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Freemasonry.
being square ; and no other reason may be assigned for such a shape . The few exceptions which exist to such a theory , would not be alleged as a proof of its fallacy . Indeed ,
the entire art of architecture , if not a divine one , is at least one based upon nature , and humbly imitative of the works of the Great Architect of the Universe . As it progressed , it , in its hig hest
branches , became still more so , and the sublimity of the domes of the loftest edifices , are only imitations of the greater dome of the Heavens . The bodies of trees , originally used as supports of
the dwellings , erected by the earlier architects , became , at a later period supplanted , by stone and marble columns ; ornamented by imitations of the branches with which the former were adorned by
nature , and the foliage of the more beautiful plants . In this manner , architecture must have been the very earliest art of mankind , in the beginning
of human existence , and has , since then , been progressing down to the present period of its perfection . It is the noblest , the most sublime of all the arts and sciences , and there is . therefore ,
no need for surprise , that in view of its origin and commencement it should become a mystical one , and its implements , so many symbols , applicable to laws of mortality and Humanity .
For the reasons above stated , architecture , or Masonry , is intimately connected with geology , philosophy , and the divine laws of nature . The Great Architect of the Universe is the author and
architectalsoofthemovementsofthecelestial bodies the changes of the seasons , the return of day and night , the phases of the moon , and consequently of the divisions of time , into years , months , weeks ,
days , and hours . With all of them , Freemasonry is intimately connected . The whole vast universe is the lodge of the Almighty Architect . This single globe , is the work of His sublime art . The
arch of the Heavens is His footstool , and this earth , probably , only one of the infinite atoms composing the columns of His incomprehensibly vast edifice .
The reunions of the Grand Lodges occur duringthetwo poetic seasons of Spring and Autum , when nature is vivified , and again grows old . It has been most truly stated that nothing
in nature is ever at rest . All nature is in movement and only when it stops , life will seem to exist . Even time is said to pass in cycles ; to human comprehension , everything in nature is circular ,
and the ancients , therefore , used the serpent with its tail in its mouth , as a visible symbol of this belief . A ring , placed on the finger of a bride is an emblem of perpetual love and fidelity . The ,
world revolves in a perpetual circle , and so do the stars in the firmament above , which , so me suppose , isthe abode of the Divine Architect . Not so do the four seasons , but also the subdivision of
the year . It is , therefore , usual for the lodges to meet once a month , thus also showing the connection of Freemasonry with time , and the phases of the moon , and the divisions of the
year . Freemasonry lias an intimate connection , also , with man , in the divisions of the time allotted him
to live . Youth , maturity , and old age , are clearly pointed out in its three degrees . The rejuvenescence of man is one of the symbols of the Ilosicrucians , asjfallacious as was the "Fountain of Youth "
Freemasonry.
so much sought after during the Middle Ages . It was thought that as nature seemed imperishable , and Spring succeded Autumn and Winter ,
the fall of leaves followed by returning verdure , that human life , in this world , could be perpetu ated or restored by chemical means . Alas ! for so much delusion and error . Man is to be born
again , but will live in another world ; and not in this even will he progress towards a better knowledge of the Divine architecture , to perfection , or retrograde in the degrees of existence . The
resjaonsibility of his career in life seems to be left with himself , If he really acquires light , ( so to use one symbolic term for knowledge ) and is guided by it in the true path , he will rise
upwards ; if not , he will probably sink beneath his present state . Will he ever be annihilated from existence , or will he be one ejected from within the very Lodge of the Great Architect of the
Universe ? Such are the reflections which still , and probably always will , occupy the minds of reflecting men in their search after Divine light .
Freemasonry may , therefore , be considered as h eoretic imitation of the divine art of Architecture , divested of its actual and natural signification , and applied to the equally sublime edifice
of man , in the structure ^ of his morality and humanity . It is a strange though covert fact , that true reli gions , as well as politics , seem to separate
mankind , in place of bringing them together . Fancied inspirations have the effect of creating imaginary convictions of the faculty of judging the beliefs of others . It is a result of human
frailty , in man ' s search of the divine light , to forget that all are the children of our common Creator , who alone knows which of them is right and which is wrong .
