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Article THE HIGH DEGREES OF FREEMASONRY. ← Page 5 of 5 Article THE LIBRARY QUESTION. Page 1 of 3 →
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The High Degrees Of Freemasonry.
maintained in the great estimation we find them ; our space , however , prevents this being done . Suffice it now to say , that all our distinguished foreign Brethren are to be found in those degrees , and that an English Brother , to be well received on . the Continent , must have made them his especial study . Of the degrees themselves , it is purposed to call more particular attention at a future time . They are now in this country in their fulness and their purity . They have been received from a
Supreme Council , that has for its Most Puissant Grand Commander , that light of Freemasonry—the venerable and truly illustrious Gourgas , himself a Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the standing of half a century . With his observations this paper is concluded , who , on being applied to on a matter connected with the best interests of the Order , thus vindicated his own position : — " I have been masonically educated in a school of strict observance and ri gid discipline ; I have been taught
from my earliest youth as a Mason , to respect the landmarks and usages of our ancient Order , as they were established and have been transmitted to us by wise and good men of other ages ; and I cannot but feel that there is a sacred duty resting upon me ; according to my ability and opportunity , so to transmit them to my successors . You will readily perceive , therefore , that every thing tending to innovation , , change , or deviation from the original plan of Freemasonry , must meet with my decided disapprobation .
"I speak advisedly in this matter . I have an authentic and well attested copy of the Constitutions in my possession ; by their provisions , just as they stand , I am under solemn and irrevocable obligations to abide , and so is every Sovereign Grand Inspector General ofthe thirtythird who has received that eminent degree in a legal and constitutional manner ¦;¦ those who have not so received it , I am not at liberty to recognize . As Sovereign Grand Commander of a regular and
constitutional Grand and Supreme Council of the thirty-third degree , deriving its powers from ancient and unquestionable authority , I am not permitted to know but one constitution , one rite and one name . " ¦ Wi th the wish and belief expressed by our transatlantic Brethren , that the establishment of the thirty-third degree in this country is auspicious of a renewed prosperity , a pure ritual , and a more healthy system , we commend the above observations to all well-wishers of ancient free and accepted Masonry .
The Library Question.
THE LIBRARY QUESTION .
'' As a last general recommendation , let , me . exhort you to dedicate , yourself to such pursuits as may enable you to become at once respectable in your rank of life , useful to mankind , and an ornament to the society of which you have this day been admitted a member . That .., you would more especially devote a part of your leisure hours to the study of such of the liberal arts and sciences as may lie within the , cornpassof your attainmentand that without neglecting the ordinary
, , , , duties of your station you will consider yourself called upon to make a daily advancement in Masonic knowledge ' . '—CHARGE AT IHE INITIATION INTO FREEMASONRY . ,. . ' , ,.,,.., Every member will recollect the above portion of the Charge at ; his initiation ; the desire he felt to obtain the information he was requested
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The High Degrees Of Freemasonry.
maintained in the great estimation we find them ; our space , however , prevents this being done . Suffice it now to say , that all our distinguished foreign Brethren are to be found in those degrees , and that an English Brother , to be well received on . the Continent , must have made them his especial study . Of the degrees themselves , it is purposed to call more particular attention at a future time . They are now in this country in their fulness and their purity . They have been received from a
Supreme Council , that has for its Most Puissant Grand Commander , that light of Freemasonry—the venerable and truly illustrious Gourgas , himself a Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the standing of half a century . With his observations this paper is concluded , who , on being applied to on a matter connected with the best interests of the Order , thus vindicated his own position : — " I have been masonically educated in a school of strict observance and ri gid discipline ; I have been taught
from my earliest youth as a Mason , to respect the landmarks and usages of our ancient Order , as they were established and have been transmitted to us by wise and good men of other ages ; and I cannot but feel that there is a sacred duty resting upon me ; according to my ability and opportunity , so to transmit them to my successors . You will readily perceive , therefore , that every thing tending to innovation , , change , or deviation from the original plan of Freemasonry , must meet with my decided disapprobation .
"I speak advisedly in this matter . I have an authentic and well attested copy of the Constitutions in my possession ; by their provisions , just as they stand , I am under solemn and irrevocable obligations to abide , and so is every Sovereign Grand Inspector General ofthe thirtythird who has received that eminent degree in a legal and constitutional manner ¦;¦ those who have not so received it , I am not at liberty to recognize . As Sovereign Grand Commander of a regular and
constitutional Grand and Supreme Council of the thirty-third degree , deriving its powers from ancient and unquestionable authority , I am not permitted to know but one constitution , one rite and one name . " ¦ Wi th the wish and belief expressed by our transatlantic Brethren , that the establishment of the thirty-third degree in this country is auspicious of a renewed prosperity , a pure ritual , and a more healthy system , we commend the above observations to all well-wishers of ancient free and accepted Masonry .
The Library Question.
THE LIBRARY QUESTION .
'' As a last general recommendation , let , me . exhort you to dedicate , yourself to such pursuits as may enable you to become at once respectable in your rank of life , useful to mankind , and an ornament to the society of which you have this day been admitted a member . That .., you would more especially devote a part of your leisure hours to the study of such of the liberal arts and sciences as may lie within the , cornpassof your attainmentand that without neglecting the ordinary
, , , , duties of your station you will consider yourself called upon to make a daily advancement in Masonic knowledge ' . '—CHARGE AT IHE INITIATION INTO FREEMASONRY . ,. . ' , ,.,,.., Every member will recollect the above portion of the Charge at ; his initiation ; the desire he felt to obtain the information he was requested