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Postscript.
humanity , sincerity , generosity , & c , he would be at most but a useless if not a worthless member of society , and a much worse Mason . In the next place , permit me to remind you that a due attendance on the Lodge for your own improvement , and the reputation of Masonry in general , is absolutely necessary ; for your own improvement , because the advantages naturally resulting from the practice of the principles
therein taught , are the highest ornaments of human nature ; and for the credit of the community , because it is your indispensable duty to support such a character in life as is there enjoined . The prevalence of good example is great , and no language is so expressive as a consistent life and a conversation ; these once forfeited in a Masonic character , will diminish a man not only in the esteem of persons of sense ,
learning , and probity , but even men of inferior qualities will seldom fail of making a proper distinction . You are well aware that the envious and censorious are ever disposed to form their judgments of mankind according to their conduct in public life—so , when Members of our society desert their body , or discover any inconsistency in their practice with their professions , they contribute to bring an odium on a profession
which it is the duty of every member to honour . Indeed , instances of the conduct here decried I own are very rare , and I might say , as often as they do happen , tend still more to discover the malignity of our adversaries than to reflect on ourselves ; for how weak must it appear in the eye of discernment to condemn a whole society for the irregularity of a few individuals . The non-attendance on , and absenting
ourselves from the Lodge , I apprehend to be . this—the want of brotherly love , that fundamental principle alluded to before by me . Did we properly cultivate this Christian virtue , we should think ourselves the happiest when assembled and met together ; on unity in affection , unity in government subsists , for whatever draws men into societies , it is only unity that can cement them . Let us recollect that love is the first and
greatest commandment ; all the others are summarily comprehended in this—it is the fulfilling of the law , and a necessary qualification for the Celestial Lodge , where the Supreme Architect of the Universe presides , who is Love . Faith , Hope , and Charity , are three principal graces , by which we must be guided thither , of which Charity , or universal Love , is the chief ; when Faith shall be swallowed up in vision , and Hope in enjoyment , then , true Charity or Brotherly love will shine with the brightest lustre to all eternity . "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Postscript.
humanity , sincerity , generosity , & c , he would be at most but a useless if not a worthless member of society , and a much worse Mason . In the next place , permit me to remind you that a due attendance on the Lodge for your own improvement , and the reputation of Masonry in general , is absolutely necessary ; for your own improvement , because the advantages naturally resulting from the practice of the principles
therein taught , are the highest ornaments of human nature ; and for the credit of the community , because it is your indispensable duty to support such a character in life as is there enjoined . The prevalence of good example is great , and no language is so expressive as a consistent life and a conversation ; these once forfeited in a Masonic character , will diminish a man not only in the esteem of persons of sense ,
learning , and probity , but even men of inferior qualities will seldom fail of making a proper distinction . You are well aware that the envious and censorious are ever disposed to form their judgments of mankind according to their conduct in public life—so , when Members of our society desert their body , or discover any inconsistency in their practice with their professions , they contribute to bring an odium on a profession
which it is the duty of every member to honour . Indeed , instances of the conduct here decried I own are very rare , and I might say , as often as they do happen , tend still more to discover the malignity of our adversaries than to reflect on ourselves ; for how weak must it appear in the eye of discernment to condemn a whole society for the irregularity of a few individuals . The non-attendance on , and absenting
ourselves from the Lodge , I apprehend to be . this—the want of brotherly love , that fundamental principle alluded to before by me . Did we properly cultivate this Christian virtue , we should think ourselves the happiest when assembled and met together ; on unity in affection , unity in government subsists , for whatever draws men into societies , it is only unity that can cement them . Let us recollect that love is the first and
greatest commandment ; all the others are summarily comprehended in this—it is the fulfilling of the law , and a necessary qualification for the Celestial Lodge , where the Supreme Architect of the Universe presides , who is Love . Faith , Hope , and Charity , are three principal graces , by which we must be guided thither , of which Charity , or universal Love , is the chief ; when Faith shall be swallowed up in vision , and Hope in enjoyment , then , true Charity or Brotherly love will shine with the brightest lustre to all eternity . "