Duncan's Ritual of Freemasonry.pdf - FatimaMovement

following:]
You, brother, are a preacher of that religion, of
which the distinguishing characteristics are
universal benevolence and unbounded charity.
You cannot, therefore, but be fond of the Order,
and zealous for the interests of Freemasonry,
which, in the strongest manner, inculcates the
same charity and benevolence, and which, like
that religion, encourages every moral and social
virtue; which introduces peace and good-will
among man. kind, and is the centre of union to
those who otherwise might have remained at a
perpetual distance. So that whoever is warmed
with the spirit of Christianity, must esteem, must
love Freemasonry. Such is the nature of our
institution, that, in all our Lodges, union is
cemented by sincere attachment, hypocrisy and
deceit are unknown, and pleasure is reciprocally
communicated by the cheerful observance of
every obliging office. Virtue, the grand object in
view, luminous as the meridian sun, shines
refulgent on the mind, enlivens the heart, and
converts cool approbation into warm sympathy
and cordial affection.
Though every man, who carefully listens to the
dictates of reason, may arrive at a clear
persuasion of the beauty and necessity of virtue,
both public and private. yet it is a full
recommendation of a society to have these
pursuits continually in view, as the sole objects of
their association; and these are the laudable bonds
which unite us in one indissoluble fraternity.
For the ceremony of closing a Lodge, see the end
of the Third, or Master Masons' Degree, page
142.