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friend . We are pledged to him , he to us . Suppose we are rash and hasty—we may admit one who , though the Order is irreproachable , may bring reproach on us , and discredit from the popular world . There are those who think that banquets do good to Masonry . Let us give this matter a passing thought , Masons are made up of men of all grades of life , for virtue , like the sun in the heavens , shines in cottages and ancestral castles , and in our land , by the blessing of the Grand Architect , is most conspicuous in our Royal Palace .
And as of all grades , so our Brethren are both rich and poor . In the Lodge these men of unequal means are all equal ; but take them from labour to refreshment , you make them unequal , or you burthen your Lodge with incumbrances , to take from her power of doing good . I am not one of those myself , who would truckle to the cry of the
public ; but the fact is well known , we must respect the opinions of the world , and give no occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully : and to keep the Science in good favour with that public , I would earnestly commend in Lodge attendance , firm punctuality and early hours ; if the financial condition of the Lodge permits , moderate Banqueting—always on the square .
But it has occurred to me and I find it has appeared to others , that much good will accrue to Masonry if on what may be called the " off nights" of Lodges , the Brethren will in turn ( or as they may agree ) give to each other the results of their Masonic experience and research . The good of such a system is incalculable . It accords with the enterprising spirit of the age . It is part of the intelligence of present times , and we shall see the giant , refreshed with sleep , arise ( I trust by this means ) to ten-fold labour and usefulness .
There is no Brother who cannot give something to the general stock ; no Brother whose disadvantages are so great , that he cannot instruct in one night , and on another receive instruction . . I would , however , seriously recommend brevity . It has been called the soul of wit ; certainly it is the life current of instruction . And
I would very humbly go farther , and commend short sentences , as more easily grasped by the mind , and less likely to pass over the ear * I would urge upon the Brethren , that this is a plain , sensible , straightforward course . It is in fact reduced to two propositions . Either , Brethren , instruct , or be instructed .
The Brethren who built the solemn and gorgeous temple , that awful symbol of the presence of the Grand Architect , and a pledge that He would for ever dwell with man and guide and direct his heart , met when their hours of labour were passed and over , to mutually instruct each other , and to gain wisdom . They threw aside the selfish
mystery that enveloped liberal sciences like a cloud , and taught and were instructed mutually . They excluded from these their kindly meetings , the Pagan Craftsmen , who would have used the noble science ( could they have learnt it ) to the honour of ghastly idols , formed from a prostitution of the very highest flights and noblest efforts of the genuine Master Mason .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Untitled Article
friend . We are pledged to him , he to us . Suppose we are rash and hasty—we may admit one who , though the Order is irreproachable , may bring reproach on us , and discredit from the popular world . There are those who think that banquets do good to Masonry . Let us give this matter a passing thought , Masons are made up of men of all grades of life , for virtue , like the sun in the heavens , shines in cottages and ancestral castles , and in our land , by the blessing of the Grand Architect , is most conspicuous in our Royal Palace .
And as of all grades , so our Brethren are both rich and poor . In the Lodge these men of unequal means are all equal ; but take them from labour to refreshment , you make them unequal , or you burthen your Lodge with incumbrances , to take from her power of doing good . I am not one of those myself , who would truckle to the cry of the
public ; but the fact is well known , we must respect the opinions of the world , and give no occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully : and to keep the Science in good favour with that public , I would earnestly commend in Lodge attendance , firm punctuality and early hours ; if the financial condition of the Lodge permits , moderate Banqueting—always on the square .
But it has occurred to me and I find it has appeared to others , that much good will accrue to Masonry if on what may be called the " off nights" of Lodges , the Brethren will in turn ( or as they may agree ) give to each other the results of their Masonic experience and research . The good of such a system is incalculable . It accords with the enterprising spirit of the age . It is part of the intelligence of present times , and we shall see the giant , refreshed with sleep , arise ( I trust by this means ) to ten-fold labour and usefulness .
There is no Brother who cannot give something to the general stock ; no Brother whose disadvantages are so great , that he cannot instruct in one night , and on another receive instruction . . I would , however , seriously recommend brevity . It has been called the soul of wit ; certainly it is the life current of instruction . And
I would very humbly go farther , and commend short sentences , as more easily grasped by the mind , and less likely to pass over the ear * I would urge upon the Brethren , that this is a plain , sensible , straightforward course . It is in fact reduced to two propositions . Either , Brethren , instruct , or be instructed .
The Brethren who built the solemn and gorgeous temple , that awful symbol of the presence of the Grand Architect , and a pledge that He would for ever dwell with man and guide and direct his heart , met when their hours of labour were passed and over , to mutually instruct each other , and to gain wisdom . They threw aside the selfish
mystery that enveloped liberal sciences like a cloud , and taught and were instructed mutually . They excluded from these their kindly meetings , the Pagan Craftsmen , who would have used the noble science ( could they have learnt it ) to the honour of ghastly idols , formed from a prostitution of the very highest flights and noblest efforts of the genuine Master Mason .