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Article KEVIEWS OF NEW BOOKS. ← Page 2 of 2
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Keviews Of New Books.
" What is Freemasonry ! an Address delivered before Richland Lodge , No . 39 , A . \ F . ' . M . \ at Columbia , S . C ., on St . John the Evangelist ' s DayyA . ' . L . ' . 5857 , " by Theodore S . Gourdix , P . M . of Landmark Lodge , No . 76 ; together with the other pi'oceedings had on that occasion . Published by request of the Lodge Columbia : J . C . Morgan . —The matter comprehended in the laconic , yet
powerful and all-important question , from which transatlantic Brother has—so to speak —composed his sermon , is exceedingly rife with intelligent information . Many times has the question , " . " . What is Freemasonry ? " been asked , and many times has it been answered , and we hail with unfeigned pleasure the writings of the Masonic scholar who comes forward to reply to this pregnant query of the too often sceptical catechist . The composer of the address before us has well performed his task ; and the important notes and references with which his address is
accompanied bear abundant evidence of the research which has attended it . Not only will this address be found exceedingly full of instruction and enlightenment to the uninitiated ; but all our Brethren , however well versed they may be in all that appertains to Freemasonry , will hardly fail to find in the brochure before us some acceptable addition to their stock ofknowledge . After well dealing with the doctrines of the Order as comprehended in its three Degrees , the clever writer ably argues the point so often raised in reference to the secrecy and exclusiveness of Masonry ;
and soundly reasons , on grounds to our mind incontrovertible , in favour of that secrecy which has ever been one of its highest characteristics . There are two or three points of a theological nature upon which we do not entirely agree with him ; but as these do not trench upon the precise merits of an Order whose principles he has so well shown his ability to expound , we decline attempting to be controversial . Very sound and lucid are his general views—more especially those which are written in illustration ofthe propriety of that secrecy which is inseparable
from Freemasonry . This part of the subject is exceedingly well handled . Excellent , too , is the counsel touching the looseness too often apparent in the admission of men into the Order ere proper scrutiny has been exercised as to their real eligibility—well saying , that— " The admission of one improper member may destroy the harmony existing amongst you , disperse the Lodge , and inflict a wound on our institution in your neighbourhood which it will require many years
to heal . No man should be admitted among you whose conduct you cannot fully approve , and whom you are unwilling to greet as a Brother at all times and on all occasions . " This , however , with all deference to the Lodges of South Carolina , is , according to the writer ' s own showing , perhaps somewhat more applicable to that country than to our own . We cannot close our notice of this truly gratifying address without acknowledging the compliment paid to the Freemasons of Old England , for their noble and successful exertions in the
establishment and support of their asylums and schools . He urges these as examples worthy of all praise and imitation , and regrets deeply that , although in many of the sister states there are many Masonic schools and colleges for both sexes , in the state of South Carolina , "in these charities they are lamentably deficient . " And in illustration of the blessings derivable from the practice of such charities he aptly quotes Rowe ' s beautiful
lines" Think not the good , The gentle deeds of mercy thou hast done Shall die forgotten all ; the poor , the pris ' ner , The fatherless , the friendless , and the widow , Who daily own the bounty of thy hand , Shall cry to Heav ' n and pull a blessing on thee !"
The zealous upholder of Freemasonry thus closes his admirable address : — "Do these things and you will render your Lodge what it was originally intended to be—an academy for the instruction of the youth of your country in the most sublime truths of theology , and in the practice ofthe most commendable precepts of morality . Your meetings will become the great centre of attraction for the wise and the good in your community , and your members will be honoured by their fellow-citizens ,. and blessed by their Maker . "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Keviews Of New Books.
" What is Freemasonry ! an Address delivered before Richland Lodge , No . 39 , A . \ F . ' . M . \ at Columbia , S . C ., on St . John the Evangelist ' s DayyA . ' . L . ' . 5857 , " by Theodore S . Gourdix , P . M . of Landmark Lodge , No . 76 ; together with the other pi'oceedings had on that occasion . Published by request of the Lodge Columbia : J . C . Morgan . —The matter comprehended in the laconic , yet
powerful and all-important question , from which transatlantic Brother has—so to speak —composed his sermon , is exceedingly rife with intelligent information . Many times has the question , " . " . What is Freemasonry ? " been asked , and many times has it been answered , and we hail with unfeigned pleasure the writings of the Masonic scholar who comes forward to reply to this pregnant query of the too often sceptical catechist . The composer of the address before us has well performed his task ; and the important notes and references with which his address is
accompanied bear abundant evidence of the research which has attended it . Not only will this address be found exceedingly full of instruction and enlightenment to the uninitiated ; but all our Brethren , however well versed they may be in all that appertains to Freemasonry , will hardly fail to find in the brochure before us some acceptable addition to their stock ofknowledge . After well dealing with the doctrines of the Order as comprehended in its three Degrees , the clever writer ably argues the point so often raised in reference to the secrecy and exclusiveness of Masonry ;
and soundly reasons , on grounds to our mind incontrovertible , in favour of that secrecy which has ever been one of its highest characteristics . There are two or three points of a theological nature upon which we do not entirely agree with him ; but as these do not trench upon the precise merits of an Order whose principles he has so well shown his ability to expound , we decline attempting to be controversial . Very sound and lucid are his general views—more especially those which are written in illustration ofthe propriety of that secrecy which is inseparable
from Freemasonry . This part of the subject is exceedingly well handled . Excellent , too , is the counsel touching the looseness too often apparent in the admission of men into the Order ere proper scrutiny has been exercised as to their real eligibility—well saying , that— " The admission of one improper member may destroy the harmony existing amongst you , disperse the Lodge , and inflict a wound on our institution in your neighbourhood which it will require many years
to heal . No man should be admitted among you whose conduct you cannot fully approve , and whom you are unwilling to greet as a Brother at all times and on all occasions . " This , however , with all deference to the Lodges of South Carolina , is , according to the writer ' s own showing , perhaps somewhat more applicable to that country than to our own . We cannot close our notice of this truly gratifying address without acknowledging the compliment paid to the Freemasons of Old England , for their noble and successful exertions in the
establishment and support of their asylums and schools . He urges these as examples worthy of all praise and imitation , and regrets deeply that , although in many of the sister states there are many Masonic schools and colleges for both sexes , in the state of South Carolina , "in these charities they are lamentably deficient . " And in illustration of the blessings derivable from the practice of such charities he aptly quotes Rowe ' s beautiful
lines" Think not the good , The gentle deeds of mercy thou hast done Shall die forgotten all ; the poor , the pris ' ner , The fatherless , the friendless , and the widow , Who daily own the bounty of thy hand , Shall cry to Heav ' n and pull a blessing on thee !"
The zealous upholder of Freemasonry thus closes his admirable address : — "Do these things and you will render your Lodge what it was originally intended to be—an academy for the instruction of the youth of your country in the most sublime truths of theology , and in the practice ofthe most commendable precepts of morality . Your meetings will become the great centre of attraction for the wise and the good in your community , and your members will be honoured by their fellow-citizens ,. and blessed by their Maker . "