Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
An Address. Delivered By The District Grand Master Of Turkey.
so as to render them all the more consistent with the great principles by which we profess to be governed . Freemasonry , like all other human institutions , must derive its claims to respect and confidence from the character and conduct of its component members . It cannot hope to enjoy a real and . genuine prosperity , or to accomplish what I regard as its high destiny and duty in this country , unless its members ever keep in view the fact that the privilege of being Freemasons brings
with it the obligation of walking worthy ot their calling . Disdaining all less worthy objects , they should seek to exemplify iu their daily lives the sacred principles of truth , virtue , and benevolence , which have always been the foundation and glory of our great Institution , and without which it would , certainly , Jiave long since perished and passed away . Freemasons should also carry with these same principles not only into the occupations of their daily lives in the outer world ,
but also into their domestic circles . Harmony and affection should pervade all that surrounds them , and , like the grateful warmth of the sun over the world , penetrate , with a hapyy influence , all with whom they associate in their own homes as well a » in those of their brethren . In this manner , Freemasonry will be a Beacon-Light to those who are in darkness , and will commend itself to those who are witnesses of the blessings which it imparts . I would also add that our simple and harmless conventional signs are not only the object of the curiosity , but also of the mistrust and alarm of such as are Freemasons . It is held by them
that because these signs , & c , are secret and confined to ourselves , they must bo wrong and designed to conceal some hidden and sinful Mystery . Strange that such an absurd argument should be held by persons who are indulgent in their opinions with regard to so much that is withheld from their knowledge in the ¦ dail y intercourse and concerns of life , and who are well aware that amongst Freemasons there are , in all countries , some of the most learned and pious men , and others again filling the highest
and most responsible positions of official life ! How much , also , there is in nature and Religion which is hidden from human intelligence , and yet conceals no wrong or evil . Some of these figure in our symbols , all illustrative of great truths , and , in this manner , are made apparent to our ordinary senses . Why not , then , permit a Freemason to use Symbols and signs , in order to make himself known to his brethren of all countries , speaking each a different tongue , by what may be called an " universal
language , " without exposing himself to suspicion and calumny ? If his conduct and character he correct , if he follow strictly tho dictates of his own conscience with regard to his religious faith , whatever it may be , and so commend himself to the respect of the world , surely these innocent signs and symbols need not serve only to condemn him in the estimation of any one ignorant of their true meaning . They serve , in fact , as a " mystic chain , " like that of the great invention of modern times , to unite men together , though widely spread over the most distant portions of the globe : and if not with the " subtle fluid " of electricity , at least they electrify them with fraternal recognition and brotherly affection .
Interesting to us all as may be tho rites and ceremonies of our lodges , every Freemason should look beyond them to the more essential—the all-important—principles which are deduced from Speculative Masonry . Charity is , indeed , the " corner-stone " of our Masonic edifice : brotherly love , relief , and truth , are the tenets of our Profession ; and our symbolic ritual inculcates , at every point , the great duty of universal benevolence between man and man . Bthis rulewhatever be the faults of one
y , , may of our members , the world should learn tliem from any other tongue than that of a brother . As we have the selection of our own materials for our Masonic edifice , the fault will he our own if it do not rise beautiful in the perfect symmetry of its moral proportions . Let , therefore , the rough ashlar be squared and fashioned in the quarry before it bo allowed a place in tlie north -east corner of the building . In every community , the name of " Freemason " should be synonymous
with all that is large-hearted , disinterested , noble , and pure . Let us all then discountenance profanity and excesses ; let us be kind to one another , tender-hearted , forbearing , and forgiving . Let us be courteous and affable in our intercourse with each other and with tho world . Thus , we will realize the great aims of our beloved Institution , reach the goal of its real objects , and so form a real " Masonic Brotherhood . " Freemasonry , in its broader signification , calls for an ardent desire for self-improvcnt , morally and intellectually . The
An Address. Delivered By The District Grand Master Of Turkey.
