-
Articles/Ads
Article ON THE MYSTERIES OF THE EARLY AGES AS CO... ← Page 6 of 6 Article THE PRACTICAL OF MASONRY. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Mysteries Of The Early Ages As Co...
Amongst the allegorical figures said to have been represented on the walls of the sanctuary of Isis , in the mysterious rites of Eleusis , the serpent is twice mentioned . In the first instance he was stated to be throwing an egg out of his mouth ( see Freemasons' Magazine
for July , 1856 , p . 478 ) , —a symbol of the production of all things by the heat of the sun;—and this will tend to prove that the Druids brought into the west of Europe those tenets prevailing in the eastern parts of the world , and that their religion certainly held some doctrines connected with the earliest ages . N . T . S .. P . M .. No . 725 .
The Practical Of Masonry.
THE PRACTICAL OF MASONKY .
It has been the great error of all Institutions , in all ages of the world , to adhere to the mere formula , or external , to the almost entire neglect of the spiritual teaching ; and in too many instances the mere form and ceremony have been regarded as the actual , or ultimate , when , in truth , they should only be regarded as the means of enabling us to accomplish the noble purpose we should ever have in view . And we are sometimes constrained to the belief that , as Masons , we are apt to be more solicitous for the ceremonial than for the true moral teaching .
But , while we should not in the least deviate from the ancient landmarks , of our ritual , nor regard it as the Alpha and Omega , yet we should keep constantly in view the' fundamental truth—that the symbols are only beneficial to the extent that they enforce moral principles and produce true moral actions . So far as Masonry produces these results upon the conduct of its members , is it to be regarded as beneficial ; and thus only will its influence be felt and principles acknowledged , as tending to produce a higher standard of morality . Let us keep this thought prominently in view , and remember the beautiful lesson
inculcated and taught by the Pot of Incense , " emblematical of a pare heart , which is always an acceptable sacrifice to the Deity ; and as this glows with fervent heat , so should our hearts continually glow with gratitude to the beneficent Author of our existence , for the manifold blessings and comforts we enjoy . " How beautiful and suggestive is this emblem , and how significant the application ! A pure heart , purged from all wrong , cleansed and purified by the influence of the Spirit of God , imbued and filled with love to Him , and love to man , in harmony with the moral law . To attain this standard , is , indeed , worthy of our efforts as
Masons ; and to attain it should be our highest aim . And while we are constantly enforcing these doctrines within the Lodge , let us endeavour to apply them to our lives , " that the honour , glory , and reputation of the Institution may be firmly established , and the world at large convinced of its good effects . " And here let me briefly call attention to a practice that is too frequently indulged in by members of the Craft—one which should not be justified by any well-informed Brother ; for it is inconsistent with every principle of our Order : holding , as we ever should , in deep reverence the name and attributes of the Deity , we should remember " never to mention His name but with that reverential awe due from
the creature to his Creator . " When we hear a Brother Mason irreverently or profusely use the name of God , we fear that he has not carefully directed his attention to the plain yet expressive language of our ritual ; for here , it would seem that the moral taught is sufficiently elevated to attract the attention , and demand the acceptance and esteem , of all . Let those of us who are addicted to
this habit , whether acquired by custom or otherwise , reflect and judge if it be consistent or accords with the moral principles as laid down in the Ancient Charges , or landmarks of Freemasonry , and that higher standard of moral action which we regard as the great light of Masonry—the Holy Scriptures , which declare , "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain . 'New York Masonic Messenger . yoj ^ ii . 4 a
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Mysteries Of The Early Ages As Co...
Amongst the allegorical figures said to have been represented on the walls of the sanctuary of Isis , in the mysterious rites of Eleusis , the serpent is twice mentioned . In the first instance he was stated to be throwing an egg out of his mouth ( see Freemasons' Magazine
for July , 1856 , p . 478 ) , —a symbol of the production of all things by the heat of the sun;—and this will tend to prove that the Druids brought into the west of Europe those tenets prevailing in the eastern parts of the world , and that their religion certainly held some doctrines connected with the earliest ages . N . T . S .. P . M .. No . 725 .
The Practical Of Masonry.
THE PRACTICAL OF MASONKY .
It has been the great error of all Institutions , in all ages of the world , to adhere to the mere formula , or external , to the almost entire neglect of the spiritual teaching ; and in too many instances the mere form and ceremony have been regarded as the actual , or ultimate , when , in truth , they should only be regarded as the means of enabling us to accomplish the noble purpose we should ever have in view . And we are sometimes constrained to the belief that , as Masons , we are apt to be more solicitous for the ceremonial than for the true moral teaching .
But , while we should not in the least deviate from the ancient landmarks , of our ritual , nor regard it as the Alpha and Omega , yet we should keep constantly in view the' fundamental truth—that the symbols are only beneficial to the extent that they enforce moral principles and produce true moral actions . So far as Masonry produces these results upon the conduct of its members , is it to be regarded as beneficial ; and thus only will its influence be felt and principles acknowledged , as tending to produce a higher standard of morality . Let us keep this thought prominently in view , and remember the beautiful lesson
inculcated and taught by the Pot of Incense , " emblematical of a pare heart , which is always an acceptable sacrifice to the Deity ; and as this glows with fervent heat , so should our hearts continually glow with gratitude to the beneficent Author of our existence , for the manifold blessings and comforts we enjoy . " How beautiful and suggestive is this emblem , and how significant the application ! A pure heart , purged from all wrong , cleansed and purified by the influence of the Spirit of God , imbued and filled with love to Him , and love to man , in harmony with the moral law . To attain this standard , is , indeed , worthy of our efforts as
Masons ; and to attain it should be our highest aim . And while we are constantly enforcing these doctrines within the Lodge , let us endeavour to apply them to our lives , " that the honour , glory , and reputation of the Institution may be firmly established , and the world at large convinced of its good effects . " And here let me briefly call attention to a practice that is too frequently indulged in by members of the Craft—one which should not be justified by any well-informed Brother ; for it is inconsistent with every principle of our Order : holding , as we ever should , in deep reverence the name and attributes of the Deity , we should remember " never to mention His name but with that reverential awe due from
the creature to his Creator . " When we hear a Brother Mason irreverently or profusely use the name of God , we fear that he has not carefully directed his attention to the plain yet expressive language of our ritual ; for here , it would seem that the moral taught is sufficiently elevated to attract the attention , and demand the acceptance and esteem , of all . Let those of us who are addicted to
this habit , whether acquired by custom or otherwise , reflect and judge if it be consistent or accords with the moral principles as laid down in the Ancient Charges , or landmarks of Freemasonry , and that higher standard of moral action which we regard as the great light of Masonry—the Holy Scriptures , which declare , "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain . 'New York Masonic Messenger . yoj ^ ii . 4 a