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On Freemasonry. Evidences, Doctrines, And Traditions.
that princi p le of active benevolence which has been imp lanted b y the Deity , that , like Brethren , his creatures mi g ht dwell together in unity . Prudence produces Fortitude , by which we are enabled to resist and overcome the allurements ofthe world ; it produces Temperance in mind and body—carrying us with unshaken patience through
the most severe trials , and guarding us against the snares arising from an excessive indulgence in the pleasures and pursuits of carnal gratification ; it produces Justice , which is the guide ancl director of goodness , and embraces for its object the love of God and man—Mercy ,
Which blesseth him that gives , and him that takes , And droppeth as the gentle dew from Heaven Upon the place beiieath;—Benevolence and Charity , to soothe the sorrows of the aged ancl distressed ; to comfort the desolate widow , and to train up the orphan to virtue and usefulness;—Secrecy , Fidelity artel Obedience , Truth , Honour and Love ; Gentleness , Goodness , Piety and Peace . Within the starry girdle of Prudence all these virtues are enfolded .
This quality was considered of sucn value m the middle ages , as to be pressed into the service of superstition ; and I am afraid the Masons of the 15 th century , who drew the attention of candidates to this comprehensive virtue b y the conspicuous position of the above-mentioned emblem , were not exempt from a participation in studies which prevailed
amongst all ranks and descriptions of men . Prudence was the third emanation of Abrax or Abracadabra , and was placed in the centre of the Lodge as a protecting symbol to ensure prosperity and to avert clanger . At this period mankind were much addicted to the use of charms and amulets ; the fabrication of which was termed ,
in the language of art , " the facultye of Abrac ; " and there can be no doubt but in an age when the follies of alchymy ancl natural magic were pursued with a degree of earnestness , amounting almost to infatuation , Freemasonry partook , to a certain extent , in delusions which were honoured with universal credence . Indeedthe fact is on record in a
, Masonic manuscript , to which much importance has been attached by the commentaries of Mr . Locke , ancl , after him , by the celebrated Preston . Even the greatest and wisest p hilosophers were not altogether free from this allabsorbing passion ; and while they professedly affected to despise all worldly advantages , eagerly sought for that
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry. Evidences, Doctrines, And Traditions.
that princi p le of active benevolence which has been imp lanted b y the Deity , that , like Brethren , his creatures mi g ht dwell together in unity . Prudence produces Fortitude , by which we are enabled to resist and overcome the allurements ofthe world ; it produces Temperance in mind and body—carrying us with unshaken patience through
the most severe trials , and guarding us against the snares arising from an excessive indulgence in the pleasures and pursuits of carnal gratification ; it produces Justice , which is the guide ancl director of goodness , and embraces for its object the love of God and man—Mercy ,
Which blesseth him that gives , and him that takes , And droppeth as the gentle dew from Heaven Upon the place beiieath;—Benevolence and Charity , to soothe the sorrows of the aged ancl distressed ; to comfort the desolate widow , and to train up the orphan to virtue and usefulness;—Secrecy , Fidelity artel Obedience , Truth , Honour and Love ; Gentleness , Goodness , Piety and Peace . Within the starry girdle of Prudence all these virtues are enfolded .
This quality was considered of sucn value m the middle ages , as to be pressed into the service of superstition ; and I am afraid the Masons of the 15 th century , who drew the attention of candidates to this comprehensive virtue b y the conspicuous position of the above-mentioned emblem , were not exempt from a participation in studies which prevailed
amongst all ranks and descriptions of men . Prudence was the third emanation of Abrax or Abracadabra , and was placed in the centre of the Lodge as a protecting symbol to ensure prosperity and to avert clanger . At this period mankind were much addicted to the use of charms and amulets ; the fabrication of which was termed ,
in the language of art , " the facultye of Abrac ; " and there can be no doubt but in an age when the follies of alchymy ancl natural magic were pursued with a degree of earnestness , amounting almost to infatuation , Freemasonry partook , to a certain extent , in delusions which were honoured with universal credence . Indeedthe fact is on record in a
, Masonic manuscript , to which much importance has been attached by the commentaries of Mr . Locke , ancl , after him , by the celebrated Preston . Even the greatest and wisest p hilosophers were not altogether free from this allabsorbing passion ; and while they professedly affected to despise all worldly advantages , eagerly sought for that