Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Charge Delivered To The Faithful Lodge, No. 499,
life . And yet in the enlarged state of the world , even this property becomes so expensive as to lose a considerable part cf it ' s ' power . " When we see men all around us , actuated by the selfish passions , and carrying the corruptions of their depraved natures into all their connexions with each other , we can have but little regard for that emulous principle which is so necessary to the rendering us true children of wisdomand the cultivators of a reall ^ excellent
, y understanding . On this account the antient sages who deeply saw this inconvenience , formed their followers into select societies , and therein taught them to exercise the important lessons of moral truth , In such small circles the sphere of observation is necessarily confined , and consequently a new attainment in * noral excellence , or a fresh lapse into vice , must be easily observed , and have the salutary
effort of stimulating or warning others . Benevolence is one of the strongest characteristics of true Wisdom , because it hath a direct tendency to destroy that selfish principle which is'the greatest disgrace to man" and is the parent of every base and wicked action . Now the exercise of this benevolence must be necessarily weak in the enlarged and licated state of social
comp intercourse , on account of that cupidity which too generally marks the character of mankind . Societies , therefore , the principles of which are to lead the members into a more perfect acquaintance with true Wisdom , and to impress upon their minds a strong sense of their duty to each other as
Brethren , must be of the greatest utility to the moral and political interests of the world . In such Societies , real excellence in moral virtue may be attained to a much hi gher degree than in the public walks of life , or even in the umbrageous , silent paths of solitude . From what hath been said , the application to be educed is obvious , andno doubtis anticipated beach of
, , y you . Our sublime Order , my brethren , was instituted under a sense of the disadvantages men lie under , from the imperfections human nature is replete with , and the obstacles that lie in their way to true Wisdom , by the evil maxims and customs of the world . The necessity of that principle which is , as I have already observed , the essence of Wisdom , to make men what they ought to be , gave birth
to this Society , which hath subsisted almost ever since the necessity of it was first understood . You know what it ' speculiarprinciplesare ; the world also hath long knownthat they must be intrinsically excellent , otherwise the-Qrder would not have so long stood firm under such a variety of circumstances as have at all times been combined against it . In this enli htened indeedour Order is respected
g age , by every person who is above vul gar prejudices . The opinions of others , however , are but of little consequence to us as Masons , as we are sensible that the Royal Art derives no part of it ' s excellence from what others think of it . Towards the grand design , already mentioned , of restoring Man to his proper dignity by renewing his internal beauty , our Order lends gre ' at assistance . The genius of
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Charge Delivered To The Faithful Lodge, No. 499,
life . And yet in the enlarged state of the world , even this property becomes so expensive as to lose a considerable part cf it ' s ' power . " When we see men all around us , actuated by the selfish passions , and carrying the corruptions of their depraved natures into all their connexions with each other , we can have but little regard for that emulous principle which is so necessary to the rendering us true children of wisdomand the cultivators of a reall ^ excellent
, y understanding . On this account the antient sages who deeply saw this inconvenience , formed their followers into select societies , and therein taught them to exercise the important lessons of moral truth , In such small circles the sphere of observation is necessarily confined , and consequently a new attainment in * noral excellence , or a fresh lapse into vice , must be easily observed , and have the salutary
effort of stimulating or warning others . Benevolence is one of the strongest characteristics of true Wisdom , because it hath a direct tendency to destroy that selfish principle which is'the greatest disgrace to man" and is the parent of every base and wicked action . Now the exercise of this benevolence must be necessarily weak in the enlarged and licated state of social
comp intercourse , on account of that cupidity which too generally marks the character of mankind . Societies , therefore , the principles of which are to lead the members into a more perfect acquaintance with true Wisdom , and to impress upon their minds a strong sense of their duty to each other as
Brethren , must be of the greatest utility to the moral and political interests of the world . In such Societies , real excellence in moral virtue may be attained to a much hi gher degree than in the public walks of life , or even in the umbrageous , silent paths of solitude . From what hath been said , the application to be educed is obvious , andno doubtis anticipated beach of
, , y you . Our sublime Order , my brethren , was instituted under a sense of the disadvantages men lie under , from the imperfections human nature is replete with , and the obstacles that lie in their way to true Wisdom , by the evil maxims and customs of the world . The necessity of that principle which is , as I have already observed , the essence of Wisdom , to make men what they ought to be , gave birth
to this Society , which hath subsisted almost ever since the necessity of it was first understood . You know what it ' speculiarprinciplesare ; the world also hath long knownthat they must be intrinsically excellent , otherwise the-Qrder would not have so long stood firm under such a variety of circumstances as have at all times been combined against it . In this enli htened indeedour Order is respected
g age , by every person who is above vul gar prejudices . The opinions of others , however , are but of little consequence to us as Masons , as we are sensible that the Royal Art derives no part of it ' s excellence from what others think of it . Towards the grand design , already mentioned , of restoring Man to his proper dignity by renewing his internal beauty , our Order lends gre ' at assistance . The genius of