-
Articles/Ads
Article ON FREEMASONRY, ← Page 5 of 6 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry,
The first-mentioned writer lays it down as a fundamental principle ot the Order , that " women , children , Jews , and Roman Catholics , are excluded . Women , because their absurd spirit of curiosity , talkativeness , and levity , are incompatible with the grave purposes of the Rosicrucian and Masonic Orders ; children , because they have no free agency ; Jews , because of the deep degradation of their national character ; and Roman Catholics , because—THK FACT IS CERTAIN ! ! ! " A very cogent argument , dear friendsand worthy the adoption of the most inveterate anti-Mason in
, existence ; although we may venture to surmise that the ladies will be rather backward in appreciating the compliment . Unfortunately for your oracle , the fact is not certain , and the assumption absolutely false . These unwary slips of the pen should be avoided , if you really mean mischief ; for they are sure to throw discredit on the cause you have voluntarily sponsored . Of course you are ignorant of the derision which your absurd reasoning excites amongst the fraternity , or you would , at the least , have learned tbe
propria qua ; maribus of Masonry , before you ventured to put to sea in a crazy boat , without either rudder or compass . You may luxuriate in the retrospect of your anti-masonic performances . We suppose you do . Olim meminisse juvabit . You will recollect the fate of " the man of the south , " in the old nursery rhyme . Very well . Take warning by his mishap ; for you maybe quite sure that the fraternity will not quietly sit down to receive hard knocks without showing a spice of their mettle . And beware lest you are soundly belaboured , as the poor half-witted Don Quixote was by the Yanguensian carriers ; for your undertaking is quite as absurd as were his very wildest pranks , —the windmills , the lions , or the cave of Montesinos
not excepted . I tell yon this , because , if your brains be not completely muddled , and thick as ditchwater , you must be conscious how such vagaries expose you to a running fire capable of sweeping your decks from stem to stern . We admit that you have a great conceit of yourselves and your performances . And perhaps yon are right ; for if you do not proclaim your own cleverness , it is very likely to remain unknown . We pity you sincerely ; and , out of sheer commiseration for your hapless case , would help
you out of the scrape if we could . But you are so deeply imbedded in the mire , that , like Vidocq emerging from his reeking dunghill , you defile every person aud thing that comes in contact with you . But courage , dear friends . Put your trust in us , and we will endeavour to extricate you—by good counsel . The fraternity enjoy unalloyed happiness in the success of their benevolent designs . Their charities are prosperous , their beneficence unbounded . The world in general bear testimony to the purity of their motives ; and
their operations in behalf of the distressed are open to public inspection . These results excite your ire , and induce you to use your utmost efforts to disturb and defeat the peaceful progress of such a holy association . Encouraged by the " swaggering " gratulations of your fellow-cowans , you proceed blindly in your unwholesome career , vainly hoping that the judicious also will extend their approbation to your imbecile attemps . But , dealfriends , we are afraid you are reckoning without your host . Recollect in time the observation of Roehefoucault : " Pen de gens sont assez sages pour preferer le blame qui leur est utile , a la louange qui les trahit . " This is an excellent piece of advice to persons in your condition , if you did but know how to make use of it .
Besides , if" you could divest yourselves of prejudice , and consider your position correctly , you would find yourselves to resemble pigeons in a gaming house . You may play , but cannot win If you prefer being plucked , your course is a pleasant one , for that is your inevitable destiny . The Masons laugh at you ; the world in general doubt the purity of your motives ; and
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry,
The first-mentioned writer lays it down as a fundamental principle ot the Order , that " women , children , Jews , and Roman Catholics , are excluded . Women , because their absurd spirit of curiosity , talkativeness , and levity , are incompatible with the grave purposes of the Rosicrucian and Masonic Orders ; children , because they have no free agency ; Jews , because of the deep degradation of their national character ; and Roman Catholics , because—THK FACT IS CERTAIN ! ! ! " A very cogent argument , dear friendsand worthy the adoption of the most inveterate anti-Mason in
, existence ; although we may venture to surmise that the ladies will be rather backward in appreciating the compliment . Unfortunately for your oracle , the fact is not certain , and the assumption absolutely false . These unwary slips of the pen should be avoided , if you really mean mischief ; for they are sure to throw discredit on the cause you have voluntarily sponsored . Of course you are ignorant of the derision which your absurd reasoning excites amongst the fraternity , or you would , at the least , have learned tbe
propria qua ; maribus of Masonry , before you ventured to put to sea in a crazy boat , without either rudder or compass . You may luxuriate in the retrospect of your anti-masonic performances . We suppose you do . Olim meminisse juvabit . You will recollect the fate of " the man of the south , " in the old nursery rhyme . Very well . Take warning by his mishap ; for you maybe quite sure that the fraternity will not quietly sit down to receive hard knocks without showing a spice of their mettle . And beware lest you are soundly belaboured , as the poor half-witted Don Quixote was by the Yanguensian carriers ; for your undertaking is quite as absurd as were his very wildest pranks , —the windmills , the lions , or the cave of Montesinos
not excepted . I tell yon this , because , if your brains be not completely muddled , and thick as ditchwater , you must be conscious how such vagaries expose you to a running fire capable of sweeping your decks from stem to stern . We admit that you have a great conceit of yourselves and your performances . And perhaps yon are right ; for if you do not proclaim your own cleverness , it is very likely to remain unknown . We pity you sincerely ; and , out of sheer commiseration for your hapless case , would help
you out of the scrape if we could . But you are so deeply imbedded in the mire , that , like Vidocq emerging from his reeking dunghill , you defile every person aud thing that comes in contact with you . But courage , dear friends . Put your trust in us , and we will endeavour to extricate you—by good counsel . The fraternity enjoy unalloyed happiness in the success of their benevolent designs . Their charities are prosperous , their beneficence unbounded . The world in general bear testimony to the purity of their motives ; and
their operations in behalf of the distressed are open to public inspection . These results excite your ire , and induce you to use your utmost efforts to disturb and defeat the peaceful progress of such a holy association . Encouraged by the " swaggering " gratulations of your fellow-cowans , you proceed blindly in your unwholesome career , vainly hoping that the judicious also will extend their approbation to your imbecile attemps . But , dealfriends , we are afraid you are reckoning without your host . Recollect in time the observation of Roehefoucault : " Pen de gens sont assez sages pour preferer le blame qui leur est utile , a la louange qui les trahit . " This is an excellent piece of advice to persons in your condition , if you did but know how to make use of it .
Besides , if" you could divest yourselves of prejudice , and consider your position correctly , you would find yourselves to resemble pigeons in a gaming house . You may play , but cannot win If you prefer being plucked , your course is a pleasant one , for that is your inevitable destiny . The Masons laugh at you ; the world in general doubt the purity of your motives ; and