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Article WHAT IS FREEMASONRY? ← Page 2 of 4 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
What Is Freemasonry?
mind was insensibly drawn to the contemplation of the works of nature and up through them to Nature ' s God . Step by step he was led to higher and nobler aspirations and a due reverence of the Almighty , through whose benign influence and
great mercy we live , and move , and have our being-. It has been well said that " the Almighty Architect of the Universe has never left himself without
a faithful witness amongst men , as the patriarch , saved from universal desolation , has preserved the sacred fire of religion and transmitted it pure and untainted to his descendants . Even in the rudest period the teachings of Freemasonry were full of
veneration for the Deity , and the utmost regard for his supreme wisdom and power . The first tent or tabernacle erected by Moses in the wilderness for the proper and decent celebration of Divine worship by a singular coincidence formed the great
prototype and ground plan of the magnificent temple built at Jerusalem by King Solomon , which for its extent and regal splendour was at that time considered one of the wonders of the world , but great like all the edifices reared by the hands of man
which were designed to last for all time , they have all disappeared from the earth , and true to the prophecy which was pronounced when they were all rich in their regal splendour , the ploughshare of time has passed over their site and not one
stone has been left on another . The glories of Solomon could not preserve this stately fabric from ruin : and the temple that was reared with such industry , skill , and care , has passed away "like the baseless fabric of a vision and left not a wreck
behind . ' But what shall we say of Freemasonry , the Order which King Solomon in all his glory delighted to honour . Has that shared the fate of the temple to which we have just referred ?—has it like the splendid structure of our Royal founder ,
crumbled to the dust . To these questions wo can give an emphatic answer , and say that the great Order of Freemasonry not onl y still exists , but has gone on increasing in strength , adding every year to its vitality , and like the sapling oak it has
grown to a noble and majestic tree , under whose spreading branches the young find shelter , and the old happiness and repose . And « -h y is all this , why is it that men hitherto strangers , should thus meet on the common ground of love to each other ?
It may be simply expressed in a few words , because it is founded on religion , and virtue , and its precepts teach us to extend the hand of brotherly love to all who come within the charmed circle of
I our Order . It has been well described by a brother whose name I forget in eloquent terms when he said , " Amid the institutions which in all ages have best deserved the protection of sovereigns , the esteem of philosophers , and the support of
mankind , our Order has stood conspicuous as eminently inculcating the knowledge of the supreme God , obedience to princes , subjugation of the passions , love towards our fellow creatures , and humanity to the distressed . Works of Art may
show the genius of man , and the fertility of his imagination ; the perfection of the sciences may mark the extent of his enterprise and spirit , but nothing can demonstrate the goodness of his heart more than Freemasonry . Whether it be in peace
or war—in the calm of sunshine of prosperity or tho bitter gales of adversity , Freemasons welcome each other with cordiality , sacrifice themselves one for another , receive with brotherly love , cherish with relief , and greet with truth those who have no other claim than fraternity , no other tie than one common bond of recognition . "
This truly describes , m answer to our inquiry , " What is Freemasonry ? " This is its universal and immutable religion ; and , whilst so established , no fear need be entertained that it will continue and flourish until the end of time . Our
institution has been called a " secret society by one class of persons referred to in the beginning of this paper , bub is it really so in the sense in which the term is generally received ? I deny that it is so . Secret societies , under their generic
appellation , are bodies of men collected for a purpose which is forbidden by the law , and their actions will not bear the light of day ; but in what does this resemble Freemasonry ? or by what perversion or straining of language can it be
called a secret society ? It is true that it has its secrets , but those secrets are neither opposed to the law , or are they incompatible with any man ' s civil , moral , or religious duties ; and it is well known that one of the prominent injunctions
given to a candidate is to be a peaceable citizen and pay a due obedience to the laws of any state which may become the place of his residence or afford him its protection . I deny , therefore , strongly and emphatically , that it is a secret
society , for our works are known to all the world , and our portals are always open to any one who brings with him the passport of a good character , who fears God , and honours the King . On this part of the subject , although I think no further
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
What Is Freemasonry?
