Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
America.
of his fall , the truth of his redemption , the immortality of the soul , the resurrection of the body , future rewards and punishments , the pain of the wicked , the bliss of the righteous . The principles , the morals , the religion of our Order , all compose a part , the chief part , of the revelations of God to man . No sceptic can be a Mason ; no prayerless man can be a Mason . Of his own free will and
accord , every Mason has virtually subscribed to the doctrines of revealed religion , and pledged himself " to do justly , love mercy , and to walk humbly with God . " These are of her works , her teachings . Masonry is the rallying point , the neutral ground , where men of all nations ancl of all orders meet . Among its members and supporters have been the great and the good of the earth . The halls
of science , the study of the philosopher , the senate , the pulpit , the throne , and the field of war , have laid many of their proudest and best men upon her altars . Men of highest rank , men of purest morals , the mansions of the rich , and cabin of the poor , have laid their contributions at her feet , and felt that in so doing society was benefittedman was elevatedand God was glorified . The patriot
, , and the Christian have fraternized in the duties of the Order , and each has met the other upon the line and parted upon the square . Each has strengthened the tie that binds man to his fellow man . Many of the purest men that ever lived have felt it a privilege and
an honour to be admitted to our Order . Many of the most zealous Christians , " of whom the world was not worthy , " have loved and promoted the interests of Freemasonry . These facts are sufficient to silence the tongues of the clamorous troop , who charge us with purposes un-worthy of men and of Christians . Earth has known no names more honourable than have been enrolled among the active members of our Order . Could Newton , Hale , Franklin , Lafayette ,
and Washington , the statesman , the patriot , and the Christian , lend their influence to the support and prosperity of an institution , the tendency of which was to produce evil to mankind 1 I have already said that we are of all nations , each entitled to and exercising his own political and religious opinion , and each protected in its exercise . Are such men capable of a combination perilous to the church or to the state 1 The shade of the father of his country would rise
up from the tomb , to rebuke so foul a slander . It has been charged upon us , that if we do perform good deeds they are confined to the members of the Order . We do not deny that the members of the Order , their wives , widows , and orphans , possess a first claim vipon us ; but we do deny that our aid is confined to these . There are no more liberal men in any community , according to their means , than the members of our fraternity . But
suppose it true , is that a fault ? Is not thc same true of our state and government . Is not tho same true of tho different denominations of Christians ? Our avowed object is mutual aid , but not to
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
America.
of his fall , the truth of his redemption , the immortality of the soul , the resurrection of the body , future rewards and punishments , the pain of the wicked , the bliss of the righteous . The principles , the morals , the religion of our Order , all compose a part , the chief part , of the revelations of God to man . No sceptic can be a Mason ; no prayerless man can be a Mason . Of his own free will and
accord , every Mason has virtually subscribed to the doctrines of revealed religion , and pledged himself " to do justly , love mercy , and to walk humbly with God . " These are of her works , her teachings . Masonry is the rallying point , the neutral ground , where men of all nations ancl of all orders meet . Among its members and supporters have been the great and the good of the earth . The halls
of science , the study of the philosopher , the senate , the pulpit , the throne , and the field of war , have laid many of their proudest and best men upon her altars . Men of highest rank , men of purest morals , the mansions of the rich , and cabin of the poor , have laid their contributions at her feet , and felt that in so doing society was benefittedman was elevatedand God was glorified . The patriot
, , and the Christian have fraternized in the duties of the Order , and each has met the other upon the line and parted upon the square . Each has strengthened the tie that binds man to his fellow man . Many of the purest men that ever lived have felt it a privilege and
an honour to be admitted to our Order . Many of the most zealous Christians , " of whom the world was not worthy , " have loved and promoted the interests of Freemasonry . These facts are sufficient to silence the tongues of the clamorous troop , who charge us with purposes un-worthy of men and of Christians . Earth has known no names more honourable than have been enrolled among the active members of our Order . Could Newton , Hale , Franklin , Lafayette ,
and Washington , the statesman , the patriot , and the Christian , lend their influence to the support and prosperity of an institution , the tendency of which was to produce evil to mankind 1 I have already said that we are of all nations , each entitled to and exercising his own political and religious opinion , and each protected in its exercise . Are such men capable of a combination perilous to the church or to the state 1 The shade of the father of his country would rise
up from the tomb , to rebuke so foul a slander . It has been charged upon us , that if we do perform good deeds they are confined to the members of the Order . We do not deny that the members of the Order , their wives , widows , and orphans , possess a first claim vipon us ; but we do deny that our aid is confined to these . There are no more liberal men in any community , according to their means , than the members of our fraternity . But
suppose it true , is that a fault ? Is not thc same true of our state and government . Is not tho same true of tho different denominations of Christians ? Our avowed object is mutual aid , but not to