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Masonic Sermon.
and the orphan , to try to lig hten the load under which our fellow creatures may be groaning , and in a word , to fulfil the great and golden rule , of "doincc unto all men , as we would they
, should do unto us . " But then , it may be said , and it vcry often is said , "AVhy do you want any particular society , or bond , to teach you all these things ? " I answer , it certainly docs so ,
and if men would only pray to God to help them to live up to their obligations , and their duty as Christians , we should need no Freemasonry to help us on our way , and teach us better , For
wc should have arrived at that millennium state , of which we read and hear , when "the people shall be all righteous , " ancl when everything shall be perfect and excellent , I will not say to
an unnatural , though I may to an unknown , and hitherto an unexperienced , extent . And it is just because I think that human nature is so weak , and so frail , and so greatly in need of
every help , and every assistance it can find , that lam such a devoted advocate of Freemasonry . Not because I wish , for one moment , to exalt it , as some do , into a religion , or to put it for an
instant , even in thought , into comparison with religion , but because I hold it to be such an excellent helpmate and handmaid to religion and religious practice ; this is why I love
Freemasonry so much . In dealing with men and women , you must think of them , and legislate for them , not as they ought to be , but rather as thev are . If all people did always
exactly as they ought there wonld be no need of clergymen , or schools , or anything else , to teach them tlieir duty , but as it is , such helps are needed . ' AA ' e all know that it is the duty of
every conscientious and right thinking man , whether hc be churchman or dissenter , to go either to church or to chapel , but we all know too , do wc not , that there are thousands who
will never , of their own accord , enter either tho one or the other , and so if we would bring these persons under any religious influence whatever , we know that we must < ro to them
and try to bring means and influences to bear upon them to which they will attend , and which will , by God ' s blessing , gradually bring them round to a better mind , and lead them on to a
more pcr . cct life . Now this is just tlie ground Freemasonry occupies with respect to religion . It is a great system of pure morality . It does not profess , in
any way , shape , or manner , to interfere with a man ' s religious or political belief , or prejudices . As far as Freemasonry is concerned , a man may be a Churchman , or a Dissenter , a Jew , or a
Christian , a Alohammedan or a Roman Catholic , so long as he acknowledges his faith and belief in the one true God , since it is onl y infidels , atheists , or heathens , whom we exclude on the
ground of reli gion . In politics , too , a man may be a Conservative or a Liberal , or hold whatever opinions he chooses , provided he pays strict attention and obedience to the laws of his craft
and the ordinances of the realm or state , under whicii he lives . Thus you see , brethren , that loyalty to the Sovereign of our native land , and to
our Grand Master , as thc sovereign of our order , are forcibl y inculcated on all who serve under our banners , and more especially onthos ^ who occupy a prominent position amongst us . Indeed , each
Masonic Sermon.
brother , before he assumes the government of a lodge , is called upon to make a solemn promise , that he will be " a peaceable subject , conforming to the laws of his country , avoiding conspiracies
of all kinds , and , paying proper respect to the civil magistrates , will work diligently , live creditably , and act honourably towards all men . " A certain system of morality and subordination
is held to be the mainspring of the order , and if any one bv word or deed violates that strict code which is laid down , he is , by his own act and deed , excluded , and has only himself to blame
for the position in which he is placed . And thus it comes to pass that a Alasonic lodge is a sort of neutral ground , where men of all sorts of opinions
can meet , and be on friendly terms , because all topics of religious or political discussion , those two topics on which people are , unhappily , too prone to disagree , arc rigorously excluded .
