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Article ON FREEMASONRY. ← Page 3 of 9 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry.
glorious masterpiece of the Creator ' s hands , Avas typically represented ; the veins and arteries of his frame , in the many cloisters and passages wliich gave unity to the construction of the Temple ; the heart , the seat of ' life , in the sanctum
sanctorum , impenetrable to all things but the li ght of God ' s sacred presence ; the voice of thanksgiving due from the creature to the Creator , in the altar of incense erected to his praise . That such was the design of this mvsterious pile , the evidence of Scripture , the opinions of the most learned of the rabbinical writersand the ancient traditions
, oi our Order , alike confirm an interpretation ivhich reconciles us to the awful veneration in which it was held , not only by the Jews , who regarded it as the palladium of their faith , but by the surrounding nations ; by the prophets , who held it as a thing sacred from its hidden signification
. — -a ^ mystery , and the fulfilment of a mystery . , The uninformed world have ever been divided in their opinions ofthe rites and ori gin of our Order ; philosophers WM lleld ? n il an an ° nialy in the history of the earth . Without territorial possessions , its moral dominion is almost
universal ; wjth no other arms than those of prudence and fortitude , it hath conquered the persecutions of the superstitious , and survived the mi ghty fall of Israel , the vast empires of Egypt , Babylon , Assyria , Media , Rome , and Greece , where alternatel y it was honoured by the protection of kings and rulers , or exposed to the most cruel hostility . In all the liberal states of
Europe it is publicly honoured and encouraged ; monarchs are at its head ; its ranks are adorned by men eminent for their station and worth—b y names illustrious in the annals of science , benevolence , and virtue . In Italy , Avhere , formerly , to have been knoAvn as a member of the Craft was to have been to the
exposed terrors of the stake , Masonry exists with scarcely more than the usual precautions of secrecy ; active hostility has ceased , the thunders ofthe Vatican are silent ; opinion is making a sure though silent impression in its favour ; even these pages are written in a land where Castiglione perished , where so rottiers have to the
many j ^ sealed their devotion pure principles of the Order in their blood . Of the present toleration 11 ° court we latel 7 heard a singular anecdote wliich a noble Brother related after the meeting of a LocW Ave attended in Germany . His name and character , were w-e authorised to make them known , would vouch for its authenticity . M . le Baron De K , during a long life honourabl y
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry.
glorious masterpiece of the Creator ' s hands , Avas typically represented ; the veins and arteries of his frame , in the many cloisters and passages wliich gave unity to the construction of the Temple ; the heart , the seat of ' life , in the sanctum
sanctorum , impenetrable to all things but the li ght of God ' s sacred presence ; the voice of thanksgiving due from the creature to the Creator , in the altar of incense erected to his praise . That such was the design of this mvsterious pile , the evidence of Scripture , the opinions of the most learned of the rabbinical writersand the ancient traditions
, oi our Order , alike confirm an interpretation ivhich reconciles us to the awful veneration in which it was held , not only by the Jews , who regarded it as the palladium of their faith , but by the surrounding nations ; by the prophets , who held it as a thing sacred from its hidden signification
. — -a ^ mystery , and the fulfilment of a mystery . , The uninformed world have ever been divided in their opinions ofthe rites and ori gin of our Order ; philosophers WM lleld ? n il an an ° nialy in the history of the earth . Without territorial possessions , its moral dominion is almost
universal ; wjth no other arms than those of prudence and fortitude , it hath conquered the persecutions of the superstitious , and survived the mi ghty fall of Israel , the vast empires of Egypt , Babylon , Assyria , Media , Rome , and Greece , where alternatel y it was honoured by the protection of kings and rulers , or exposed to the most cruel hostility . In all the liberal states of
Europe it is publicly honoured and encouraged ; monarchs are at its head ; its ranks are adorned by men eminent for their station and worth—b y names illustrious in the annals of science , benevolence , and virtue . In Italy , Avhere , formerly , to have been knoAvn as a member of the Craft was to have been to the
exposed terrors of the stake , Masonry exists with scarcely more than the usual precautions of secrecy ; active hostility has ceased , the thunders ofthe Vatican are silent ; opinion is making a sure though silent impression in its favour ; even these pages are written in a land where Castiglione perished , where so rottiers have to the
many j ^ sealed their devotion pure principles of the Order in their blood . Of the present toleration 11 ° court we latel 7 heard a singular anecdote wliich a noble Brother related after the meeting of a LocW Ave attended in Germany . His name and character , were w-e authorised to make them known , would vouch for its authenticity . M . le Baron De K , during a long life honourabl y