Freemasonry has , for principle , to reject all such vain pretensions in mankind , and to leave the Great Architect of the Universe the only true judge of men ' s hearts . It enjoins its members
to fully recognize the existence of a Divine Creator , and the justr ) of His providences . It urges the Christian to be a sincere and good one and the same of the Jew and the Moslem , each
in their particular faith . It seeks to convert neither the one nor the other from his own convictions . It has no respect for whoever is only tolerant of his peculiar faith . The hypocrite
possesses such sympathy . It places all mankind on the one common platform of brethren , without any regard to their relig ion or political convictions . It is enough for the Freemason to meet a brother
( and in this view all men are brethren ) in distress , in poverty , in suffering , to hasten to his succour , without any regard to his religion , his nationality , or his political creed .
In this manner , it forms an universal brotherhood , among all men who fully recognise one universal God and Creator , under whatever name this may be .
Though some may not be fully aware of this fact , it is the real origin and perpetuation of Freemasonry , and the cause of its extension over nearly the whole of the globe . It cannot be these
princip les to which the prejudices can be ascribed , existing against Freemasonry in the minds of many persons . They are now too well known , I believe , to have so unfortunate a result . Their tenets are too often visible , in their charities , their
Freemasonry.
assistance and their sympathy , bestowed upon the poor , and the needy , to have so unfortunate a result . Often , also , the fruits of our institution are unknown to the public , —for Freemasonry
seeks for no popularity or commendation . The real cause of its condemnation , on the ' part of many excellent persons , is it secret signs of individual recognition amongst its members ,
and the erroneous interpretations given to its symbols . Innocent as they are , and totally divested of any connection with reli gion , they seem unfortunately to inspire the most erroneous
apprehensions . Innumerablebooks have been written and published on the real nature and character of Freemasonry , there being now little unknown to the public regarding them , and yet , these harmless
signs and symbols cast a dark shade over the whole most ancient institution . Nothing entirely renders them perfect , and there are unfortunately very many bad Freemasons .
Some are intemperate , othters immoral , and others again , far from being actuated by the sentiments of universal fraternity which are its very basis , and yet it comprises on the other
hand , millions of the highest and best of men . So it is with Christanity . How many there are , who , would deem themselves always insulted if their character as Christians were put in doubt , but
whose whole actions and lives full y show that they are not actuated by high and true Christian principles . It is too well known to be matter of any
secrecy , that the implements of architecture are used now by Masons as so many symbols of morality . An upright edifice serving as a term viz ., an upright man , all of whose acts are square
and not tortuous , and in this manner the Square and Compasses are used as so many definitions of what should be the conduct of all mankind in their dealings with each other . If any
other benevolent or philanthropic society , should adopt private words , or even signs for mutual recognition , they certainly would have a perfect ri g ht to do so .
In the olden times of Christianity , men greeted each other with a hol y kiss , in modern days they do so by a mere shake of the hand , as so many tokens of kindly recognition . Why , therefore
may not the Freemasons , have a peculiar shake of the hand , by which to recognise and distinguish each other , without increasing the penalty of condemnation on the part of those who are not of
the benevolent fraternity ? Certainly the outer world is unjust to us , and disposed to judge of us , ratnerby what they do not know than what they do do regarding our object . When the Christian is
seen to succour the poor Jew , or the Moslem to aidthe poor Christian , simply because they meet on the common platform of pit ) ' , of ami niversal brotherhood , irrespective of their individual
religious faiths , the outer world , which in its narrow sentiments of bigotry and religious pride , considers itself superior to any such sentiments , cannot in its heart condemn us .
