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Article PROVINCIAL. ← Page 21 of 34 →
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Provincial.
Christian is au argument against Christianity : but this is a conclusion which I presume no man will allow . That our Order is founded en sound , correct , and moral principles , the length of time it has stood against the prejudices of the world , is a sufficient proof , and the general good conduct of Masons has shown that the science is founded on religion , virtue , and loyalty ; and I hope that these may long continue to he our distinguishing characteristicsfor our institution is built upon
, , and venerates , the Sacred A ^ olume—a firm belief in the existence of the Eternal God , and a cheerful obedience to his laws , are the grand and leading requirement , of the Fraternity ; and when this belief , and these principles , are found wanting in our Lodges , then will Masonry for ever disappear from the earth , and " like the baseless fabric of a vision , leave not a wrack behind . " The Almighty Creator has implanted in the heart of man a love and veneration for things of antiquityand an ardent
de-, sire to preserve records and evidences connected with the deeds and customs of the ancients . If we trace Freemasonry from the science which gave it birth , we shall find it of great antiquity . Without contending for a higher origin , we may refer with confidence to the building of Solomon ' s Temple . But alas ! Time , with its destroying hand , has swept away into the stream of oblivion , much that would have been of incalculable value and interest . The magnificent temple at Jerusalem
has not escaped its unsparing ravages . By the wisdom and foresight of those who have preceded us , much has been preserved , and Freemasonry still survives the wreck of ages . What are the living saving principles that have preserved our society unimpaired amongst " every people , kindred , and tongue , " while in the history of the world we find the
wreck of other institutions , once flourishing as proudly as our own ? I cannot answer the inquiry better than in the words of a learned Brother —the laws of our Order are , " reason and equity ; " its principles are , " 'benevolence and love ; " its religion , " purity and truth ; " its intention , - ' peace on earth ; " and its disposition , " good will towards men . " Such are the most important principles of Masonry ; yet , notwithstanding their purity , our institution has been subject to the slanders of the ignorant , and the prejudice of those who are wise without knowledge .
Many other toasls were given and responded to . The R . W . Prov . G . M . left the chair about ten o ' clock , immediately after which the Brethren departed , much gratified by the pleasures of the evening . LANCASHIRE . —MANCHESTER . —It is with the liveliest satisfaction we announce the commencement of a series of Masonic Lectures in this town , which are proposed to be delivered in the Lodge of Virtue , No . 177 by the undermentioned Brethrenduring the ensuing year .
, , The objects of the course are thus set forth in the circular handed to us : —To diffuse a taste for Masonic Literature , Art , and Science , —to assist the studious enquirer into the History and Philosophy of the Order , —to impart to noviciates a knowledge of its Ceremonies and Lectures , — to divest it of the wurdly prejudice , of being merely convivial- in its character and tendency , —to give an exposition of its system of benevolence and of its numerous Charitable Institutions , —and to promote the
advancement of Freemasonry in general . Jan . 20—The Origin of Freemasonry ; by Bro . J . J . Moody , P . M . Nos . 403 and 002 , P . Prov . J . G . W . for Cheshire , No . 177 . Feb . 17—Further proofs from Scripture , Tradition , History , & c , of its Religious Origin ; b y Bro . the Rev . M . Margoliouth , / J .. 4 ., Chaplain of No . 17 7 . VOL . a . 3 u
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
Christian is au argument against Christianity : but this is a conclusion which I presume no man will allow . That our Order is founded en sound , correct , and moral principles , the length of time it has stood against the prejudices of the world , is a sufficient proof , and the general good conduct of Masons has shown that the science is founded on religion , virtue , and loyalty ; and I hope that these may long continue to he our distinguishing characteristicsfor our institution is built upon
, , and venerates , the Sacred A ^ olume—a firm belief in the existence of the Eternal God , and a cheerful obedience to his laws , are the grand and leading requirement , of the Fraternity ; and when this belief , and these principles , are found wanting in our Lodges , then will Masonry for ever disappear from the earth , and " like the baseless fabric of a vision , leave not a wrack behind . " The Almighty Creator has implanted in the heart of man a love and veneration for things of antiquityand an ardent
de-, sire to preserve records and evidences connected with the deeds and customs of the ancients . If we trace Freemasonry from the science which gave it birth , we shall find it of great antiquity . Without contending for a higher origin , we may refer with confidence to the building of Solomon ' s Temple . But alas ! Time , with its destroying hand , has swept away into the stream of oblivion , much that would have been of incalculable value and interest . The magnificent temple at Jerusalem
has not escaped its unsparing ravages . By the wisdom and foresight of those who have preceded us , much has been preserved , and Freemasonry still survives the wreck of ages . What are the living saving principles that have preserved our society unimpaired amongst " every people , kindred , and tongue , " while in the history of the world we find the
wreck of other institutions , once flourishing as proudly as our own ? I cannot answer the inquiry better than in the words of a learned Brother —the laws of our Order are , " reason and equity ; " its principles are , " 'benevolence and love ; " its religion , " purity and truth ; " its intention , - ' peace on earth ; " and its disposition , " good will towards men . " Such are the most important principles of Masonry ; yet , notwithstanding their purity , our institution has been subject to the slanders of the ignorant , and the prejudice of those who are wise without knowledge .
Many other toasls were given and responded to . The R . W . Prov . G . M . left the chair about ten o ' clock , immediately after which the Brethren departed , much gratified by the pleasures of the evening . LANCASHIRE . —MANCHESTER . —It is with the liveliest satisfaction we announce the commencement of a series of Masonic Lectures in this town , which are proposed to be delivered in the Lodge of Virtue , No . 177 by the undermentioned Brethrenduring the ensuing year .
, , The objects of the course are thus set forth in the circular handed to us : —To diffuse a taste for Masonic Literature , Art , and Science , —to assist the studious enquirer into the History and Philosophy of the Order , —to impart to noviciates a knowledge of its Ceremonies and Lectures , — to divest it of the wurdly prejudice , of being merely convivial- in its character and tendency , —to give an exposition of its system of benevolence and of its numerous Charitable Institutions , —and to promote the
advancement of Freemasonry in general . Jan . 20—The Origin of Freemasonry ; by Bro . J . J . Moody , P . M . Nos . 403 and 002 , P . Prov . J . G . W . for Cheshire , No . 177 . Feb . 17—Further proofs from Scripture , Tradition , History , & c , of its Religious Origin ; b y Bro . the Rev . M . Margoliouth , / J .. 4 ., Chaplain of No . 17 7 . VOL . a . 3 u