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Article PEEEMASONET ILLTJSTEATED. ← Page 9 of 10 →
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Peeemasonet Illtjsteated.
a sufficient ground to confute all gainsayers . For no combination of wicked men for a wicked purpose ever lasted long ; the want of virtue , on which mutual trust and confidence is founded , soon divides and breaks them to pieces . Nor would men of unquestionable
wisdom , known integrity , strict honour , undoubted veracity , and good sense , though they might be trepanned into a foolish and ridiculous society , which could pretend to nothing valuable , ever continue in it , or contribute towards supporting and propagat e to
posterity . " Again , Harris , an old writer on Freemasonry , says , " It interests us also in the duties and engagements of humanity ; produces an affectionate concern for the welfare of all around us ; and , raising us superior to every selfish view or party prejudice , fills the heart with
an unlimited goodwill to man . " He also writes , " In all countries and in all ages , the true and accepted have been found to conduct themselves as peaceable citizens , and acknowledged to be the firm and decided supporters of good order , government , and religion . Its laws are reason and equity ; its principles benevolence and love ; and its religion purity and truth ; fa intention is peace on earth ; and its
disposition goodwill towards men . " The Rev . : Dr .- ; ..- ; Miine Grand Chaplain , in a sermon before the Grand Lodge of Englaiid , in 1788 , says , " I think we are warranted in contending that a society thus constituted , and which may be
rendered so admirable an engine of improvement , far from meriting any reproachful or contumelious treatment , deserves highly of the community ; and that the ridicule and affected contempt which it has sometimes experienced can proceed only from ignorance or from arrogance ; from those , in fine , whose opposition does it honour , whose censure is panegyric , and whose praise would be
censure . " Preston , in his illustrations of Freemasonry , thus eulogises the system : — " Masonry comprehends within its circle every branch of useful knowledge and learning , and stamps an indelible mark of pre-eminence on its genuine professors , which neither chance , power , nor fortune can bestow . When its rules are strictly observed , it is
a Sure foundation of tranquillity amid the various disappointments of life ; a friend , that will not deceive , but will comfort and assist in prosperity and adversity ; a blessing , that AviU remain with all times , circumstances , and places , and to which recourse may be had when other earthly comforts sink into disregard . Masonry gives real and intrinsic excellency to man , and renders him fit for the duties of society . It strengthens the mind against the storms of life , paves
the way to peace , and promotes domestic happiness . It ameliorates the temper , and improves the understanding ; it is company in solitude , and gives vivacity , variety , and energy to social conversation . In youth it governs the passions and employs usefully our most active faculties ; and , in age , when sickness , imbecility , and disease have benumbed the corporeal frame , and rendered the union of soul and body almost intolerable , it yields an ample fund of comfort and
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Peeemasonet Illtjsteated.
a sufficient ground to confute all gainsayers . For no combination of wicked men for a wicked purpose ever lasted long ; the want of virtue , on which mutual trust and confidence is founded , soon divides and breaks them to pieces . Nor would men of unquestionable
wisdom , known integrity , strict honour , undoubted veracity , and good sense , though they might be trepanned into a foolish and ridiculous society , which could pretend to nothing valuable , ever continue in it , or contribute towards supporting and propagat e to
posterity . " Again , Harris , an old writer on Freemasonry , says , " It interests us also in the duties and engagements of humanity ; produces an affectionate concern for the welfare of all around us ; and , raising us superior to every selfish view or party prejudice , fills the heart with
an unlimited goodwill to man . " He also writes , " In all countries and in all ages , the true and accepted have been found to conduct themselves as peaceable citizens , and acknowledged to be the firm and decided supporters of good order , government , and religion . Its laws are reason and equity ; its principles benevolence and love ; and its religion purity and truth ; fa intention is peace on earth ; and its
disposition goodwill towards men . " The Rev . : Dr .- ; ..- ; Miine Grand Chaplain , in a sermon before the Grand Lodge of Englaiid , in 1788 , says , " I think we are warranted in contending that a society thus constituted , and which may be
rendered so admirable an engine of improvement , far from meriting any reproachful or contumelious treatment , deserves highly of the community ; and that the ridicule and affected contempt which it has sometimes experienced can proceed only from ignorance or from arrogance ; from those , in fine , whose opposition does it honour , whose censure is panegyric , and whose praise would be
censure . " Preston , in his illustrations of Freemasonry , thus eulogises the system : — " Masonry comprehends within its circle every branch of useful knowledge and learning , and stamps an indelible mark of pre-eminence on its genuine professors , which neither chance , power , nor fortune can bestow . When its rules are strictly observed , it is
a Sure foundation of tranquillity amid the various disappointments of life ; a friend , that will not deceive , but will comfort and assist in prosperity and adversity ; a blessing , that AviU remain with all times , circumstances , and places , and to which recourse may be had when other earthly comforts sink into disregard . Masonry gives real and intrinsic excellency to man , and renders him fit for the duties of society . It strengthens the mind against the storms of life , paves
the way to peace , and promotes domestic happiness . It ameliorates the temper , and improves the understanding ; it is company in solitude , and gives vivacity , variety , and energy to social conversation . In youth it governs the passions and employs usefully our most active faculties ; and , in age , when sickness , imbecility , and disease have benumbed the corporeal frame , and rendered the union of soul and body almost intolerable , it yields an ample fund of comfort and