Be this , however , as it may , Freemasons , may well afford to disregard opinions based upon so fallacious a supposition , We feel and know that the All Seeing Eye of the Great Architect of the
Universe—the Almighty Creator of all men , sees into the very depths of our hearts . He , alone is the supreme judge of our principles , and of our conduct } and we humbly submit them to His all just judgment .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry.
being square ; and no other reason may be assigned for such a shape . The few exceptions which exist to such a theory , would not be alleged as a proof of its fallacy . Indeed ,
the entire art of architecture , if not a divine one , is at least one based upon nature , and humbly imitative of the works of the Great Architect of the Universe . As it progressed , it , in its hig hest
branches , became still more so , and the sublimity of the domes of the loftest edifices , are only imitations of the greater dome of the Heavens . The bodies of trees , originally used as supports of
the dwellings , erected by the earlier architects , became , at a later period supplanted , by stone and marble columns ; ornamented by imitations of the branches with which the former were adorned by
nature , and the foliage of the more beautiful plants . In this manner , architecture must have been the very earliest art of mankind , in the beginning
of human existence , and has , since then , been progressing down to the present period of its perfection . It is the noblest , the most sublime of all the arts and sciences , and there is . therefore ,
no need for surprise , that in view of its origin and commencement it should become a mystical one , and its implements , so many symbols , applicable to laws of mortality and Humanity .
For the reasons above stated , architecture , or Masonry , is intimately connected with geology , philosophy , and the divine laws of nature . The Great Architect of the Universe is the author and
architectalsoofthemovementsofthecelestial bodies the changes of the seasons , the return of day and night , the phases of the moon , and consequently of the divisions of time , into years , months , weeks ,
days , and hours . With all of them , Freemasonry is intimately connected . The whole vast universe is the lodge of the Almighty Architect . This single globe , is the work of His sublime art . The
arch of the Heavens is His footstool , and this earth , probably , only one of the infinite atoms composing the columns of His incomprehensibly vast edifice .
The reunions of the Grand Lodges occur duringthetwo poetic seasons of Spring and Autum , when nature is vivified , and again grows old . It has been most truly stated that nothing
in nature is ever at rest . All nature is in movement and only when it stops , life will seem to exist . Even time is said to pass in cycles ; to human comprehension , everything in nature is circular ,
and the ancients , therefore , used the serpent with its tail in its mouth , as a visible symbol of this belief . A ring , placed on the finger of a bride is an emblem of perpetual love and fidelity . The ,
world revolves in a perpetual circle , and so do the stars in the firmament above , which , so me suppose , isthe abode of the Divine Architect . Not so do the four seasons , but also the subdivision of
the year . It is , therefore , usual for the lodges to meet once a month , thus also showing the connection of Freemasonry with time , and the phases of the moon , and the divisions of the
year . Freemasonry lias an intimate connection , also , with man , in the divisions of the time allotted him
to live . Youth , maturity , and old age , are clearly pointed out in its three degrees . The rejuvenescence of man is one of the symbols of the Ilosicrucians , asjfallacious as was the "Fountain of Youth "
Freemasonry.
so much sought after during the Middle Ages . It was thought that as nature seemed imperishable , and Spring succeded Autumn and Winter ,
the fall of leaves followed by returning verdure , that human life , in this world , could be perpetu ated or restored by chemical means . Alas ! for so much delusion and error . Man is to be born
again , but will live in another world ; and not in this even will he progress towards a better knowledge of the Divine architecture , to perfection , or retrograde in the degrees of existence . The
resjaonsibility of his career in life seems to be left with himself , If he really acquires light , ( so to use one symbolic term for knowledge ) and is guided by it in the true path , he will rise
upwards ; if not , he will probably sink beneath his present state . Will he ever be annihilated from existence , or will he be one ejected from within the very Lodge of the Great Architect of the
Universe ? Such are the reflections which still , and probably always will , occupy the minds of reflecting men in their search after Divine light .
Freemasonry may , therefore , be considered as h eoretic imitation of the divine art of Architecture , divested of its actual and natural signification , and applied to the equally sublime edifice
of man , in the structure ^ of his morality and humanity . It is a strange though covert fact , that true reli gions , as well as politics , seem to separate
mankind , in place of bringing them together . Fancied inspirations have the effect of creating imaginary convictions of the faculty of judging the beliefs of others . It is a result of human
frailty , in man ' s search of the divine light , to forget that all are the children of our common Creator , who alone knows which of them is right and which is wrong .
