Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Quarterly Review, And General Assurance Advocate.
endeavour to comprehend the art , science and mystery of Freemasonry , and next to promulgate , to the best of my power , what I considered ought to be made known , withholding nothing of importance that could tend to elevate my fellow-man in the scale of creation . Yet with the proud consciousness that there was much , very much , connected with the Order , that ought to be made known to the popular world-selfishness and Freemasonry are not synonimous .
" The late Rev . S ydney Smith has well observed ( I do not remember his exact words ) that he felt it to be doubtful whether he would advise his younger friends to follow the course he himself had taken ; it might interfere with their private interest—their moral courage might fail before they had accomplished objects it had been his good fortune to effect . Yet for himself , were his time to come over again , he could not
question but that he should precisely act again as he had done . How truthfully sincere was this kind-hearted man ! I am very much of his opinion . In Freemasonry—my creed , not adopted , but examined , for its principles are far , very far , beyond all comprehension , magnificent , pure , and hol y—have I found more peace and happiness than could have been hoped for ; not but that in my course of attaining this partial knowled
ge , I have had to encounter much labour , prejudice and anxiety , but the toil has been abundantl y rewarded , by the confidence and kindness of fellow-labourers in the vineyard , many of whom have been withdrawn from the busy haunts of men , and , it is hoped , now partake the glorious and happy secrets of eternity . Other labourers there are who have exceeded the climacteric , and probably contemplate the necessity of the course I am about to take—retirement from public duly in Masonry .
" The well-informed histrionic actor , if he has by industry earned a competence , is desirous to withdraw from tbe stage before he shall present to his admiring audience the mere wreck of his physical power , he would rather live in their memory as one who had contributed to their pleasure , than that he should remind them of the effect of nature over mind . Having been in his public zenith , he would respect his nadir in
privacy . The actor is not wrong , - there is both feeling and propriety m the lesson . I am desirous to retire as much as possible from public observation-leaving , as well I hope to do , the more lasting impression on the recollection of the masonic world , for whose interests I have laboured with zeal and industry during the best years of the life accorded to me b y the great All-wise ; and the simple itaph I could wish to be
ep inscribed on me , would be the undeniable fact , that for twenty years 1 have been a true , a faithful brother—never flinching from my dutynever exceeding the powers invested in me ; and that my labour has not been in vain . Herein I betray no unmanly weakness . Thanks to
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Quarterly Review, And General Assurance Advocate.
endeavour to comprehend the art , science and mystery of Freemasonry , and next to promulgate , to the best of my power , what I considered ought to be made known , withholding nothing of importance that could tend to elevate my fellow-man in the scale of creation . Yet with the proud consciousness that there was much , very much , connected with the Order , that ought to be made known to the popular world-selfishness and Freemasonry are not synonimous .
" The late Rev . S ydney Smith has well observed ( I do not remember his exact words ) that he felt it to be doubtful whether he would advise his younger friends to follow the course he himself had taken ; it might interfere with their private interest—their moral courage might fail before they had accomplished objects it had been his good fortune to effect . Yet for himself , were his time to come over again , he could not
question but that he should precisely act again as he had done . How truthfully sincere was this kind-hearted man ! I am very much of his opinion . In Freemasonry—my creed , not adopted , but examined , for its principles are far , very far , beyond all comprehension , magnificent , pure , and hol y—have I found more peace and happiness than could have been hoped for ; not but that in my course of attaining this partial knowled
ge , I have had to encounter much labour , prejudice and anxiety , but the toil has been abundantl y rewarded , by the confidence and kindness of fellow-labourers in the vineyard , many of whom have been withdrawn from the busy haunts of men , and , it is hoped , now partake the glorious and happy secrets of eternity . Other labourers there are who have exceeded the climacteric , and probably contemplate the necessity of the course I am about to take—retirement from public duly in Masonry .
" The well-informed histrionic actor , if he has by industry earned a competence , is desirous to withdraw from tbe stage before he shall present to his admiring audience the mere wreck of his physical power , he would rather live in their memory as one who had contributed to their pleasure , than that he should remind them of the effect of nature over mind . Having been in his public zenith , he would respect his nadir in
privacy . The actor is not wrong , - there is both feeling and propriety m the lesson . I am desirous to retire as much as possible from public observation-leaving , as well I hope to do , the more lasting impression on the recollection of the masonic world , for whose interests I have laboured with zeal and industry during the best years of the life accorded to me b y the great All-wise ; and the simple itaph I could wish to be
ep inscribed on me , would be the undeniable fact , that for twenty years 1 have been a true , a faithful brother—never flinching from my dutynever exceeding the powers invested in me ; and that my labour has not been in vain . Herein I betray no unmanly weakness . Thanks to