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Article ON THE STUDY OF MASONIC ANTIQUITIES. ← Page 6 of 6 Article FREEMASONRY IN LIVERPOOL. Page 1 of 4 →
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On The Study Of Masonic Antiquities.
designation of " Lux" is unquestionably more appropriate , because , in order to obtain a clear conception of the subject , we must investigate into the nature of that moral and scientific light , winch was first kindled by the Almighty Architect of the Universe—which was never entirely quenched even in the darkest periods of man ' s history—and still through the divine blessing continues to endure . These remarks seem necessary , in order to direct to such a course of
study as will be necessary to arrive at a correct elucidation of the subject of Masonic antiquities . In tracing the history of the Order , therefore , we must not alone confine our attention to the various colleges , lodges , and societies of builders , and the history of their works ( wonderful as in many instances they must be acknowledged to be ) ; but we must regard the rise ancl progress of the arts , the influence of peculiar systems of religion , the development of the intellect , and the advancement of knowledge . This will enable us to trace the history of the human mind ancl the march of science , a study far more interesting than the sanguinary
records of conquests , wars , and massacres—and will teach the initiated Brother to appreciate more hi ghly the excellence of that peculiar system which for so many centuries , and in such different regions , has attained results so vast and lasting , though its operations have for the most part been " veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols . " This course of study must necessarily open a wide and most discursive field of enquiryand it will be seenthat in order to investigate it
cor-, , rectl y . Masonry must be regarded in its speculative and moral , as well as in its operative character ( and this too in the most extended sense ) , otherwise we shall be unable either to form a correct judgment ourselves , or understand those who have already made laborious researches , and given luminous expositions upon this most interesting subject . END OP CHAPTER I .
Freemasonry In Liverpool.
FREEMASONRY IN LIVERPOOL .
1 he unmasonic attacks which certain scribes who are uninitiated into the mysteries ancl privileges of Freemasonry are prone to make upon what they conceive to be its principles , always render the duty of impugning the wisdom of the government of any particular Lodge , and questioning the prudence and justice of the course which the Brethren connected with it may deem proper to pursue , in the highest degree painful , as we never wish to moot matters which may have even a
remote tendency to give a colourable excuse for their prejudicial interference : still , as the accredited censors of the Craft and an admitted authority in points affecting its doctrine and discipline , we dare not shrink from the due performance of our obligations , though we may be required to animadvert upon the proceedings of one of the oldest and most respected assemblages of the Brethren , holding a warrant under the Grand Master of Englandin the provincesIndeedin
, . , such a case we feel ourselves the more responsible to condemn a departure from the ancient landmarks and true spirit of the Order , on account of the warning which is exhibited to less prominent Lodges against falling or being led into similar error . VOL . iv . E
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Study Of Masonic Antiquities.
designation of " Lux" is unquestionably more appropriate , because , in order to obtain a clear conception of the subject , we must investigate into the nature of that moral and scientific light , winch was first kindled by the Almighty Architect of the Universe—which was never entirely quenched even in the darkest periods of man ' s history—and still through the divine blessing continues to endure . These remarks seem necessary , in order to direct to such a course of
study as will be necessary to arrive at a correct elucidation of the subject of Masonic antiquities . In tracing the history of the Order , therefore , we must not alone confine our attention to the various colleges , lodges , and societies of builders , and the history of their works ( wonderful as in many instances they must be acknowledged to be ) ; but we must regard the rise ancl progress of the arts , the influence of peculiar systems of religion , the development of the intellect , and the advancement of knowledge . This will enable us to trace the history of the human mind ancl the march of science , a study far more interesting than the sanguinary
records of conquests , wars , and massacres—and will teach the initiated Brother to appreciate more hi ghly the excellence of that peculiar system which for so many centuries , and in such different regions , has attained results so vast and lasting , though its operations have for the most part been " veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols . " This course of study must necessarily open a wide and most discursive field of enquiryand it will be seenthat in order to investigate it
cor-, , rectl y . Masonry must be regarded in its speculative and moral , as well as in its operative character ( and this too in the most extended sense ) , otherwise we shall be unable either to form a correct judgment ourselves , or understand those who have already made laborious researches , and given luminous expositions upon this most interesting subject . END OP CHAPTER I .
Freemasonry In Liverpool.
FREEMASONRY IN LIVERPOOL .
1 he unmasonic attacks which certain scribes who are uninitiated into the mysteries ancl privileges of Freemasonry are prone to make upon what they conceive to be its principles , always render the duty of impugning the wisdom of the government of any particular Lodge , and questioning the prudence and justice of the course which the Brethren connected with it may deem proper to pursue , in the highest degree painful , as we never wish to moot matters which may have even a
remote tendency to give a colourable excuse for their prejudicial interference : still , as the accredited censors of the Craft and an admitted authority in points affecting its doctrine and discipline , we dare not shrink from the due performance of our obligations , though we may be required to animadvert upon the proceedings of one of the oldest and most respected assemblages of the Brethren , holding a warrant under the Grand Master of Englandin the provincesIndeedin
, . , such a case we feel ourselves the more responsible to condemn a departure from the ancient landmarks and true spirit of the Order , on account of the warning which is exhibited to less prominent Lodges against falling or being led into similar error . VOL . iv . E