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Article ON FREEMASONRY. ← Page 5 of 7 →
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On Freemasonry.
the Universe descended from his throne , and in thunders from Mount Sinai proclaimed his awful will . The tablets of stone engraved b y the finger of the living Gocl , were entrusted to our Grand Master , Moses : in them we find wisdom at which the sage may wonder , simplicity the child may understand . Nothing can more clearly demonstrate
the vast difference between finite and infinite reason , than the construction ofthe moral law . Philosophers and nations have for ages disputed ; each have their peculiar code , which framed b y human judgement , is marked by human weakness : thus , in many instances , hath crime , according to earthl y institutions , become a point in geography ; for the act of infanticide in the East is esteemed a duty , in Europe punished as a murder : but b y one act , in a few brief words , Eternal Wisdom legislated for a world .
A nation ignorant of the useful arts would soon degenerate into a horde of barbarians ; they are the bonds that hold society , and give to social life its grace ancl ornament . To perfect the Israelites in the skill necessary for a people destined to govern the promised land , the Deity commanded the erection of the costly tabernacle it the wilderness , a
monument equally of His wisdom , and a temple worth y of His presence . The peculiar construction of the sacred edifice , the vestments of the priests , the mystery of the ark ancl mercy-seat , belong more particularly to Royal Arch Masonry , and will be dul y considered in their proper p lace . That mankind were not generall y enli g htened with the knowled ge of those arts and sciences which Freemasonry hath preserved and g iven to the world , the express declaration of the Scriptures is a witness .
And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise heated , whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom , that they may make Aaron ' s garments to consecrate him , that he may minister unto me in the priest ' s office . " —Exodus , chap , xxviii . v . 3 . How proud , then , should the Freemason be , when he reflects on the ori gin , antiquity , and sacred character of his
Order ; how careful never to sully its purity by conduct at which the world may scoff , or virtue reprove him ; for mankind , too eager to condemn , may rashly judge of our institution b y the deformities that disgrace it . Rather let him resolve that his life shall illustrate its puritj' , ancl prepare him for that final triumph of which Freemasonry presents the symbol—ancl the key .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry.
the Universe descended from his throne , and in thunders from Mount Sinai proclaimed his awful will . The tablets of stone engraved b y the finger of the living Gocl , were entrusted to our Grand Master , Moses : in them we find wisdom at which the sage may wonder , simplicity the child may understand . Nothing can more clearly demonstrate
the vast difference between finite and infinite reason , than the construction ofthe moral law . Philosophers and nations have for ages disputed ; each have their peculiar code , which framed b y human judgement , is marked by human weakness : thus , in many instances , hath crime , according to earthl y institutions , become a point in geography ; for the act of infanticide in the East is esteemed a duty , in Europe punished as a murder : but b y one act , in a few brief words , Eternal Wisdom legislated for a world .
A nation ignorant of the useful arts would soon degenerate into a horde of barbarians ; they are the bonds that hold society , and give to social life its grace ancl ornament . To perfect the Israelites in the skill necessary for a people destined to govern the promised land , the Deity commanded the erection of the costly tabernacle it the wilderness , a
monument equally of His wisdom , and a temple worth y of His presence . The peculiar construction of the sacred edifice , the vestments of the priests , the mystery of the ark ancl mercy-seat , belong more particularly to Royal Arch Masonry , and will be dul y considered in their proper p lace . That mankind were not generall y enli g htened with the knowled ge of those arts and sciences which Freemasonry hath preserved and g iven to the world , the express declaration of the Scriptures is a witness .
And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise heated , whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom , that they may make Aaron ' s garments to consecrate him , that he may minister unto me in the priest ' s office . " —Exodus , chap , xxviii . v . 3 . How proud , then , should the Freemason be , when he reflects on the ori gin , antiquity , and sacred character of his
Order ; how careful never to sully its purity by conduct at which the world may scoff , or virtue reprove him ; for mankind , too eager to condemn , may rashly judge of our institution b y the deformities that disgrace it . Rather let him resolve that his life shall illustrate its puritj' , ancl prepare him for that final triumph of which Freemasonry presents the symbol—ancl the key .