Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
America.
mon ' s Temple speculative Masonry first assumed its distinctive character , and on the glorious principles of tlie Bible was laid that broad and firm foundation upon which our splendid edifice of Masonry has been erected , and against which the stream of time , as well as the storms of rage and persecution , have spent their force in vain , because contending against the eternal principles of truth and justice . The material edifice which gave rise in its erection to our ancient and honourable Order has long since ceased to exist ; its grandeur and its glory have crumbled into dust , but still the beautiful and deep-rooted principles of our Order have remained unchanged , because unchangeable in their nature and unshaken by time and the lapse of
ages . There is not a solitary principle connected with the institution which Masons wish to conceal from the view of the deserving- and meritorious . The first great doctrines held in sacred veneration by the Order are the existence of God and the immortality of the soul ; it assumes the position that the works of nature demonstrate the wisdom and power of the Infinite Being , while the book of revelation discloses to man who that Being is , and the relations he sustains to Him as moral agent upon the conservative latform which Masonry has erected are all the multiform and sectional
p feelings of our race to meet , a living sacrifice to peace and harmony . This is one of the great and good features of Masonry ; it allows no sectional feelings , no religious bigotry . Sectarianism falls , and bigotry hides its hideous head at the gate of the temple . The lesson impressed on the mind of the initiated is , that Masonry interferes with no man ' s religious or political opinions ; it throws no shackles over the mind , but in the fullness of rational liberty teaches each brother to select for himself that altar whicli best suits its own peculiar mode of worship . This belief in the existence
of God furnishes a broad and solid foundation or platform of love and brotherly confidence , whereon may stand , side by side , Jew , Mahomedan , and Christian , and salute each by the pleasing appellation of Brother . Yet , strange to tell , there are those found still who would have all believe that the institution in its operations is dangerous to the peace and well being of society , and who waits but the power to blast it from the earth . But still it lives and ranks high in its own unobtrusive dignity , exercising its true principles
in demonstrating the fact that it is practicable for all men to live in peace , loving each other fervently , notwithstanding the many impediments of habit and education . Such is Masonry . It knows no distinction between man and man , but what virtue and vice creates . Wealth and poverty have no right in the balance with it ; gold is estimated at its true value and no more : its glittering particles serve only as a means of doing good . In Masonry the rich and the poor meet together ; the Lord is the maker of them all . I would ask if the principles are not good and substantial ?—calculated in
their very nature to promote the best interests of society , and the peace and happiness of man . Some may conclude that these are principles of religion and not Freemasonry ; to all such I would respond , that there is a wide difference . Freemasonry and Christianity can never clash ; there is a great void which can only he filled by a new heart . This Freemasonry has nowhere promised to give . The rigid performance of the principles of the institution will not atone for the past , though they are nearly and closely allied , teaching the same great moral truths . Morality , emanatse from the
same fountain , and is designed for the same good end , the happiness of man . Freemasonry does not profess to make a bad man good ; but if its principles and teachings are duly and properly appreciated , and its doctrines practised , it will make good men better . The impressive language of 'Masonry , although it is unwritten , is so perfect and universal that a worthy Brother may wander over every part of the habitable globe and find a ready response from the Fraternity to his appeal . It is as general as that of the eye , and needs no tongue to give it utter-VOL . i . 4- A
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
America.
mon ' s Temple speculative Masonry first assumed its distinctive character , and on the glorious principles of tlie Bible was laid that broad and firm foundation upon which our splendid edifice of Masonry has been erected , and against which the stream of time , as well as the storms of rage and persecution , have spent their force in vain , because contending against the eternal principles of truth and justice . The material edifice which gave rise in its erection to our ancient and honourable Order has long since ceased to exist ; its grandeur and its glory have crumbled into dust , but still the beautiful and deep-rooted principles of our Order have remained unchanged , because unchangeable in their nature and unshaken by time and the lapse of
ages . There is not a solitary principle connected with the institution which Masons wish to conceal from the view of the deserving- and meritorious . The first great doctrines held in sacred veneration by the Order are the existence of God and the immortality of the soul ; it assumes the position that the works of nature demonstrate the wisdom and power of the Infinite Being , while the book of revelation discloses to man who that Being is , and the relations he sustains to Him as moral agent upon the conservative latform which Masonry has erected are all the multiform and sectional
p feelings of our race to meet , a living sacrifice to peace and harmony . This is one of the great and good features of Masonry ; it allows no sectional feelings , no religious bigotry . Sectarianism falls , and bigotry hides its hideous head at the gate of the temple . The lesson impressed on the mind of the initiated is , that Masonry interferes with no man ' s religious or political opinions ; it throws no shackles over the mind , but in the fullness of rational liberty teaches each brother to select for himself that altar whicli best suits its own peculiar mode of worship . This belief in the existence
of God furnishes a broad and solid foundation or platform of love and brotherly confidence , whereon may stand , side by side , Jew , Mahomedan , and Christian , and salute each by the pleasing appellation of Brother . Yet , strange to tell , there are those found still who would have all believe that the institution in its operations is dangerous to the peace and well being of society , and who waits but the power to blast it from the earth . But still it lives and ranks high in its own unobtrusive dignity , exercising its true principles
in demonstrating the fact that it is practicable for all men to live in peace , loving each other fervently , notwithstanding the many impediments of habit and education . Such is Masonry . It knows no distinction between man and man , but what virtue and vice creates . Wealth and poverty have no right in the balance with it ; gold is estimated at its true value and no more : its glittering particles serve only as a means of doing good . In Masonry the rich and the poor meet together ; the Lord is the maker of them all . I would ask if the principles are not good and substantial ?—calculated in
their very nature to promote the best interests of society , and the peace and happiness of man . Some may conclude that these are principles of religion and not Freemasonry ; to all such I would respond , that there is a wide difference . Freemasonry and Christianity can never clash ; there is a great void which can only he filled by a new heart . This Freemasonry has nowhere promised to give . The rigid performance of the principles of the institution will not atone for the past , though they are nearly and closely allied , teaching the same great moral truths . Morality , emanatse from the
same fountain , and is designed for the same good end , the happiness of man . Freemasonry does not profess to make a bad man good ; but if its principles and teachings are duly and properly appreciated , and its doctrines practised , it will make good men better . The impressive language of 'Masonry , although it is unwritten , is so perfect and universal that a worthy Brother may wander over every part of the habitable globe and find a ready response from the Fraternity to his appeal . It is as general as that of the eye , and needs no tongue to give it utter-VOL . i . 4- A