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Article MASONRY IN ITS RELATION TO RELIGION. ← Page 2 of 2 Article MASONRY IN ITS RELATION TO RELIGION. Page 2 of 2 Article PRACTICAL FREEMASONRY. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonry In Its Relation To Religion.
be offered up m the name of Jesus without His mediation being always expressed . In the examples of prayer given in the Acts of the Apostles , there is no mention of the name of Jesus , as the name in which we offer up our prayers . Yet we cannot doubt that the Apostles offered up their prayers in
and through Christ , though they did not always mention the name . Christians in the present day gii ^ e expression to this by the AA ords in which they conclude their prayers ; and it is Avell that it should be so , because it keeps before our minds the great Christian truth that our praj r ers can only be
received by the Father , through the Son . But there is no doubt that our prayers may be offered in the name of Christ Avithout that name being mentioned . The Christian Mason , therefore , when he asks that the Great Architect of the UmA r erse
may be present and guide the proceedings of the lodge , may mentally offer that prayer in the name of the Redeemer , Avhile the Jew or other brother , Avho does not acknowledge the mediation of Christ , offers his prayer without reference to such mediation . And here again ive have the example ofthe
Apostles , who continued to attend the Jewish ivorship in the temple and in the synagogues , and to Avorship Ai'ith Jews AVIIO rejected Christ . Doubtless the Apostles in joining in this Avorship did so mentally in the name of the Lord Jesus ; although they worshipped Avith men who could not join them
in this , and although the name of Jesus Avas not mentioned ; moreover , this Avas no private act , but the prayer Avas offered publically and officially . And shall ive refuse to do Avhat Avas done by these holy men ? Do Ave make any compromise when ive do this ? Surely while we continue to profess
adhesion to our holy religion , and Avhile in our lives Ave strive to glorify our Divine Master , Ave are not inconsistent , and need not fear to mingle our prayers ivith those of our brethren of other creecls .
Our chaplains and missionaries meet Avith men of other creeds and march in procession throu gh the ToAvn Hall , ivith the Chancellor ofthe University at their head , clothed in garments upon ivhich a portion of the press has endeavoured to cast ridicule , their object being the improvement of
the natives of this country by means of education . No word of prayer is there heard , but ive cannot doubt that prayer does ascend from the hearts of some of these good men , and that they do implore that the blessing of God may rest upon the work in ivhich they are engaged . And so Masons meet , and clothe themselves in vestments Avhich are
ridiculed by the outer world , that they may promote morality , a morality , be it remembered , founded upon the volume of the sacred law , and that they may exercise themselves in works of mercy . Surely men may as ivell unite on a broad basis ivith their Asiatic neighbours for these purposes as
for education ; and if Christian men and ministers can meet Avhere prayer is excluded on account of differences of creed , surely they may meet and offer
Masonry In Its Relation To Religion.
up prayer Avhere each man is allowed to offer up his own petition according to the manner sanctioned by his own faith . —Masonic Record of Western India .
Practical Freemasonry.
PRACTICAL FREEMASONRY .
A beautiful exemplification of that noble spirit which should permeate the Masonic Craft from pole to pole has just been brought to our notice , and is ivell worthy of a place in our " Record " of good deeds done and of sufferings relieved . It is commonly , but very unjustly , supposed , that next to the fallen descendants of faithful Abraham there
is no class of professional men so exorbitant and extortionate in their exactions as the members of the legal profession . They live and groAV rich on the quarrels and animosities of weak and erring human nature , it is said ; and truly sad illustrations of this prevailing sentiment too often occur
to give a colour of truth to its surmised realitj 7- . But when the benign genius of Freemasonry spreads its potent spell over the most obdurate or callous of human kind , a change , wonderful as rapid , beneficial as elevating and ennobling , is effectedand every one enrolled under its banners
, feels its wisdom-working influence , and participates in that glowing enthusiasm which leads men with strong resolve to take the front rank in the battle of life , and to carry out the noble behest of humanity by acting true and faithful to their felloAv-men in reverencing the G . A . O . T . U ., and
doing good to all around them . Our Masonic annals contain innumerable illustrations of practical Freemasonry in all the different vicissitudes of life . The battle-field , the shipwreck , famine , disease , and poverty , all furnish us with , an array of good ivorks , nobly done under the soul-inspiring
influence of Ereemasonry . The record of thousands upon thousands of these kind acts , prompted by that God-like spirit which still dwells in the heart of fallen man , has been lost amongst the dark clouds of oblivion which overshadow the impenetrable past . But enough remains to stamp
with solidity the time-enduring virtues of our ancient Craft—the noblest and brightest of which , is charity . Our present illustration of its operation is a simple bnt touching one , and although in . mentioning the name of the brother who , we are certain , is one of those that
" Do good by stealth , and blush to find it fame , " Ave may be overstepping the prescribed limits of private friendship ; yet Ave trust our disinterestedness , and our anxiety to inculcate by forcible example the daily practice of genuine charity
amongst the brotherhood , will plead a sufficient apology for so prominently alluding to the matter . It ts Avell known to many of the old members of the Craft in Bombay that Bro . Darby , a popular member of the mystic tie , has for many months been endeavouring to recruit his shattered
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonry In Its Relation To Religion.
