-
Articles/Ads
Article SECRET SOCIETIES. ← Page 4 of 4
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Secret Societies.
tected by its deliberate exclusion by the Legislature from the operations of the Secret Societies Act . And thus it is "In all countries where it is flourishing rightfully to-day that it is recognized and permitted bv the State . No well-instructed or loyal Freemason will ever attend a meeting of Freemasons in any country where such meeting
is forbidden , rightly or wrongly , wisely or foolishly , it matters not , by the supreme authority ; and whenever the English Legislature specifically deprives English Freemasonry of its authoritative sanction , they will , on their own principles , cease to be a secret society , though they will no doubt continue to act as an open humanitarian
association . But that day , let us hope , is far distant if it ever comes , as it Avould only be a proof , probably , that a regime of intolerance had set in . The great difference between Freemasonry and all other secret political societies , ( we especially exclude all benefit societies , excellent and useful , like Odd FelloAvs , Free Gardeners , Foresters , Ancient Shepherds , Buffaloes , the Ark , and the like , from our parvenu , ) the great difference , we repeat , between Freemasonry and other Secret
Societies is that the former is conservative , in its non-political sense , of order and law , the others are destructive and revolutionary under all contingencies . The former sets before it and its members the approval of the sovereign power , of the supreme legislature , their support in arduous hours , its disapproval of all plots and conspiracies ;
the latter is essentially bent on the overthrow of the governing body , the uprooting of social and domestic institutions , the display of private revenge , and the baser temptations of individual gratification and personal advantage . The loyalty of Freemasons is practically now a proverb in this country ; and we believe that wherever the true
principles of Freemasonry are realized , and its great landmarks are upheld , there Freemasonry , like a truthful hand maid of religion , is beheld endeavouring to still the angry and turbulent waters of human strife and controversy by promulgating alike glory to God and peace to man , and all those greater duties and dearer blessings which bind us
closely to our kind here , enabling us to spread on all sides of us the enduring and healing charms of domestic happiness , peaceful union , and ciAdlizing progression .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Secret Societies.
tected by its deliberate exclusion by the Legislature from the operations of the Secret Societies Act . And thus it is "In all countries where it is flourishing rightfully to-day that it is recognized and permitted bv the State . No well-instructed or loyal Freemason will ever attend a meeting of Freemasons in any country where such meeting
is forbidden , rightly or wrongly , wisely or foolishly , it matters not , by the supreme authority ; and whenever the English Legislature specifically deprives English Freemasonry of its authoritative sanction , they will , on their own principles , cease to be a secret society , though they will no doubt continue to act as an open humanitarian
association . But that day , let us hope , is far distant if it ever comes , as it Avould only be a proof , probably , that a regime of intolerance had set in . The great difference between Freemasonry and all other secret political societies , ( we especially exclude all benefit societies , excellent and useful , like Odd FelloAvs , Free Gardeners , Foresters , Ancient Shepherds , Buffaloes , the Ark , and the like , from our parvenu , ) the great difference , we repeat , between Freemasonry and other Secret
Societies is that the former is conservative , in its non-political sense , of order and law , the others are destructive and revolutionary under all contingencies . The former sets before it and its members the approval of the sovereign power , of the supreme legislature , their support in arduous hours , its disapproval of all plots and conspiracies ;
the latter is essentially bent on the overthrow of the governing body , the uprooting of social and domestic institutions , the display of private revenge , and the baser temptations of individual gratification and personal advantage . The loyalty of Freemasons is practically now a proverb in this country ; and we believe that wherever the true
principles of Freemasonry are realized , and its great landmarks are upheld , there Freemasonry , like a truthful hand maid of religion , is beheld endeavouring to still the angry and turbulent waters of human strife and controversy by promulgating alike glory to God and peace to man , and all those greater duties and dearer blessings which bind us
closely to our kind here , enabling us to spread on all sides of us the enduring and healing charms of domestic happiness , peaceful union , and ciAdlizing progression .