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Article THE PRINCIPLES OF FREE MASONRY EXPLAINED. ← Page 10 of 15 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Principles Of Free Masonry Explained.
rules would be sufficient for that purpose . Their doClrine . would be , what they are at this day , that a God of perfect ; justice and mercy governs the Universe , and that to him all men are accountable for their actions . Their precepts would enjoin religious honour and obedience to the Deity ; compassion and forbearance to all the human race ; and temperance , sobriety , and chastity to every particular person . These doCtrines and precepts are all founded on nature and reason they are
; prior to every human institution whatever ; they gain the assent of every rational creature as soon as they are clearly proposed . But when Freemasonry began to spread beyond the' land of its nativity into distant countries , it would necessarily decline from its primitive simplicity . The few rules which were sufficient to regulate the society when composed of people belonging to the same nation
, would require to be augmented when it came to consist of Members of different nations . Accordingly , the Brethren saw it requisite to add certain words and signs to their sacred doCtrines and precepts ; and that upon two accounts . First , That they mi ght serve as an universal language , by which a Brother in distress in a foreign country , might make himself understood and known to such of his Brethren there as
could relieve and proteCt him . Many instances mi ght be mentioned here of the tenderness and generosity with which Freemasons have treated one another , eveiv when the public quarrels and reli gious opinions of their respective countries tended to inspire them with mutual hatred and revenge : but the bounds prescribed to this discourse deny
me that pleasure . And secondly , They adopted these words and signs in order to distinguish one another with ease and certainty from the rest of the world , that impostors might not abuse their confidence , nor intercept the fruits of their benevolence . As it was upon these accounts they found it necessary to invent such words and signs , so upon the same they found it necessary to conceal them from every person who was not of the Brotherhood . Hence it isthat they solemnl
, y cause every man to make oath at his admission into a Lodge , that he shall faithfully keep them secret ; and , as the words and signs are so framed , as to put hint in mind of his oath every time he has occasion to use them , he must be destitute of all sense of reli gion and honour , if , contrary to both , he can divulge them . This , my Brethren , is a just and impartial representation of the
principles of Freemasonry , so far as I understand them . A Lodge which is duly governed by them , is the deli ghtful . abode of friendship , and innocent joy . The benevolent and social afft-Ctions shed their blissful influence among the Brethren : all their thoughts , words , and actions , are full of candour , humanity , and forbearance . Here the virulence and implacability of theological controversy arc unknown ;
here the Papist and the Protestant wish for the salvation of one another ; here the Christian and the Mahomedan treat the religious opinions of each other with respeCt ; here the Orthodox sit peaceably by the side of Heretics ; here the subjects of contending princes , forgetful of their national animosities , are kind to one another ; here enemies , suppressing their private sentiments , listen to the voice of
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Principles Of Free Masonry Explained.
rules would be sufficient for that purpose . Their doClrine . would be , what they are at this day , that a God of perfect ; justice and mercy governs the Universe , and that to him all men are accountable for their actions . Their precepts would enjoin religious honour and obedience to the Deity ; compassion and forbearance to all the human race ; and temperance , sobriety , and chastity to every particular person . These doCtrines and precepts are all founded on nature and reason they are
; prior to every human institution whatever ; they gain the assent of every rational creature as soon as they are clearly proposed . But when Freemasonry began to spread beyond the' land of its nativity into distant countries , it would necessarily decline from its primitive simplicity . The few rules which were sufficient to regulate the society when composed of people belonging to the same nation
, would require to be augmented when it came to consist of Members of different nations . Accordingly , the Brethren saw it requisite to add certain words and signs to their sacred doCtrines and precepts ; and that upon two accounts . First , That they mi ght serve as an universal language , by which a Brother in distress in a foreign country , might make himself understood and known to such of his Brethren there as
could relieve and proteCt him . Many instances mi ght be mentioned here of the tenderness and generosity with which Freemasons have treated one another , eveiv when the public quarrels and reli gious opinions of their respective countries tended to inspire them with mutual hatred and revenge : but the bounds prescribed to this discourse deny
me that pleasure . And secondly , They adopted these words and signs in order to distinguish one another with ease and certainty from the rest of the world , that impostors might not abuse their confidence , nor intercept the fruits of their benevolence . As it was upon these accounts they found it necessary to invent such words and signs , so upon the same they found it necessary to conceal them from every person who was not of the Brotherhood . Hence it isthat they solemnl
, y cause every man to make oath at his admission into a Lodge , that he shall faithfully keep them secret ; and , as the words and signs are so framed , as to put hint in mind of his oath every time he has occasion to use them , he must be destitute of all sense of reli gion and honour , if , contrary to both , he can divulge them . This , my Brethren , is a just and impartial representation of the
principles of Freemasonry , so far as I understand them . A Lodge which is duly governed by them , is the deli ghtful . abode of friendship , and innocent joy . The benevolent and social afft-Ctions shed their blissful influence among the Brethren : all their thoughts , words , and actions , are full of candour , humanity , and forbearance . Here the virulence and implacability of theological controversy arc unknown ;
here the Papist and the Protestant wish for the salvation of one another ; here the Christian and the Mahomedan treat the religious opinions of each other with respeCt ; here the Orthodox sit peaceably by the side of Heretics ; here the subjects of contending princes , forgetful of their national animosities , are kind to one another ; here enemies , suppressing their private sentiments , listen to the voice of