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Article PROVINCIAL. ← Page 6 of 19 →
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Provincial.
or objectionable in the establishment of human institutions , to assist and forward " this consummation so devoutly to be wished ? " Christianity and every sacred law forbid the commission of crime , but even severe and sanguinary punishment cannot prevent it . Men therefore are benefited by some external , voluntary , and as it were palpable form of bond or obligation to urge them to practise a broad and extended
benevolence which may injure their individual interests , but which collectively must be productive of the happiest Results . If Masonry , constituted as it now is , promotes in any degree such laudable ends , we must admit it to be a precious boon to society . In the sensible and judicious letter signed a Mason , and published in your paper , are mentioned instances of the happy advantages winch were enjoyed by
families of Masons during the late war , which proves that the charitable principles of Masonry are practised as well as professed b y its members . That it is of ancient origin is beyond doubt , for the fact of its being as universal over the globe as civilized society itself , must , in the opinion of most men , be considered evidence of its antiquity . But , Sir , I will not intrude upon your valuable pages by offering any historical account
of its progress , as from its unrevealed character much doubt and uncertainty must necessarily attach to it , particularly with those , who like myself , have never been admitted to an acquaintance with its archives ,
laws and regulations . The attempt would be vain as presumptuous , and I might display my ignorance by resting on uncertain data , and drawing erroneous inferences ; as I fear did our lecturer in his boasted expose of the ( what he modestly terms ) " absurdities of Freemasonry . " Suffice it to observe , that in England it may be traced back by historical records to a very early period ; and that much later , Henry VII . is
mentioned as having presided at a Masonic Lodge . During the reign of James IL , who was a warm patron of Masonry , the Ledges , which until that period consisted for the most part of architects , became thrown open to men of all professions and avocations , and were much increased in talent , wealth , and consequence . The most illustrious men of this country have also connected themselves ivith Masonic
Institutions , not only in former but in modern times . At the present period , individuals who are the brightest ornaments of intellectual society ; public men of the highest mental endowments , and filling some of the most important offices of the State;—private characters , renowned for their moral virtues and retiring worth , as well as those benefactors of their species who instruct and improve mankind by their
writings , while they are acquiring for themselves the praise of posterity , have not hesitated to identify themselves with masonry , and to support its establishment . This , Sir , surely is some guarantee for the respectability and honour of the craft , notwithstanding the mighty mind of the lecturer may affect to despise any opinion which may be derived
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
or objectionable in the establishment of human institutions , to assist and forward " this consummation so devoutly to be wished ? " Christianity and every sacred law forbid the commission of crime , but even severe and sanguinary punishment cannot prevent it . Men therefore are benefited by some external , voluntary , and as it were palpable form of bond or obligation to urge them to practise a broad and extended
benevolence which may injure their individual interests , but which collectively must be productive of the happiest Results . If Masonry , constituted as it now is , promotes in any degree such laudable ends , we must admit it to be a precious boon to society . In the sensible and judicious letter signed a Mason , and published in your paper , are mentioned instances of the happy advantages winch were enjoyed by
families of Masons during the late war , which proves that the charitable principles of Masonry are practised as well as professed b y its members . That it is of ancient origin is beyond doubt , for the fact of its being as universal over the globe as civilized society itself , must , in the opinion of most men , be considered evidence of its antiquity . But , Sir , I will not intrude upon your valuable pages by offering any historical account
of its progress , as from its unrevealed character much doubt and uncertainty must necessarily attach to it , particularly with those , who like myself , have never been admitted to an acquaintance with its archives ,
laws and regulations . The attempt would be vain as presumptuous , and I might display my ignorance by resting on uncertain data , and drawing erroneous inferences ; as I fear did our lecturer in his boasted expose of the ( what he modestly terms ) " absurdities of Freemasonry . " Suffice it to observe , that in England it may be traced back by historical records to a very early period ; and that much later , Henry VII . is
mentioned as having presided at a Masonic Lodge . During the reign of James IL , who was a warm patron of Masonry , the Ledges , which until that period consisted for the most part of architects , became thrown open to men of all professions and avocations , and were much increased in talent , wealth , and consequence . The most illustrious men of this country have also connected themselves ivith Masonic
Institutions , not only in former but in modern times . At the present period , individuals who are the brightest ornaments of intellectual society ; public men of the highest mental endowments , and filling some of the most important offices of the State;—private characters , renowned for their moral virtues and retiring worth , as well as those benefactors of their species who instruct and improve mankind by their
writings , while they are acquiring for themselves the praise of posterity , have not hesitated to identify themselves with masonry , and to support its establishment . This , Sir , surely is some guarantee for the respectability and honour of the craft , notwithstanding the mighty mind of the lecturer may affect to despise any opinion which may be derived