But there is another objection often urged against Freemasonry . It is said we never meet except for social reasons . That " there is always
a dinner or a banquet ; " that we " talk a great deal about charity , but that it seems to begin at home , by taking care of ourselves . " I quite
allow there is some truth in this , ancl sometimes a case may occur where one or two of those who gather round the table are led into excess . But is this , I would ask , a reason for condemning
the whole body for the excesses of a few ? Here ancl there , of course , amongst such a large body as 100 , 000 men , as thc AIasonic Order numbers under its banners in Englantl alone , such things
may be found ; but you might as well condemn Christianity because a few professing Christians commit murder , ancl adultery , and every imaginable wickedness . You might as well condemn everv lawful thinsr because there are some few
who always will abuse it . Surely this is no fair { ilea to urge against our Order . AVhen men meet together for three or four hours' work or intercourse , or if it be no more than for mere
conversation , instead of 111 a AIasonic Lodge , where I can assure those who have not tried it , that the effort of memory and exercise of the mind is often really most severe , some kind of
change and recreation is usually needed , and if that refreshment is conducted iu the proper manner , and as I am bound to say , it generall y is , or in a right and becoming way , I cannot but think
that it tends to make men better , and more charitable , in their judgements one of another , and better and more intelligent members of societv at large .
Then as to the charity side of the question . Pcojile talk about our clothing , our dress , our jewels , just as if this were all we thought about ! In answer , I would say , "Just go
and visit our Alasonic Boys' School , at Woodgreen , or our Girls' School , at Battersea . Look at no boys and 100 girls—children of deceased , or indigent Freemasons , of those who when they
entered Alasonry , as little thought their children would want help as I do now for mine . Think of those children , educated , boarded , fed , clothed , and afterwards put out into the world by means
of Alasonry , and then say whether there is not some good in an order whicii never meets without making a collection , either for our " poor and distressed brethren , " or for some other charitable object , ancl which three ycars ago
Masonic Sermon.
subscribed in 13 months , upwards of . £ 23 , 000 to the Boys' School , alone ; ancl which , every year , contributes some ^ , 000 to each of our three noble institutions . Then look at our great
"Asylum for Aged Freemasons , ancl Widows of Freemasons , " at Croydon , look at our "Lodge or Fund of Benevolence , " which every month gives relief , to the amount of some ^ 400 , to
any case of distress , well vouched for , that is brought before it ; and then say , for I leave you each to judge , whether there is not some good in the AIasonic Body , as a charitable
institution . But then peojile say again— "Why , do you want a secret ? Why not throw all these benefits open to the world ? " Surely , brethren ,
this is a childish question . AVhy does a man belong to any club , or subscribs to any society , but because he hopes to gain some benefit , restricted to the members of that society , from
which the outer world are necessarily debarred . Why should not , by the same ( reasoning , every lierson have an equal right to anything
he fancies , which he sees in a shop window ? why should the man that pays for it alone be deemed to have a prior claim ?
Freemasonry , as I have said , and as I have tried to show , "is founded on the purest principles of piety and virtue , it possesses many great and invaluable privileges , and in order to secure
those privileges to worthy men , and we trust to worth } ' men alone , vows of fidelit y of secrecy arc required , " and since if all the world knew the distinguishing sign and word ofa Freemason ,
the privileges would be universal , instead of under a restriction , and the society , as such worthless , and at an end . That is why we have our secrets , because , by them , we can distinguish
one another , and thus know who are tit and projier persons for relief , from our own private funds , and who are not . I might go on to tell you more of Freemasonry , and explain to you how
" every character , figure , or emblem , depicted in our lodges has a moral tendency , and serves to inculcate the practice of virtue in all its genuine professors . "'
I could tell you what most of our signs and symbols mean , and could shew you how there is a deep significance underlying many emblems , upon which , perhaps , many of you , have
thoughtlessly , and even perhaps scoffingly , often gazed . But time will not permit me longer to dwell upon this subject , yet , as I conclude , I will just give you three emblems , by way of
example—all known , of course , to my masonic brethren , though not to others—just as a specimen of our system . The square , the level , and the plumb rule , arc
well known emblems of Freemasonry , are they not ? and their teaching , to us Alasons , is as follows : The square teaches us to regulate our actions by the mosaic line and rule , and so to
correct and harnioinze our conduct in this life as to render us acceptable to that Divine Being from whom all goodness emanates , and to whom we must give an undisguised account of our lives
and actions . The level teaches us that we all spring from the same stock , are partakers of the same nature , and sharers of the same hope , and that though distinctions amongst men are highly necessary to preserve due subordination , and to
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Sermon.
