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Article SYMBOL OF GLORY* ← Page 3 of 11 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Symbol Of Glory*
human LAW , so far as it is not opposed to the law of God , but au austere consecration of absolute equality in the presence of justice , and an exact and faithful reflex of that moral code of right , which is ever tho sanctuary of all human institutions . The conservatism of a Mason is not the cant of a coterie ; the mask of indecision and expediency , devoid of all generous initiativecreating phantoms of
, anarchy out of its own weakness , and making legislation but a scries of imperfect patches ; but it is , in other words , the science of progressive freedom ; the science that simplifies , organizes , establishes , enriches , reconciles , pacifies—making liberty and virtue , labour and labour ' s wage , the strength of a nation , and the personal comfort of its every citizen , go hand-in-hand . The idea of
Freemasonry is broader than what men , abridging and mutilating the divine intention , call society—it is the idea of humanity . It is Man in the largest acceptation of the word . Man , endowed with au absolute independence of thought and reason , engaged in a life-long contention with the sins and prejudices which beset his thorny path , fighting bravely out his own deliveranceand through the fire of
, sufferings and temptations asserting and completing the dignity of his being . Why should we hesitate to avow that in the heart of Freemasonry have been preserved and handed down in a more or less imperfect condition , the germs of all the new ideas which , from age to age ,
have found a slow but certain development , and to which as thoy first spring from the tormented brains and glowing hearts of thinkers in advance of their age , the selfish greybeards of opinion give such awkward names , making truth itself a bugbear 1 It would scarcely be an exaggeration to affirm , that in the heart of Masonic Lodges has ever burned , unseen but to the few , the Asbestos lamp of all grand political and social emancipationsof
, all the discoveries of science , destined to transform the world . There in the darkest night of error , intolerance , tyranny , privilege , caste , popular ignorance , and priestly superstition , the vital flame of truth , toleration , science , progress , and all the pacific conquests of advancing civilisation has never ceased to shine . It is Freemasonry that teaches the cluty of society to promote the welfare
and comfort of all its members with an equal solicitude . It enforces by every sign and symbol , the moral , material and intellectual amelioration of the sons of toil . It encourages that great work of reparation , which for intestinal revolutions and rival nationalities , substitutes abundance and instruction at home , peace and goodwill abroad . It teaches to employ wisely and economically the
strength consumed in war and violence . It enlightens men on their real advantages , and instead of foes in war , makes them only rivals in the arts of peace . It renders national frontiers imaginary ; above all things , tending to unity . Unity , the last reach of human progress ; unity , after the image of the Creator himself . It is Freemasonry that VOL . I . 3 r
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Symbol Of Glory*
human LAW , so far as it is not opposed to the law of God , but au austere consecration of absolute equality in the presence of justice , and an exact and faithful reflex of that moral code of right , which is ever tho sanctuary of all human institutions . The conservatism of a Mason is not the cant of a coterie ; the mask of indecision and expediency , devoid of all generous initiativecreating phantoms of
, anarchy out of its own weakness , and making legislation but a scries of imperfect patches ; but it is , in other words , the science of progressive freedom ; the science that simplifies , organizes , establishes , enriches , reconciles , pacifies—making liberty and virtue , labour and labour ' s wage , the strength of a nation , and the personal comfort of its every citizen , go hand-in-hand . The idea of
Freemasonry is broader than what men , abridging and mutilating the divine intention , call society—it is the idea of humanity . It is Man in the largest acceptation of the word . Man , endowed with au absolute independence of thought and reason , engaged in a life-long contention with the sins and prejudices which beset his thorny path , fighting bravely out his own deliveranceand through the fire of
, sufferings and temptations asserting and completing the dignity of his being . Why should we hesitate to avow that in the heart of Freemasonry have been preserved and handed down in a more or less imperfect condition , the germs of all the new ideas which , from age to age ,
have found a slow but certain development , and to which as thoy first spring from the tormented brains and glowing hearts of thinkers in advance of their age , the selfish greybeards of opinion give such awkward names , making truth itself a bugbear 1 It would scarcely be an exaggeration to affirm , that in the heart of Masonic Lodges has ever burned , unseen but to the few , the Asbestos lamp of all grand political and social emancipationsof
, all the discoveries of science , destined to transform the world . There in the darkest night of error , intolerance , tyranny , privilege , caste , popular ignorance , and priestly superstition , the vital flame of truth , toleration , science , progress , and all the pacific conquests of advancing civilisation has never ceased to shine . It is Freemasonry that teaches the cluty of society to promote the welfare
and comfort of all its members with an equal solicitude . It enforces by every sign and symbol , the moral , material and intellectual amelioration of the sons of toil . It encourages that great work of reparation , which for intestinal revolutions and rival nationalities , substitutes abundance and instruction at home , peace and goodwill abroad . It teaches to employ wisely and economically the
strength consumed in war and violence . It enlightens men on their real advantages , and instead of foes in war , makes them only rivals in the arts of peace . It renders national frontiers imaginary ; above all things , tending to unity . Unity , the last reach of human progress ; unity , after the image of the Creator himself . It is Freemasonry that VOL . I . 3 r