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Article THE DUTIES OF FREEMASONRY. ← Page 3 of 4 →
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The Duties Of Freemasonry.
Q , What are the best measures to take , and ivhat are the methods to be decided on , to ensure that thc Lodges grant initiation to those of tho profane only Avho merit it ? A . The poAver of Preemasonry is only moral , so that an obligation proceeding from it can only be enforced by moral means . More circumspection on the part of the officers of the Lodgesan oath taken
, by the introducer ofthe uninitiated , are good means to be employed . The Worshipful Master should exact proofs taken from the best sources in attestation of the leading points of the life of the candidate—ive should then have members more Avorthy of Freemasonry . The Freemason ought to be a worthy member of society—never an intriguer . Nevertheless , Freemasonry can make of a sick man a healthy oneas
, Christianity made of a Saul a Paul . Freemasonry is human—it may err , though it may be in the slightest possible degree . Moral means have often an irresistible influence . When a general sees his army yielding or giving ground , he cries " Close your ranks ! " he Avaves the standard on high ; then , as if by magic , the scattered phalanx reunites—on they rush , aucl the battle is gained .
Q . Why does Masonic zeal and ardour cease to shine ; and Avhat is the best means to employ for aAA'akening it ? A . Zeal and ardour haA'e cooled because Freemasonry has allowed , itself to diverge from its object ; it ought not to engage its virtue in religious and political disputes ; like the sun , it ought to warm all ivith its soft and beneficent heat . May it remain far off from storms .
unshaken in the midst of convulsions ! B y its peacefulness , its goodness , and majestic vigour , may it temper human ills . May it thus become the refuge of those Avho suffer from thc imperfections of society , and zeal and ardour AA'ill not be its defect . It is said sometimes—in France oppression has disappeared ; there is no longer any occasion for Preemasonry . Is it only material oppression that AVO
have as an antagonist ' ?¦ Is it not also , and above all , bad human propensities—selfishness , malevolence , pride , and all Avhich flows from these bad sentiments—do they not oppress man to such a point as to make him curse his lot ? Is it of the laivs that man can ask for remedies against these evils Avhich do him often so much harm ? No ; it is to this moral star AA'hich calls itself Freemasonry
, ivhich has been from the beginning , which ueA'cr perishes , ivhich spreads its benefits on the good , and on the evil , ivhich they wish to disoAvn but which AA'ill never disappear ; which Avill be present at the birth and at the ruin of empires ; Avhich will always stand erect , because it is the truth , and if her children will follow ita simple teaching , zeal and ardour will return . It has been . said , that our
Lodges aro merely tolerated institutions , where virtue buds like a blade of grass Avithout sun . NotAvithstanding this tolerance , we do not die , Ave preserve from century to century , the fire ivlrich burns slowly in our sanctuaries . We do not complain of this fcolei' -uice , ivhich has the appearance of bordering on . indifference , in it lies our poAver . We are not like reli gionists and politicians—a means of government . No one supplies us , ive exist of ourselves , because we
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Duties Of Freemasonry.
Q , What are the best measures to take , and ivhat are the methods to be decided on , to ensure that thc Lodges grant initiation to those of tho profane only Avho merit it ? A . The poAver of Preemasonry is only moral , so that an obligation proceeding from it can only be enforced by moral means . More circumspection on the part of the officers of the Lodgesan oath taken
, by the introducer ofthe uninitiated , are good means to be employed . The Worshipful Master should exact proofs taken from the best sources in attestation of the leading points of the life of the candidate—ive should then have members more Avorthy of Freemasonry . The Freemason ought to be a worthy member of society—never an intriguer . Nevertheless , Freemasonry can make of a sick man a healthy oneas
, Christianity made of a Saul a Paul . Freemasonry is human—it may err , though it may be in the slightest possible degree . Moral means have often an irresistible influence . When a general sees his army yielding or giving ground , he cries " Close your ranks ! " he Avaves the standard on high ; then , as if by magic , the scattered phalanx reunites—on they rush , aucl the battle is gained .
Q . Why does Masonic zeal and ardour cease to shine ; and Avhat is the best means to employ for aAA'akening it ? A . Zeal and ardour haA'e cooled because Freemasonry has allowed , itself to diverge from its object ; it ought not to engage its virtue in religious and political disputes ; like the sun , it ought to warm all ivith its soft and beneficent heat . May it remain far off from storms .
unshaken in the midst of convulsions ! B y its peacefulness , its goodness , and majestic vigour , may it temper human ills . May it thus become the refuge of those Avho suffer from thc imperfections of society , and zeal and ardour AA'ill not be its defect . It is said sometimes—in France oppression has disappeared ; there is no longer any occasion for Preemasonry . Is it only material oppression that AVO
have as an antagonist ' ?¦ Is it not also , and above all , bad human propensities—selfishness , malevolence , pride , and all Avhich flows from these bad sentiments—do they not oppress man to such a point as to make him curse his lot ? Is it of the laivs that man can ask for remedies against these evils Avhich do him often so much harm ? No ; it is to this moral star AA'hich calls itself Freemasonry
, ivhich has been from the beginning , which ueA'cr perishes , ivhich spreads its benefits on the good , and on the evil , ivhich they wish to disoAvn but which AA'ill never disappear ; which Avill be present at the birth and at the ruin of empires ; Avhich will always stand erect , because it is the truth , and if her children will follow ita simple teaching , zeal and ardour will return . It has been . said , that our
Lodges aro merely tolerated institutions , where virtue buds like a blade of grass Avithout sun . NotAvithstanding this tolerance , we do not die , Ave preserve from century to century , the fire ivlrich burns slowly in our sanctuaries . We do not complain of this fcolei' -uice , ivhich has the appearance of bordering on . indifference , in it lies our poAver . We are not like reli gionists and politicians—a means of government . No one supplies us , ive exist of ourselves , because we