitude , and keeps us aloof from the foul contaminations of vice . It is a steady adherence to her principles of right and which constitutes the of moral hilosophinstituting
wrong very acme p y , her sacred code as the mainspring that sets in motion the entire ethical machinery . Neither time , place , nor incident , can affect the sentiments of him who takes Virtue for his guide through the moral sphere ; nor will her preponderating influence over the good man ' s judgment permit him to act otherwise than agreeably to her prescriptions . She fortifies the mind under every pressure of adversity , and enables its victim to look forward amidst the darkest gatherings of ill-fortune . It is Virtue alone that bears under
us up every perverse incident of life , and shields us against the attacks of every description of seduction or irritation . Among the ancients she was the first cause of good actions , and to Virtue they paid divine honours . Among the moderns she has assumed a more perfect form , presenting herself to our admiration in the garb of our holy religion . Thus authorised and sanctioned , her behests acquire double weight , and her rewards and punishments become more definite and certain .
_ To Virtue qualities of the rarest kind may be ascribed . She is patient in adversity , humble in prosperity ; generous , forgiving , unsuspicious ; candid , sincere , and liberal in opinion ; ranking the whole human race as brethren , and distinguishing each or any by the highest standard of human excellence , apart from any sordid considerations . ' * Virtue , " says an eminent statesman , " he would possess , though he never shewed itas he would wash to keep himself clean
, , though no one ever perceived it . " Whatever , therefore , the works we do , whether good or evil , the principle and effect are intimate to our consciences , and , despite of error , we universally acknowledge that Virtus tst summwm bonnm .