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Article THE YEAR 1860. ← Page 2 of 2
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Year 1860.
" duty " has , iu the ordinary meaning , rather an unpalatable effect upon our self love ; it is therefore for you to take it kindly , or reject our injunctions for your guidance . This you will not do , for what is done to perfection , my brethren , has surely been commenced as a " duty , " although the reward for that conduct on our jiart may not encourage our efforts in a worldly sense . The works of humanity we must perform as the Lodge dictates ; and the
brethren are taught to look to the poor ancl lost travellers , and to put them again in the right way ivithout any selfish view , recollecting how others have done the same to us in our pilgrimage as members of the bond of Masonry . JDo not let the poor brother ask for bread while we offer him a stone . Our doctrine implies active humanity , and not passive goodwill only , and tells you that it must be exercised without prejudice to all mankind . They must
all stand equidistant , like iu a circle , from the centre of our lore , and that is our heart . Where this spirit prevails , there yon see , my dear br-. threu , our order of Freemasonry in all its refulgence ; and the heart becomes a Lodge in itself , the centre of love ancl humanity , as opposed to avarice and inhumanity—the evil companions of our former condition . The winter , with all its chills aud privations , is nearly past ; the bloom of joy is now
forthcoming , and the spring is at hand , when the brethren iu Masonry will be seen applying their trowel with diligence on the work of the temple of universal brotherhood—thegrand design of Freemasonry . Further , my dear brethren , when a prudent housekeeper seeks to give support to a poor member , he first sits down to consider wliat is necessary for his own maintenance . He says to himself , "I can dispense with this and that as a luxury , hut not with so
and so , which are for my daily wants ; or I shall fall a burden to others like this poor brother who appeals to my charity . " This is the prudence inculcated b y Freemasonry . How different arc inconsiderate acts of benevolence , whereby through the want of foresight our gifts often turn out a curse to the recipients instead of a benefit as intended . These remarks lead ns to the third route towards the pillar of " wisdom , " namely—" The duty we owe to ourselves . "
By this path we are directed through the valley of darkness and doubt till we are able to perceive with our living eyes the lamp of truth shining in thc refulgent orient . This cheers us on our pilgrimage . He who would build a house must use his perpendicular as well as his square continually , in order that the beauty of tho whole structure may be established on the correctness of the individual parts . JMow , my dear brethren , it is this le which ive
temp are called upon to lend a hand in constructing , in reestablishing the holy city of God , in which the redeemed brethren of Masonry may bathe in cool waters and feed on the manna of everlasting life in peace aud felicity . The plan of this magnificent ivork , thc rcedification ofthe city of God , has already been traced out on the surface of the earth by our Almighty Grancl Master , in which all the proportions are laid down , and each brother is full
's duty y described , so that it may represent , when completed , the attribute of beauty itself . Let us therefore work diligently for this end , each according to his capacity , and each in the place appointed by the Grancl Master . Are you a "jud ge ? " Then remember the proverb— " The work of the just remaineth sure . " Are you a trader ? Then remember that •' with the measure thou metest , it shall be again meted to thec . " Are you a physician ? Then remember "that all
thy powers and knowledge are derived from God , " if you mean to work as a Mason and wish to see your operations turn out beneficiall y to the brethren , bearing in mind that when at their wits' end and lost in perplexity , there is the chief Physician . above who has ordered you'thus : — "Call upon me in the hour of necessity , and I will relieve thee , so that thou praise me . " It must therefore be clear to all that the will of the d JIaster is
Gran our guide for the completion of this grancl ivork , and that the more zealously each one contributes his own labour for this great Masonic work the quicker will our principles pervade the rest of mankind . Mind , this holy city will contain numberless houses , but the ivhole fabric will only appear beautiful or ugly as the individual houses are each well or ill built . _ Thus it will be , my dear brethren , with every holy city of Godin which
, we are now spiritually engaged , and which will consist , when finished , of thousands and tens of thousands of Lodges erected within the hearts of Freemasons . He therefore who looks out vigilantly to see that his foundation is all rightly kid , and all his implements ready for the construction of this Lodge will be a true brother workman , and with whom the Grancl Master will be well pleased ; and to whom he will say , "Thou art worthy to participate in the rewards of 'the temple of wisdom . '" The Lodge , my dear brethren , is like a tender mother , who is always watching or caressing her children , so that thev may RO
