-
Articles/Ads
Article A GLANCE AT ADOPTIVE MASONRY. ← Page 3 of 6 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Glance At Adoptive Masonry.
that from those who seek for this grade much is required , and that it will depend entirely on herself whether she obtain it or not . The ceremony proceeds , and the tempting moment is at hand ; the wily tempter , ever near , seizes the favourable opportunity , and prompts her to yield ; admonitions , promises , and consequences alike are forgotten ; sbe falls , and is instantly informed that for ever she is precluded from obtaining Masonic rank . Repentance follows the sinand the forgiving
, Brothers and Sisters , remembering their own many errors , relent , and , after a severe reprimand , admit their contrite sister to a participation in their mysterious grade . If this degree be well conferred it is calculated to leave a lasting impression on the neophyte ' s mind . As soon as the ceremonies are over the Compagnone is informed of the secrets of the degree . The" third degree is conferred with much form . Before the candidate
is admitted to the Lodge she is strictly examined by the proper officer in the previous grades , and also as to the progress which she has made in Masonry . After passing this examination , she is conducted to the chamber of reflexion , where , after a serious discourse on the importance of the step she is about to take , and the necessity there is for preparing her heart by meditation for the solemn ordeal through which she is so soon to pass , she is , as before , left in solitude . The W . M . at the proper time orders her to be admitted into the Lodge . A series of ceremonies now takes place , which impress on the mind the necessity of industry , and the great moral duty of mutual assistance . She is exhorted to
place little trust in her own unaided endeavours , and constantly to recollect that we are all frail and dependent beings . But , alas , these lessons and admonitions have not made a lasting impression , and the postulant cannot avoid trusting to herself alone . For a time all seems to prosper ; but while most confident in her own abilities , she is suddenly and unexpectedly placed in a situation which proves how helpless they are who rely on themselves alone , and who disdain to seek
assistance from " on High , " or to accept of it from their fellow creatures on earth . She sees to what a giddy heig ht her vain ambition has led her , and gladly she takes the friendly hand which is proffered to place her once more in an bumble but safe position . When the initiation is complete , and the candidate is made sensible of her wilful and ambitious attempt , and of the consequences which might have resulted from it , had not a true Brother or Sister been at handshe is exhorted to
, perform those duties her new rank requires , and is adorned with the distinguishing badge of the third grade . As by the first degree courage and perseverance in all that is good are most powerfully enforced , so by the second and third ambition and temerity are reprobated . The Sister who has attained the third round of the Adoptive Ladder , may be said to have received at each step beautiful lessons of practical morality and virtue . At this point , then ,
it would appear that all was complete , but nevertheless the founders of this system deemed it necessary to addt one more degree , which was intended , as its name implies , to perfect the whole Order . The fourth degree is founded on an event ivhich is commemorated in one of the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Glance At Adoptive Masonry.
that from those who seek for this grade much is required , and that it will depend entirely on herself whether she obtain it or not . The ceremony proceeds , and the tempting moment is at hand ; the wily tempter , ever near , seizes the favourable opportunity , and prompts her to yield ; admonitions , promises , and consequences alike are forgotten ; sbe falls , and is instantly informed that for ever she is precluded from obtaining Masonic rank . Repentance follows the sinand the forgiving
, Brothers and Sisters , remembering their own many errors , relent , and , after a severe reprimand , admit their contrite sister to a participation in their mysterious grade . If this degree be well conferred it is calculated to leave a lasting impression on the neophyte ' s mind . As soon as the ceremonies are over the Compagnone is informed of the secrets of the degree . The" third degree is conferred with much form . Before the candidate
is admitted to the Lodge she is strictly examined by the proper officer in the previous grades , and also as to the progress which she has made in Masonry . After passing this examination , she is conducted to the chamber of reflexion , where , after a serious discourse on the importance of the step she is about to take , and the necessity there is for preparing her heart by meditation for the solemn ordeal through which she is so soon to pass , she is , as before , left in solitude . The W . M . at the proper time orders her to be admitted into the Lodge . A series of ceremonies now takes place , which impress on the mind the necessity of industry , and the great moral duty of mutual assistance . She is exhorted to
place little trust in her own unaided endeavours , and constantly to recollect that we are all frail and dependent beings . But , alas , these lessons and admonitions have not made a lasting impression , and the postulant cannot avoid trusting to herself alone . For a time all seems to prosper ; but while most confident in her own abilities , she is suddenly and unexpectedly placed in a situation which proves how helpless they are who rely on themselves alone , and who disdain to seek
assistance from " on High , " or to accept of it from their fellow creatures on earth . She sees to what a giddy heig ht her vain ambition has led her , and gladly she takes the friendly hand which is proffered to place her once more in an bumble but safe position . When the initiation is complete , and the candidate is made sensible of her wilful and ambitious attempt , and of the consequences which might have resulted from it , had not a true Brother or Sister been at handshe is exhorted to
, perform those duties her new rank requires , and is adorned with the distinguishing badge of the third grade . As by the first degree courage and perseverance in all that is good are most powerfully enforced , so by the second and third ambition and temerity are reprobated . The Sister who has attained the third round of the Adoptive Ladder , may be said to have received at each step beautiful lessons of practical morality and virtue . At this point , then ,
it would appear that all was complete , but nevertheless the founders of this system deemed it necessary to addt one more degree , which was intended , as its name implies , to perfect the whole Order . The fourth degree is founded on an event ivhich is commemorated in one of the