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Article PROVINCIAL ← Page 8 of 10 →
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Provincial
I cannot refrain from saying a few words to inform them , ancl remind you , that Masonry has existed from time immemorial , and that after the completion of King Solomon ' s temple , 286 8 years ago , many of those who had for years been employed in the erection of that wonderful temple , formed themselves into companies , and travelling over the world , devoted themselves to the science of architecture , and erected many temples for the service of the Most High , which in grandeur , in
beauty of design , and harmony of proportion , have never been surpassed , and will , I feary never again be equalled . It is only natural to suppose that living and labouring together with one common object in view , the members of each community became to a certain degree a peculiar people , bound to each other by the tie of kind and brotherly feeling , dwelling together in love and harmony , aM ever ready to relieve the necessities and sooth the afflictions of a brother . It is likewise only naturalto suppose that labouring for years , as so many of them did , solely on
works dedicated to '"tlie worship of the Most High , their hearts were filled With reverence for the almighty Creator , and obedience to his divine cohlmand . The constant practice of the arts and sciences would tend to refine their minds and manners , until by their good conduct , their brotherly love towards each other and general benevolence , they had gained the respect and esteem of the rest of mankind . In the course of time many good and influential men , though not architects or masons , were anxious to be members of so honourable a fraternity , aiid being
admitted , became what we are now , Free and Accepted Masons . Although no longer a community of operative masons , we profess the same tenets andniaihtaih the same principles as our ancient brethren . Qur duties as true Masons are reverence and obedience to the" Most High , brotherly love , charity , and truth to our fellow-men . On these grand principles , has our Order been founded , and limited to no Sect , rank , or nation . Masoiny has become diffused over the whole world , and endeavours , as far as human powers can effect , to bind man to man in one social bond of
brotherhood . Although , when we consider the many conflicting interests and opinions that excite the minds and passion e of men , it may seem impossible by any tie to bind the hearts of all men in peaceful unity , our Order endeavours to accomplish this , and strictly forbidding all topics of political discussion or religious controversy , otTers in a Masons' Lodge neutral ground , oh which men of all creeds and opinions may meet in friendly and social intercourse . In a Masons'Lodge the strifes and contentions of the world being strictly excluded after the most exciting periods of public life ; the Brethren can again meet to
compose all differences , to renew old friendships or form new ones , to give the hand of brotherhood to each other ; and , parting in peace and harmony , with hearts warmed by sympathy for all their fellow-creatures , they can return to the world better fitted for the duties of their respective stations . We wish it to be fully understood by all here present , that we do not , as Masons , arrogate to ourselves the character of being better than other men are . Far from us be any such
intention . There are many thousands who have not joined our fraternity who are as good and true men as many of us can be ; but we believe that the true practice of Masonry has a natural tendency to refine and improve the hearts of all those who truly follow its precepts—that it awakens in our minds feelings of brotherly love and universal benevolence , thereby enabling us to become better members of society than we were before . The speculative Freemasonry of the present clay has been justly denominated a peculiar morality—not the cold morality
of the schools , but the genuine morality which springs from religious feeling , instilled into our hearts by the perusal of the volume of the saCred ^ law , which holy book is ever in our Lodges the unerring standard of truth and justice—the one grand light to rule and govern our faith . That holy book teaches us every duty we owe to the Most High , and likewise to our fellow-men . it inspires us with awe and reverence for the Great Architect of the Universe . It orders us to practise
truth , justice , and charity to our fellow-men , not merely the charity of almsgiving , but likewise the charity of opinion , of kindly sympathy and assistance to any 0110 iu affliction . It ia our bounden duty to give relief to all who are in distress , ever remembering how it is recorded in one of the most beautiful passages of the holy volume—" Beware that thine eye be not evil against thy poor brother and thou givest him nought ; and he cry unto the Lord against thoe , and
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial
I cannot refrain from saying a few words to inform them , ancl remind you , that Masonry has existed from time immemorial , and that after the completion of King Solomon ' s temple , 286 8 years ago , many of those who had for years been employed in the erection of that wonderful temple , formed themselves into companies , and travelling over the world , devoted themselves to the science of architecture , and erected many temples for the service of the Most High , which in grandeur , in
beauty of design , and harmony of proportion , have never been surpassed , and will , I feary never again be equalled . It is only natural to suppose that living and labouring together with one common object in view , the members of each community became to a certain degree a peculiar people , bound to each other by the tie of kind and brotherly feeling , dwelling together in love and harmony , aM ever ready to relieve the necessities and sooth the afflictions of a brother . It is likewise only naturalto suppose that labouring for years , as so many of them did , solely on
works dedicated to '"tlie worship of the Most High , their hearts were filled With reverence for the almighty Creator , and obedience to his divine cohlmand . The constant practice of the arts and sciences would tend to refine their minds and manners , until by their good conduct , their brotherly love towards each other and general benevolence , they had gained the respect and esteem of the rest of mankind . In the course of time many good and influential men , though not architects or masons , were anxious to be members of so honourable a fraternity , aiid being
admitted , became what we are now , Free and Accepted Masons . Although no longer a community of operative masons , we profess the same tenets andniaihtaih the same principles as our ancient brethren . Qur duties as true Masons are reverence and obedience to the" Most High , brotherly love , charity , and truth to our fellow-men . On these grand principles , has our Order been founded , and limited to no Sect , rank , or nation . Masoiny has become diffused over the whole world , and endeavours , as far as human powers can effect , to bind man to man in one social bond of
brotherhood . Although , when we consider the many conflicting interests and opinions that excite the minds and passion e of men , it may seem impossible by any tie to bind the hearts of all men in peaceful unity , our Order endeavours to accomplish this , and strictly forbidding all topics of political discussion or religious controversy , otTers in a Masons' Lodge neutral ground , oh which men of all creeds and opinions may meet in friendly and social intercourse . In a Masons'Lodge the strifes and contentions of the world being strictly excluded after the most exciting periods of public life ; the Brethren can again meet to
compose all differences , to renew old friendships or form new ones , to give the hand of brotherhood to each other ; and , parting in peace and harmony , with hearts warmed by sympathy for all their fellow-creatures , they can return to the world better fitted for the duties of their respective stations . We wish it to be fully understood by all here present , that we do not , as Masons , arrogate to ourselves the character of being better than other men are . Far from us be any such
intention . There are many thousands who have not joined our fraternity who are as good and true men as many of us can be ; but we believe that the true practice of Masonry has a natural tendency to refine and improve the hearts of all those who truly follow its precepts—that it awakens in our minds feelings of brotherly love and universal benevolence , thereby enabling us to become better members of society than we were before . The speculative Freemasonry of the present clay has been justly denominated a peculiar morality—not the cold morality
of the schools , but the genuine morality which springs from religious feeling , instilled into our hearts by the perusal of the volume of the saCred ^ law , which holy book is ever in our Lodges the unerring standard of truth and justice—the one grand light to rule and govern our faith . That holy book teaches us every duty we owe to the Most High , and likewise to our fellow-men . it inspires us with awe and reverence for the Great Architect of the Universe . It orders us to practise
truth , justice , and charity to our fellow-men , not merely the charity of almsgiving , but likewise the charity of opinion , of kindly sympathy and assistance to any 0110 iu affliction . It ia our bounden duty to give relief to all who are in distress , ever remembering how it is recorded in one of the most beautiful passages of the holy volume—" Beware that thine eye be not evil against thy poor brother and thou givest him nought ; and he cry unto the Lord against thoe , and