in a right direction , knowing how painful to her would be their injury or misconduct in life . It is the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep ; aud when a solitary one is lost from the flock , becomes troubled , and will not be comforted till he discovers the lost one , when taking it up joyfully he returns to liis home , crying , " I have found again the sheep which I had lost , rejoice with me . "
From the earliest times , my dear brethren , it has been the custom of those who approached the altars of the different deities to bring with them an offering of some kind . And now what kind of one will you disciples present when you knock at the door of the Masonic temple ? This point will certainly require a little consideration , you may say , and so it really does , my brethren . The whole method inculcated bFreemasonry for the
instrucy tion ancl affiliation of its disciples is of a spiritual nature . It speaks to us in symbolic language ; and that which we perceive in thc Lodges with our natural eyesight is not the grand secret itself , the knowledge of which is the real test which distinguishes the Mason from the profane individual of the outer world , for it is the seed of Masonic wisdom , our golden fruit in silver vessels . If we wish to become Freemasonswe must also learn to
spi-, ritualize what is merely corporeal , and to survey the grief aud pain , the pleasure and pastimes of ordinary life , as it were from au eminence . From this spot we shall perceive the conflict , and how seldom man , when left to its own shortsighted experience , rises above the mere impression of sense ; how he becomes thoughtless ofthe future , unjust or ungodly , and at last is preciitated into the gulh of misery .
p p This is the consequence of his walking in a wrong direction , and contrary to the holy doctrine of Freemasonry , which teaches him that man is not born to allow his sensual feelings to have the mastery over the spiritual , but that the former should be kept under strict subjection . Our Master above has a glorious throne , far above this earthly sphere , to which Freemasons can approach , and behold from thence the heavenly Zion of their inheritance .
If they look down from the hills of this Canaan they will behold the chequered pictures of life , and hear the lamentations of one , and the woe of another who have lost the right path ; many temples of earthly grandeur ivill be seen falling to piec . es , and many tears dropping in high places . This on looking below ; but as we proceed in our path the dawn of everlasting d . ay in future life shines in the orient , beyond wliich wc behold ' the house of our
Father , who lias declared that there are many mansions within it for the habitation of the just made jierfect .. There we also perceive how all the rivulets of tears flowing irom this earthly sphere are falling into the everlasting stream of felicity , into the fountain of living waters , to satisfy the weary traveller from earth so that he never thirst again . Below this eminence he beholds nought but trouble ; above nothing but peace , when he joins in the cry , " truly have built le and
we our temp veil laid its foundation , for the Lord and Master deigns to dwell therein . " These expressions , my bretliren , the world do not comprehend ; they call them obscure or sentimental , neither can they till they arc initiated into our sacrexl mysteries . In the mean while , dear brethren , " our pearls roust not be cast before swine , " which render the quality of on our part to be observed
secrycy , , necessary by the disciples . Our duty is to proceed with courage in the road to perfection , ? , nd the construction of the temple of universal brotherhood . The duties of the Craft are arduous , my dear brethren , and aPt results of the kind are like offsprings " which come into the tvorld after much suffering , and require great care afterwards , unless we wish to see them die off like withered plants . Trouble and labour will accompany us in the route towards the
temple of wisdom , and perseverance is the gate thereof , by which only the true Mason enters into the haven of his everlasting rest and perfection . Therefore be not lukewarm , but go forward , for the new year imposes the same duties on us JMasoiis , to labour through goocl report and evil report for the conversion of mankind , knowing well that our Master above will always aid us with his protection in the hour of difficultyso that each of
, you may boldly cry" If grief and pain should be my lot , Once more this year to see , Through all my toil and labour here , He still my guide will be . "
OniGi . N-__ i . iTy . —AVe may fancy the amusement of the officers of tl regiment in the AA ' est Indies at the innocent remark of a young lad , who had just joined from Scotland . On meeting at dinner , his salutation to Ms colonol was , " Anitlier hot day , oornal , as if " het days " were in Barbadoes few and far " between , as they wero in his dear old stormy cloudy Scotland ,--Dean / tamsoy .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Year 1860.
