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Article REVELATIONS OF A SQUAREE.* Page 1 of 9 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Revelations Of A Squaree.*
REVELATIONS OE A SQTTAEE *
There is something in Masonry deeper and better than words , and signs , and ceremonies , and charity , and conviviality , and fraternity : these are but the shadows which indicate the existence of those gpeat fundamental principles of the Order—principles , indeed ,
which constitute the bases of all social and political happiness and progress—which form the substance and reality of our system . Our exquisitely beautiful and appropriate ceremonial is but the curtain which conceals the inner courts of our allegorical temple , while it indicates the sanctity of that which is within the veil . Those who
are content with the signs , the ceremonies , and the enjoyments of the festive board , are merely resting upon the very ^ threshold of our sanctuary , while all the sacred mysteries which they have the opportunity of penetrating , remain , to them , even as the things which are not ; they are but floundering about amongst the straws upon the surface , while the pearls lie unheeded at the bottom ; our
fruitful fields to them are but as a wilderness , for want of tillage . Let us have conviviality and good fellowship , by all means ; let not the refreshment cease to succeed to labour ; let us continue to charge our columns , and let us not forget to " fire ! " But , at the same
time , let us not cease to remember that the labour is of primary , and the refreshment but of secondary importance . Refreshment is an adjunct rendered necessary by the tastes and habits of Englishmen , who are but too prone , unfortunately , to reverse the natural order of things , and place that first which should be last . Happily ,
however , these parties are m the minorit y ; but if a little more caution were observed by the Brethren before a candidate ' s admission , it would be much less necessary to inculcate it so strongly afterwards ; . and this minority would become " small by degrees , and * " Revelations of a Square / ' & c . —By Rev . G . Oliver , D . D . —London , Spencer . VOL . I . Xi
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Revelations Of A Squaree.*
REVELATIONS OE A SQTTAEE *
There is something in Masonry deeper and better than words , and signs , and ceremonies , and charity , and conviviality , and fraternity : these are but the shadows which indicate the existence of those gpeat fundamental principles of the Order—principles , indeed ,
which constitute the bases of all social and political happiness and progress—which form the substance and reality of our system . Our exquisitely beautiful and appropriate ceremonial is but the curtain which conceals the inner courts of our allegorical temple , while it indicates the sanctity of that which is within the veil . Those who
are content with the signs , the ceremonies , and the enjoyments of the festive board , are merely resting upon the very ^ threshold of our sanctuary , while all the sacred mysteries which they have the opportunity of penetrating , remain , to them , even as the things which are not ; they are but floundering about amongst the straws upon the surface , while the pearls lie unheeded at the bottom ; our
fruitful fields to them are but as a wilderness , for want of tillage . Let us have conviviality and good fellowship , by all means ; let not the refreshment cease to succeed to labour ; let us continue to charge our columns , and let us not forget to " fire ! " But , at the same
time , let us not cease to remember that the labour is of primary , and the refreshment but of secondary importance . Refreshment is an adjunct rendered necessary by the tastes and habits of Englishmen , who are but too prone , unfortunately , to reverse the natural order of things , and place that first which should be last . Happily ,
however , these parties are m the minorit y ; but if a little more caution were observed by the Brethren before a candidate ' s admission , it would be much less necessary to inculcate it so strongly afterwards ; . and this minority would become " small by degrees , and * " Revelations of a Square / ' & c . —By Rev . G . Oliver , D . D . —London , Spencer . VOL . I . Xi