Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ireland.
charity for the future . And from all that fell from some of the most active brethren in this good work , it was apparent that the degree of zeal among the masonic , body of South Munster was far less ardent or active than this excellent charity deserved . Some suggestions , were offered , which , if acted on , would insure ample funds for the future , and probably afford means too , for enlarging the establishmentan object that ought to be anxiously promoted b
, y every good brother . And it seems to me , that what Cork has done so creditably , may be acted on in other provinces , and let Freemasonry have its national charity . By such a measure , those great and unchanging principles of benevolence and fraternity whicli all members of the Craft profess to uphold and to practice , would then be carried out in the way best calculated to prove to the unenlightened that charity , the greatest and noblest of Christian virtues , burns with its purest flame in
the bosom of every brother . To effect so truly creditable and noble an object , would not require more than the merest trifle annually from every brother ; and when it is remembered that among Ireland's sons there are numbers of the highest and wealthiest , presiding over , and belonging to the masonic body , there seems little if any difficulty in the proposition . There is another subject of a less agreeable character to which I
cannot help turning , although reluctantly . It will be best understood by what follows . When the beautiful and time-honoured structure of Freemasonry is assaulted by ignorance , and envy from without , and threatened from within with corruption , the period has arrived when every enlightened
and zealous member ofthe great fraternity is called on to defend it with united energies ; first from its external and benighted enemies , a task of easy and triumphant accomplishment ; and then to relieve it internally from those foul spots and blemishes which a vicious system , the creation of well-meaning but ill-informed and indiscreet brethren have introduced , and in several instances have substituted for that simple , impressive , and sublime ritual , which , based upon those everlasting foundations of wisdomstrengthand beautyhave rendered this most
, , , venerable and ancient institution the wonder and the admiration of every age of the civilized world . As a bond of fraternity , love , and charity , where is the equal of Freemasonry ? it unites men of different sects , tongues , and nations , and inculcates every social , moral , and Christian virtue . Like the fine gold seven times tried in the furnace , it has stood the test of every political and moral change , every national convulsionand every lawless revolution that convulsed the world from
, one generation to another , and remains erect upon its imperishable foundation , unaltered and perfect . Are we then the sworn supporters of its free constitution and laws to stand with indifference , while we behold its purity tarnished and its brightness clouded b y the hands of its protectors , and refrain from interposing to efface and dispel the offensive blemishes ? surely , my brethren we are not . Any thing subversive of the harmonious order of
its parts , or the simple grandeur of the beautiful edifice , it is our bounden duty to remove . Even irregularity in the lighter , or levity in its more serious particulars should be scrupulously avoided , and jealously guarded against . Yet that such blemishes actually exist is perfectly certain , and that they require prompt and effectual removal is undeniable . Before I indicate the locality where I affirm such defects exist , or
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ireland.
charity for the future . And from all that fell from some of the most active brethren in this good work , it was apparent that the degree of zeal among the masonic , body of South Munster was far less ardent or active than this excellent charity deserved . Some suggestions , were offered , which , if acted on , would insure ample funds for the future , and probably afford means too , for enlarging the establishmentan object that ought to be anxiously promoted b
, y every good brother . And it seems to me , that what Cork has done so creditably , may be acted on in other provinces , and let Freemasonry have its national charity . By such a measure , those great and unchanging principles of benevolence and fraternity whicli all members of the Craft profess to uphold and to practice , would then be carried out in the way best calculated to prove to the unenlightened that charity , the greatest and noblest of Christian virtues , burns with its purest flame in
the bosom of every brother . To effect so truly creditable and noble an object , would not require more than the merest trifle annually from every brother ; and when it is remembered that among Ireland's sons there are numbers of the highest and wealthiest , presiding over , and belonging to the masonic body , there seems little if any difficulty in the proposition . There is another subject of a less agreeable character to which I
cannot help turning , although reluctantly . It will be best understood by what follows . When the beautiful and time-honoured structure of Freemasonry is assaulted by ignorance , and envy from without , and threatened from within with corruption , the period has arrived when every enlightened
and zealous member ofthe great fraternity is called on to defend it with united energies ; first from its external and benighted enemies , a task of easy and triumphant accomplishment ; and then to relieve it internally from those foul spots and blemishes which a vicious system , the creation of well-meaning but ill-informed and indiscreet brethren have introduced , and in several instances have substituted for that simple , impressive , and sublime ritual , which , based upon those everlasting foundations of wisdomstrengthand beautyhave rendered this most
, , , venerable and ancient institution the wonder and the admiration of every age of the civilized world . As a bond of fraternity , love , and charity , where is the equal of Freemasonry ? it unites men of different sects , tongues , and nations , and inculcates every social , moral , and Christian virtue . Like the fine gold seven times tried in the furnace , it has stood the test of every political and moral change , every national convulsionand every lawless revolution that convulsed the world from
, one generation to another , and remains erect upon its imperishable foundation , unaltered and perfect . Are we then the sworn supporters of its free constitution and laws to stand with indifference , while we behold its purity tarnished and its brightness clouded b y the hands of its protectors , and refrain from interposing to efface and dispel the offensive blemishes ? surely , my brethren we are not . Any thing subversive of the harmonious order of
its parts , or the simple grandeur of the beautiful edifice , it is our bounden duty to remove . Even irregularity in the lighter , or levity in its more serious particulars should be scrupulously avoided , and jealously guarded against . Yet that such blemishes actually exist is perfectly certain , and that they require prompt and effectual removal is undeniable . Before I indicate the locality where I affirm such defects exist , or