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Article OBJECTS OF MASONIC REFORM. ← Page 3 of 9 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Objects Of Masonic Reform.
kind , has little or no inheritance . Instead of being foremost in such inquiries , and leading the master minds of eacli generation , following in the wake of our glorious brethren of the pro-Reformation era ; instead of diffusing the light of knoAvledgo and cultivating the achieA' -ements of science—succouring the Aveak , sympathising Avith and encouraging the patriotic , and acquiring and dispensing Avisdom
as it advanced in years—all that Freemasonry , under the Grand Lodge of England , can boast—in the place of oAATiing it to her shame—is a patched and disastrous Constitution , rendering the position of the lodges , and brethren , holding under it , one of complete isolation . Step by step—carefully taken as if there Avas a subtle purpose
concealed in oA ery move—since 1813 , the rulers of the craft have deliberately cut off the English " brethren from the aspirations and sympathies of the cosmopolitan order ; and thus the Grand Lodge of England , professing the Avidest toleration , has at length , become the most intolerant and sectarian of any Grand Lodge in the universe , and , in consequence , IIOAV stands alone , undignified , derided ,
and ridiculed , by the kindreds , peoples , and nations , Avhere Freemasonry obtains , and AVIIO , in the early days of the eighteenth century , turned their eyes to our Grand Lodge as the source and fountain from Avliicli all masonic light emanated . " Chief of the chief erstwhile siie stood , " Now fall ' n : a lot- of inert wood . "
On the continents of Europe , Asia , and America , Freemasonry is identified Avith the spirit of the age ; human progress is its goal . True , to the traditions of the craft in the middle ages , Avhen Freemasonry Avas a term unknown , though , its rites Avere practised "b y thousands of the brightest and best in every land , the Grand Lodges of the Avorld ( always excepting the Grand Lodge of
England and some feAv obscure Gorman lodges ) , recognize their mission . They seek the progress of humanity by extending to down-trodden , bleeding , and dismembered , nationalities the sympathy and approval of the free to those AVIIO Avould Avin freedom for themselves . They place themselves boldly in the van as champions of free thought and free inquiry . Conservative in their tendencies ,
they yet keep pace Avith the age in AVhich AVC live ; and , discarding all pretence to physical , yet propagate , by moral force , a spirit tending to emulate their brethren of old—thousands upon thousands of AA'hom proved their devotion to the order by dying martyrs in its cause—and serving to re-kindle amongst the fraternity a reverence and love for the Christian faith , devotion to their country ' s cause ,
and that cosmopolitanism of principle which the Grand Lodge of England , ever since the accession of the Duke of Sussex to the present hour , has so steadily sought to crush and render nugatoiw .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Objects Of Masonic Reform.
kind , has little or no inheritance . Instead of being foremost in such inquiries , and leading the master minds of eacli generation , following in the wake of our glorious brethren of the pro-Reformation era ; instead of diffusing the light of knoAvledgo and cultivating the achieA' -ements of science—succouring the Aveak , sympathising Avith and encouraging the patriotic , and acquiring and dispensing Avisdom
as it advanced in years—all that Freemasonry , under the Grand Lodge of England , can boast—in the place of oAATiing it to her shame—is a patched and disastrous Constitution , rendering the position of the lodges , and brethren , holding under it , one of complete isolation . Step by step—carefully taken as if there Avas a subtle purpose
concealed in oA ery move—since 1813 , the rulers of the craft have deliberately cut off the English " brethren from the aspirations and sympathies of the cosmopolitan order ; and thus the Grand Lodge of England , professing the Avidest toleration , has at length , become the most intolerant and sectarian of any Grand Lodge in the universe , and , in consequence , IIOAV stands alone , undignified , derided ,
and ridiculed , by the kindreds , peoples , and nations , Avhere Freemasonry obtains , and AVIIO , in the early days of the eighteenth century , turned their eyes to our Grand Lodge as the source and fountain from Avliicli all masonic light emanated . " Chief of the chief erstwhile siie stood , " Now fall ' n : a lot- of inert wood . "
On the continents of Europe , Asia , and America , Freemasonry is identified Avith the spirit of the age ; human progress is its goal . True , to the traditions of the craft in the middle ages , Avhen Freemasonry Avas a term unknown , though , its rites Avere practised "b y thousands of the brightest and best in every land , the Grand Lodges of the Avorld ( always excepting the Grand Lodge of
England and some feAv obscure Gorman lodges ) , recognize their mission . They seek the progress of humanity by extending to down-trodden , bleeding , and dismembered , nationalities the sympathy and approval of the free to those AVIIO Avould Avin freedom for themselves . They place themselves boldly in the van as champions of free thought and free inquiry . Conservative in their tendencies ,
they yet keep pace Avith the age in AVhich AVC live ; and , discarding all pretence to physical , yet propagate , by moral force , a spirit tending to emulate their brethren of old—thousands upon thousands of AA'hom proved their devotion to the order by dying martyrs in its cause—and serving to re-kindle amongst the fraternity a reverence and love for the Christian faith , devotion to their country ' s cause ,
and that cosmopolitanism of principle which the Grand Lodge of England , ever since the accession of the Duke of Sussex to the present hour , has so steadily sought to crush and render nugatoiw .