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Article THE GRAND MASONIC ALLEGORY. ← Page 2 of 4 Article THE GRAND MASONIC ALLEGORY. Page 2 of 4 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Grand Masonic Allegory.
to learn from our forefathers proceedings ? It is true that few of us now labour in their manner , but we should still all be prompt to commence work at the call of our Master , Duty ; all be obedient to the limit assigned to indulgence by the Junior
Warden , Temperance ; and all be assidious to earn that reward which the Senior Warden , Conscience , will never withhold , if justly and properly our due . Thus far the practical part of our forefathers' profession ; symbolically we can follow them more
closely . Let us now investigate the allegory which is exemplified by , and the moral lessons which are to be derived from , the first degree . Our admission amongst Masons , in a state of helpless indigence , was emblematical of the entrance
of all men upon their earthly existence ; it inculcated the useful lessons of natural equality and mutual dependence ; it taught us to seek the solace of our own distress in the extension of relief and
consolation to our fellow-creatures in the hour of their affliction ; but , above all , it instructed us to bend with humility ancl resignation to the will of the Great Architect of the Universe , and to dedicate our hearts , so purified from every baneful and
malignant passion , and fitted only for the reception of truth and wisdom , as well to His glory , as to the welfare of our fellow-creatures . To such of
you , my brethren , as are Masters of your Craft , these words will be familiar . When they first fell npon your ears , you doubtless recalled to mind your entrance into the lodge , helpless , dependent upon others for support ancl guidance , and ignorant
that the floor on which you trod emblematically represented the uncertain incidents ancl strange contrarieties of life , the flowery meads of prosperity , and the treacherous paths of weakness , temptation , and adversity , which chequer and
diversify human existence . Even so comes into the world the innocent babe , and although , as he grows familiarised with his guardians and conductors , he gains strength and confidence , it is not until his mind has been enlightend by the dawn o ^
education , not until he has been brought to the light , that he begins to acquire any true knowledge of what is passing around him ! And here , brethren , let me point out to you that , as in the earlier part of our initiation we were by the nature of our
situation compelled to place imjDlicit credence in the utterances of the Worshipful Master , so were we thereby reminded how sacred is the duty which we owe to the young . Ignorant and inexperienced , they must rely for truthful information upon those
The Grand Masonic Allegory.
to whose care they may be committed ; and , therefore , brethren , whenever infancy may appeal to our superior knowledge , we should remember thosepeculiar moments when , groping after light and hanging upon the words dictated to ns , we found
amply redeemed their enunciator ' s averment cf their foundation on the purest principles of piety and virtae . As in youth , the serious business of life commences with education , so does the Entered Apprentice Freemason , discover that the practice
of his profession begins with the disclosure to him of the three great lights which are to rule and govern his faith , regulate his actions , and keep him within due bounds with all mankind . The
zealous and pious Master , anxious to do his whole duty by the Apprentice whom he has just accepted , then devotes himself to that Apprentice ' s instruction , as well in the elements of his Craft , as in those sacred doctrines of morality and virtue ,
which best fit a young man to enter npon the duties of , and encounter the trials of , a labourious career . In particular does the Master charge his Apprentice by symbols drawn from the Masonic art , ever to continue steadfast in justice and
uprightness of life and actions , and impress upon him that though he understand all mysteries and knowledge , and yet have not charity , he is nothing . Tea , though he should bestow all his goods to feed the poor , and still possess not charity , it would
profit him nothing . Faith , the evidence of those things unseen which are expounded to us in the Yolumeof the Sacred Law , and Hope , which creates in us a lively expectation of becoming partakers
of some of the blessed promises therein contained , are , the Apprentice is taught , two ascents sure to conduct him towards that celestial canopy of divers colours , even the Heavens , which is the summit of his profession ; but greater than either
of these is the third , divine Charity , which comprehending the whole , is one of the brightest gems that adorn Masonry , and the best test and proof of our sincerity . Happy is the man who , cherishing in his breast the seeds of benevolence ,
envies not his neighbour , believes no tale prompted by slander , allows neither malice or revenge a place in his heart , forgives all injuries , and endeavours to forget them . Proceeding onwards the judicious Master then instructs the attentive
Apprentice how to so apply his time that he may at once glorify the Great Architect of the Universe , and promote as well as his own eternal welfare as the earthly benefit of himself and others . The im « j
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Grand Masonic Allegory.