and the orphan , to try to lig hten the load under which our fellow creatures may be groaning , and in a word , to fulfil the great and golden rule , of "doincc unto all men , as we would they
, should do unto us . " But then , it may be said , and it vcry often is said , "AVhy do you want any particular society , or bond , to teach you all these things ? " I answer , it certainly docs so ,
and if men would only pray to God to help them to live up to their obligations , and their duty as Christians , we should need no Freemasonry to help us on our way , and teach us better , For
wc should have arrived at that millennium state , of which we read and hear , when "the people shall be all righteous , " ancl when everything shall be perfect and excellent , I will not say to
an unnatural , though I may to an unknown , and hitherto an unexperienced , extent . And it is just because I think that human nature is so weak , and so frail , and so greatly in need of
every help , and every assistance it can find , that lam such a devoted advocate of Freemasonry . Not because I wish , for one moment , to exalt it , as some do , into a religion , or to put it for an
instant , even in thought , into comparison with religion , but because I hold it to be such an excellent helpmate and handmaid to religion and religious practice ; this is why I love
Freemasonry so much . In dealing with men and women , you must think of them , and legislate for them , not as they ought to be , but rather as thev are . If all people did always
exactly as they ought there wonld be no need of clergymen , or schools , or anything else , to teach them tlieir duty , but as it is , such helps are needed . ' AA ' e all know that it is the duty of
every conscientious and right thinking man , whether hc be churchman or dissenter , to go either to church or to chapel , but we all know too , do wc not , that there are thousands who
will never , of their own accord , enter either tho one or the other , and so if we would bring these persons under any religious influence whatever , we know that we must < ro to them
and try to bring means and influences to bear upon them to which they will attend , and which will , by God ' s blessing , gradually bring them round to a better mind , and lead them on to a
more pcr . cct life . Now this is just tlie ground Freemasonry occupies with respect to religion . It is a great system of pure morality . It does not profess , in
any way , shape , or manner , to interfere with a man ' s religious or political belief , or prejudices . As far as Freemasonry is concerned , a man may be a Churchman , or a Dissenter , a Jew , or a
Christian , a Alohammedan or a Roman Catholic , so long as he acknowledges his faith and belief in the one true God , since it is onl y infidels , atheists , or heathens , whom we exclude on the
ground of reli gion . In politics , too , a man may be a Conservative or a Liberal , or hold whatever opinions he chooses , provided he pays strict attention and obedience to the laws of his craft
and the ordinances of the realm or state , under whicii he lives . Thus you see , brethren , that loyalty to the Sovereign of our native land , and to
our Grand Master , as thc sovereign of our order , are forcibl y inculcated on all who serve under our banners , and more especially onthos ^ who occupy a prominent position amongst us . Indeed , each
Masonic Sermon.
brother , before he assumes the government of a lodge , is called upon to make a solemn promise , that he will be " a peaceable subject , conforming to the laws of his country , avoiding conspiracies
of all kinds , and , paying proper respect to the civil magistrates , will work diligently , live creditably , and act honourably towards all men . " A certain system of morality and subordination
is held to be the mainspring of the order , and if any one bv word or deed violates that strict code which is laid down , he is , by his own act and deed , excluded , and has only himself to blame
for the position in which he is placed . And thus it comes to pass that a Alasonic lodge is a sort of neutral ground , where men of all sorts of opinions
can meet , and be on friendly terms , because all topics of religious or political discussion , those two topics on which people are , unhappily , too prone to disagree , arc rigorously excluded .
