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Article AN ABSTRACT OF A SERMON, Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
An Abstract Of A Sermon,
AN ABSTRACT OF A SERMON ,
Preached at Gravesend , 1 st of July , 1844 , by the Rev . D . Jones , B . D ., Provincial Grand Chaplain . " A GOOD MAN IS SATISFIED FKOM HIMSELF . " l * rov . xiv , 14 , latter part . THE term " good "is in holy Scriptures a word of very extensive signification , ancl stands opposed to any thing that is found to our interest in a reliiousmoralor social point of viewand is put in
contrag , , , distinction to " evil ; " tbe beneficent person is in those Sacred Records invariably called good , owing to the benevolence evinced in bis general deportment , and the benefit derived from his example . Such a man is pious towards God without hypocrisy , is charitable towards man without ostentation ; whatever his situation in life may be , he practices the virtues peculiar to his position in society with credit to himself and with profit to the public . Such a character is satisfied with the dispensations
of Providence , and with his station in life , ancl looks forward to the time when virtue shall receive a full recompence of reward , ancl pities the trouble and afflictions of his fellow-creatures ; whereas the selfish person makes provision only for himself , and is quite unconcerned about the miseries that surround him , ancl never attempts to calm the sighs of sorrow . But what would be the enjoyment of existence without the kind offices of social life . No man ought to live to himself , but for the good of others ; and he ought to consider that kindness , right , and compassion are every one ' s due , and that hence he owes a duty to his neighbour , as well as to God and himself ; he considers all men as
brethren . 1 have but few remarks to make on Freemasonry , nor is it necessary , as the members increase in number and influence all over the country , and by their practice evince its beneficial effects in all departments of society ; its most prominent qualities are benevolence and brotherly love , the main pillars of Christianity . It has been instrumental in a variety of instances to deliver a Brother from his distress , and to befriend him , not only in this kingdom but in every part of the
habitable globe . It is well calculated to create union , to promote friendship and harmless hilarity among neighbours ; ancl as we cannot find a date of its ori gin , so can we not set bounds to the beneficial effects it confers on the community at large . Secondly , If benevolence be compared with other virtues , its superiority will most evidently appear . Frugality , for example , regards a man ' s own estate ; temperance his own healthancl industry his own
, subsistence ; justice may prevent or punish evil ; all kinds of activity , ingenuity and exertion may add to our individual reputation and comfort , but benevolence sanctifies every quality , and looks earnestly to the general good ; it considers a brother in distress , and extends its aid to the poor and needy . It is customary on these occasions to make a collection after the sermonto be applied to the benefit of some charity ; and I have
, to observe , that the amount of your Christian liberality evinced this day will be given partly to assist the Aged and Decayed Freemasons who have seen better days , but have been reduced in circumstances , owing to the accidental losses and misfortunes to which all men are liable . The other moiety of your charitable offerings will be apportioned between those neighbours of yours who have suffered so severely from
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
An Abstract Of A Sermon,
AN ABSTRACT OF A SERMON ,
Preached at Gravesend , 1 st of July , 1844 , by the Rev . D . Jones , B . D ., Provincial Grand Chaplain . " A GOOD MAN IS SATISFIED FKOM HIMSELF . " l * rov . xiv , 14 , latter part . THE term " good "is in holy Scriptures a word of very extensive signification , ancl stands opposed to any thing that is found to our interest in a reliiousmoralor social point of viewand is put in
contrag , , , distinction to " evil ; " tbe beneficent person is in those Sacred Records invariably called good , owing to the benevolence evinced in bis general deportment , and the benefit derived from his example . Such a man is pious towards God without hypocrisy , is charitable towards man without ostentation ; whatever his situation in life may be , he practices the virtues peculiar to his position in society with credit to himself and with profit to the public . Such a character is satisfied with the dispensations
of Providence , and with his station in life , ancl looks forward to the time when virtue shall receive a full recompence of reward , ancl pities the trouble and afflictions of his fellow-creatures ; whereas the selfish person makes provision only for himself , and is quite unconcerned about the miseries that surround him , ancl never attempts to calm the sighs of sorrow . But what would be the enjoyment of existence without the kind offices of social life . No man ought to live to himself , but for the good of others ; and he ought to consider that kindness , right , and compassion are every one ' s due , and that hence he owes a duty to his neighbour , as well as to God and himself ; he considers all men as
brethren . 1 have but few remarks to make on Freemasonry , nor is it necessary , as the members increase in number and influence all over the country , and by their practice evince its beneficial effects in all departments of society ; its most prominent qualities are benevolence and brotherly love , the main pillars of Christianity . It has been instrumental in a variety of instances to deliver a Brother from his distress , and to befriend him , not only in this kingdom but in every part of the
habitable globe . It is well calculated to create union , to promote friendship and harmless hilarity among neighbours ; ancl as we cannot find a date of its ori gin , so can we not set bounds to the beneficial effects it confers on the community at large . Secondly , If benevolence be compared with other virtues , its superiority will most evidently appear . Frugality , for example , regards a man ' s own estate ; temperance his own healthancl industry his own
, subsistence ; justice may prevent or punish evil ; all kinds of activity , ingenuity and exertion may add to our individual reputation and comfort , but benevolence sanctifies every quality , and looks earnestly to the general good ; it considers a brother in distress , and extends its aid to the poor and needy . It is customary on these occasions to make a collection after the sermonto be applied to the benefit of some charity ; and I have
, to observe , that the amount of your Christian liberality evinced this day will be given partly to assist the Aged and Decayed Freemasons who have seen better days , but have been reduced in circumstances , owing to the accidental losses and misfortunes to which all men are liable . The other moiety of your charitable offerings will be apportioned between those neighbours of yours who have suffered so severely from