very fact that we call the Divine Creator by the expression the Great Architect of the Universe naturally leads ns to the study and investigation of His universe , Such a study is one of the best remedies for any one who has been so unfortunate as to ascertain doubts of the existence of such an Omnipotent and Omniscient " Great Architect . " I hold it as an utter impossibility for any one who investigates the wonders of His Creation to be mislead
into what is called Materialism , according to which this world and the millions of other worlds , immensely greater , surrounding it and composing His universe , owe their existence to certain " unknown and independent causes , " called "attractions and repulsions , " all clearly due to a supreme first cause . Even tae infinitely small atom with which some suppose this globe to have commenced must have been created . Thus , compelled to admit and acknowledge the existence of the Great Architect of
the Universe , the materialist sees fade away before him like the " baseless fabric of a vision , " the whole foundation on which his untenable theory reposes . If to be governed by the " Laws of nature , " is to recognize their divine Creator , wo may be almost led to the supposition that all things which have a living existence recognised and acknowledge Him ; and shall intelligent and intellectual man , who has been created in a condition so vastly superior to all other beingsdeny His existence ?
, Surely , no person , sincerely and from the depth of his heart , can , rally and truly , entertain such a conviction ' . For the failfame and reputation of the Order , I am sure that none of our brethren will ever allow themselves , to be drawn into so dreadful a vortex of sell-destruction , and the ruin of all of the best and mosr consolatory hopes of mankind . It is , therefore , the duty of every Freemason , not only to
increase his own stock of knowledge , but also to endeavour to promote the same salutary principle among others . All the greater sciences are the particular province-of the Freemason ; and these open to him a vast field of inquiry and research , not only for his own benefit , but also for the benefit of those who surround him . There are no barren and sterile lands in Nature for him who sincerely seeks to cultivato his mind , and so become still more able to comprehend , in however small a degree , the greatness of his Creator , through His works . In these , he
will find that all is Truth , Harmony , and Infallibility . There are many excellent books on the subject of the history and the principles of Freemasonry , from which any one , desirous of knowing more than the ordinary ritual and ceremonies of initiation , may acquire instruction on what we call " tlie beauties aud mysteries" of our Order . I fear that , in too many cases , these lie buried in "Darkness , " unknown to ( hose who really desiro to know themyet without making effort to
, any obtain "Light" on what must be to them a subject of so much interest , and what it is even their duty to know . Its origin is traced back by some to periods too remote for other proofs than those which arc derived from the ever-ceasing principles connected with the spiritual character of mankind ; and its history , like many other histories , varies with the means of information within the reach of the authors at the time of writing . There
are , however , sufficient facts existing , on which to base a connection , symbolical as well as practical , with the earliest ages . Freemasonry will be all the more hi ghly appreciated if these be examined : and I earnestly invite the attention of the officers of the District Grand Lodge , and of the Masters of Lodges under its jurisdiction , to the necessity of such an instruction , so as to be all the more able to import it to those who may not have it
in their reach . There is much less really " hidden and mysterious " in Freemasonry than the outer world supposes ; and there is also much that we can frankly impart without any deviation from our obligations . Young Masons , especially , should be convinced of the fact that by merely taking the degrees of Freemasonry , they have only reached its threshold , and that these same degrees are onlthe keys which to
y open them the portals of tho Order . 'J lie knowiulge which they desire must be . sought for , and cannot be obtained except by Labour . Much , also , is not written ; but a knowledge of this is within the reach of every Mason entitled to receive it . 11 is his duty to acquire it , and he will find it greatly to his advantage . Finally , —If Freemasonry be regarded only as a splendid beautiful
myth , as a . Theory , it is certainly also an effective reality , with a strong practical bearing , the " object of which is to benefit mankind , to unite them together on a thoroughly neutral ground in matters of religion and rationality , and to
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
An Address. Delivered By The District Grand Master Of Turkey.
