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Article THE SPIRIT OF FREEMASONRY. ← Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Spirit Of Freemasonry.
larger dimensions ; but the surpassing excellence of that building over all others consisted in its cost , and in the magnificence of its decorations . Built of enormous blocks of white marble , put together with all the architectural symmetry and harmony
which the most ingenious workmen could devise , it was a monument of skill and ingenuity . In the superb glory of that temple ; the order manifest at its creation and the gorgeous ceremony of its dedication—in all these things the true
craftsman sees the symbols of a still more glorious temple , with its golden streets . And the Mason who does not look beyond the mere forms and ceremonies of the institution fails , utterly fails , to realize the import of its teachings . Its sublime truths are
indeed mysteries to him . But no brother can fail to become a better and a wiser Mason if he carefully pauses on his way through the degrees , and studies the allegories and symbols so profusely set before him . If he turns to the right or to the
left , the lessons of truth are there before him , and it only remains for him to study then deep and hidden meaning . It is necessary that I should state these facts ,
because whatever good effect , or whatever good impression Masonry is calculated to produce are all but lost upon the careless or unthinking Mason . The system has certain lessons of practical wisdom to teach , and a certain impression for good to produceor elsehow shall we account for the
, , hold which it has upon the learned , the great and the good of all ages and nations . A system which has outlived centuries of conflicts , of defeats and victories , and which has become so extended in its ramifications , must certainly contain within itself
living principles of paramount importance . To bring to light some of these principles , and to show their practical bearings upon us as Masons , is at present our object . When a candidate once passes the door of a Masonic Lodgehe is made to feel that
, whatever distinctions prevail in the outside world , within that lodge all are equal . It is quite true that in a Masonic Lodge we have certain distinctions , which are secured by moral worth , and , it may be , intellectual culture ; yet , neverthelessthe
, broad fact remains , that we , as Masons , are a . ' : equal , and meet upon the common basis of a brotherhood . This fact will appear patent to everyone who realizes that
Freemasonry is not an association , order or institution , but a fraternity . So that within a Masonic Lodge the poorest Mason may feel himself as the equal of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . A Mason is made to feel
at the very threshold that he is a poor candidate in a state of darkness , and that all that lies before him in the world of Masonry has to be acquired by patient labour , close observation , and by a spirit willing to learn . Such an ordeal is well calculated to take from a man all vain conceitand
, all silly , pulfed-up ideas of superiority . Here , also , in this fact lies the grave responsibility of a Freemason when about to cast his vote for the admission of a candidate for initiation . By such a vote you are about admitting one into the fraternity ,
and as a matter of course , into the most intimate and confidential relationship to yourselves . It behoves you , therefore , to weigh the matter honestly and fearlessly , and to act according to your well-founded convictions . On such an occasion it is
necessarj' that eveiy Alason should lay aside all prejudices , and to weigh such an one in the scale of righteousness , to see whether he comes up to the weights of the temple , and to come up to the requirements of our ancient usages . If by reason of carelessness or unfaithfulnessan unworthy
, man is admitted , you do yourselves and the fraternity at large an irreparable injury . Then again , on the other hand , if by reason of prejudice , a narrow mind , a mere matter of feeling , a good and true man , well calculated to grace our mystic gatheringsis
re-, jected , you yourselves , and the fraternity at large suffer a grievous loss . The more attention I devote to Masonic Ritual , the more am I convinced , that if we faithfully and honestly carry out its requirements , ' we cannot fail to maintain for
our institution the distinguished and honourable position -which it ever has held . In the entered apprentice degree the candidate is required to declare his belief in the existence of God , because He is the source of all knowledge , and the fountain of all light , and how can a man enter upon the search of that which he does not believe ml His existence is the central fact of
human life , and every other light or knowledge is only a broken reflection from tho great sun . Therefore it is that no one can take even the first step in Masonry until he declares his belief hi the great I am , of
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Spirit Of Freemasonry.
larger dimensions ; but the surpassing excellence of that building over all others consisted in its cost , and in the magnificence of its decorations . Built of enormous blocks of white marble , put together with all the architectural symmetry and harmony
which the most ingenious workmen could devise , it was a monument of skill and ingenuity . In the superb glory of that temple ; the order manifest at its creation and the gorgeous ceremony of its dedication—in all these things the true
craftsman sees the symbols of a still more glorious temple , with its golden streets . And the Mason who does not look beyond the mere forms and ceremonies of the institution fails , utterly fails , to realize the import of its teachings . Its sublime truths are
indeed mysteries to him . But no brother can fail to become a better and a wiser Mason if he carefully pauses on his way through the degrees , and studies the allegories and symbols so profusely set before him . If he turns to the right or to the
left , the lessons of truth are there before him , and it only remains for him to study then deep and hidden meaning . It is necessary that I should state these facts ,
because whatever good effect , or whatever good impression Masonry is calculated to produce are all but lost upon the careless or unthinking Mason . The system has certain lessons of practical wisdom to teach , and a certain impression for good to produceor elsehow shall we account for the
, , hold which it has upon the learned , the great and the good of all ages and nations . A system which has outlived centuries of conflicts , of defeats and victories , and which has become so extended in its ramifications , must certainly contain within itself
living principles of paramount importance . To bring to light some of these principles , and to show their practical bearings upon us as Masons , is at present our object . When a candidate once passes the door of a Masonic Lodgehe is made to feel that
, whatever distinctions prevail in the outside world , within that lodge all are equal . It is quite true that in a Masonic Lodge we have certain distinctions , which are secured by moral worth , and , it may be , intellectual culture ; yet , neverthelessthe
, broad fact remains , that we , as Masons , are a . ' : equal , and meet upon the common basis of a brotherhood . This fact will appear patent to everyone who realizes that
Freemasonry is not an association , order or institution , but a fraternity . So that within a Masonic Lodge the poorest Mason may feel himself as the equal of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . A Mason is made to feel
at the very threshold that he is a poor candidate in a state of darkness , and that all that lies before him in the world of Masonry has to be acquired by patient labour , close observation , and by a spirit willing to learn . Such an ordeal is well calculated to take from a man all vain conceitand
, all silly , pulfed-up ideas of superiority . Here , also , in this fact lies the grave responsibility of a Freemason when about to cast his vote for the admission of a candidate for initiation . By such a vote you are about admitting one into the fraternity ,
and as a matter of course , into the most intimate and confidential relationship to yourselves . It behoves you , therefore , to weigh the matter honestly and fearlessly , and to act according to your well-founded convictions . On such an occasion it is
necessarj' that eveiy Alason should lay aside all prejudices , and to weigh such an one in the scale of righteousness , to see whether he comes up to the weights of the temple , and to come up to the requirements of our ancient usages . If by reason of carelessness or unfaithfulnessan unworthy
, man is admitted , you do yourselves and the fraternity at large an irreparable injury . Then again , on the other hand , if by reason of prejudice , a narrow mind , a mere matter of feeling , a good and true man , well calculated to grace our mystic gatheringsis
re-, jected , you yourselves , and the fraternity at large suffer a grievous loss . The more attention I devote to Masonic Ritual , the more am I convinced , that if we faithfully and honestly carry out its requirements , ' we cannot fail to maintain for
our institution the distinguished and honourable position -which it ever has held . In the entered apprentice degree the candidate is required to declare his belief in the existence of God , because He is the source of all knowledge , and the fountain of all light , and how can a man enter upon the search of that which he does not believe ml His existence is the central fact of
human life , and every other light or knowledge is only a broken reflection from tho great sun . Therefore it is that no one can take even the first step in Masonry until he declares his belief hi the great I am , of