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Article THE USE AND ABUSE OF FREEMASONRY. ← Page 3 of 4 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Use And Abuse Of Freemasonry.
find those sacred traditions stimulate his investigations , and assist him to remove the difficulties , and dissipate the clouds , in which the numerous mysterious mythologies of the past ages , and the various conflicting assertions of historians have enveloped our earlier history . To the philosopher ' s attention the hidden mysteries of nature and science are particularly presented , with a symbolical effect , at once producing the deepest impression of the sublime truths of the creation , and
thus preventing his mind from imbibing any fallacious hypothesis of the intention or object of the Great Architect of the Universe in the formation of the various systems he has , in his Divine wisdom , thought fit , by his " creative fiat , to call from chaos into a state of existence . "
To the mechanic ' s attention , the study of geometry is presented ; and Masonry offers for tlie cultivation of that science , such a series of symbolical arrangements and illustrative lectures , as cannot fail to fix its principles upon his mind with an unerring and definitive effect ; and the adaptation of mechanical implements to the moral duties are also calculated to have a lasting impression on the mechanic ' s mind , when the implements of his daily labour are so constantly presented to his
notice . To the politician , Freemasonry affords the only safe asylum from the excitement of public affairs ; here , however opposed in the creed of the political world they may be , he meets his Brethren with a sincere aud fraternal greeting , and it thus becomes to him a fertilized spot surrounded by a troubled sea , on which he can rest with contentment and happiness , defying the angry and troubled waters with which he is encompassed , and daring them to commit an inroad upon his peaceable possessions : this
spot has a charm he seeks for elsewhere in vain ; here , all his dissensions are merged in one common feeling of brotherly love , and he is insensibly led to forget the existence of the troubled world from which he has emerged . It is a melancholy truth , that an institution thus ' excellent and pure in itself , is not free from abuse ; and this truth is rendered the more painful from that abuse beingnot unfrequentlbestowed it b
, y , upon y Brethren who , alike careless of their own characters , and too indolent to investigate its real and intrinsic worth , set at nought all its noble objects ; and , disregardful of the use of its maxims and emblems , and forgetful of every moral virtue and quality that ought to dignify and adorn the man , yield themselves up to vice and immorality , and thus reflect disgrace not only on themselves , but on the Order of which they are its
unworthy members . From the earliest period , when the sons of Shem digressed from the pure paths of Masonry , and used the partial knowledge of the Order of which they had possessed themselves , in its abuse , to the present time , frequent , and many of them powerful , attempts , have been made to draw Masonry into channels which would change its original character , and pervert its pure principles ; but , protected by the fostering hand of the Great Architect , under whose divine approbation and sanction it has attained its iant formit has withstood all the
g , shafts which have been hurled at it ; and it still shines a " bright star in the east , " defying every attempt to eclipse it , or to shake the laws on which its foundation is laid ; and as each succeeding year increases its superstructure , —by its principles and blessings being carried to those distant shores , where its originality is so highly esteemed by native tribes , whose ideas and habits render it so characteristic and valuable an auxiliary to their own religious impressions , —so does its future value
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Use And Abuse Of Freemasonry.
find those sacred traditions stimulate his investigations , and assist him to remove the difficulties , and dissipate the clouds , in which the numerous mysterious mythologies of the past ages , and the various conflicting assertions of historians have enveloped our earlier history . To the philosopher ' s attention the hidden mysteries of nature and science are particularly presented , with a symbolical effect , at once producing the deepest impression of the sublime truths of the creation , and
thus preventing his mind from imbibing any fallacious hypothesis of the intention or object of the Great Architect of the Universe in the formation of the various systems he has , in his Divine wisdom , thought fit , by his " creative fiat , to call from chaos into a state of existence . "
To the mechanic ' s attention , the study of geometry is presented ; and Masonry offers for tlie cultivation of that science , such a series of symbolical arrangements and illustrative lectures , as cannot fail to fix its principles upon his mind with an unerring and definitive effect ; and the adaptation of mechanical implements to the moral duties are also calculated to have a lasting impression on the mechanic ' s mind , when the implements of his daily labour are so constantly presented to his
notice . To the politician , Freemasonry affords the only safe asylum from the excitement of public affairs ; here , however opposed in the creed of the political world they may be , he meets his Brethren with a sincere aud fraternal greeting , and it thus becomes to him a fertilized spot surrounded by a troubled sea , on which he can rest with contentment and happiness , defying the angry and troubled waters with which he is encompassed , and daring them to commit an inroad upon his peaceable possessions : this
spot has a charm he seeks for elsewhere in vain ; here , all his dissensions are merged in one common feeling of brotherly love , and he is insensibly led to forget the existence of the troubled world from which he has emerged . It is a melancholy truth , that an institution thus ' excellent and pure in itself , is not free from abuse ; and this truth is rendered the more painful from that abuse beingnot unfrequentlbestowed it b
, y , upon y Brethren who , alike careless of their own characters , and too indolent to investigate its real and intrinsic worth , set at nought all its noble objects ; and , disregardful of the use of its maxims and emblems , and forgetful of every moral virtue and quality that ought to dignify and adorn the man , yield themselves up to vice and immorality , and thus reflect disgrace not only on themselves , but on the Order of which they are its
unworthy members . From the earliest period , when the sons of Shem digressed from the pure paths of Masonry , and used the partial knowledge of the Order of which they had possessed themselves , in its abuse , to the present time , frequent , and many of them powerful , attempts , have been made to draw Masonry into channels which would change its original character , and pervert its pure principles ; but , protected by the fostering hand of the Great Architect , under whose divine approbation and sanction it has attained its iant formit has withstood all the
g , shafts which have been hurled at it ; and it still shines a " bright star in the east , " defying every attempt to eclipse it , or to shake the laws on which its foundation is laid ; and as each succeeding year increases its superstructure , —by its principles and blessings being carried to those distant shores , where its originality is so highly esteemed by native tribes , whose ideas and habits render it so characteristic and valuable an auxiliary to their own religious impressions , —so does its future value