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Article BROTHER PETER THOMSON, P. G. D. ← Page 2 of 3 →
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Brother Peter Thomson, P. G. D.
taken as veritable specimens of pedantic Masonry ; men fully embued with a thorough knowledge of the verbiage of the several degrees ( even to the fault of disputing an expletive ) , but profoundly ignorant of the application of its sublime principles .
We have heard of drill-serjeants never permitting their recruits , when on duty , in vulgar parlance , — " to scratch their head when it itches . " So with our masonic martinet , who will not allow one of his boys ( for thus he designates new-made Masons ) to deviate in squares , levels , and perpendiculars , a hundredth part of an inch !
Yet with all this peculiarity of character , it is impossible to be offended with Peter Thomson . There is a bienfaisance of manner , a benevolence of disposition , a largeness of heart , amply characteristic of a good Mason . Although he lack ability he has integrity of intention , and if he possess a mind somewhat exiguous , he has qualities of disposition that render him popular with the many . If Brother Peter Thomson
had a grasp of intellect equal to his retentiveness of memory , he would doubtless be a magnificent Mason . Alas ! he cannot reason , much less philosophize on the grand theses of Masonry . He is contented to amuse himself with the imaginary possession of greatness , mistaking all the while the real elements that stamp power and consecrate mental supremacy . Perhaps it were cruel to disabuse him of this illusionfor
, it is said , " where ignorance is bliss ' tis folly to be wise ; " but our duty calls on us : we dare not disobey its summons . As portrait painters aiming at the exhibition of the realities of life , we must not conceal public defects . Peter Thomson aspires to the position of a public man ; he must expect to pay the obligation annexed to the pretension .
We have said Brother Thomson is popular with the million , but discerning Masons who view Masonry in a comprehensive sense , and admire the beauty and delicacy of touch requisite to its fascinations and its prestige , must look on Thomson as a clumsy artist , and a coarse and inefficient exponent of its points and ritual . Brother Thomson knows Masonry to he a science , because he believes it to be so ; but ask him to apply its moral scientific and social attributes to the action of life , he will give you a vacant stare , indicative of a vacant mind .
It is said , and truly enough , ore doit respecter la vieillesse ; nevertheless , old age must respect itself . No one who has attended the Lodges of Instruction , could have failed to notice the absolute " ¦ I shall " of Thomson . From his decision on points of practice ( however conflicting ) there is no appeal . ' His sic volo sicjubeo is as infallible as his holiness the Pope ' s ; in fact , Peter Thomson is the Pope .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Brother Peter Thomson, P. G. D.
taken as veritable specimens of pedantic Masonry ; men fully embued with a thorough knowledge of the verbiage of the several degrees ( even to the fault of disputing an expletive ) , but profoundly ignorant of the application of its sublime principles .
We have heard of drill-serjeants never permitting their recruits , when on duty , in vulgar parlance , — " to scratch their head when it itches . " So with our masonic martinet , who will not allow one of his boys ( for thus he designates new-made Masons ) to deviate in squares , levels , and perpendiculars , a hundredth part of an inch !
Yet with all this peculiarity of character , it is impossible to be offended with Peter Thomson . There is a bienfaisance of manner , a benevolence of disposition , a largeness of heart , amply characteristic of a good Mason . Although he lack ability he has integrity of intention , and if he possess a mind somewhat exiguous , he has qualities of disposition that render him popular with the many . If Brother Peter Thomson
had a grasp of intellect equal to his retentiveness of memory , he would doubtless be a magnificent Mason . Alas ! he cannot reason , much less philosophize on the grand theses of Masonry . He is contented to amuse himself with the imaginary possession of greatness , mistaking all the while the real elements that stamp power and consecrate mental supremacy . Perhaps it were cruel to disabuse him of this illusionfor
, it is said , " where ignorance is bliss ' tis folly to be wise ; " but our duty calls on us : we dare not disobey its summons . As portrait painters aiming at the exhibition of the realities of life , we must not conceal public defects . Peter Thomson aspires to the position of a public man ; he must expect to pay the obligation annexed to the pretension .
We have said Brother Thomson is popular with the million , but discerning Masons who view Masonry in a comprehensive sense , and admire the beauty and delicacy of touch requisite to its fascinations and its prestige , must look on Thomson as a clumsy artist , and a coarse and inefficient exponent of its points and ritual . Brother Thomson knows Masonry to he a science , because he believes it to be so ; but ask him to apply its moral scientific and social attributes to the action of life , he will give you a vacant stare , indicative of a vacant mind .
It is said , and truly enough , ore doit respecter la vieillesse ; nevertheless , old age must respect itself . No one who has attended the Lodges of Instruction , could have failed to notice the absolute " ¦ I shall " of Thomson . From his decision on points of practice ( however conflicting ) there is no appeal . ' His sic volo sicjubeo is as infallible as his holiness the Pope ' s ; in fact , Peter Thomson is the Pope .