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Article WHY AM I A FREEMASON ? ← Page 2 of 2 Article WHY AM I A FREEMASON ? Page 2 of 2 Article MASONIC DISTURBERS. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Why Am I A Freemason ?
tory of whatsoever is pure , whatsoever is lovely , and wha t soever is of good report among hia fellow men . To complete the system of truth adopted and inculcated , the Fraternity teaches most impressively the Christian
virtues of Faith , Hope and Charity—faith in God , hope in immortality , and charity to all mankind . It does not divorce molality and religion , but teaches the most reverential worship of the great I Am . Founded upon such
principles , its votaries cannot be classed as men of " one idea . " It is not an insurance company for making pecuniary investments with the assurance of remuneration in dollars and cents . Neither is it a temperance society ,
organized for the simple purpose of inculcating one of tho cardinal virtues , however commendable that assuredly is . It is infinitely broader than any association that does not aim at perfecting its members in all that pertains to true manhood .
What other human association can boast of constantly inculcating , in all its ceremonies , a more perfect code of moral and social ethics than that which we have just been describing . Our whole system of moral and religious truth
not only demonstrates our faith in God , but in the Bible which is ever open upon onr altars , sending forth its sweet incense to permeate the minds and hearts of all who come within onr sacred retreat .
Freemasonry does not claim to be the Church nor the State , and yet it is a support of both . It has alwaya embraced among its members many of the ablest divines and some of the most brilliant and distinguished statesmen ;
in fact , men of every rank and station in life . Its success is due , in a great measure , to the fact that it is nonsectarian and non-political in its organisation . It does not interfere with any duty we owe to God , our country , our
neighbour or ourselves , but on the contrary enforces all those duties in the strongest manner . It is a charitable institution , linking its members together "by an indissoluble chain of sincere affection , " and seeking to " unite
men of every country , sect and opinion . " It may be said by our opponents , " We do not object to your principles , but all Masons do not live up to them . " We admit and regret that some Masons do not live up to
their principles , and yet all must admit that no society , moral or religious , has ever succeeded in making all of its members pure and upright . We must not forget the
parable of our Saviour , in which it is said : " Sir , didst not thou sow good seed in the field ? from whence then bast it tares ? " The reply was , "An enemy hath done this . " An enemy has been sowing tares among the wheat
ever . Again , it may be said : " We object to secret societies . " Why , and on what ground ? We admit that a secret society , organised for wicked and selfish purposes , is
decidedly objectionable . For example , one whose purpose it is to overthrow the government of a free people , or for violating the laws of the government . Every society must be judged of by its principles and practice , and not
because it may or may not have secret tokens and signs of brotherly recognition , or pledges of personal relief in case of danger or distress . If that postulate be true , and we do not see how any one can successfully controvert it , there
can be no just grounds for objecting to the Fraternity of Freemasons . Secret tokens and pledges of friendship have been quite common in all ages of the world . In the
first persecution of the Christians under Nero , they had their secret tokens and passwords of brotherly recognition for mutual protection .
I will illustrate what I conceive to be a lawful and laudable secret among brethren . Every reader of the Bible will readily recognise this beautiful passage of Scripture : " To him that overcometh will I give to eat of
the hidden manna , and will give him a white stone , and in the stone a new name written which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it . " That promise , made to the victor , contains a secret token and pledge of friendship .
It is quite probable that St . John here alludes to the custom among the Romans of giving tokens of friendship called the tesserce . We will mention two kinds of these tokens or pledges . First , the tesserce conviviales , which
answered to our cards or tickets of admission to public feasts or banquets . Then there were the tesserce hospitales , which were given as a badge of friendship and alliance ,
and on which some device was engraved . A small oblong square piece of wood , stone , or ivory , was taken and divided into two equal parts , on which each of the parties wrote his own name , and then interchanged it with the
Why Am I A Freemason ?
other . Each one carefully preserved his part , and by producing it when they travelled gave the bearers a mutual claim to all the hospitality their respective houses could afford . No one could know the meaning of the name or
device upon the tesserce but the contracting parties that interchanged them ; and could at any time verify the contract by comparing them— " which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it . " It is a beautiful illustration of the
value of such tokens and pledges of friendship as will bind virtuous men more closely together in all that pertains to noble deeds of charity and brotherly kindness . And no Mason should ever lose sight of that as one of the grand objects of the Brotherhood of Free and Accepted Masons .
" Ideal fabrics to ur-rear , Some men think all onr art ; Bnfc little think what plana we draw To form an upright heart .
Onr plnmb we poiao , and clear eaoh clog Thafchanea about the string : And each unruly passion ' s flight Within the compass bring . "
My conclusion is that Freemasonry , in its plan and purposes , is the best and purest social organization outside of the Church of the living Gnd . Its moral and religious creed is eminently liberal and practical , and is intended to
promote the doctrine of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man . That it does not succeed in making all of its members pure , virtuous and benevolent , must he
attributed to the corrupting influences of evil times and customs , against which the Church , as well as Freemasonry , has had to contend with varying success . I know of no stronger bond of union in all that relates to a virtuous life
than that imposed upon the Masonic Brotherhood . " Upon this rock we'll stand when worlds , T' oblivion all shall tend ; Our brethren as ourselves we love ; To all mankind a friend . " —Freemasons' Repository
Masonic Disturbers.
