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  • April 27, 1859
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The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine, April 27, 1859: Page 18

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    Article THE CRAFT AND ITS CRITICISERS.-II. ← Page 3 of 3
Page 18

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The Craft And Its Criticisers.-Ii.

to this end for especial and definite contemplation . As already stated , it is desirable that each one of us should become familiar with the history of the Order and its illustrations , as well as with our peculiar forms and modes of recognition , but it would be absurd to attempt to palm on the world thc idea that in the present day , we conceal from it anything beyond this , though such was not the case in ancient times .

How is it that Masonic knowledge can be maintained with so much secrecy ? The statements just made are a partial answer to this question . There is , moreover , but little motive to reveal ivhat is forbidden , and though some persons do under ordinary circumstances find it difficult to maintain reticence , yet the impressions and religious character of the forms through which every candidate must pass are such as to afford a sufficient guarantee ; and in addition to thishonourand virtueand secrecyareor ought to bo

, , , , , regarded with so much strictness , and so fully and constantly enforced upon Freemasons , that he must indeed be lost to every feeling of self-respect and of his duty to others ivho could violate them in such a manner . It need not be concealed too , that certain obligations are required in a form which cannot but demand and obtain fidelity to them , yet founded on the purest principles of piety and virtue , and quite compatible with civil , moral , and religious duties .

Are there not some dreadful oaths to be taken ? It has just been admitted that no one can be made a Mason ivho is not willing to bind himself according to certain constitutional and authorised forms , but the man ivho does so with thc full intention to act faithfully and honourably , need not fear that he will he called upon to commit himself in any way ivhich is repugnant to his feelings , hostile to bis religious convictions and principles , or inconsistent ivith the duties he owes to himself or his connexions . He will afterwards

be supported by the recollection of his obligations , and led to pause , if on any occasion he should be tempted to step beyond the hounds of prudence and discretion ; thus he will he strengthened in maintaining the ties by which he has bound himself to his brethren , while in carrying them out there is ample scope for the exercise of his own judgment . What security is there that Masonic traditions have not been debased and changed in course of time , especially as written records are not permitted ? As

these do not involve any abstruse or disputed points of doctrine , but consist of a simple narrative of events illustrative of certain ancient records , they have presented no motives for misrepresentation or distortion . On them is founded nothing more than the inculcation of thoroughly moral principles , and even if the whole were incorrect , not the slightest mischief could accrue in any respect . Even suppose them to be mere myths , ivhich there is no reason to believe is the case , they are affecting ancl interesting , and they

bear reference and lead to some of the most important thoughts and considerations that can engage the mind of mortal man . Though known to be merely human inventions and emanations from poetical imaginations , wc should be sorry to lose from literature many of the beautiful allegories and stories detailed in Grecian and Roman mythology ; how much more , then , should we regret to he deprived of any such as those under consideration , which tend to promote virtuous ancl pious thoughts in connexion with events

mentioned in the volume of the sacred law . In distinct countries , and even in portions of our own , different rituals prevail , and many of the minor forms adopted hy us vary ; but throughout the whole runs a connected chain , all have the same foundation , and the landmarks , derived from but one origin , will be found to be strictly maintained . I propose to notice the remainder of the questions enumerated hi a third communication , ¦¦ - II , IL

“The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine: 1859-04-27, Page 18” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 23 May 2025, django:8000/periodicals/mmr/issues/mmr_27041859/page/18/.
  • List
  • Grid
Title Category Page
MASONIC MISSIONS. Article 1
MODERN WRITERS UPON FREEMASONRY.—I. Article 8
THE CRAFT AND ITS CRITICISERS.-II. Article 16
HURRYING CANDIDATES THROUGH THE DEGREES. Article 19
CORRESPONDENCE. Article 20
THE PROVINCE OF DEVON. Article 21
MASONIC HALLS. Article 22
MASONIC ANTIQUITIES. Article 23
MASONIC MISSIONS. Article 23
MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE. Article 23
THE MASONIC MIRROR. Article 25
METROPOLITAN. Article 26
PROVINCIAL. Article 29
ROYAL ARCH. Article 31
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR. Article 34
SCOTLAND. Article 35
IRELAND. Article 36
AUSTRALIA. Article 36
CHINA. Article 38
INDIA. Article 39
AMERICA. Article 40
TURKEY. Article 42
THE WEEK. Article 43
Obituary. Article 47
TO CORRESPONDENTS. Article 47
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

The Craft And Its Criticisers.-Ii.

to this end for especial and definite contemplation . As already stated , it is desirable that each one of us should become familiar with the history of the Order and its illustrations , as well as with our peculiar forms and modes of recognition , but it would be absurd to attempt to palm on the world thc idea that in the present day , we conceal from it anything beyond this , though such was not the case in ancient times .

How is it that Masonic knowledge can be maintained with so much secrecy ? The statements just made are a partial answer to this question . There is , moreover , but little motive to reveal ivhat is forbidden , and though some persons do under ordinary circumstances find it difficult to maintain reticence , yet the impressions and religious character of the forms through which every candidate must pass are such as to afford a sufficient guarantee ; and in addition to thishonourand virtueand secrecyareor ought to bo

, , , , , regarded with so much strictness , and so fully and constantly enforced upon Freemasons , that he must indeed be lost to every feeling of self-respect and of his duty to others ivho could violate them in such a manner . It need not be concealed too , that certain obligations are required in a form which cannot but demand and obtain fidelity to them , yet founded on the purest principles of piety and virtue , and quite compatible with civil , moral , and religious duties .

Are there not some dreadful oaths to be taken ? It has just been admitted that no one can be made a Mason ivho is not willing to bind himself according to certain constitutional and authorised forms , but the man ivho does so with thc full intention to act faithfully and honourably , need not fear that he will he called upon to commit himself in any way ivhich is repugnant to his feelings , hostile to bis religious convictions and principles , or inconsistent ivith the duties he owes to himself or his connexions . He will afterwards

be supported by the recollection of his obligations , and led to pause , if on any occasion he should be tempted to step beyond the hounds of prudence and discretion ; thus he will he strengthened in maintaining the ties by which he has bound himself to his brethren , while in carrying them out there is ample scope for the exercise of his own judgment . What security is there that Masonic traditions have not been debased and changed in course of time , especially as written records are not permitted ? As

these do not involve any abstruse or disputed points of doctrine , but consist of a simple narrative of events illustrative of certain ancient records , they have presented no motives for misrepresentation or distortion . On them is founded nothing more than the inculcation of thoroughly moral principles , and even if the whole were incorrect , not the slightest mischief could accrue in any respect . Even suppose them to be mere myths , ivhich there is no reason to believe is the case , they are affecting ancl interesting , and they

bear reference and lead to some of the most important thoughts and considerations that can engage the mind of mortal man . Though known to be merely human inventions and emanations from poetical imaginations , wc should be sorry to lose from literature many of the beautiful allegories and stories detailed in Grecian and Roman mythology ; how much more , then , should we regret to he deprived of any such as those under consideration , which tend to promote virtuous ancl pious thoughts in connexion with events

mentioned in the volume of the sacred law . In distinct countries , and even in portions of our own , different rituals prevail , and many of the minor forms adopted hy us vary ; but throughout the whole runs a connected chain , all have the same foundation , and the landmarks , derived from but one origin , will be found to be strictly maintained . I propose to notice the remainder of the questions enumerated hi a third communication , ¦¦ - II , IL

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