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Article FREEMASONRY ILLUSTRATED. Page 1 of 16 →
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Freemasonry Illustrated.
FBEEMASONRY ILLUSTRATED .
TSTo . II . -, . " .. " These men , skilled in divine and human knowledge , do not disclose to the vulgar the hidden significations contained under the natural appearances , hut veil them under figures and emblems ; yet they are ready to reveal them in a proper place and with due ceremonies to those who are deserving and worthy of being initiated . So far I am permitted to say with respect , preserving a reverential silence as to what further relates to these mystic rites . "—Heliodorus .
HA . viNain our opening article briefly stated the nature and traced the rise and progress of Freemasonry , we would now call attention , as an authoritative exponent of the principles of the Institution in England , to the two first clauses of the ancient charges , as set forth in the Book of Constitutions : —
'"A . Mason is obliged , by his tenure , to obey the moral law ; and if he rightly understand the art he will never he a stupid atheist nor an irreligious libertine . He , of all men , should best understand that God seeth not as man seeth ; for man looketh at the outward appearance , but God looketh to the heart . A mason is , therefore , particularly hound never to act against the dictates of his conscience . Let a man ' s religion or mode of worship be what it may , he is not excluded from the Order , provided
lie believe in the glorious Architect of heaven and earth , and practise the sacred duties of morality . Masons unite with the virtuous of every persuasion in the firm and pleasing bond of fraternal love ; they are taught to view the errors of mankind with compassion , and to strive , by the purity of their own conduct , to demonstrate the superior excellence of the faith they may profess . Thus Masonry is the centre of union between good men and true , and the happy means of conciliating friendship amongst those who must otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance .
" A Mason is a peaceable subject to the civil powers wherever he resides or works , and is never to be concerned in plots and conspiracies against the peace and welfare of the nation , nor to behave himself undutifully to inferior magistrates . He is cheerfully to conform to every lawful authority ; to uphold , on every occasion , the interest of the community ; and zealously promote the prosperity of his own country . Masonry has ever flourished
in times of peace , and been always injured by war , bloodshed , and confusion ; so that kings and princes , in every age , have been much disposed to encourage the Craftsmen on account of their peaceableness and loyalty , whereby they practically answer the cavils of their adversaries , and promote the honour of the fraternity . Craftsmen are bound by peculiar ties to promote peace , cultivate harmony , and live in concord and brotherly love . "
Bro . Dr . Oliver , who has laboured earnestly in the cause of the institution , says : " Freemasonry is neither an exclusive svatem of VOT * . IV . j .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry Illustrated.
FBEEMASONRY ILLUSTRATED .
TSTo . II . -, . " .. " These men , skilled in divine and human knowledge , do not disclose to the vulgar the hidden significations contained under the natural appearances , hut veil them under figures and emblems ; yet they are ready to reveal them in a proper place and with due ceremonies to those who are deserving and worthy of being initiated . So far I am permitted to say with respect , preserving a reverential silence as to what further relates to these mystic rites . "—Heliodorus .
HA . viNain our opening article briefly stated the nature and traced the rise and progress of Freemasonry , we would now call attention , as an authoritative exponent of the principles of the Institution in England , to the two first clauses of the ancient charges , as set forth in the Book of Constitutions : —
'"A . Mason is obliged , by his tenure , to obey the moral law ; and if he rightly understand the art he will never he a stupid atheist nor an irreligious libertine . He , of all men , should best understand that God seeth not as man seeth ; for man looketh at the outward appearance , but God looketh to the heart . A mason is , therefore , particularly hound never to act against the dictates of his conscience . Let a man ' s religion or mode of worship be what it may , he is not excluded from the Order , provided
lie believe in the glorious Architect of heaven and earth , and practise the sacred duties of morality . Masons unite with the virtuous of every persuasion in the firm and pleasing bond of fraternal love ; they are taught to view the errors of mankind with compassion , and to strive , by the purity of their own conduct , to demonstrate the superior excellence of the faith they may profess . Thus Masonry is the centre of union between good men and true , and the happy means of conciliating friendship amongst those who must otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance .
" A Mason is a peaceable subject to the civil powers wherever he resides or works , and is never to be concerned in plots and conspiracies against the peace and welfare of the nation , nor to behave himself undutifully to inferior magistrates . He is cheerfully to conform to every lawful authority ; to uphold , on every occasion , the interest of the community ; and zealously promote the prosperity of his own country . Masonry has ever flourished
in times of peace , and been always injured by war , bloodshed , and confusion ; so that kings and princes , in every age , have been much disposed to encourage the Craftsmen on account of their peaceableness and loyalty , whereby they practically answer the cavils of their adversaries , and promote the honour of the fraternity . Craftsmen are bound by peculiar ties to promote peace , cultivate harmony , and live in concord and brotherly love . "
Bro . Dr . Oliver , who has laboured earnestly in the cause of the institution , says : " Freemasonry is neither an exclusive svatem of VOT * . IV . j .