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Article MASONIC DIDACTICS; ← Page 2 of 8 →
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Masonic Didactics;
labour ancl vexation ; and , when we have attained the goal of human perfection in science , we are but on the threshold of wisdom , compared with the universal character of the Supreme Intelligence . No . XXXVIII . —THE PUBLIC MORALS ENDANGERED THROUGH A FALSE DELICACY IN DESIGNATING CRIMINAL OFFENCES BY MILD EPITHETS .
Quis nomen unquam sceleri erroris dedit?—SENECA . There is abroad at the present day a mistaken humanity , which persuades people to give things , wrong names . For instance , a morbid spirit of affected benevolence rejoices in calling , as the holy prophet expresses it , " sweet bitter , and bitter sweet , " the effects of the most criminal conduct the unhappy result of circumstances over which the individual hacl no controlThis is manifestlthe mode to lower the standard of public
. y morals , and pollute the fountain of public virtue . It is , alas ! too frequently the practice of mankind to attribute their grossest crimes to the frailty and foibles of their common nature . This is a most mischievous subterfuge against the menaces of a self-condemning monitor within the human breast of every civilised being;—a most miserable apology for the evils inflicted on society by such flimsy generalities .
The reason for such absurd conduct will be evident to every thinking mind . They fallaciously conceive that their folly is partly exculpated , and the glaring colour in which their vices appear to their virtuous contemporaries , glossened over by such self-deceiving arguments . A sense , too , of inborn shame may urge them to apply milder designations to misdeeds , which , virtually , it is beyond the utmost ingenuity to justify . But , however this self-connivance with their evil actions may deceive their fellow-mortals , it cannot screen them from the indignant omnipotence of the All-seeing Eye . " Vice shrinks aehast from that celestial naze .
Nor dares , unmask'd , her loathsome form to raise . " Such persons as the thesis indicates are not unlike the seductive syren , described by maritime superstition as mermaids , who disguise the deformity of their bodies by cajoling arts , and the softest ancl most insinuating deportment , alluring the mariner to inevitable destruction , ancl covering the hideousness of their vampire passions , by an affectation of the chastest simplicity and innocence . Not a clay that sufficient testimony is not furnished of the
passes insane method taken to ruin public morals by extenuating ancl commuting the foulest infringements of the immutable laws of justice by the habitual use of terms , excuses , and apologies , in no manner suitable to the execrable nature of the offence , or at all expiative of the wrong inflicted upon an individual , or society . For few , much as religion has become a fashion , possess the high moral ingenuousness of a truly religious character to confess their errors towards one another as Brethren ,
much more to offer reparation for the mischief ancl injury incurred . The remedy , therefore , for the cure of that prevailing moral disease in the vision of mankind , which ridiculously sees the most scandalous acts through the medium of false humanity , or the bias of sordid prejudice , is a strictly moral education , wherein particular dogmas and tenets are not so much contended for , as that pre-eminent maxim of the Divine Code : — " Do unto others as you would be done by : " ancl " let him , who says he loves God , love his brother also . ' -
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Didactics;
labour ancl vexation ; and , when we have attained the goal of human perfection in science , we are but on the threshold of wisdom , compared with the universal character of the Supreme Intelligence . No . XXXVIII . —THE PUBLIC MORALS ENDANGERED THROUGH A FALSE DELICACY IN DESIGNATING CRIMINAL OFFENCES BY MILD EPITHETS .
Quis nomen unquam sceleri erroris dedit?—SENECA . There is abroad at the present day a mistaken humanity , which persuades people to give things , wrong names . For instance , a morbid spirit of affected benevolence rejoices in calling , as the holy prophet expresses it , " sweet bitter , and bitter sweet , " the effects of the most criminal conduct the unhappy result of circumstances over which the individual hacl no controlThis is manifestlthe mode to lower the standard of public
. y morals , and pollute the fountain of public virtue . It is , alas ! too frequently the practice of mankind to attribute their grossest crimes to the frailty and foibles of their common nature . This is a most mischievous subterfuge against the menaces of a self-condemning monitor within the human breast of every civilised being;—a most miserable apology for the evils inflicted on society by such flimsy generalities .
The reason for such absurd conduct will be evident to every thinking mind . They fallaciously conceive that their folly is partly exculpated , and the glaring colour in which their vices appear to their virtuous contemporaries , glossened over by such self-deceiving arguments . A sense , too , of inborn shame may urge them to apply milder designations to misdeeds , which , virtually , it is beyond the utmost ingenuity to justify . But , however this self-connivance with their evil actions may deceive their fellow-mortals , it cannot screen them from the indignant omnipotence of the All-seeing Eye . " Vice shrinks aehast from that celestial naze .
Nor dares , unmask'd , her loathsome form to raise . " Such persons as the thesis indicates are not unlike the seductive syren , described by maritime superstition as mermaids , who disguise the deformity of their bodies by cajoling arts , and the softest ancl most insinuating deportment , alluring the mariner to inevitable destruction , ancl covering the hideousness of their vampire passions , by an affectation of the chastest simplicity and innocence . Not a clay that sufficient testimony is not furnished of the
passes insane method taken to ruin public morals by extenuating ancl commuting the foulest infringements of the immutable laws of justice by the habitual use of terms , excuses , and apologies , in no manner suitable to the execrable nature of the offence , or at all expiative of the wrong inflicted upon an individual , or society . For few , much as religion has become a fashion , possess the high moral ingenuousness of a truly religious character to confess their errors towards one another as Brethren ,
much more to offer reparation for the mischief ancl injury incurred . The remedy , therefore , for the cure of that prevailing moral disease in the vision of mankind , which ridiculously sees the most scandalous acts through the medium of false humanity , or the bias of sordid prejudice , is a strictly moral education , wherein particular dogmas and tenets are not so much contended for , as that pre-eminent maxim of the Divine Code : — " Do unto others as you would be done by : " ancl " let him , who says he loves God , love his brother also . ' -