-
Articles/Ads
Article THE DUTIES OF FREEMASONRY. ← Page 4 of 4
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Duties Of Freemasonry.
are the purest of all principles . We go on doing good—more is not Avanted for edifying humanity ; and being at her head , our throne is in the heart that loves . Our army is in tho hand thafc gives , in the mind that enlightens and counsels , in the integrity that attracts esteem ; our budget is in the conscience which renders so happy him to whom the balance gives
an overplus of good over evil . Consider well all that our system has ofthe sublime ; let us call to mind the tolerance and liberty which is g iven to us ; and let us say that in Masonry AA * O Jjavo a sufficient stimulus never to lack for zeal and ardour ; and ivith this zeal and ardour let us become the apostles of a doctrine , which , warns mankind not to follow its sinful inclinations , and contains Avithin its
bosom the germs of its future . Q . What combinations shall be formed , and ivhat measures shall be taken , to put our finances in such a state that Ave may , in a pecuniary point of view , help our Brothers in an efficacious manner , independently of thc moral assistance ivhich Ave owe them ? A . Each Freemason , shall give daily the hundredth part of his
revenue . The payments at each grade shall be in the proportion of a hundred fco one of the daily revenue of each candidate . . For is it not evident that thc sum required for the initiations keeps aAvay from embosom many men of intelligence and good hearts , Avhose only fault is that they have nofc a hundred francs in then * pockets 1 If Christ came and knocked as a profane and uninitiated , should AA'e receive Him ?
No , he Avas poor , he Avould not have the indispensable sum of money , if Socrates came it would be the same , and'Diogenes also , Avho had but his lantern and his tub , and searched for wisdom , ivith so much ardour .
Of tAvo things , one ; either Ave are a sincere institution—then we must draAV to us all that will ennoble us ; or Ave are onl y ideologists , theorists , and are endorsed Aidth the mark of mammon , as haA'ing all to pay the same sum , to learn , to do , and to teach good . The quarterly assessment shall be paid by instalments , and obligatory at each meeting . A committee for procuring occupation shall be
instituted in each Lodge—to procure , above all , employment and work rather than charity , Avliich shall be reserved for those onl y Avho cannot work nor can rely 011 obtaining employment . If there are any Lodges Avliich have been obliged to run into debt , let them make extraordinary calls to cover their deficiencies . If fche Grand Orient will accept advice—and it will accept it , for its
heart is ours , multip lied by thc strength and virtue ivhich our united devotcduess gives to it—this advice is to annul the decree AA'hich ' ¦ claims thc half of our poor boxes . This decree has met with repul-: sion every where . The poor box is fche modest purse out of ivhich i w e draiv the mite to g ive to the Avidow , and thc needy passer by . Let ns make , if necessary , a special collection for tiro t ' mid . o ' c benevolence—no one Avill refuse to give to it—but leave fco I the Lodges their poor boxes untouched .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Duties Of Freemasonry.
are the purest of all principles . We go on doing good—more is not Avanted for edifying humanity ; and being at her head , our throne is in the heart that loves . Our army is in tho hand thafc gives , in the mind that enlightens and counsels , in the integrity that attracts esteem ; our budget is in the conscience which renders so happy him to whom the balance gives
an overplus of good over evil . Consider well all that our system has ofthe sublime ; let us call to mind the tolerance and liberty which is g iven to us ; and let us say that in Masonry AA * O Jjavo a sufficient stimulus never to lack for zeal and ardour ; and ivith this zeal and ardour let us become the apostles of a doctrine , which , warns mankind not to follow its sinful inclinations , and contains Avithin its
bosom the germs of its future . Q . What combinations shall be formed , and ivhat measures shall be taken , to put our finances in such a state that Ave may , in a pecuniary point of view , help our Brothers in an efficacious manner , independently of thc moral assistance ivhich Ave owe them ? A . Each Freemason , shall give daily the hundredth part of his
revenue . The payments at each grade shall be in the proportion of a hundred fco one of the daily revenue of each candidate . . For is it not evident that thc sum required for the initiations keeps aAvay from embosom many men of intelligence and good hearts , Avhose only fault is that they have nofc a hundred francs in then * pockets 1 If Christ came and knocked as a profane and uninitiated , should AA'e receive Him ?
No , he Avas poor , he Avould not have the indispensable sum of money , if Socrates came it would be the same , and'Diogenes also , Avho had but his lantern and his tub , and searched for wisdom , ivith so much ardour .
Of tAvo things , one ; either Ave are a sincere institution—then we must draAV to us all that will ennoble us ; or Ave are onl y ideologists , theorists , and are endorsed Aidth the mark of mammon , as haA'ing all to pay the same sum , to learn , to do , and to teach good . The quarterly assessment shall be paid by instalments , and obligatory at each meeting . A committee for procuring occupation shall be
instituted in each Lodge—to procure , above all , employment and work rather than charity , Avliich shall be reserved for those onl y Avho cannot work nor can rely 011 obtaining employment . If there are any Lodges Avliich have been obliged to run into debt , let them make extraordinary calls to cover their deficiencies . If fche Grand Orient will accept advice—and it will accept it , for its
heart is ours , multip lied by thc strength and virtue ivhich our united devotcduess gives to it—this advice is to annul the decree AA'hich ' ¦ claims thc half of our poor boxes . This decree has met with repul-: sion every where . The poor box is fche modest purse out of ivhich i w e draiv the mite to g ive to the Avidow , and thc needy passer by . Let ns make , if necessary , a special collection for tiro t ' mid . o ' c benevolence—no one Avill refuse to give to it—but leave fco I the Lodges their poor boxes untouched .