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Article CHAPTER III. ← Page 4 of 5 →
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Chapter Iii.
cordially in the great work of benefitting society at large , by contributing not only their exertions , but their example , in the promoting of everything that is liberal—everything calculated to heighten the character of man . If brethren , when they enter this society , do not reflect upon the principles on which it is founded ; if they do not act upon the obligations which they have voluntarily undertaken to discharge , the sooner they retire from the Orderthe better it will be for Masonryand the more
, , creditable for themselves . I am satisfied that the brethren whom I am now addressing tio not want any such exhortation . But I think it necessary to impress upon them these facts , because , not only from the high position which I hold , but likewise from the number of years which I have had the honour of belonging to our noble institution , I may be allowed to express my opinion as to the duties which every member of the Craft is bound to perform . When I first determined to become a
Freemason , it was a matter of very serious consideration with me ; and I can assure the brethren that it was at a period when I had the power of well considering the matter ; for it was not in the boyish days of my youth , but at the more mature age of twenty-five or twenty-six years . 1 did not take it up as a light and trivial matter , but as a grave and serious concern of my life . / worked my way diligently , passing through
all the different offices of Junior and Senior Warden , Master of a lodge , then Deputy Grand Master , until I finally closed it by the proud station which I have now the honour to hold . Therefore , having studied it , having reflected upon it , I know the value of the institution ; and I may venture to say , that in all my transactions through life , the rules and principles laid down and prescribed by our Order have been , to the best of my faculties , strictly followed . And if I have been of any use to society at largeit must be attributedin a great degreeto the impetus
, , , derived from Masonry . " In a lodge the strictest government is displayed . Every officer has a place assigned to him . He knows it , and faithfully performs its duties . The Master stands in the east , to instruct by his wisdom ; the Senior Warden in the west , to support by his strength ; and the Junior Warden in the south , to adorn by his beauty . Even the assistant officers have their specific duties to dischargeand never attempt to exceed them .
, The brethren listen with attention to the lessons of virtue and morality which emanate from the rising sun , like rays of brilliant light , and learn to profit by obedience and submission to his will and pleasure . Nothing can be more beautiful than to behold a well-regulated lodge in the exercise of masonic labour . It is a sight which angels would approve . No disputes or contradictions opinions can possibly arise , and
" The only contention ' mongst Masons can he , Who better can work , or who better agree . " What a French writer says of the delightful plains of Lausanne , will apply to the peace , harmony , and brotherly love , which characterize a Mason ' s lodge . — " I should wish to end my days in these charming solitudes , far retired from the tumultuous scenes of the world , from avarice and deceitwhere a thousand innocent pleasures are enjoyed and renewed
, without end . There we escape from profligate discourse , from unmeaning prattle , from envy , detraction , and jealousy . Smiling plains , the extent of which the astonished eye is incapable of measuring , and which itis impossible to see without admiring the goodness of the divine Creator ; so many different animals wandering peaceably among each other , whose vor ,. VI . L L
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Chapter Iii.
cordially in the great work of benefitting society at large , by contributing not only their exertions , but their example , in the promoting of everything that is liberal—everything calculated to heighten the character of man . If brethren , when they enter this society , do not reflect upon the principles on which it is founded ; if they do not act upon the obligations which they have voluntarily undertaken to discharge , the sooner they retire from the Orderthe better it will be for Masonryand the more
, , creditable for themselves . I am satisfied that the brethren whom I am now addressing tio not want any such exhortation . But I think it necessary to impress upon them these facts , because , not only from the high position which I hold , but likewise from the number of years which I have had the honour of belonging to our noble institution , I may be allowed to express my opinion as to the duties which every member of the Craft is bound to perform . When I first determined to become a
Freemason , it was a matter of very serious consideration with me ; and I can assure the brethren that it was at a period when I had the power of well considering the matter ; for it was not in the boyish days of my youth , but at the more mature age of twenty-five or twenty-six years . 1 did not take it up as a light and trivial matter , but as a grave and serious concern of my life . / worked my way diligently , passing through
all the different offices of Junior and Senior Warden , Master of a lodge , then Deputy Grand Master , until I finally closed it by the proud station which I have now the honour to hold . Therefore , having studied it , having reflected upon it , I know the value of the institution ; and I may venture to say , that in all my transactions through life , the rules and principles laid down and prescribed by our Order have been , to the best of my faculties , strictly followed . And if I have been of any use to society at largeit must be attributedin a great degreeto the impetus
, , , derived from Masonry . " In a lodge the strictest government is displayed . Every officer has a place assigned to him . He knows it , and faithfully performs its duties . The Master stands in the east , to instruct by his wisdom ; the Senior Warden in the west , to support by his strength ; and the Junior Warden in the south , to adorn by his beauty . Even the assistant officers have their specific duties to dischargeand never attempt to exceed them .
, The brethren listen with attention to the lessons of virtue and morality which emanate from the rising sun , like rays of brilliant light , and learn to profit by obedience and submission to his will and pleasure . Nothing can be more beautiful than to behold a well-regulated lodge in the exercise of masonic labour . It is a sight which angels would approve . No disputes or contradictions opinions can possibly arise , and
" The only contention ' mongst Masons can he , Who better can work , or who better agree . " What a French writer says of the delightful plains of Lausanne , will apply to the peace , harmony , and brotherly love , which characterize a Mason ' s lodge . — " I should wish to end my days in these charming solitudes , far retired from the tumultuous scenes of the world , from avarice and deceitwhere a thousand innocent pleasures are enjoyed and renewed
, without end . There we escape from profligate discourse , from unmeaning prattle , from envy , detraction , and jealousy . Smiling plains , the extent of which the astonished eye is incapable of measuring , and which itis impossible to see without admiring the goodness of the divine Creator ; so many different animals wandering peaceably among each other , whose vor ,. VI . L L