so as to render them all the more consistent with the great principles by which we profess to be governed . Freemasonry , like all other human institutions , must derive its claims to respect and confidence from the character and conduct of its component members . It cannot hope to enjoy a real and . genuine prosperity , or to accomplish what I regard as its high destiny and duty in this country , unless its members ever keep in view the fact that the privilege of being Freemasons brings
with it the obligation of walking worthy ot their calling . Disdaining all less worthy objects , they should seek to exemplify iu their daily lives the sacred principles of truth , virtue , and benevolence , which have always been the foundation and glory of our great Institution , and without which it would , certainly , Jiave long since perished and passed away . Freemasons should also carry with these same principles not only into the occupations of their daily lives in the outer world ,
but also into their domestic circles . Harmony and affection should pervade all that surrounds them , and , like the grateful warmth of the sun over the world , penetrate , with a hapyy influence , all with whom they associate in their own homes as well a » in those of their brethren . In this manner , Freemasonry will be a Beacon-Light to those who are in darkness , and will commend itself to those who are witnesses of the blessings which it imparts . I would also add that our simple and harmless conventional signs are not only the object of the curiosity , but also of the mistrust and alarm of such as are Freemasons . It is held by them
that because these signs , & c , are secret and confined to ourselves , they must bo wrong and designed to conceal some hidden and sinful Mystery . Strange that such an absurd argument should be held by persons who are indulgent in their opinions with regard to so much that is withheld from their knowledge in the ¦ dail y intercourse and concerns of life , and who are well aware that amongst Freemasons there are , in all countries , some of the most learned and pious men , and others again filling the highest
and most responsible positions of official life ! How much , also , there is in nature and Religion which is hidden from human intelligence , and yet conceals no wrong or evil . Some of these figure in our symbols , all illustrative of great truths , and , in this manner , are made apparent to our ordinary senses . Why not , then , permit a Freemason to use Symbols and signs , in order to make himself known to his brethren of all countries , speaking each a different tongue , by what may be called an " universal
language , " without exposing himself to suspicion and calumny ? If his conduct and character he correct , if he follow strictly tho dictates of his own conscience with regard to his religious faith , whatever it may be , and so commend himself to the respect of the world , surely these innocent signs and symbols need not serve only to condemn him in the estimation of any one ignorant of their true meaning . They serve , in fact , as a " mystic chain , " like that of the great invention of modern times , to unite men together , though widely spread over the most distant portions of the globe : and if not with the " subtle fluid " of electricity , at least they electrify them with fraternal recognition and brotherly affection .
Interesting to us all as may be tho rites and ceremonies of our lodges , every Freemason should look beyond them to the more essential—the all-important—principles which are deduced from Speculative Masonry . Charity is , indeed , the " corner-stone " of our Masonic edifice : brotherly love , relief , and truth , are the tenets of our Profession ; and our symbolic ritual inculcates , at every point , the great duty of universal benevolence between man and man . Bthis rulewhatever be the faults of one
y , , may of our members , the world should learn tliem from any other tongue than that of a brother . As we have the selection of our own materials for our Masonic edifice , the fault will he our own if it do not rise beautiful in the perfect symmetry of its moral proportions . Let , therefore , the rough ashlar be squared and fashioned in the quarry before it bo allowed a place in tlie north -east corner of the building . In every community , the name of " Freemason " should be synonymous
with all that is large-hearted , disinterested , noble , and pure . Let us all then discountenance profanity and excesses ; let us be kind to one another , tender-hearted , forbearing , and forgiving . Let us be courteous and affable in our intercourse with each other and with tho world . Thus , we will realize the great aims of our beloved Institution , reach the goal of its real objects , and so form a real " Masonic Brotherhood . " Freemasonry , in its broader signification , calls for an ardent desire for self-improvcnt , morally and intellectually . The
An Address. Delivered By The District Grand Master Of Turkey.
