Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated - The Masonic Trowel

334 GRAND INSPECTOR INQUISITOR COMMANDER. INITIATION. 335
countries in which toleration has found a domicile. In
the name we bear, it means one who seeks and searches
for, inquires after and investigates the ~.ruth, and the
truth alone.
The punishment must ever be proportionate, to the
offence, and some must not be punished for doing things
for which others are not so much as called to account.
In punishing also, we must guard against passion and
remember that there is no such thing in Masonry as
vindietive justice.
When you maintain a eanse in argument, in any form
whatever; in the court, the market, or the fireside, you
are never to forget, or offend against, the rules of courtesy
and charity, or overpass the boundaries of moderation.
There must be in your argument neither heat nor
bitter words. If you have maturely reflected and are satisfied
that the grounds you take are wholly right, maintain
with firmness and express with frankness your own
Opinion, but not too positively or scornfully towards
your antagonist, nor with the use of any words that can
justly wound his feelings or startle his self respect. Suggestion
often convince~ more than assertion. And a
modest and courteous demonstration will succeed when
rude and positive logic will always fail.
Ever remember that being human, you must of
necessity often err. That those who hold different
opinions entertain them as honestly as you do your own.
And that you have no right to deny or doubt their
sincerity. Especially never harshly denounce an opinion
that more experience and a more thorough investigation
may some day compel you to adopt. And therefore
always treat your opponents as if it were certainly at
some time to happen, that their opinions eoiild become
your own.
If in his progress upward to this degree, the Mason
has not learned wisdom, he has already advanced too far.
And it is the doctrine of Masonry that no man is truly
wise who is not kind and courteous; charitable in his
construction of men’s motives, lenient and merciful,
and distrustful of his own ability to resist the allurement
of temptation and the mighty influences of prejudice
and passion. Remember that you represent the order;
that you must maintain its dignity and glory, preserve
its constitutions and act by its laws. And that all
those things are committed to your fidelity. You are
neither to be subordinate nor subservient, nor haughty,
nor domineering, and ever to bear in mind that “quod
non vetat lex, hoc veta.t lien pudor.” What laws letter
does not prohibit is often forbidden by propriety and fit-.
ness of things.
My brother, no one should assume a Masonic obligation
unless he is convinced that he possesses sufficient
resolution and moral strength to enable him faithfully
to keep and perform it. It is unfortunately too true,
that no cause of insincerity, prevarication and falsehood
has been more powerful than the practice of administering
oaths; and that attempts to strengthen the obligations
of morality and duty, by oaths with exaggerated
penalties, are generally found to have no tendency but
to relax them.
You may judge by what you have heard, what are the
duties which you will assume as a Grand Inspector
Inquisitor Commander, and in what spirit and manner
you must discharge them. Do you feel that it is in your
power so to perform those duties?
Candida4e—(Rising.) I do.
Moat Perfect Pres,;der&t—Are you ready to endeavor
to renounce all passions and overcome all weaknesses