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Article "CLANNISHNESS " OF MASONRY. ← Page 2 of 3 Article "CLANNISHNESS " OF MASONRY. Page 2 of 3 →
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"Clannishness " Of Masonry.
associated together they assemble in social parties ; they establish intimate acquaintance Avith each other , and their pursuits , when assembled , are identical . Why then should Ave not charge that the Christian relig ion and the Christian
Church are clannish in their influences ? Simply , I apprehend , because of the broad spirit of their teachings , the catholic character of their doctrines , and the expansive views of God and his government that are entertained . When the Christian Church does become the vehicle of clanship , and its influence is exerted to create a field of exolnsiveness
among the members , then it loses sight of the object of its establishment , and becomes not a Christian Church in spirit and action , but an anti-Christian conventicle . Now , all we ask for Masonry in this regard is
what any professed Christian demands for his church ; judgment by our principles . On second thought , Ave Avill not ask even this just concession We will place our defence on a broader ground than any church has dared to do , and say that
neither in spirit nor in action is Masonry clannish ; then neither our principles nor our practice justify the charge that Masons are clannish .
One of the first lepsons taught iu Masonry is that no man is to be regarded for his outward condition in life . The millionaire is no more in the presence of Masonry than he who earns his daily bread by the sweat of his brow . It is his
character and not his riches , or social standing , or political station that Aveigh in the just balance of Masonry . Moral worth outweighs riches , and a good name is better than power . This is one of the fundamental principles of Masonry , inculcated
in the first lesson , and impressed upon the candidate as soon as he stands within the threshold of the lodge . What is the influence ? What must infallibly be the influence of such a principle thus enforced ? If it induces a feeling of exclusiveness ,
and cultivates a clannish spirit , it must be of a class in which good moral character and conduct are the recognised tests of admission .
But there is another lesson taught in the lodge even before this , that has the effect to neutralise even this otherwise possible leaning to clanship . It is that great first fact that underlies all reli gions
¦ —all moral truth—that there is a God who created all men , and that hence all are brethren . That is the corner-stone of our moral and Masonic edifice—the foundation of the structure which Ave
"Clannishness " Of Masonry.
labour to rear to the glory of the Great Architect , and for the good of mankind . And these principles , the Fatherhood of the Supreme Ruler of the "Universe , and the equality of nature wherever found , are continually kept
before the minds of the members by lesson , lecture , rite , ancl symbol . The lodge is never closed without a recognition of both of these fundamental doctrines of nature and revelation . Is it
reasonable that these have no influence on the characters and conduct of those Avho are compelled to listen to their enunciation , and to reflect upon their bearings upon human destiny ? The truths of the Christian religion are enforced by appeals to
reason ancl conscience , and the most salutary effects are believed to result from the frequent enunciations of its principles . In the lodge Ave study to enforce , by ah the measures that the experience of ages point out as the most successful , some of
those truths . Lessons that bring the matter home to the feelings , judgment , and consciences of men , are made use of to convey moral instruction . Symbols , the most ancient , as well as the most impressive , mediums of conveying moral truths to
the mind , are used in such a manner that the initiate cannot forget their teachings . He cannot dismiss them from his mind if he Avould , for
they are so frequently before him that they prove a constant reminder of duty , and point to the path that leads along the level of time and exhort him •' - - This is the way ! walk ye in it ! Turn ye neither to the right hand nor to the left . "
Now is it likely that an association of men , professing to be governed by such principles , listening- to the perpetual enunciation of such truths , and endeavouring to practice according thereto , will become exclusive in action , clannish
in spirit , and set at nought all the lessons they have in the secret meeting when it is enjoined upon them to practice out of the lodge those principles and duties they learn in it ? can it be possible that the study of the lessons will
superinduce a departure from the tenets of our profession , and a worse being and a more exclusive be wrought out by that means ? It is folly to say so . It is unreasonable to believe it . It is not
believed of any other association . The various temperance associations have ceremonies and rites , charges and lectures , all intended to impress upon the minds of those who enter their portals , the necessity and duty of being temperate in the matter of strong drink . Who
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
"Clannishness " Of Masonry.
