Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
India.
Then follows the usual one , p . 85 , par , 3 of the Constitutions , which is not only signed in the English , but die vernacular of the candidate , after a viva voce examination by a brother in whom confidence can be placed . Again , an examination is entered into regarding the nature and import of the serious promise before it is made a solemn obligation ; so that no part of it may be by possibility misunderstood , or rashly entered intobut impressed with all the solemnity that part of
, the ceremony is so peculiarly capable of receiving ; but the great point , the obligation , how is that administered ? In every respect in the usual way ; but again with an addition , for each is re-obligated on what he considers as most binding on his conscience ; for instance , the Mahomedan , although he believes in the Old Testament , does not believe in the divinity of Christ ; therefore , any obligation taken by him on the Gospels would not be binding on his conscienceas is the case with an
, obligation taken on the Koran ; therefore , he is re-obligated upon that book , in the same way as the Jew is re-obligated on the Pentateuch . As Masons , the Bible is ever open before us , it is our great light—the light of tlie Law and the Prophets ; but as Christians we have also the light of Revelation attached to it , to guide us in our pilgrimage of life , and which is necessary for the obligation of a Christian Mason , as no other would be binding on a Christian ' s consciencebut which would not
, be so either on the Musselman or the Hebrew , the one in his faith stopping short , ancl the other going beyond it . These deviations , or rather additions , were considered necessary and proper ; and to aflbrd a sufficient additional safeguard for thekeeping inviolate our sacred mysteries ; and were determined on by those who have taken the responsibility of the
Native Lodge upon their shoulders , and who will not leave their Native Brethren with a baie initiationinto the ceremonial mysteries of our Order , but who can and will carefully instruct them in the principles , and in the working out of the grand end and aim of the institution , to shew them that there is at least one place here on earth , where men of every denomination may meet on terms of brotherhood and equality , whatever may be his colour , or whatever may be his creed , so long as he believes in
the one true and living God , looks forward hereafter for reward or punishment for deeds done in the flesh , and lives an honest aud upright life before his God , and with his neighbour ; and to prove to them , that although their different prejudices will not allow them to eat together , they may advantageously join together in the performance of good works , and in the cultivation of every virtue ; that brotherly love may be encouraged , relief practised , and truth be triumphant ; that
they may be taught to despise the littleness of sectarian prejudices , and to view in every son of Adam , a brother of the dust . At the first regular meeting of the Lodge , two initiations took place ; one a Parsee , the other a Mahomedan , both of them of the most respectable amongst their own people ; the former a particularly intelligent and clever man , a F . R . S ., and possessing considerable scientific acquirements ; but unfortunatelthose who are nearest and dearest to him are
y not quite so enlightened as himself , and cannot be brought to look with complacency on the step he has taken ; ancl consequently he has been subjected to considerable annoyance , so much so that others have shrunk from encountering it . But this is nothing more than Freemasonry has been accustomed to in all ages , from the powerful ignorant , and the bigot ; and what is not even discontinued by the enlightened (!) European in our own clay , as so recently exhibited to the world at large
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
India.
Then follows the usual one , p . 85 , par , 3 of the Constitutions , which is not only signed in the English , but die vernacular of the candidate , after a viva voce examination by a brother in whom confidence can be placed . Again , an examination is entered into regarding the nature and import of the serious promise before it is made a solemn obligation ; so that no part of it may be by possibility misunderstood , or rashly entered intobut impressed with all the solemnity that part of
, the ceremony is so peculiarly capable of receiving ; but the great point , the obligation , how is that administered ? In every respect in the usual way ; but again with an addition , for each is re-obligated on what he considers as most binding on his conscience ; for instance , the Mahomedan , although he believes in the Old Testament , does not believe in the divinity of Christ ; therefore , any obligation taken by him on the Gospels would not be binding on his conscienceas is the case with an
, obligation taken on the Koran ; therefore , he is re-obligated upon that book , in the same way as the Jew is re-obligated on the Pentateuch . As Masons , the Bible is ever open before us , it is our great light—the light of tlie Law and the Prophets ; but as Christians we have also the light of Revelation attached to it , to guide us in our pilgrimage of life , and which is necessary for the obligation of a Christian Mason , as no other would be binding on a Christian ' s consciencebut which would not
, be so either on the Musselman or the Hebrew , the one in his faith stopping short , ancl the other going beyond it . These deviations , or rather additions , were considered necessary and proper ; and to aflbrd a sufficient additional safeguard for thekeeping inviolate our sacred mysteries ; and were determined on by those who have taken the responsibility of the
Native Lodge upon their shoulders , and who will not leave their Native Brethren with a baie initiationinto the ceremonial mysteries of our Order , but who can and will carefully instruct them in the principles , and in the working out of the grand end and aim of the institution , to shew them that there is at least one place here on earth , where men of every denomination may meet on terms of brotherhood and equality , whatever may be his colour , or whatever may be his creed , so long as he believes in
the one true and living God , looks forward hereafter for reward or punishment for deeds done in the flesh , and lives an honest aud upright life before his God , and with his neighbour ; and to prove to them , that although their different prejudices will not allow them to eat together , they may advantageously join together in the performance of good works , and in the cultivation of every virtue ; that brotherly love may be encouraged , relief practised , and truth be triumphant ; that
they may be taught to despise the littleness of sectarian prejudices , and to view in every son of Adam , a brother of the dust . At the first regular meeting of the Lodge , two initiations took place ; one a Parsee , the other a Mahomedan , both of them of the most respectable amongst their own people ; the former a particularly intelligent and clever man , a F . R . S ., and possessing considerable scientific acquirements ; but unfortunatelthose who are nearest and dearest to him are
y not quite so enlightened as himself , and cannot be brought to look with complacency on the step he has taken ; ancl consequently he has been subjected to considerable annoyance , so much so that others have shrunk from encountering it . But this is nothing more than Freemasonry has been accustomed to in all ages , from the powerful ignorant , and the bigot ; and what is not even discontinued by the enlightened (!) European in our own clay , as so recently exhibited to the world at large