mind was insensibly drawn to the contemplation of the works of nature and up through them to Nature ' s God . Step by step he was led to higher and nobler aspirations and a due reverence of the Almighty , through whose benign influence and
great mercy we live , and move , and have our being-. It has been well said that " the Almighty Architect of the Universe has never left himself without
a faithful witness amongst men , as the patriarch , saved from universal desolation , has preserved the sacred fire of religion and transmitted it pure and untainted to his descendants . Even in the rudest period the teachings of Freemasonry were full of
veneration for the Deity , and the utmost regard for his supreme wisdom and power . The first tent or tabernacle erected by Moses in the wilderness for the proper and decent celebration of Divine worship by a singular coincidence formed the great
prototype and ground plan of the magnificent temple built at Jerusalem by King Solomon , which for its extent and regal splendour was at that time considered one of the wonders of the world , but great like all the edifices reared by the hands of man
which were designed to last for all time , they have all disappeared from the earth , and true to the prophecy which was pronounced when they were all rich in their regal splendour , the ploughshare of time has passed over their site and not one
stone has been left on another . The glories of Solomon could not preserve this stately fabric from ruin : and the temple that was reared with such industry , skill , and care , has passed away "like the baseless fabric of a vision and left not a wreck
behind . ' But what shall we say of Freemasonry , the Order which King Solomon in all his glory delighted to honour . Has that shared the fate of the temple to which we have just referred ?—has it like the splendid structure of our Royal founder ,
crumbled to the dust . To these questions wo can give an emphatic answer , and say that the great Order of Freemasonry not onl y still exists , but has gone on increasing in strength , adding every year to its vitality , and like the sapling oak it has
grown to a noble and majestic tree , under whose spreading branches the young find shelter , and the old happiness and repose . And « -h y is all this , why is it that men hitherto strangers , should thus meet on the common ground of love to each other ?
It may be simply expressed in a few words , because it is founded on religion , and virtue , and its precepts teach us to extend the hand of brotherly love to all who come within the charmed circle of
I our Order . It has been well described by a brother whose name I forget in eloquent terms when he said , " Amid the institutions which in all ages have best deserved the protection of sovereigns , the esteem of philosophers , and the support of
mankind , our Order has stood conspicuous as eminently inculcating the knowledge of the supreme God , obedience to princes , subjugation of the passions , love towards our fellow creatures , and humanity to the distressed . Works of Art may
show the genius of man , and the fertility of his imagination ; the perfection of the sciences may mark the extent of his enterprise and spirit , but nothing can demonstrate the goodness of his heart more than Freemasonry . Whether it be in peace
or war—in the calm of sunshine of prosperity or tho bitter gales of adversity , Freemasons welcome each other with cordiality , sacrifice themselves one for another , receive with brotherly love , cherish with relief , and greet with truth those who have no other claim than fraternity , no other tie than one common bond of recognition . "
This truly describes , m answer to our inquiry , " What is Freemasonry ? " This is its universal and immutable religion ; and , whilst so established , no fear need be entertained that it will continue and flourish until the end of time . Our
institution has been called a " secret society by one class of persons referred to in the beginning of this paper , bub is it really so in the sense in which the term is generally received ? I deny that it is so . Secret societies , under their generic
appellation , are bodies of men collected for a purpose which is forbidden by the law , and their actions will not bear the light of day ; but in what does this resemble Freemasonry ? or by what perversion or straining of language can it be
called a secret society ? It is true that it has its secrets , but those secrets are neither opposed to the law , or are they incompatible with any man ' s civil , moral , or religious duties ; and it is well known that one of the prominent injunctions
given to a candidate is to be a peaceable citizen and pay a due obedience to the laws of any state which may become the place of his residence or afford him its protection . I deny , therefore , strongly and emphatically , that it is a secret
society , for our works are known to all the world , and our portals are always open to any one who brings with him the passport of a good character , who fears God , and honours the King . On this part of the subject , although I think no further