associated together they assemble in social parties ; they establish intimate acquaintance Avith each other , and their pursuits , when assembled , are identical . Why then should Ave not charge that the Christian relig ion and the Christian
Church are clannish in their influences ? Simply , I apprehend , because of the broad spirit of their teachings , the catholic character of their doctrines , and the expansive views of God and his government that are entertained . When the Christian Church does become the vehicle of clanship , and its influence is exerted to create a field of exolnsiveness
among the members , then it loses sight of the object of its establishment , and becomes not a Christian Church in spirit and action , but an anti-Christian conventicle . Now , all we ask for Masonry in this regard is
what any professed Christian demands for his church ; judgment by our principles . On second thought , Ave Avill not ask even this just concession We will place our defence on a broader ground than any church has dared to do , and say that
neither in spirit nor in action is Masonry clannish ; then neither our principles nor our practice justify the charge that Masons are clannish .
One of the first lepsons taught iu Masonry is that no man is to be regarded for his outward condition in life . The millionaire is no more in the presence of Masonry than he who earns his daily bread by the sweat of his brow . It is his
character and not his riches , or social standing , or political station that Aveigh in the just balance of Masonry . Moral worth outweighs riches , and a good name is better than power . This is one of the fundamental principles of Masonry , inculcated
in the first lesson , and impressed upon the candidate as soon as he stands within the threshold of the lodge . What is the influence ? What must infallibly be the influence of such a principle thus enforced ? If it induces a feeling of exclusiveness ,
and cultivates a clannish spirit , it must be of a class in which good moral character and conduct are the recognised tests of admission .
But there is another lesson taught in the lodge even before this , that has the effect to neutralise even this otherwise possible leaning to clanship . It is that great first fact that underlies all reli gions
¦ —all moral truth—that there is a God who created all men , and that hence all are brethren . That is the corner-stone of our moral and Masonic edifice—the foundation of the structure which Ave
"Clannishness " Of Masonry.
labour to rear to the glory of the Great Architect , and for the good of mankind . And these principles , the Fatherhood of the Supreme Ruler of the "Universe , and the equality of nature wherever found , are continually kept
before the minds of the members by lesson , lecture , rite , ancl symbol . The lodge is never closed without a recognition of both of these fundamental doctrines of nature and revelation . Is it
reasonable that these have no influence on the characters and conduct of those Avho are compelled to listen to their enunciation , and to reflect upon their bearings upon human destiny ? The truths of the Christian religion are enforced by appeals to
reason ancl conscience , and the most salutary effects are believed to result from the frequent enunciations of its principles . In the lodge Ave study to enforce , by ah the measures that the experience of ages point out as the most successful , some of
those truths . Lessons that bring the matter home to the feelings , judgment , and consciences of men , are made use of to convey moral instruction . Symbols , the most ancient , as well as the most impressive , mediums of conveying moral truths to
the mind , are used in such a manner that the initiate cannot forget their teachings . He cannot dismiss them from his mind if he Avould , for
they are so frequently before him that they prove a constant reminder of duty , and point to the path that leads along the level of time and exhort him •' - - This is the way ! walk ye in it ! Turn ye neither to the right hand nor to the left . "
Now is it likely that an association of men , professing to be governed by such principles , listening- to the perpetual enunciation of such truths , and endeavouring to practice according thereto , will become exclusive in action , clannish
in spirit , and set at nought all the lessons they have in the secret meeting when it is enjoined upon them to practice out of the lodge those principles and duties they learn in it ? can it be possible that the study of the lessons will
superinduce a departure from the tenets of our profession , and a worse being and a more exclusive be wrought out by that means ? It is folly to say so . It is unreasonable to believe it . It is not
believed of any other association . The various temperance associations have ceremonies and rites , charges and lectures , all intended to impress upon the minds of those who enter their portals , the necessity and duty of being temperate in the matter of strong drink . Who