Freemasonry has , for principle , to reject all such vain pretensions in mankind , and to leave the Great Architect of the Universe the only true judge of men ' s hearts . It enjoins its members
to fully recognize the existence of a Divine Creator , and the justr ) of His providences . It urges the Christian to be a sincere and good one and the same of the Jew and the Moslem , each
in their particular faith . It seeks to convert neither the one nor the other from his own convictions . It has no respect for whoever is only tolerant of his peculiar faith . The hypocrite
possesses such sympathy . It places all mankind on the one common platform of brethren , without any regard to their relig ion or political convictions . It is enough for the Freemason to meet a brother
( and in this view all men are brethren ) in distress , in poverty , in suffering , to hasten to his succour , without any regard to his religion , his nationality , or his political creed .
In this manner , it forms an universal brotherhood , among all men who fully recognise one universal God and Creator , under whatever name this may be .
Though some may not be fully aware of this fact , it is the real origin and perpetuation of Freemasonry , and the cause of its extension over nearly the whole of the globe . It cannot be these
princip les to which the prejudices can be ascribed , existing against Freemasonry in the minds of many persons . They are now too well known , I believe , to have so unfortunate a result . Their tenets are too often visible , in their charities , their
Freemasonry.
assistance and their sympathy , bestowed upon the poor , and the needy , to have so unfortunate a result . Often , also , the fruits of our institution are unknown to the public , —for Freemasonry
seeks for no popularity or commendation . The real cause of its condemnation , on the ' part of many excellent persons , is it secret signs of individual recognition amongst its members ,
and the erroneous interpretations given to its symbols . Innocent as they are , and totally divested of any connection with reli gion , they seem unfortunately to inspire the most erroneous
apprehensions . Innumerablebooks have been written and published on the real nature and character of Freemasonry , there being now little unknown to the public regarding them , and yet , these harmless
signs and symbols cast a dark shade over the whole most ancient institution . Nothing entirely renders them perfect , and there are unfortunately very many bad Freemasons .
Some are intemperate , othters immoral , and others again , far from being actuated by the sentiments of universal fraternity which are its very basis , and yet it comprises on the other
hand , millions of the highest and best of men . So it is with Christanity . How many there are , who , would deem themselves always insulted if their character as Christians were put in doubt , but
whose whole actions and lives full y show that they are not actuated by high and true Christian principles . It is too well known to be matter of any
secrecy , that the implements of architecture are used now by Masons as so many symbols of morality . An upright edifice serving as a term viz ., an upright man , all of whose acts are square
and not tortuous , and in this manner the Square and Compasses are used as so many definitions of what should be the conduct of all mankind in their dealings with each other . If any
other benevolent or philanthropic society , should adopt private words , or even signs for mutual recognition , they certainly would have a perfect ri g ht to do so .
In the olden times of Christianity , men greeted each other with a hol y kiss , in modern days they do so by a mere shake of the hand , as so many tokens of kindly recognition . Why , therefore
may not the Freemasons , have a peculiar shake of the hand , by which to recognise and distinguish each other , without increasing the penalty of condemnation on the part of those who are not of
the benevolent fraternity ? Certainly the outer world is unjust to us , and disposed to judge of us , ratnerby what they do not know than what they do do regarding our object . When the Christian is
seen to succour the poor Jew , or the Moslem to aidthe poor Christian , simply because they meet on the common platform of pit ) ' , of ami niversal brotherhood , irrespective of their individual
religious faiths , the outer world , which in its narrow sentiments of bigotry and religious pride , considers itself superior to any such sentiments , cannot in its heart condemn us .
Be this , however , as it may , Freemasons , may well afford to disregard opinions based upon so fallacious a supposition , We feel and know that the All Seeing Eye of the Great Architect of the
Universe—the Almighty Creator of all men , sees into the very depths of our hearts . He , alone is the supreme judge of our principles , and of our conduct } and we humbly submit them to His all just judgment .