Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Sketch Of The History Of The " Loges D'Adoption."
On the 9 th of February , 1 S 19 , when Mdme . de Villette sat as G . M ., one of these Lodges was attended by the Prince of Wurtemburg , Mile . Duchesnois repeated an ode in honour of Voltaire , and Talma also delighted the members by his numerous recitations from the dramatic works of Voltaire . In 1 S 25 , 1826 , 1827 , this Lodge contributed large sums for the relief of those who had suffered from fires , for the Greeks , and also for charitable
many purposes . That much good was done by these Loges d'Adoption cannot he disputed ; that there was nothing really bad in them must equally be allowed ; but every Brother who wishes the ancient Order to prosper , would oppose any attempt to introduce them into England . This is not the place to repeat to the ladies the numerous arguments so frequently used by the Brethren against their admission . But let them only consider whether we do not act more nobly in refusing them at once , than if we were to admit them to spurious mysteries merely tc gratify some part of their curiosity ?
To the remark of a French author * , that we will not adopt their Ladies' Masonry because it is French , we can only observe , that it is most illiberal to suppose that we would not receive any good institution of theirs , though we reject' that ivhich we conceive it impossible for us to countenance without a violation of our duty . We have now , though imperfectl y , endeavoured to trace from their origin these strange institutions , at which , doubtless , the Ladies of England have looked with ¦
envy . To them we address our last sentence . Ladies . ' could we admit you to a full participation of all our mysteries , glad , most glad should we be to do so ; but since we cannot—since we are forbid by our laws to receive you , we scorn to deceive you ; we cannot treat you like children , and give you the shadow for the substance . Ladies , adieu ! may these words increase your respect for real Masonry , and make you look with less anxiety upon the Loges d'Adoption . L ATOM US .
CONTRADICTIONS OF MAN . — "What a contradiction is man ? AVhat a compound of inconsistencies ? With reli gion , he is a magnificent work —without it , how weak and how absurd ! With the principles of faith , how wondrous great!—without them , how vacillating and changeable ! Under the guidance of grace , how sublime ! without it , how low and ! Under
contemptible the protection of heaven , how firm and wonderful!—under the influence of passion , what a monster in creation ! There the delight of angels—here the companion of demons . Now the image of his God—then the picture of the damned . I have often been struck with the inconsistencies of man , and have thought of recording them , that we might the more effectuall y avoid them . How shamefull y inconsistent are we writers , who are for ever inculcating virtue to others and neglecting all its lessons in practice ! Like men who have lanterns to show others the way , but will not proceed on it themselves .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Sketch Of The History Of The " Loges D'Adoption."
On the 9 th of February , 1 S 19 , when Mdme . de Villette sat as G . M ., one of these Lodges was attended by the Prince of Wurtemburg , Mile . Duchesnois repeated an ode in honour of Voltaire , and Talma also delighted the members by his numerous recitations from the dramatic works of Voltaire . In 1 S 25 , 1826 , 1827 , this Lodge contributed large sums for the relief of those who had suffered from fires , for the Greeks , and also for charitable
many purposes . That much good was done by these Loges d'Adoption cannot he disputed ; that there was nothing really bad in them must equally be allowed ; but every Brother who wishes the ancient Order to prosper , would oppose any attempt to introduce them into England . This is not the place to repeat to the ladies the numerous arguments so frequently used by the Brethren against their admission . But let them only consider whether we do not act more nobly in refusing them at once , than if we were to admit them to spurious mysteries merely tc gratify some part of their curiosity ?
To the remark of a French author * , that we will not adopt their Ladies' Masonry because it is French , we can only observe , that it is most illiberal to suppose that we would not receive any good institution of theirs , though we reject' that ivhich we conceive it impossible for us to countenance without a violation of our duty . We have now , though imperfectl y , endeavoured to trace from their origin these strange institutions , at which , doubtless , the Ladies of England have looked with ¦
envy . To them we address our last sentence . Ladies . ' could we admit you to a full participation of all our mysteries , glad , most glad should we be to do so ; but since we cannot—since we are forbid by our laws to receive you , we scorn to deceive you ; we cannot treat you like children , and give you the shadow for the substance . Ladies , adieu ! may these words increase your respect for real Masonry , and make you look with less anxiety upon the Loges d'Adoption . L ATOM US .
CONTRADICTIONS OF MAN . — "What a contradiction is man ? AVhat a compound of inconsistencies ? With reli gion , he is a magnificent work —without it , how weak and how absurd ! With the principles of faith , how wondrous great!—without them , how vacillating and changeable ! Under the guidance of grace , how sublime ! without it , how low and ! Under
contemptible the protection of heaven , how firm and wonderful!—under the influence of passion , what a monster in creation ! There the delight of angels—here the companion of demons . Now the image of his God—then the picture of the damned . I have often been struck with the inconsistencies of man , and have thought of recording them , that we might the more effectuall y avoid them . How shamefull y inconsistent are we writers , who are for ever inculcating virtue to others and neglecting all its lessons in practice ! Like men who have lanterns to show others the way , but will not proceed on it themselves .