Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Principles Of Free Masonry Explained.
worth of Freemasonry , from the disorderly and vicious conduct of many who rank themselves among its friends and supporters . When , therefore , my Brethren and Fellow-christians , you observe any member of the Brotherhood throwing away his character of a rational creature by drunkenness , or the madness of rage ; when you hear him invidiously backbiting his nei ghbour , whose reputation he is bound to treat charitablyor at least not to abuse ; or when he either impiouslor
wanton-, y ly profanes , in your presence , that great and sacred name , which ought to be the object of his humblest adorations , then you may boldly conclude that he is a Freemason and a Christian only in name , not in deed and in truth . Nor is it to be wondered , that the person should venture to break through the engagements of Freemasonry , who dares , by committing these atrocious crimesto violate the infinitely more
holobli-, y gations of baptism , which bind him to live soberly , righteously , and godly , throughout every part of his deportment ; obligations too , which he has , perhaps , made the appearance of renewing and confirming at the table of the Lord , that most endearing ordinance of our divine reli gion . Again , those who object that Freemasonry must either give
occasion , or have a tendency to irreligion , profligacy , and folly , because these qualities prevail in the characters . of many of its adherents ; in order to give wei ght to their objection , urge further , that they advance nothing but what they heard from some of the Brethren , whom all the world acknowledged to be men of strict probity and just discernment . I wish it could be denied , that any of our Brethren ever drew such a horrible icture of the most amiable institution that the wit of man ever
p invented ; but surely it ought not to be regarded , as au evidence of the probity or discernment of those who have done it , in how hi gh soever a degree they may possess these qualities in other cases . Where , I would wish to know , is their probity in calumniating a body of men , with whom they should think it their honour to be connected ? Where is their discernment in charging an institution with irreliionwhich
eng , joins the worshi p of the great Architect of heaven and earth ? Is it discernment to accuse that of profligacy which enjoins temperance , sobriety , and chastity ? Is it discernment to censure that for folly , which is designed for an universal bond of union among mankind ? It is indeed astonishing , that these respectable qualities of probity and discernment should be ascribed to people whose malicious misrepresentations shew
them to have neither . More objections against Freemasonry might be laid before you , my Brethren ; but they are of the same stamp with those already mentioned ; and though they may appear conclusive to weak minds , they are really so insignificant , or so malicious , as to fall below the attention of people of judgment and good-nature . I shall only observe to you , before I leave this head of die difcoursethat those who are loudest against
, the brotherhood , arc either people who never had any opportunity of learning its principles , or people who , having this opportunity , never took the trouble of examining them with care and impartiality . As to the first ; What weight can the opinion of those have , which is formed
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Principles Of Free Masonry Explained.
worth of Freemasonry , from the disorderly and vicious conduct of many who rank themselves among its friends and supporters . When , therefore , my Brethren and Fellow-christians , you observe any member of the Brotherhood throwing away his character of a rational creature by drunkenness , or the madness of rage ; when you hear him invidiously backbiting his nei ghbour , whose reputation he is bound to treat charitablyor at least not to abuse ; or when he either impiouslor
wanton-, y ly profanes , in your presence , that great and sacred name , which ought to be the object of his humblest adorations , then you may boldly conclude that he is a Freemason and a Christian only in name , not in deed and in truth . Nor is it to be wondered , that the person should venture to break through the engagements of Freemasonry , who dares , by committing these atrocious crimesto violate the infinitely more
holobli-, y gations of baptism , which bind him to live soberly , righteously , and godly , throughout every part of his deportment ; obligations too , which he has , perhaps , made the appearance of renewing and confirming at the table of the Lord , that most endearing ordinance of our divine reli gion . Again , those who object that Freemasonry must either give
occasion , or have a tendency to irreligion , profligacy , and folly , because these qualities prevail in the characters . of many of its adherents ; in order to give wei ght to their objection , urge further , that they advance nothing but what they heard from some of the Brethren , whom all the world acknowledged to be men of strict probity and just discernment . I wish it could be denied , that any of our Brethren ever drew such a horrible icture of the most amiable institution that the wit of man ever
p invented ; but surely it ought not to be regarded , as au evidence of the probity or discernment of those who have done it , in how hi gh soever a degree they may possess these qualities in other cases . Where , I would wish to know , is their probity in calumniating a body of men , with whom they should think it their honour to be connected ? Where is their discernment in charging an institution with irreliionwhich
eng , joins the worshi p of the great Architect of heaven and earth ? Is it discernment to accuse that of profligacy which enjoins temperance , sobriety , and chastity ? Is it discernment to censure that for folly , which is designed for an universal bond of union among mankind ? It is indeed astonishing , that these respectable qualities of probity and discernment should be ascribed to people whose malicious misrepresentations shew
them to have neither . More objections against Freemasonry might be laid before you , my Brethren ; but they are of the same stamp with those already mentioned ; and though they may appear conclusive to weak minds , they are really so insignificant , or so malicious , as to fall below the attention of people of judgment and good-nature . I shall only observe to you , before I leave this head of die difcoursethat those who are loudest against
, the brotherhood , arc either people who never had any opportunity of learning its principles , or people who , having this opportunity , never took the trouble of examining them with care and impartiality . As to the first ; What weight can the opinion of those have , which is formed