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Article ON FREEMASONRY. ← Page 2 of 9 →
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On Freemasonry.
Experience teaches that , at different periods of his life , man is unequal in his talents , and advances by slow and progressive steps to such a measure of knoiA'ledge as may reivard his industry and application . In his infancy , he is little superior to the animals Avhich are void of reason . Light gradually springs up in his mindand he becomes intelligent .
, As he advances in years , he learns to know the difference between good and evil , right and wrong . Learning , science , " and religion , follow in due course , as the ripening faculties expand ; and he may in the end , by assiduity and research , attain the limited knowledge of AA'hich his nature is capable ; and this is but to understand and feel his own Aveakness and
incapacity ; and humbly to aspire to an increase of light in a better and happier state , through the influence of his religious feelings , and a firm reliance on the aid of that great and perfect Being , Avho has placed the means of knowledge and happiness Avithin his reach . The framers of our present system of Freemasonry had
some such reference in vieiv ivhen they struck out the comprehensive plan on AA'hich it is founded . Its benefits Avere intended to be progressive ; increasing Avith every step , till
it arrived at the great sacrifice of atonement by ivhieh Ave are sanctified , and made capable of a divine inheritance . The first , or blue degrees , are symbolical . They contain no direct allusion to the Christian plan of salvation , although the entire system of Craft Masonry is typical of that one event . Every historical landmark is so evident a type of this auspicious
scheme , that the coincidence can neither be overlooked nor misapplied . What are the references of Jacob's vision ; the three grand offerings ; the deliverance from Egyptian bondage ; with the burning bush , and the pillar of cloud and of fire ; the pot of manna ; the scape goat ; the brazen serpent ; the tabernacle ; the ark of the covenantand its
ap-, pendages ; with many other adjuncts to Blue Masonry , if they are not typical of the Christian dispensation ? The Avhole system is essentially , though not professedly , Christian . The reception of these degrees Avas intended as an exercise of the judgment , and a trial of virtue . The process is gradualfrom the rough stone in the north-east angle of the
, lodge , to the perfected aspirant standing on the five points of fellowship . His progress , however , can only be matured by serious reflection and mental assiduity ; without which he will never understand the typical references contained in the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry.
Experience teaches that , at different periods of his life , man is unequal in his talents , and advances by slow and progressive steps to such a measure of knoiA'ledge as may reivard his industry and application . In his infancy , he is little superior to the animals Avhich are void of reason . Light gradually springs up in his mindand he becomes intelligent .
, As he advances in years , he learns to know the difference between good and evil , right and wrong . Learning , science , " and religion , follow in due course , as the ripening faculties expand ; and he may in the end , by assiduity and research , attain the limited knowledge of AA'hich his nature is capable ; and this is but to understand and feel his own Aveakness and
incapacity ; and humbly to aspire to an increase of light in a better and happier state , through the influence of his religious feelings , and a firm reliance on the aid of that great and perfect Being , Avho has placed the means of knowledge and happiness Avithin his reach . The framers of our present system of Freemasonry had
some such reference in vieiv ivhen they struck out the comprehensive plan on AA'hich it is founded . Its benefits Avere intended to be progressive ; increasing Avith every step , till
it arrived at the great sacrifice of atonement by ivhieh Ave are sanctified , and made capable of a divine inheritance . The first , or blue degrees , are symbolical . They contain no direct allusion to the Christian plan of salvation , although the entire system of Craft Masonry is typical of that one event . Every historical landmark is so evident a type of this auspicious
scheme , that the coincidence can neither be overlooked nor misapplied . What are the references of Jacob's vision ; the three grand offerings ; the deliverance from Egyptian bondage ; with the burning bush , and the pillar of cloud and of fire ; the pot of manna ; the scape goat ; the brazen serpent ; the tabernacle ; the ark of the covenantand its
ap-, pendages ; with many other adjuncts to Blue Masonry , if they are not typical of the Christian dispensation ? The Avhole system is essentially , though not professedly , Christian . The reception of these degrees Avas intended as an exercise of the judgment , and a trial of virtue . The process is gradualfrom the rough stone in the north-east angle of the
, lodge , to the perfected aspirant standing on the five points of fellowship . His progress , however , can only be matured by serious reflection and mental assiduity ; without which he will never understand the typical references contained in the