be offered up m the name of Jesus without His mediation being always expressed . In the examples of prayer given in the Acts of the Apostles , there is no mention of the name of Jesus , as the name in which we offer up our prayers . Yet we cannot doubt that the Apostles offered up their prayers in
and through Christ , though they did not always mention the name . Christians in the present day gii ^ e expression to this by the AA ords in which they conclude their prayers ; and it is Avell that it should be so , because it keeps before our minds the great Christian truth that our praj r ers can only be
received by the Father , through the Son . But there is no doubt that our prayers may be offered in the name of Christ Avithout that name being mentioned . The Christian Mason , therefore , when he asks that the Great Architect of the UmA r erse
may be present and guide the proceedings of the lodge , may mentally offer that prayer in the name of the Redeemer , Avhile the Jew or other brother , Avho does not acknowledge the mediation of Christ , offers his prayer without reference to such mediation . And here again ive have the example ofthe
Apostles , who continued to attend the Jewish ivorship in the temple and in the synagogues , and to Avorship Ai'ith Jews AVIIO rejected Christ . Doubtless the Apostles in joining in this Avorship did so mentally in the name of the Lord Jesus ; although they worshipped Avith men who could not join them
in this , and although the name of Jesus Avas not mentioned ; moreover , this Avas no private act , but the prayer Avas offered publically and officially . And shall ive refuse to do Avhat Avas done by these holy men ? Do Ave make any compromise when ive do this ? Surely while we continue to profess
adhesion to our holy religion , and Avhile in our lives Ave strive to glorify our Divine Master , Ave are not inconsistent , and need not fear to mingle our prayers ivith those of our brethren of other creecls .
Our chaplains and missionaries meet Avith men of other creeds and march in procession throu gh the ToAvn Hall , ivith the Chancellor ofthe University at their head , clothed in garments upon ivhich a portion of the press has endeavoured to cast ridicule , their object being the improvement of
the natives of this country by means of education . No word of prayer is there heard , but ive cannot doubt that prayer does ascend from the hearts of some of these good men , and that they do implore that the blessing of God may rest upon the work in ivhich they are engaged . And so Masons meet , and clothe themselves in vestments Avhich are
ridiculed by the outer world , that they may promote morality , a morality , be it remembered , founded upon the volume of the sacred law , and that they may exercise themselves in works of mercy . Surely men may as ivell unite on a broad basis ivith their Asiatic neighbours for these purposes as
for education ; and if Christian men and ministers can meet Avhere prayer is excluded on account of differences of creed , surely they may meet and offer
Masonry In Its Relation To Religion.
up prayer Avhere each man is allowed to offer up his own petition according to the manner sanctioned by his own faith . —Masonic Record of Western India .
Practical Freemasonry.
PRACTICAL FREEMASONRY .
A beautiful exemplification of that noble spirit which should permeate the Masonic Craft from pole to pole has just been brought to our notice , and is ivell worthy of a place in our " Record " of good deeds done and of sufferings relieved . It is commonly , but very unjustly , supposed , that next to the fallen descendants of faithful Abraham there
is no class of professional men so exorbitant and extortionate in their exactions as the members of the legal profession . They live and groAV rich on the quarrels and animosities of weak and erring human nature , it is said ; and truly sad illustrations of this prevailing sentiment too often occur
to give a colour of truth to its surmised realitj 7- . But when the benign genius of Freemasonry spreads its potent spell over the most obdurate or callous of human kind , a change , wonderful as rapid , beneficial as elevating and ennobling , is effectedand every one enrolled under its banners
, feels its wisdom-working influence , and participates in that glowing enthusiasm which leads men with strong resolve to take the front rank in the battle of life , and to carry out the noble behest of humanity by acting true and faithful to their felloAv-men in reverencing the G . A . O . T . U ., and
doing good to all around them . Our Masonic annals contain innumerable illustrations of practical Freemasonry in all the different vicissitudes of life . The battle-field , the shipwreck , famine , disease , and poverty , all furnish us with , an array of good ivorks , nobly done under the soul-inspiring
influence of Ereemasonry . The record of thousands upon thousands of these kind acts , prompted by that God-like spirit which still dwells in the heart of fallen man , has been lost amongst the dark clouds of oblivion which overshadow the impenetrable past . But enough remains to stamp
with solidity the time-enduring virtues of our ancient Craft—the noblest and brightest of which , is charity . Our present illustration of its operation is a simple bnt touching one , and although in . mentioning the name of the brother who , we are certain , is one of those that
" Do good by stealth , and blush to find it fame , " Ave may be overstepping the prescribed limits of private friendship ; yet Ave trust our disinterestedness , and our anxiety to inculcate by forcible example the daily practice of genuine charity
amongst the brotherhood , will plead a sufficient apology for so prominently alluding to the matter . It ts Avell known to many of the old members of the Craft in Bombay that Bro . Darby , a popular member of the mystic tie , has for many months been endeavouring to recruit his shattered