MASONIC DISTURBERS .
TRERE are a few in the Craft who may be called Masonic disturbers ; who are never easy without creating dissension , and if more numerous would be classed as Masonic destroyers .
How little do such persons regard the princi ple that peace and harmony are the strength of all institutions . We do not allude to those who , having the interest of the Lodge or Chapter at heart , never hesitate to express
their opinion when they think the funds are likely to be misapplied , or when some action is to be tnken that may interfere with the prosperity of the body with which they
are connected . Such members are sometimes wrong in their ideas ; but yet they mean well , and speak according to their convictions . They may be looked upon really as the preservers rather than the destroyers .
But there are some who have the desire to rule , either in a station or on the floor , and if unable to accomplish their object , will do their best to ruin . We have met a
few of this kind . For a time , charity for their weaknesses may cause the Lodge or Chapter lo ' ' 3 indulgent uutil the infliction becomes painful , and the offender is , as it were , " sat upon . "
Then is exhibited the spirit of malignancy , only too well known in some bodies , where one individual can and will prevent the Lodge or Chapter from working . In some cases it is also manifested by attacks made in the public
press under a worn de plume , on individuals , thereby causing feelings of bitterness which should not exist . In the end , however , this will rectify itself , and the disturber
finally find that he is either outside the pale of the Fraternity , or regarded as one who ought never to have belonged to it .
Let Masonic disturbers be warned in time . —Neio York Sunday Times .
HOI / LOWAT ' OIWTMEHT ASD PIUS . —Coughs , Influenza . —The soothing properties of these medicaments render them well worthy of trial in all diseases of the respiratory organs . In common colds and Influenza the Pills taken internally , and the Ointment rubbed over the chest and throat , are exceedingly efficacious . When Influenza is epidemic , this treatment is the easiest , safest and surest
. Holloway ' s Pills purif y the blood , remove all obstacles to its free circulation through the lungs , relieve the over-gorged air tubes , and render respiration free , without reducing the strengfb , irritating the npj ves , or depressing the spirits ; such are the ready mea s of escaping from suffering w- en afflicted with colds , coughs , bronchitis , and other chest complaints , by which the health of so many is seriously and permanently injured in most countries .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Why Am I A Freemason ?
tory of whatsoever is pure , whatsoever is lovely , and wha t soever is of good report among hia fellow men . To complete the system of truth adopted and inculcated , the Fraternity teaches most impressively the Christian
virtues of Faith , Hope and Charity—faith in God , hope in immortality , and charity to all mankind . It does not divorce molality and religion , but teaches the most reverential worship of the great I Am . Founded upon such
principles , its votaries cannot be classed as men of " one idea . " It is not an insurance company for making pecuniary investments with the assurance of remuneration in dollars and cents . Neither is it a temperance society ,
organized for the simple purpose of inculcating one of tho cardinal virtues , however commendable that assuredly is . It is infinitely broader than any association that does not aim at perfecting its members in all that pertains to true manhood .
What other human association can boast of constantly inculcating , in all its ceremonies , a more perfect code of moral and social ethics than that which we have just been describing . Our whole system of moral and religious truth
not only demonstrates our faith in God , but in the Bible which is ever open upon onr altars , sending forth its sweet incense to permeate the minds and hearts of all who come within onr sacred retreat .
Freemasonry does not claim to be the Church nor the State , and yet it is a support of both . It has alwaya embraced among its members many of the ablest divines and some of the most brilliant and distinguished statesmen ;
in fact , men of every rank and station in life . Its success is due , in a great measure , to the fact that it is nonsectarian and non-political in its organisation . It does not interfere with any duty we owe to God , our country , our
neighbour or ourselves , but on the contrary enforces all those duties in the strongest manner . It is a charitable institution , linking its members together "by an indissoluble chain of sincere affection , " and seeking to " unite
men of every country , sect and opinion . " It may be said by our opponents , " We do not object to your principles , but all Masons do not live up to them . " We admit and regret that some Masons do not live up to
their principles , and yet all must admit that no society , moral or religious , has ever succeeded in making all of its members pure and upright . We must not forget the
parable of our Saviour , in which it is said : " Sir , didst not thou sow good seed in the field ? from whence then bast it tares ? " The reply was , "An enemy hath done this . " An enemy has been sowing tares among the wheat
ever . Again , it may be said : " We object to secret societies . " Why , and on what ground ? We admit that a secret society , organised for wicked and selfish purposes , is
decidedly objectionable . For example , one whose purpose it is to overthrow the government of a free people , or for violating the laws of the government . Every society must be judged of by its principles and practice , and not
because it may or may not have secret tokens and signs of brotherly recognition , or pledges of personal relief in case of danger or distress . If that postulate be true , and we do not see how any one can successfully controvert it , there
can be no just grounds for objecting to the Fraternity of Freemasons . Secret tokens and pledges of friendship have been quite common in all ages of the world . In the
first persecution of the Christians under Nero , they had their secret tokens and passwords of brotherly recognition for mutual protection .