" duty " has , iu the ordinary meaning , rather an unpalatable effect upon our self love ; it is therefore for you to take it kindly , or reject our injunctions for your guidance . This you will not do , for what is done to perfection , my brethren , has surely been commenced as a " duty , " although the reward for that conduct on our jiart may not encourage our efforts in a worldly sense . The works of humanity we must perform as the Lodge dictates ; and the
brethren are taught to look to the poor ancl lost travellers , and to put them again in the right way ivithout any selfish view , recollecting how others have done the same to us in our pilgrimage as members of the bond of Masonry . JDo not let the poor brother ask for bread while we offer him a stone . Our doctrine implies active humanity , and not passive goodwill only , and tells you that it must be exercised without prejudice to all mankind . They must
all stand equidistant , like iu a circle , from the centre of our lore , and that is our heart . Where this spirit prevails , there yon see , my dear br-. threu , our order of Freemasonry in all its refulgence ; and the heart becomes a Lodge in itself , the centre of love ancl humanity , as opposed to avarice and inhumanity—the evil companions of our former condition . The winter , with all its chills aud privations , is nearly past ; the bloom of joy is now
forthcoming , and the spring is at hand , when the brethren iu Masonry will be seen applying their trowel with diligence on the work of the temple of universal brotherhood—thegrand design of Freemasonry . Further , my dear brethren , when a prudent housekeeper seeks to give support to a poor member , he first sits down to consider wliat is necessary for his own maintenance . He says to himself , "I can dispense with this and that as a luxury , hut not with so
and so , which are for my daily wants ; or I shall fall a burden to others like this poor brother who appeals to my charity . " This is the prudence inculcated b y Freemasonry . How different arc inconsiderate acts of benevolence , whereby through the want of foresight our gifts often turn out a curse to the recipients instead of a benefit as intended . These remarks lead ns to the third route towards the pillar of " wisdom , " namely—" The duty we owe to ourselves . "
By this path we are directed through the valley of darkness and doubt till we are able to perceive with our living eyes the lamp of truth shining in thc refulgent orient . This cheers us on our pilgrimage . He who would build a house must use his perpendicular as well as his square continually , in order that the beauty of tho whole structure may be established on the correctness of the individual parts . JMow , my dear brethren , it is this le which ive
temp are called upon to lend a hand in constructing , in reestablishing the holy city of God , in which the redeemed brethren of Masonry may bathe in cool waters and feed on the manna of everlasting life in peace aud felicity . The plan of this magnificent ivork , thc rcedification ofthe city of God , has already been traced out on the surface of the earth by our Almighty Grancl Master , in which all the proportions are laid down , and each brother is full
's duty y described , so that it may represent , when completed , the attribute of beauty itself . Let us therefore work diligently for this end , each according to his capacity , and each in the place appointed by the Grancl Master . Are you a "jud ge ? " Then remember the proverb— " The work of the just remaineth sure . " Are you a trader ? Then remember that •' with the measure thou metest , it shall be again meted to thec . " Are you a physician ? Then remember "that all
thy powers and knowledge are derived from God , " if you mean to work as a Mason and wish to see your operations turn out beneficiall y to the brethren , bearing in mind that when at their wits' end and lost in perplexity , there is the chief Physician . above who has ordered you'thus : — "Call upon me in the hour of necessity , and I will relieve thee , so that thou praise me . " It must therefore be clear to all that the will of the d JIaster is
Gran our guide for the completion of this grancl ivork , and that the more zealously each one contributes his own labour for this great Masonic work the quicker will our principles pervade the rest of mankind . Mind , this holy city will contain numberless houses , but the ivhole fabric will only appear beautiful or ugly as the individual houses are each well or ill built . _ Thus it will be , my dear brethren , with every holy city of Godin which
, we are now spiritually engaged , and which will consist , when finished , of thousands and tens of thousands of Lodges erected within the hearts of Freemasons . He therefore who looks out vigilantly to see that his foundation is all rightly kid , and all his implements ready for the construction of this Lodge will be a true brother workman , and with whom the Grancl Master will be well pleased ; and to whom he will say , "Thou art worthy to participate in the rewards of 'the temple of wisdom . '" The Lodge , my dear brethren , is like a tender mother , who is always watching or caressing her children , so that thev may RO
