-
Articles/Ads
Article TO MASONS,. ← Page 2 of 6 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To Masons,.
worthy members of a body which will never dishonour us , if we do not dishonour it . Knowing that the eye of the world is upon us ; that the evil man will eagerly catch at OUT errings , to drag us down to the level of his own evil way ; and that the good are analyzing our science by the acts of our lives , let us walk as those who have been called from darkness unto light . From the meanest of us some jewel of the mind is expected to dart a benign ray into the darkness of a corrupt world ; and
in proportion as we rise in our profession , are we expected to illumine the moral horizon . From him to whom much is given ia much required . Let not those whose talents have raised them to office be as sounding brass , and a tinkling cymbal ; but remember , that it is not the talent , but the application , that ennobles man . They have been placed by the Great Architect of the Universe , in a situation which will enable them to do infinite good or eviland their use or abuse of the authority
, vested in them will plead for or denounce them , when , after having passed through the mysterious darkness of the grave , they pray to be admitted into that Grand Lodge not made with hands , eternal in the Heavens , the password to which is , a belief in Christ , and a life spent in his service . A laxness of principle in them will create the same among the humbler Brethren ; while a strict discharge of duty will be attended with the most beneficent results . By accepting office , I
consider they virtually pledged themselves to be living witnesses of the divine precepts of Masonry reduced to practice , —her moral lights—not stumbling-blocks in the path of their brother . Knowing the force of example , I am confident that were the Masters and Officers of Lodges to discharge their duties with freedom , fervency , and zeal , the Craft would make a giant stride in the affection of the moral world ; that all societies would hail a Mason as an invaluable member ; that to have a son a Mason would be a mother ' s joy ; and to
have a husband from the Masonic body , would be to our fair sisters an assurance of felicity . Then would a man ' s initiation be the prelude to his discharge of every moral and religious virtue , to which he would be encouraged , not only by the hope of an eternity of bliss hereafter , but by the happiness which he would have so many opportunities of seeing it produce even in this world . My Brethren , can you subscribe to the truth of these remarks , and
not use your utmost efforts to bring so desirable a state of things to pass ? Oh ! let me conjure you by our beautiful science—by your obligation—by the hold which Virtue yet has upon the heart of manto unite with me in honest efforts , however humble , to bring about a " consummation so devoutly to be wished . " Whether we fail , or whether we succeed , our reward is sure ; a reward considered inestimable by all good men—the approval of God and of our own conscience . CATO .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To Masons,.
worthy members of a body which will never dishonour us , if we do not dishonour it . Knowing that the eye of the world is upon us ; that the evil man will eagerly catch at OUT errings , to drag us down to the level of his own evil way ; and that the good are analyzing our science by the acts of our lives , let us walk as those who have been called from darkness unto light . From the meanest of us some jewel of the mind is expected to dart a benign ray into the darkness of a corrupt world ; and
in proportion as we rise in our profession , are we expected to illumine the moral horizon . From him to whom much is given ia much required . Let not those whose talents have raised them to office be as sounding brass , and a tinkling cymbal ; but remember , that it is not the talent , but the application , that ennobles man . They have been placed by the Great Architect of the Universe , in a situation which will enable them to do infinite good or eviland their use or abuse of the authority
, vested in them will plead for or denounce them , when , after having passed through the mysterious darkness of the grave , they pray to be admitted into that Grand Lodge not made with hands , eternal in the Heavens , the password to which is , a belief in Christ , and a life spent in his service . A laxness of principle in them will create the same among the humbler Brethren ; while a strict discharge of duty will be attended with the most beneficent results . By accepting office , I
consider they virtually pledged themselves to be living witnesses of the divine precepts of Masonry reduced to practice , —her moral lights—not stumbling-blocks in the path of their brother . Knowing the force of example , I am confident that were the Masters and Officers of Lodges to discharge their duties with freedom , fervency , and zeal , the Craft would make a giant stride in the affection of the moral world ; that all societies would hail a Mason as an invaluable member ; that to have a son a Mason would be a mother ' s joy ; and to
have a husband from the Masonic body , would be to our fair sisters an assurance of felicity . Then would a man ' s initiation be the prelude to his discharge of every moral and religious virtue , to which he would be encouraged , not only by the hope of an eternity of bliss hereafter , but by the happiness which he would have so many opportunities of seeing it produce even in this world . My Brethren , can you subscribe to the truth of these remarks , and
not use your utmost efforts to bring so desirable a state of things to pass ? Oh ! let me conjure you by our beautiful science—by your obligation—by the hold which Virtue yet has upon the heart of manto unite with me in honest efforts , however humble , to bring about a " consummation so devoutly to be wished . " Whether we fail , or whether we succeed , our reward is sure ; a reward considered inestimable by all good men—the approval of God and of our own conscience . CATO .