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Article TO MASONS,. ← Page 4 of 6 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To Masons,.
prevails to this day , in some foreign Lodges , of proving the moral fortitude of the candidate by sundry different means , while he is going through this examination , serves to remind the successors of the Temp lars of the fortitude with which they bore the most cruel torments , rather than prove false to their engagements ; and finally , the difficulties which are every where thrown into the path of the candidate during his secret journeyrepresent most forcibly the unlooked for persecutions
, experienced by the members of the Temple order , and serve further to prove that the candidate is in a fit condition , both mentally and physically , to undergo the same difficulties and dangers , should such come in the way of due performance of the duties he owes the Craft , and which he has voluntarily undertaken to perform . When the candidate is first brought to light in our Lodges , he perceives a sudden glittering light or flamewhich disappears equally as
, suddenly and unexpectedly as it appeared . The moral which is concealed under this allegory is not generally known ; I will therefore embrace this opportunity of etching my opinion upon the subject . It is well known to all of us , my brethren , that the object of many of the ceremonies of R . is , as it were , to bring the candidate into a new state of existence , in which he may be enabled to walk according to the moral rules and regulations of the order;—as far as practicableto divest him
, of all his former prejudices and prepossessions , and thus to render it more easy for him to practise those great moral truths which are revealed to him in the course of his progress ; but above all , firmly to impress upon his mind a true conception of what we mean by a "just , a perfect , and a rational equality" and thus to annihilate all those vain and idle distinctions of rank and fortune by which he might hope to
obtain promotion even in the Lodge . From thence the symbol of a glittering and dazzling , but a momentary flash , which vanishes , but not more quickly from before the eyes of the candidate than do those distinctions which are procured by rank or by riches , and which are regarded by the truly wise and good as unprofitable and frivolous , inasmuch as they contribute nothing to the moral , consequently , to the true happiness of life . Hence it is also customary , in some Lodges , to exclaimat the moment the flame disappears" Sic transit gloria
, , mundi "—So vanishes the glory of this world ; and after that the eyes of the candidate have recovered from the effects of this sudden flame , he beholds the ¦ of the Brethren pointed to his breast . This admonishes him of the punishment and prosecution he is sure to experience should he violate or break through his solemn , and at the same time voluntary engagements : it also serves to teach him to rely with confidence upon the protection and the support he will receive from his
Brethren in the due performance of all his moral , civil , and social duties , as long as he continues faithful to the Craft and to himself . Now many people are of opinion , that besides these two common interpretations of this allegory , it has also two others which refer to the Templars as the founders of our order ; first—By the sudden appearance , and equally as sudden disappearance , of this brilliant and dazzling light before the eyes of the candidatewe are taught to reflect upon the
, greatness and upon the glory of the Order of the Templars , which was admired through the whole of the civilized world , and which for awhile shone with brightness resembling that of the sun , but which had no sooner reached its highest pinnacle of glory than it vanished , and was destroyed as suddenly as it had appeared ; while the of the Brethren pointed to the of the candidate , preserves the remem-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To Masons,.
prevails to this day , in some foreign Lodges , of proving the moral fortitude of the candidate by sundry different means , while he is going through this examination , serves to remind the successors of the Temp lars of the fortitude with which they bore the most cruel torments , rather than prove false to their engagements ; and finally , the difficulties which are every where thrown into the path of the candidate during his secret journeyrepresent most forcibly the unlooked for persecutions
, experienced by the members of the Temple order , and serve further to prove that the candidate is in a fit condition , both mentally and physically , to undergo the same difficulties and dangers , should such come in the way of due performance of the duties he owes the Craft , and which he has voluntarily undertaken to perform . When the candidate is first brought to light in our Lodges , he perceives a sudden glittering light or flamewhich disappears equally as
, suddenly and unexpectedly as it appeared . The moral which is concealed under this allegory is not generally known ; I will therefore embrace this opportunity of etching my opinion upon the subject . It is well known to all of us , my brethren , that the object of many of the ceremonies of R . is , as it were , to bring the candidate into a new state of existence , in which he may be enabled to walk according to the moral rules and regulations of the order;—as far as practicableto divest him
, of all his former prejudices and prepossessions , and thus to render it more easy for him to practise those great moral truths which are revealed to him in the course of his progress ; but above all , firmly to impress upon his mind a true conception of what we mean by a "just , a perfect , and a rational equality" and thus to annihilate all those vain and idle distinctions of rank and fortune by which he might hope to
obtain promotion even in the Lodge . From thence the symbol of a glittering and dazzling , but a momentary flash , which vanishes , but not more quickly from before the eyes of the candidate than do those distinctions which are procured by rank or by riches , and which are regarded by the truly wise and good as unprofitable and frivolous , inasmuch as they contribute nothing to the moral , consequently , to the true happiness of life . Hence it is also customary , in some Lodges , to exclaimat the moment the flame disappears" Sic transit gloria
, , mundi "—So vanishes the glory of this world ; and after that the eyes of the candidate have recovered from the effects of this sudden flame , he beholds the ¦ of the Brethren pointed to his breast . This admonishes him of the punishment and prosecution he is sure to experience should he violate or break through his solemn , and at the same time voluntary engagements : it also serves to teach him to rely with confidence upon the protection and the support he will receive from his
Brethren in the due performance of all his moral , civil , and social duties , as long as he continues faithful to the Craft and to himself . Now many people are of opinion , that besides these two common interpretations of this allegory , it has also two others which refer to the Templars as the founders of our order ; first—By the sudden appearance , and equally as sudden disappearance , of this brilliant and dazzling light before the eyes of the candidatewe are taught to reflect upon the
, greatness and upon the glory of the Order of the Templars , which was admired through the whole of the civilized world , and which for awhile shone with brightness resembling that of the sun , but which had no sooner reached its highest pinnacle of glory than it vanished , and was destroyed as suddenly as it had appeared ; while the of the Brethren pointed to the of the candidate , preserves the remem-