Francis Bacon and his secret society - Grand Lodge of Colorado

276 FRAXCIS BACON
injury to the society which they profess to aid, and deriving no
benefit themselves ; for " the substance is lost in the shadow.
Then comes an explanation of some of the causes why
Masons have, from time to time, brought upon themselves discredit
and censure. The very " variety of members of which
the society of Masons is composed, and the small number who
are really conversant with the tenets of the institution," vender
it almost certain that some will transgress, and prove faithless
to their calling. When mild endeavours to reform such persons
are fruitless, they are expelled the lodge, as unfit members of
the society. But nowise man will condemn a whole community
" Friendship and
on account of the errors of a few individuals.
social delights cannot be the object of reproach, nor can that
wisdom which hoary time has sanctified be subject to ridicule.
Whoever attempts to censure what he does not comprehend, degrades
himself; and the generous heart will always be led to pity the mistakes
of such ignorant presumption." In the " charge, at the
initiation into the first degree, " the initiate is enjoined never
to suffer his zeal for the institution, however laudable, to lead
him into argument with those who may ridicule it; " but rather
extend your pity toward all who, through ignorance, contemn
what they never had an opportunity to comprehend." l
Charity is next extolled as the chief of every social virtue,
and the distinguishing characteristic of the order, and of the
Deity himself. 2
" The bounds of the greatest nation, or the most extensive
empire, cannot circumscribe it. It is a Godlike disposition, . .
since a mutual chain of dependence subsists throughout the
animal creation. The whole human species are, therefore,
proper objects of charity.
Further :-all kinds of men may, in their different spheres, prove
useful ; but the officers of a lodge in Freemasonry ought to be
principally restricted to those " whose early years have been dedicated
to literary pursuits, or whose circumstances and situation in
1 "Disparage not tine faith thou Just not know." (Midsummer Night's Dream )
2 See Merchant of Venice, iv. 1, 193-7.