I will illustrate what I conceive to be a lawful and laudable secret among brethren . Every reader of the Bible will readily recognise this beautiful passage of Scripture : " To him that overcometh will I give to eat of
the hidden manna , and will give him a white stone , and in the stone a new name written which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it . " That promise , made to the victor , contains a secret token and pledge of friendship .
It is quite probable that St . John here alludes to the custom among the Romans of giving tokens of friendship called the tesserce . We will mention two kinds of these tokens or pledges . First , the tesserce conviviales , which
answered to our cards or tickets of admission to public feasts or banquets . Then there were the tesserce hospitales , which were given as a badge of friendship and alliance ,
and on which some device was engraved . A small oblong square piece of wood , stone , or ivory , was taken and divided into two equal parts , on which each of the parties wrote his own name , and then interchanged it with the
Why Am I A Freemason ?
other . Each one carefully preserved his part , and by producing it when they travelled gave the bearers a mutual claim to all the hospitality their respective houses could afford . No one could know the meaning of the name or
device upon the tesserce but the contracting parties that interchanged them ; and could at any time verify the contract by comparing them— " which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it . " It is a beautiful illustration of the
value of such tokens and pledges of friendship as will bind virtuous men more closely together in all that pertains to noble deeds of charity and brotherly kindness . And no Mason should ever lose sight of that as one of the grand objects of the Brotherhood of Free and Accepted Masons .
" Ideal fabrics to ur-rear , Some men think all onr art ; Bnfc little think what plana we draw To form an upright heart .
Onr plnmb we poiao , and clear eaoh clog Thafchanea about the string : And each unruly passion ' s flight Within the compass bring . "
My conclusion is that Freemasonry , in its plan and purposes , is the best and purest social organization outside of the Church of the living Gnd . Its moral and religious creed is eminently liberal and practical , and is intended to
promote the doctrine of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man . That it does not succeed in making all of its members pure , virtuous and benevolent , must he
attributed to the corrupting influences of evil times and customs , against which the Church , as well as Freemasonry , has had to contend with varying success . I know of no stronger bond of union in all that relates to a virtuous life
than that imposed upon the Masonic Brotherhood . " Upon this rock we'll stand when worlds , T' oblivion all shall tend ; Our brethren as ourselves we love ; To all mankind a friend . " —Freemasons' Repository
Masonic Disturbers.
MASONIC DISTURBERS .
TRERE are a few in the Craft who may be called Masonic disturbers ; who are never easy without creating dissension , and if more numerous would be classed as Masonic destroyers .
How little do such persons regard the princi ple that peace and harmony are the strength of all institutions . We do not allude to those who , having the interest of the Lodge or Chapter at heart , never hesitate to express
their opinion when they think the funds are likely to be misapplied , or when some action is to be tnken that may interfere with the prosperity of the body with which they
are connected . Such members are sometimes wrong in their ideas ; but yet they mean well , and speak according to their convictions . They may be looked upon really as the preservers rather than the destroyers .
But there are some who have the desire to rule , either in a station or on the floor , and if unable to accomplish their object , will do their best to ruin . We have met a
few of this kind . For a time , charity for their weaknesses may cause the Lodge or Chapter lo ' ' 3 indulgent uutil the infliction becomes painful , and the offender is , as it were , " sat upon . "
Then is exhibited the spirit of malignancy , only too well known in some bodies , where one individual can and will prevent the Lodge or Chapter from working . In some cases it is also manifested by attacks made in the public
press under a worn de plume , on individuals , thereby causing feelings of bitterness which should not exist . In the end , however , this will rectify itself , and the disturber
finally find that he is either outside the pale of the Fraternity , or regarded as one who ought never to have belonged to it .
Let Masonic disturbers be warned in time . —Neio York Sunday Times .
HOI / LOWAT ' OIWTMEHT ASD PIUS . —Coughs , Influenza . —The soothing properties of these medicaments render them well worthy of trial in all diseases of the respiratory organs . In common colds and Influenza the Pills taken internally , and the Ointment rubbed over the chest and throat , are exceedingly efficacious . When Influenza is epidemic , this treatment is the easiest , safest and surest
. Holloway ' s Pills purif y the blood , remove all obstacles to its free circulation through the lungs , relieve the over-gorged air tubes , and render respiration free , without reducing the strengfb , irritating the npj ves , or depressing the spirits ; such are the ready mea s of escaping from suffering w- en afflicted with colds , coughs , bronchitis , and other chest complaints , by which the health of so many is seriously and permanently injured in most countries .