very fact that we call the Divine Creator by the expression the Great Architect of the Universe naturally leads ns to the study and investigation of His universe , Such a study is one of the best remedies for any one who has been so unfortunate as to ascertain doubts of the existence of such an Omnipotent and Omniscient " Great Architect . " I hold it as an utter impossibility for any one who investigates the wonders of His Creation to be mislead
into what is called Materialism , according to which this world and the millions of other worlds , immensely greater , surrounding it and composing His universe , owe their existence to certain " unknown and independent causes , " called "attractions and repulsions , " all clearly due to a supreme first cause . Even tae infinitely small atom with which some suppose this globe to have commenced must have been created . Thus , compelled to admit and acknowledge the existence of the Great Architect of
the Universe , the materialist sees fade away before him like the " baseless fabric of a vision , " the whole foundation on which his untenable theory reposes . If to be governed by the " Laws of nature , " is to recognize their divine Creator , wo may be almost led to the supposition that all things which have a living existence recognised and acknowledge Him ; and shall intelligent and intellectual man , who has been created in a condition so vastly superior to all other beingsdeny His existence ?
, Surely , no person , sincerely and from the depth of his heart , can , rally and truly , entertain such a conviction ' . For the failfame and reputation of the Order , I am sure that none of our brethren will ever allow themselves , to be drawn into so dreadful a vortex of sell-destruction , and the ruin of all of the best and mosr consolatory hopes of mankind . It is , therefore , the duty of every Freemason , not only to
increase his own stock of knowledge , but also to endeavour to promote the same salutary principle among others . All the greater sciences are the particular province-of the Freemason ; and these open to him a vast field of inquiry and research , not only for his own benefit , but also for the benefit of those who surround him . There are no barren and sterile lands in Nature for him who sincerely seeks to cultivato his mind , and so become still more able to comprehend , in however small a degree , the greatness of his Creator , through His works . In these , he
will find that all is Truth , Harmony , and Infallibility . There are many excellent books on the subject of the history and the principles of Freemasonry , from which any one , desirous of knowing more than the ordinary ritual and ceremonies of initiation , may acquire instruction on what we call " tlie beauties aud mysteries" of our Order . I fear that , in too many cases , these lie buried in "Darkness , " unknown to ( hose who really desiro to know themyet without making effort to
, any obtain "Light" on what must be to them a subject of so much interest , and what it is even their duty to know . Its origin is traced back by some to periods too remote for other proofs than those which arc derived from the ever-ceasing principles connected with the spiritual character of mankind ; and its history , like many other histories , varies with the means of information within the reach of the authors at the time of writing . There
are , however , sufficient facts existing , on which to base a connection , symbolical as well as practical , with the earliest ages . Freemasonry will be all the more hi ghly appreciated if these be examined : and I earnestly invite the attention of the officers of the District Grand Lodge , and of the Masters of Lodges under its jurisdiction , to the necessity of such an instruction , so as to be all the more able to import it to those who may not have it
in their reach . There is much less really " hidden and mysterious " in Freemasonry than the outer world supposes ; and there is also much that we can frankly impart without any deviation from our obligations . Young Masons , especially , should be convinced of the fact that by merely taking the degrees of Freemasonry , they have only reached its threshold , and that these same degrees are onlthe keys which to
y open them the portals of tho Order . 'J lie knowiulge which they desire must be . sought for , and cannot be obtained except by Labour . Much , also , is not written ; but a knowledge of this is within the reach of every Mason entitled to receive it . 11 is his duty to acquire it , and he will find it greatly to his advantage . Finally , —If Freemasonry be regarded only as a splendid beautiful
myth , as a . Theory , it is certainly also an effective reality , with a strong practical bearing , the " object of which is to benefit mankind , to unite them together on a thoroughly neutral ground in matters of religion and rationality , and to