to learn from our forefathers proceedings ? It is true that few of us now labour in their manner , but we should still all be prompt to commence work at the call of our Master , Duty ; all be obedient to the limit assigned to indulgence by the Junior
Warden , Temperance ; and all be assidious to earn that reward which the Senior Warden , Conscience , will never withhold , if justly and properly our due . Thus far the practical part of our forefathers' profession ; symbolically we can follow them more
closely . Let us now investigate the allegory which is exemplified by , and the moral lessons which are to be derived from , the first degree . Our admission amongst Masons , in a state of helpless indigence , was emblematical of the entrance
of all men upon their earthly existence ; it inculcated the useful lessons of natural equality and mutual dependence ; it taught us to seek the solace of our own distress in the extension of relief and
consolation to our fellow-creatures in the hour of their affliction ; but , above all , it instructed us to bend with humility ancl resignation to the will of the Great Architect of the Universe , and to dedicate our hearts , so purified from every baneful and
malignant passion , and fitted only for the reception of truth and wisdom , as well to His glory , as to the welfare of our fellow-creatures . To such of
you , my brethren , as are Masters of your Craft , these words will be familiar . When they first fell npon your ears , you doubtless recalled to mind your entrance into the lodge , helpless , dependent upon others for support ancl guidance , and ignorant
that the floor on which you trod emblematically represented the uncertain incidents ancl strange contrarieties of life , the flowery meads of prosperity , and the treacherous paths of weakness , temptation , and adversity , which chequer and
diversify human existence . Even so comes into the world the innocent babe , and although , as he grows familiarised with his guardians and conductors , he gains strength and confidence , it is not until his mind has been enlightend by the dawn o ^
education , not until he has been brought to the light , that he begins to acquire any true knowledge of what is passing around him ! And here , brethren , let me point out to you that , as in the earlier part of our initiation we were by the nature of our
situation compelled to place imjDlicit credence in the utterances of the Worshipful Master , so were we thereby reminded how sacred is the duty which we owe to the young . Ignorant and inexperienced , they must rely for truthful information upon those
The Grand Masonic Allegory.
to whose care they may be committed ; and , therefore , brethren , whenever infancy may appeal to our superior knowledge , we should remember thosepeculiar moments when , groping after light and hanging upon the words dictated to ns , we found
amply redeemed their enunciator ' s averment cf their foundation on the purest principles of piety and virtae . As in youth , the serious business of life commences with education , so does the Entered Apprentice Freemason , discover that the practice
of his profession begins with the disclosure to him of the three great lights which are to rule and govern his faith , regulate his actions , and keep him within due bounds with all mankind . The
zealous and pious Master , anxious to do his whole duty by the Apprentice whom he has just accepted , then devotes himself to that Apprentice ' s instruction , as well in the elements of his Craft , as in those sacred doctrines of morality and virtue ,
which best fit a young man to enter npon the duties of , and encounter the trials of , a labourious career . In particular does the Master charge his Apprentice by symbols drawn from the Masonic art , ever to continue steadfast in justice and
uprightness of life and actions , and impress upon him that though he understand all mysteries and knowledge , and yet have not charity , he is nothing . Tea , though he should bestow all his goods to feed the poor , and still possess not charity , it would
profit him nothing . Faith , the evidence of those things unseen which are expounded to us in the Yolumeof the Sacred Law , and Hope , which creates in us a lively expectation of becoming partakers
of some of the blessed promises therein contained , are , the Apprentice is taught , two ascents sure to conduct him towards that celestial canopy of divers colours , even the Heavens , which is the summit of his profession ; but greater than either
of these is the third , divine Charity , which comprehending the whole , is one of the brightest gems that adorn Masonry , and the best test and proof of our sincerity . Happy is the man who , cherishing in his breast the seeds of benevolence ,
envies not his neighbour , believes no tale prompted by slander , allows neither malice or revenge a place in his heart , forgives all injuries , and endeavours to forget them . Proceeding onwards the judicious Master then instructs the attentive
Apprentice how to so apply his time that he may at once glorify the Great Architect of the Universe , and promote as well as his own eternal welfare as the earthly benefit of himself and others . The im « j