Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Didactics; Or, Short Moral Essays Of Universal Adaptation.
MASONIC DIDACTICS ; OR , SHORT MORAL ESSAYS OF UNIVERSAL ADAPTATION .
BY BROTHER H . R . SLADE , LL . B . ' * Masonry is a peculiar system of morals . " No . XLIX . —AN UNQUENCHED EMBER OFT KINDLES
A FLAME . Neglecta Solent incendia sumere vires . —HORACB . IT is observable , —most particularly in that kind of bitumen called coal , which is dug out of mines excavated out of those diluvial deposits produced by decayed forest timber , —that a spark of fire , imperceptible to the eye , will smoulder amongst a heap of fuel , and upon its being
stirred and exposed to a current of air , burst forth into a radiant flame . So passion in the breast of man , excited by ill-usage or desire , whilst uncurbed , gathers strength , and the impulse of a moment produces an excess , perhaps embittering the remainder of existence . The wisest and the best are not free from these mental squalls . The cold and the lethargic—the insensible and the atrophised , may not feel these variations of constitutional temperamentbut that no
ex-; argues piation of their thousand other breaches of moral responsibility . It is obvious that the actions of men can only be controlled by those dictates of wisdom and prudence which prompt them to think . It is reflection , induced by moral comparisons , which conduces to upright conduct ; but , let man disobey the influence of those reflections—the ember that kindles the fire of virtue—and he quickly becomes the stale of vice and
error . When the voice of reason , based upon the theory of a moral principle revealed to man in the holy oracles of God , ceases to predominate in our social intercourse—when the mild persuasion of the jus rectum loses her influence over human judgment—then universal confusion and dissipation must ensue . Like the element of fire when unrestrained by proper domestic barriers , instead of diffusing warmth aud happiness to the social circle , it consumes every vestige of the
habitation , and leaves nought but devastation and despair behind . Thus the effects of a virulent fever , unchecked by the salutary medicines of the physician , are in their effects upon the invalid precisely similar to the destructive operations of malignant passion over the mind , when abandoned by the government of reason . Passion , as a latent spark , may serve to kindle energy and generosity in the soul ; but , permitted to be fanned bthe breath of jealousyor its wrath will burn like
y envy , , anger , fire . The slightest act of imprudence has frequently destroyed the labour of much thought , and sullied the brightest characters . Absolute consistency , in fact , is Utopian with regard to man . His mind may determine for every thing that is virtuous—his body may drag him into every thing that is vicious ; and events of life may shut him out of all choice , or neutralise every acquired prepossession . Alas ! poor man !
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Didactics; Or, Short Moral Essays Of Universal Adaptation.
MASONIC DIDACTICS ; OR , SHORT MORAL ESSAYS OF UNIVERSAL ADAPTATION .
BY BROTHER H . R . SLADE , LL . B . ' * Masonry is a peculiar system of morals . " No . XLIX . —AN UNQUENCHED EMBER OFT KINDLES
A FLAME . Neglecta Solent incendia sumere vires . —HORACB . IT is observable , —most particularly in that kind of bitumen called coal , which is dug out of mines excavated out of those diluvial deposits produced by decayed forest timber , —that a spark of fire , imperceptible to the eye , will smoulder amongst a heap of fuel , and upon its being
stirred and exposed to a current of air , burst forth into a radiant flame . So passion in the breast of man , excited by ill-usage or desire , whilst uncurbed , gathers strength , and the impulse of a moment produces an excess , perhaps embittering the remainder of existence . The wisest and the best are not free from these mental squalls . The cold and the lethargic—the insensible and the atrophised , may not feel these variations of constitutional temperamentbut that no
ex-; argues piation of their thousand other breaches of moral responsibility . It is obvious that the actions of men can only be controlled by those dictates of wisdom and prudence which prompt them to think . It is reflection , induced by moral comparisons , which conduces to upright conduct ; but , let man disobey the influence of those reflections—the ember that kindles the fire of virtue—and he quickly becomes the stale of vice and
error . When the voice of reason , based upon the theory of a moral principle revealed to man in the holy oracles of God , ceases to predominate in our social intercourse—when the mild persuasion of the jus rectum loses her influence over human judgment—then universal confusion and dissipation must ensue . Like the element of fire when unrestrained by proper domestic barriers , instead of diffusing warmth aud happiness to the social circle , it consumes every vestige of the
habitation , and leaves nought but devastation and despair behind . Thus the effects of a virulent fever , unchecked by the salutary medicines of the physician , are in their effects upon the invalid precisely similar to the destructive operations of malignant passion over the mind , when abandoned by the government of reason . Passion , as a latent spark , may serve to kindle energy and generosity in the soul ; but , permitted to be fanned bthe breath of jealousyor its wrath will burn like
y envy , , anger , fire . The slightest act of imprudence has frequently destroyed the labour of much thought , and sullied the brightest characters . Absolute consistency , in fact , is Utopian with regard to man . His mind may determine for every thing that is virtuous—his body may drag him into every thing that is vicious ; and events of life may shut him out of all choice , or neutralise every acquired prepossession . Alas ! poor man !