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Article SOCIAL INFLUENCE OF MASONRY. ← Page 2 of 3 Article SOCIAL INFLUENCE OF MASONRY. Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Social Influence Of Masonry.
The American people are proverbially an unsocial and selfish race . Whether it be that the pursuit of wealth has seized upon the better and more social feelings , and dried up the fountains of common enjoyment , the fact is patent , that no
nation seek to live so independently of their neighbours ; that no people are so self-reliant as ourselves . Perhaps , to a certain extent , this trait of character may be esteemed as a virtue , but we carry it to a wrongful excess . " God never made
an independent man , " and he who endeavours to assume that attitude among his fellows mistakes the object of his existence , and does violence to the laws of his nature .
Ancl yet we present the anomaly of a whole community—an entire nation—engaged in the endeavour to overthrow that law of the human constitution , and achieve an actual independence from our fellows . Any institution that will
counteract this attempt to establish a condition of things at variance with the " eternal fitness of things , " is worthy of support . An institution as yet untried , but promising to turn back the tide of selfishness that leads to this struggle , would
deserve attention ; how much more , then , should we heed one which has proved itself equal to the task , and that has written the history of its victoxies on every age of the Christian era . The isolated and separated manner in which we
endeavour to live creates at first carelessness of a neighbour ' s welfare , to be followed , on the slightest provocation , by a settled dislike or permanent enmity . We want something that will bring men more closely together ; that will introduce them
to each other under conditions favourable to a good impression ; that will make them more interested in each other's welfare . Masonry is that something which is needed . It congregates its votaries together when the world and its cares ,
so far as is possible , are shut out where no man has the right to bring his prejudices , his passions , or his dislikes or hatreds . It invites them into that quiet retreat , and closes the door against outside influences .
When assembled m that sacred retreat , Masonry ¦ teaches the social affections and cultivates the social virtues by lectures , lessons , and symobls . We there " meet upon the level . " We meet as
brothers and friends . as human intelligences having an interest in each other ' s welfare , and imbued with generous and sympathetic desires for the common weal . It is impossible for a man so
Social Influence Of Masonry.
circumstanced to shake off the influences that surround him , and assume the outdoor selfishness with which the customs and convictions of society have well nigh encased his heart . What business has selfishness where all
interrests are the same , and where independence would be but a harsh discord in the harmony of the great song of fraternal union ? The circumstances surrounding all lead to this desirable
harmony . But the lessons taught are in strict accord with the circumstances . We are taught that " We have all one Father , and that one God had created us , " and with never-failing promptitude . , the corollary follows that " All we are brethren ! "
The rules of Fraternity require us to call each other by that loving appellation , and the utmost care is preserved to induce " men to walk and act as such . This principle runs through the whole system , and there is not a degree , from the lowest
to the highest , in wliich this duty is not clearly and emphatically recognised . Now , what must naturally be the social influence of such a doctrine , enforced in every lecture , recognised in every degree , taught in every
symbol , and kept fresh in the minds of the members by frequent expression ? The mind that is not more or less influenced by such a combination of teachers , is hopelessly callous , and unfit for human society . Few there are who have crossed
our pathway , or come under our observation , of whom we could say that they were not liberalised and improved in heart and conduct by these social surroundine-s .
It has been generally conceded that all thai . , re claim for Masonry in its social influences over its members , so far as it extends to the brethren , is true . Masons are admitted to be more social , liberal , aud generous towards their brethren than
the world in general are to each other . And yet it is claimed that this sociability and generosity does not extend beyond the charmed circle of the Fraternity . But there is something" gained if what is admitted to be true is a fact , that we
have taught our members to be more observant of the social principle than others . If we had done no more than tin ' s , we ought to have credit for a good accomplished . If this be true , here in our own country , we have educated four hundred
thousand men to a hi gh social standard . We have done a great good then ; but our claim does not stop here . We not only influence for good
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Social Influence Of Masonry.
The American people are proverbially an unsocial and selfish race . Whether it be that the pursuit of wealth has seized upon the better and more social feelings , and dried up the fountains of common enjoyment , the fact is patent , that no
nation seek to live so independently of their neighbours ; that no people are so self-reliant as ourselves . Perhaps , to a certain extent , this trait of character may be esteemed as a virtue , but we carry it to a wrongful excess . " God never made
an independent man , " and he who endeavours to assume that attitude among his fellows mistakes the object of his existence , and does violence to the laws of his nature .
Ancl yet we present the anomaly of a whole community—an entire nation—engaged in the endeavour to overthrow that law of the human constitution , and achieve an actual independence from our fellows . Any institution that will
counteract this attempt to establish a condition of things at variance with the " eternal fitness of things , " is worthy of support . An institution as yet untried , but promising to turn back the tide of selfishness that leads to this struggle , would
deserve attention ; how much more , then , should we heed one which has proved itself equal to the task , and that has written the history of its victoxies on every age of the Christian era . The isolated and separated manner in which we
endeavour to live creates at first carelessness of a neighbour ' s welfare , to be followed , on the slightest provocation , by a settled dislike or permanent enmity . We want something that will bring men more closely together ; that will introduce them
to each other under conditions favourable to a good impression ; that will make them more interested in each other's welfare . Masonry is that something which is needed . It congregates its votaries together when the world and its cares ,
so far as is possible , are shut out where no man has the right to bring his prejudices , his passions , or his dislikes or hatreds . It invites them into that quiet retreat , and closes the door against outside influences .
When assembled m that sacred retreat , Masonry ¦ teaches the social affections and cultivates the social virtues by lectures , lessons , and symobls . We there " meet upon the level . " We meet as
brothers and friends . as human intelligences having an interest in each other ' s welfare , and imbued with generous and sympathetic desires for the common weal . It is impossible for a man so
Social Influence Of Masonry.
circumstanced to shake off the influences that surround him , and assume the outdoor selfishness with which the customs and convictions of society have well nigh encased his heart . What business has selfishness where all
interrests are the same , and where independence would be but a harsh discord in the harmony of the great song of fraternal union ? The circumstances surrounding all lead to this desirable
harmony . But the lessons taught are in strict accord with the circumstances . We are taught that " We have all one Father , and that one God had created us , " and with never-failing promptitude . , the corollary follows that " All we are brethren ! "
The rules of Fraternity require us to call each other by that loving appellation , and the utmost care is preserved to induce " men to walk and act as such . This principle runs through the whole system , and there is not a degree , from the lowest
to the highest , in wliich this duty is not clearly and emphatically recognised . Now , what must naturally be the social influence of such a doctrine , enforced in every lecture , recognised in every degree , taught in every
symbol , and kept fresh in the minds of the members by frequent expression ? The mind that is not more or less influenced by such a combination of teachers , is hopelessly callous , and unfit for human society . Few there are who have crossed
our pathway , or come under our observation , of whom we could say that they were not liberalised and improved in heart and conduct by these social surroundine-s .
It has been generally conceded that all thai . , re claim for Masonry in its social influences over its members , so far as it extends to the brethren , is true . Masons are admitted to be more social , liberal , aud generous towards their brethren than
the world in general are to each other . And yet it is claimed that this sociability and generosity does not extend beyond the charmed circle of the Fraternity . But there is something" gained if what is admitted to be true is a fact , that we
have taught our members to be more observant of the social principle than others . If we had done no more than tin ' s , we ought to have credit for a good accomplished . If this be true , here in our own country , we have educated four hundred
thousand men to a hi gh social standard . We have done a great good then ; but our claim does not stop here . We not only influence for good