Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
America.
would have you believe that the institution of Masonry is dangerous to the peace and well being of society , and who lack but the power to blast it from the earth . The tenets of Masonry are , " Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth . " Its cardinal virtues are , " temperance , fortitude , prudence , and justice ; " against these there certainly can be no law . Surely none in this enlightened age can question the affiliation of these tenets and virtues with all that is great and good .
Nor can we stop here , for Freemasonry , not content with collating all the duties of man in the complex and difficult relations which he sustains to his fellows and his God , carefully defines the duties relative to each stage of his short existence here on earth—youth , manhood , and old age . It enjoins a strict observance of the moral law , especially enumerating the Sabbath as " a day of rest from our
labours , thereby affording an opportunity to contemplate the glorious works of nature , and to adore the great Creator . " The various emblems and symbols of Masonry which you see wore selected for the moral lessons they teach , as well as to impress on the mind of the intelligent Mason wise and serious truths . Of thesenone are more striking than the All-seeing JSye and the JVdl-ed
, Heart , which constantly remind us that the darkness and the light are both alike to God , and that the secrets of our hearts are always exposed to his view . And not less important are the Circle and the Triangle ; the one illustrating the nature of Deity , without
beginning or ending ; the other , the three great attributes of that nature which is Omnipotent , Omniscient , and Omnipresent . But above all , the everlasting Sprig Acacia , that which ever blooms in immortal green—vvhich endures the scorching rays of a southern sun and the chilling winds of the north , and yet it withers not ; this , this of all others , is most consoling , impressing the heart of the good Mason that hethrough the merits of the Lambmay ever live and flourish
, , in immortal green in the presence of Him where there is fullness of joy and bliss eternal . In offering you these remarks , I have not nor do I contend , as some of its votaries do , that Masonry is the palladium of all virtue ; that in its symbols and hidden lectures are contained doctrines more just than the laws of Moses , more pure and heartful to the
soul , than the teachings of the Man of Calvary , and mightier in moral influence than the spirit that giveth life . Wo do not ask you to believe so much . Nor do I agree with those who tell you that all the deep envelopoments of ancient philosophy , the profound truths and re & sonings of Plato and Aristotle , Euclid and Seneca , are but the teachings of ancient Freemasonry . Nor do I wish to impress on your minds the opinions of those who regard Masonry as
old as Father Time himself . Masonry , as an institution , needs no such aids or defences ; the bulworks of her strength are not built of fable and fiction . Nor shall I join issue with all who oppose our Order . I will ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
America.
would have you believe that the institution of Masonry is dangerous to the peace and well being of society , and who lack but the power to blast it from the earth . The tenets of Masonry are , " Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth . " Its cardinal virtues are , " temperance , fortitude , prudence , and justice ; " against these there certainly can be no law . Surely none in this enlightened age can question the affiliation of these tenets and virtues with all that is great and good .
Nor can we stop here , for Freemasonry , not content with collating all the duties of man in the complex and difficult relations which he sustains to his fellows and his God , carefully defines the duties relative to each stage of his short existence here on earth—youth , manhood , and old age . It enjoins a strict observance of the moral law , especially enumerating the Sabbath as " a day of rest from our
labours , thereby affording an opportunity to contemplate the glorious works of nature , and to adore the great Creator . " The various emblems and symbols of Masonry which you see wore selected for the moral lessons they teach , as well as to impress on the mind of the intelligent Mason wise and serious truths . Of thesenone are more striking than the All-seeing JSye and the JVdl-ed
, Heart , which constantly remind us that the darkness and the light are both alike to God , and that the secrets of our hearts are always exposed to his view . And not less important are the Circle and the Triangle ; the one illustrating the nature of Deity , without
beginning or ending ; the other , the three great attributes of that nature which is Omnipotent , Omniscient , and Omnipresent . But above all , the everlasting Sprig Acacia , that which ever blooms in immortal green—vvhich endures the scorching rays of a southern sun and the chilling winds of the north , and yet it withers not ; this , this of all others , is most consoling , impressing the heart of the good Mason that hethrough the merits of the Lambmay ever live and flourish
, , in immortal green in the presence of Him where there is fullness of joy and bliss eternal . In offering you these remarks , I have not nor do I contend , as some of its votaries do , that Masonry is the palladium of all virtue ; that in its symbols and hidden lectures are contained doctrines more just than the laws of Moses , more pure and heartful to the
soul , than the teachings of the Man of Calvary , and mightier in moral influence than the spirit that giveth life . Wo do not ask you to believe so much . Nor do I agree with those who tell you that all the deep envelopoments of ancient philosophy , the profound truths and re & sonings of Plato and Aristotle , Euclid and Seneca , are but the teachings of ancient Freemasonry . Nor do I wish to impress on your minds the opinions of those who regard Masonry as
old as Father Time himself . Masonry , as an institution , needs no such aids or defences ; the bulworks of her strength are not built of fable and fiction . Nor shall I join issue with all who oppose our Order . I will ,