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Article FREEMASONRY AND ARCHITECTURE. Page 1 of 3 →
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Freemasonry And Architecture.
FBEEMASONRY AND AECHITECTUEE .
Fob architecture , symbolically , every member of the Craft entertains a respect , but in practical architecture ma concern . This we think is to be regretted , because the framework of the Order is a noble one , and the profession of architecture is well worthy of tke attention of a body of intellectual men—one having
special claims upon us ^ and which would repay our care , as it deserves it . We propose , therefore that we have the benefit of a weekly issue , to take up this matter systematically , as one of importance , hoping to enlist the sympathies and co-operation of many of our readers . The connection between architecture and Freemasonry is not" indeed so slight as some may deem , and we
believe it m & y , with great advantage to both , be strengthened . There are , in trut % few periods since the middle of the seventeenth century in which th e Craft has not exercised a greater or less . moral influence on architecture , and that always of a beneficial nature . We believe the moralcountenance given to architects by the Masonic order has greatly tended to promote their social standing as a profession , and to contribute
to its regular recognition . Among Masons ( including so large a proportion of the i n telligence of the higher , the professional , and the middle classes ) the architect has met with a sympathy , encouragement and respect , more perhaps than would otherwise have been paid to a professional body small in numbers and of no political power . The members of the Craft are prepared by their studies and practice to recognize architecture as a truly noble profession , deserving of their
respect ; nor are they unmindful of the services of the Grand Master Wren , in building up the Order in his day . Indeed , to him Masonry is so much indebted , that its wide spread progress may be looked upon as a moral monument to him , as St , Paul ' s is a structural one . Masons have always received with pleasure any architects who have come among them , and hence a kindly sentiment of sympathy has grown up between them .
It is no mean thing for architecture to have this claim on the intellect and influence of the country ; and it is to this as much as to any cause , that architecture is indebted for the large share it receives of the public attention in the present day . We would make this claim stronger by giving in Lodge lectures , as has sometimes been done specially , or occasionally a specific architectural instruction ,
going beyond the conventional treatment of the rituals . This , however , can only be effected by the minds of Masons being prepared for it by a closer consideration of the subject than they have hitherto given to it ; by the diffusion of architectural information ; by the study of the principles of aesthetics , and by the cultivation of habits of criticism . When we consider the number of men of intellectual pursuits who are enrolled in our Order , it is evident we have
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry And Architecture.
FBEEMASONRY AND AECHITECTUEE .
Fob architecture , symbolically , every member of the Craft entertains a respect , but in practical architecture ma concern . This we think is to be regretted , because the framework of the Order is a noble one , and the profession of architecture is well worthy of tke attention of a body of intellectual men—one having
special claims upon us ^ and which would repay our care , as it deserves it . We propose , therefore that we have the benefit of a weekly issue , to take up this matter systematically , as one of importance , hoping to enlist the sympathies and co-operation of many of our readers . The connection between architecture and Freemasonry is not" indeed so slight as some may deem , and we
believe it m & y , with great advantage to both , be strengthened . There are , in trut % few periods since the middle of the seventeenth century in which th e Craft has not exercised a greater or less . moral influence on architecture , and that always of a beneficial nature . We believe the moralcountenance given to architects by the Masonic order has greatly tended to promote their social standing as a profession , and to contribute
to its regular recognition . Among Masons ( including so large a proportion of the i n telligence of the higher , the professional , and the middle classes ) the architect has met with a sympathy , encouragement and respect , more perhaps than would otherwise have been paid to a professional body small in numbers and of no political power . The members of the Craft are prepared by their studies and practice to recognize architecture as a truly noble profession , deserving of their
respect ; nor are they unmindful of the services of the Grand Master Wren , in building up the Order in his day . Indeed , to him Masonry is so much indebted , that its wide spread progress may be looked upon as a moral monument to him , as St , Paul ' s is a structural one . Masons have always received with pleasure any architects who have come among them , and hence a kindly sentiment of sympathy has grown up between them .
It is no mean thing for architecture to have this claim on the intellect and influence of the country ; and it is to this as much as to any cause , that architecture is indebted for the large share it receives of the public attention in the present day . We would make this claim stronger by giving in Lodge lectures , as has sometimes been done specially , or occasionally a specific architectural instruction ,
going beyond the conventional treatment of the rituals . This , however , can only be effected by the minds of Masons being prepared for it by a closer consideration of the subject than they have hitherto given to it ; by the diffusion of architectural information ; by the study of the principles of aesthetics , and by the cultivation of habits of criticism . When we consider the number of men of intellectual pursuits who are enrolled in our Order , it is evident we have