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Article PROVINCIAL. ← Page 2 of 16 →
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Provincial.
then , when I say , that I feel fully sensible of the honour conferred upon me , and I trust , when the time shall arrive that I shall give place to another , you will have no reason to regret that it did not happen sooner . I take , Brethren , this opportunity of submitting to you a few observations on the nature and principles of our excellent Order . The nature of our union is communicated to the Mason very early in his course ; as an Entered Apprenticehe is taught that Masonry is ' a peculiar
, system of morality , veiled in allegory , and illustrated by symbols . ' He is further instructed that this moral edifice is supported by three stable and important pillars or principles , viz . ; ' Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth . ' It is , Brethren , on these principles , I purpose to amplify on this occasion ; at the same time assuring myself that you will acquit me of all arrogance in thus presuming to lay before you these remarks . First , let us consider Brotherly Love . This is one of the brihtest emanations
g from the effulgence of the Great Architect of the Universe , and involves in itself that golden rule found in all the doctrines and creeds of religion under the sun , and therefore peculiarly adapted for one grancl characteristic feature of Masonry . This golden rule is , ' Do unto others as you would they should do unto you . ' This point of practice is forcibly inculcated in the volume of the Sacred Law , one of the great emblematic lights of Masonry ; and we are called upon , as we value our
happiness , to conduct ourselves in conformity to its dictates . In Masonry , however , we swear to act up to this principle by a vow , solemn and obligatory . Thus we acknowledge the purity and propriety of the principle , by calling on all candidates for the privileges of Freemasonry to swear that they will act in accordance with it . "AVe will now examine this principle a little closer ; the essence of it we shall find to be Charity . Charity is of two kinds : one kind of charity is peculiarly restricted to the second principle of Masonry ; and 1 shall allude to it more fully when I take that principle into consideration .
" The second kind of charity is that compassionate view we ought to take of every act committed by another , which seems to be , or is , repugnant to our own sense of right and wrong . A Brother , under certain circumstances , falls into an error , one probablv involving serious consequences . Before we pass sentence , ancl banish this Brother from our hearts , let us ask ourselves , are we free from failings ? Is it not universally acknowledged that human nature is frail ? Have we not
high authority in the volume of the Sacred Law for the assertion ? Let us then remember , Brethren , that we have not been perhaps placed in circumstances like our erring Brother ; for had we , what are the chances that we should have acted similarly ? What lustre does the Great Li ght of Masonry shed over this kind of charity , when it says , ' Charity suffereth long , and is kind ; charity envieth not ; charity vaunteth not itself ; is not puffed up ; doth not behave itself unseemly ; seeketh not
her own ; is not easily provoked ; thinketh no evil ; rejoiceth not in iniquity , but rejoiceth in the truth . ' And let us apply the directions found in the Sacred A olume with reference to such circumstances . Brethren , if a man be overtaken in a fault , restore such an one , in the spirit of meekness , considering thyself , lest thou also be tempted . By conducting ourselves after this spirit ive shall adorn the institution , and shed a brilliancy over our Order that will enlighten and instruct all who range themselves under its banners . " AA ' e now come to the second principle of Masonry , —Relief . This
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
then , when I say , that I feel fully sensible of the honour conferred upon me , and I trust , when the time shall arrive that I shall give place to another , you will have no reason to regret that it did not happen sooner . I take , Brethren , this opportunity of submitting to you a few observations on the nature and principles of our excellent Order . The nature of our union is communicated to the Mason very early in his course ; as an Entered Apprenticehe is taught that Masonry is ' a peculiar
, system of morality , veiled in allegory , and illustrated by symbols . ' He is further instructed that this moral edifice is supported by three stable and important pillars or principles , viz . ; ' Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth . ' It is , Brethren , on these principles , I purpose to amplify on this occasion ; at the same time assuring myself that you will acquit me of all arrogance in thus presuming to lay before you these remarks . First , let us consider Brotherly Love . This is one of the brihtest emanations
g from the effulgence of the Great Architect of the Universe , and involves in itself that golden rule found in all the doctrines and creeds of religion under the sun , and therefore peculiarly adapted for one grancl characteristic feature of Masonry . This golden rule is , ' Do unto others as you would they should do unto you . ' This point of practice is forcibly inculcated in the volume of the Sacred Law , one of the great emblematic lights of Masonry ; and we are called upon , as we value our
happiness , to conduct ourselves in conformity to its dictates . In Masonry , however , we swear to act up to this principle by a vow , solemn and obligatory . Thus we acknowledge the purity and propriety of the principle , by calling on all candidates for the privileges of Freemasonry to swear that they will act in accordance with it . "AVe will now examine this principle a little closer ; the essence of it we shall find to be Charity . Charity is of two kinds : one kind of charity is peculiarly restricted to the second principle of Masonry ; and 1 shall allude to it more fully when I take that principle into consideration .
" The second kind of charity is that compassionate view we ought to take of every act committed by another , which seems to be , or is , repugnant to our own sense of right and wrong . A Brother , under certain circumstances , falls into an error , one probablv involving serious consequences . Before we pass sentence , ancl banish this Brother from our hearts , let us ask ourselves , are we free from failings ? Is it not universally acknowledged that human nature is frail ? Have we not
high authority in the volume of the Sacred Law for the assertion ? Let us then remember , Brethren , that we have not been perhaps placed in circumstances like our erring Brother ; for had we , what are the chances that we should have acted similarly ? What lustre does the Great Li ght of Masonry shed over this kind of charity , when it says , ' Charity suffereth long , and is kind ; charity envieth not ; charity vaunteth not itself ; is not puffed up ; doth not behave itself unseemly ; seeketh not
her own ; is not easily provoked ; thinketh no evil ; rejoiceth not in iniquity , but rejoiceth in the truth . ' And let us apply the directions found in the Sacred A olume with reference to such circumstances . Brethren , if a man be overtaken in a fault , restore such an one , in the spirit of meekness , considering thyself , lest thou also be tempted . By conducting ourselves after this spirit ive shall adorn the institution , and shed a brilliancy over our Order that will enlighten and instruct all who range themselves under its banners . " AA ' e now come to the second principle of Masonry , —Relief . This