-
Articles/Ads
Article LITERARY NOTICES. Page 1 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Literary Notices.
LITERARY NOTICES .
The Badge of Christianity . A Sermon preached in the parish church of Romford , in aid of the funds of the Royal Freemasons ' School for Female Children , on July 3 , 1851 . B y the V . VV . Bro . J . VV . GLEADALL , M . A ., P . G . Chaplain of the Order , & c . & c . & c . London . It . Spencer .
AVE have seldom read a discourse in which the beautiful symbolism of Masonry has been employed with so much skill and judgment in illustration of the great fundamental law of Christianity , as in the sermon before us . Necessaril y that symbolism is faintly shadowed out , rather than explicitly described : but , familiar as every member of the Craft must be with the external signs and ceremonies of the Order , and with the moral beauty allegorized in those signs and ceremonies , the allusions are sufficientl y intelligible for the purpose intended , and become valuable
auxiliaries to the inculcation of the Christian duties , herein enforced with equal ability and eloquence , by our A ' ery Worshipful and jlteverend Brother . After alluding to the badges by which other communities and associations of men have been distinguished in times past , he proceeds : —
" Was there , then , to be nothing—no sign , token , or indication by which Christ ' s disciples should be known' ! AYas the new society to have no mark at all by which to note and characterise its members ? While almost all other brotherhoods and combinations of men had something peculiar to single them out and discriminate them from others , was the Christian brotherhood to have nothing of the sort ? Was not this fraternity also to have a badge ? Itwas : and one , moreover , as appropriate as it was original ; one intimately connected with the nature ofthe system—absoluteby growing out of the very essence and principle
of tlte system of which it has been constituted tho everlasting , immutable , and universal sign . AVhat is it 1 It is love . 'A new commandment I give unto you , that ye love one another . ' ' By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples , if ye have love one to another . ' ' This is his commandment , that we love one another . ' Such is the clearness , amplitude , and precision witli which the distinguishing badge of Christianity is described in the book of the constitution of the Christian community . It is so distinctly defined—so repeatedly , forcibly , and earnestly set forth , that it is impossible to mistake it , to mutilate or modify
it , or have anything else put in its place . Love is the Christian ' s badge . The Author of Christianity has laid down no other positive mark of distinction—no other clear sign and token—no other infallible test by whicli his followers are to be known . Brotherly kindness , affectionate regard and attachment to each other , relief in distress , sympathy in sorrow;—such is the symbol of recognition and discrimination—such the true sign , the incontestable and decisive indication , which distinguishes the genuine disciples of Christianity in all ages and all over the world . "
Passing on to specify the claims which this excellent school lias upon the sympathies and support of the Brethren , its eloquent advocate forcibly remarks , — " We , as Masons , may be supposed to have a special interest in this matter ; for the . school is intended for the reception and education ofthe daughters of our . Masonic brethren who have seen better days , —who , frimi a position of plenty ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Literary Notices.
LITERARY NOTICES .
The Badge of Christianity . A Sermon preached in the parish church of Romford , in aid of the funds of the Royal Freemasons ' School for Female Children , on July 3 , 1851 . B y the V . VV . Bro . J . VV . GLEADALL , M . A ., P . G . Chaplain of the Order , & c . & c . & c . London . It . Spencer .
AVE have seldom read a discourse in which the beautiful symbolism of Masonry has been employed with so much skill and judgment in illustration of the great fundamental law of Christianity , as in the sermon before us . Necessaril y that symbolism is faintly shadowed out , rather than explicitly described : but , familiar as every member of the Craft must be with the external signs and ceremonies of the Order , and with the moral beauty allegorized in those signs and ceremonies , the allusions are sufficientl y intelligible for the purpose intended , and become valuable
auxiliaries to the inculcation of the Christian duties , herein enforced with equal ability and eloquence , by our A ' ery Worshipful and jlteverend Brother . After alluding to the badges by which other communities and associations of men have been distinguished in times past , he proceeds : —
" Was there , then , to be nothing—no sign , token , or indication by which Christ ' s disciples should be known' ! AYas the new society to have no mark at all by which to note and characterise its members ? While almost all other brotherhoods and combinations of men had something peculiar to single them out and discriminate them from others , was the Christian brotherhood to have nothing of the sort ? Was not this fraternity also to have a badge ? Itwas : and one , moreover , as appropriate as it was original ; one intimately connected with the nature ofthe system—absoluteby growing out of the very essence and principle
of tlte system of which it has been constituted tho everlasting , immutable , and universal sign . AVhat is it 1 It is love . 'A new commandment I give unto you , that ye love one another . ' ' By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples , if ye have love one to another . ' ' This is his commandment , that we love one another . ' Such is the clearness , amplitude , and precision witli which the distinguishing badge of Christianity is described in the book of the constitution of the Christian community . It is so distinctly defined—so repeatedly , forcibly , and earnestly set forth , that it is impossible to mistake it , to mutilate or modify
it , or have anything else put in its place . Love is the Christian ' s badge . The Author of Christianity has laid down no other positive mark of distinction—no other clear sign and token—no other infallible test by whicli his followers are to be known . Brotherly kindness , affectionate regard and attachment to each other , relief in distress , sympathy in sorrow;—such is the symbol of recognition and discrimination—such the true sign , the incontestable and decisive indication , which distinguishes the genuine disciples of Christianity in all ages and all over the world . "
Passing on to specify the claims which this excellent school lias upon the sympathies and support of the Brethren , its eloquent advocate forcibly remarks , — " We , as Masons , may be supposed to have a special interest in this matter ; for the . school is intended for the reception and education ofthe daughters of our . Masonic brethren who have seen better days , —who , frimi a position of plenty ,