in a right direction , knowing how painful to her would be their injury or misconduct in life . It is the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep ; aud when a solitary one is lost from the flock , becomes troubled , and will not be comforted till he discovers the lost one , when taking it up joyfully he returns to liis home , crying , " I have found again the sheep which I had lost , rejoice with me . "
From the earliest times , my dear brethren , it has been the custom of those who approached the altars of the different deities to bring with them an offering of some kind . And now what kind of one will you disciples present when you knock at the door of the Masonic temple ? This point will certainly require a little consideration , you may say , and so it really does , my brethren . The whole method inculcated bFreemasonry for the
instrucy tion ancl affiliation of its disciples is of a spiritual nature . It speaks to us in symbolic language ; and that which we perceive in thc Lodges with our natural eyesight is not the grand secret itself , the knowledge of which is the real test which distinguishes the Mason from the profane individual of the outer world , for it is the seed of Masonic wisdom , our golden fruit in silver vessels . If we wish to become Freemasonswe must also learn to
spi-, ritualize what is merely corporeal , and to survey the grief aud pain , the pleasure and pastimes of ordinary life , as it were from au eminence . From this spot we shall perceive the conflict , and how seldom man , when left to its own shortsighted experience , rises above the mere impression of sense ; how he becomes thoughtless ofthe future , unjust or ungodly , and at last is preciitated into the gulh of misery .
p p This is the consequence of his walking in a wrong direction , and contrary to the holy doctrine of Freemasonry , which teaches him that man is not born to allow his sensual feelings to have the mastery over the spiritual , but that the former should be kept under strict subjection . Our Master above has a glorious throne , far above this earthly sphere , to which Freemasons can approach , and behold from thence the heavenly Zion of their inheritance .
If they look down from the hills of this Canaan they will behold the chequered pictures of life , and hear the lamentations of one , and the woe of another who have lost the right path ; many temples of earthly grandeur ivill be seen falling to piec . es , and many tears dropping in high places . This on looking below ; but as we proceed in our path the dawn of everlasting d . ay in future life shines in the orient , beyond wliich wc behold ' the house of our
Father , who lias declared that there are many mansions within it for the habitation of the just made jierfect .. There we also perceive how all the rivulets of tears flowing irom this earthly sphere are falling into the everlasting stream of felicity , into the fountain of living waters , to satisfy the weary traveller from earth so that he never thirst again . Below this eminence he beholds nought but trouble ; above nothing but peace , when he joins in the cry , " truly have built le and
we our temp veil laid its foundation , for the Lord and Master deigns to dwell therein . " These expressions , my bretliren , the world do not comprehend ; they call them obscure or sentimental , neither can they till they arc initiated into our sacrexl mysteries . In the mean while , dear brethren , " our pearls roust not be cast before swine , " which render the quality of on our part to be observed
secrycy , , necessary by the disciples . Our duty is to proceed with courage in the road to perfection , ? , nd the construction of the temple of universal brotherhood . The duties of the Craft are arduous , my dear brethren , and aPt results of the kind are like offsprings " which come into the tvorld after much suffering , and require great care afterwards , unless we wish to see them die off like withered plants . Trouble and labour will accompany us in the route towards the
temple of wisdom , and perseverance is the gate thereof , by which only the true Mason enters into the haven of his everlasting rest and perfection . Therefore be not lukewarm , but go forward , for the new year imposes the same duties on us JMasoiis , to labour through goocl report and evil report for the conversion of mankind , knowing well that our Master above will always aid us with his protection in the hour of difficultyso that each of
, you may boldly cry" If grief and pain should be my lot , Once more this year to see , Through all my toil and labour here , He still my guide will be . "
OniGi . N-__ i . iTy . —AVe may fancy the amusement of the officers of tl regiment in the AA ' est Indies at the innocent remark of a young lad , who had just joined from Scotland . On meeting at dinner , his salutation to Ms colonol was , " Anitlier hot day , oornal , as if " het days " were in Barbadoes few and far " between , as they wero in his dear old stormy cloudy Scotland ,--Dean / tamsoy .