But there is another objection often urged against Freemasonry . It is said we never meet except for social reasons . That " there is always
a dinner or a banquet ; " that we " talk a great deal about charity , but that it seems to begin at home , by taking care of ourselves . " I quite
allow there is some truth in this , ancl sometimes a case may occur where one or two of those who gather round the table are led into excess . But is this , I would ask , a reason for condemning
the whole body for the excesses of a few ? Here ancl there , of course , amongst such a large body as 100 , 000 men , as thc AIasonic Order numbers under its banners in Englantl alone , such things
may be found ; but you might as well condemn Christianity because a few professing Christians commit murder , ancl adultery , and every imaginable wickedness . You might as well condemn everv lawful thinsr because there are some few
who always will abuse it . Surely this is no fair { ilea to urge against our Order . AVhen men meet together for three or four hours' work or intercourse , or if it be no more than for mere
conversation , instead of 111 a AIasonic Lodge , where I can assure those who have not tried it , that the effort of memory and exercise of the mind is often really most severe , some kind of
change and recreation is usually needed , and if that refreshment is conducted iu the proper manner , and as I am bound to say , it generall y is , or in a right and becoming way , I cannot but think
that it tends to make men better , and more charitable , in their judgements one of another , and better and more intelligent members of societv at large .
Then as to the charity side of the question . Pcojile talk about our clothing , our dress , our jewels , just as if this were all we thought about ! In answer , I would say , "Just go
and visit our Alasonic Boys' School , at Woodgreen , or our Girls' School , at Battersea . Look at no boys and 100 girls—children of deceased , or indigent Freemasons , of those who when they
entered Alasonry , as little thought their children would want help as I do now for mine . Think of those children , educated , boarded , fed , clothed , and afterwards put out into the world by means
of Alasonry , and then say whether there is not some good in an order whicii never meets without making a collection , either for our " poor and distressed brethren , " or for some other charitable object , ancl which three ycars ago
Masonic Sermon.
subscribed in 13 months , upwards of . £ 23 , 000 to the Boys' School , alone ; ancl which , every year , contributes some ^ , 000 to each of our three noble institutions . Then look at our great
"Asylum for Aged Freemasons , ancl Widows of Freemasons , " at Croydon , look at our "Lodge or Fund of Benevolence , " which every month gives relief , to the amount of some ^ 400 , to
any case of distress , well vouched for , that is brought before it ; and then say , for I leave you each to judge , whether there is not some good in the AIasonic Body , as a charitable
institution . But then peojile say again— "Why , do you want a secret ? Why not throw all these benefits open to the world ? " Surely , brethren ,
this is a childish question . AVhy does a man belong to any club , or subscribs to any society , but because he hopes to gain some benefit , restricted to the members of that society , from
which the outer world are necessarily debarred . Why should not , by the same ( reasoning , every lierson have an equal right to anything
he fancies , which he sees in a shop window ? why should the man that pays for it alone be deemed to have a prior claim ?
Freemasonry , as I have said , and as I have tried to show , "is founded on the purest principles of piety and virtue , it possesses many great and invaluable privileges , and in order to secure
those privileges to worthy men , and we trust to worth } ' men alone , vows of fidelit y of secrecy arc required , " and since if all the world knew the distinguishing sign and word ofa Freemason ,
the privileges would be universal , instead of under a restriction , and the society , as such worthless , and at an end . That is why we have our secrets , because , by them , we can distinguish
one another , and thus know who are tit and projier persons for relief , from our own private funds , and who are not . I might go on to tell you more of Freemasonry , and explain to you how
" every character , figure , or emblem , depicted in our lodges has a moral tendency , and serves to inculcate the practice of virtue in all its genuine professors . "'
I could tell you what most of our signs and symbols mean , and could shew you how there is a deep significance underlying many emblems , upon which , perhaps , many of you , have
thoughtlessly , and even perhaps scoffingly , often gazed . But time will not permit me longer to dwell upon this subject , yet , as I conclude , I will just give you three emblems , by way of
example—all known , of course , to my masonic brethren , though not to others—just as a specimen of our system . The square , the level , and the plumb rule , arc
well known emblems of Freemasonry , are they not ? and their teaching , to us Alasons , is as follows : The square teaches us to regulate our actions by the mosaic line and rule , and so to
correct and harnioinze our conduct in this life as to render us acceptable to that Divine Being from whom all goodness emanates , and to whom we must give an undisguised account of our lives
and actions . The level teaches us that we all spring from the same stock , are partakers of the same nature , and sharers of the same hope , and that though distinctions amongst men are highly necessary to preserve due subordination , and to