The Origin of Freemasonry and Knights Templar ... - Lodge Prudentia

FREEMASONRY AND KNIGHTS TEMPLARDesign of Freemasonry.The "Design of Freeifcasonry"is neither charitynor almsgiving, nor the cultivation of social sentiments;for both of these are merelyincidental toits organization. But it is the search after truth,and that truth is the unity of God and the immortalityof the soul. The various degrees or grades ofinitiation represent the various stages throughwhich the human mind passes, and the many difficultieswhich men, individually and collectively,must encounter in their progress from ignoranceto the acquisition of truth. That truth lies concealedin itssymbols, and these, constituting, as theyare made todo, a picture language, or art speech,carry a complete philosophy of the existence andrelations of Deity, nature and man.Freemasonry is not only a universal science,1but a world-wide religion, and owes allegiance tono one creed, and can adopt no sectarian dogma,as such, without ceasing thereby to be Masonic.Drawn from the Kabbalah, 2and taking the Jewishor Christian verbiage or symbols,it but discernsin them universal truths, which itrecognizes inall other religions. Freemasonryis not Christianity,nor a substitute for it. It is not intendedto supersede it nor any other form of worship orsystem of faith. Its religion is that general one ofnature and primitive revelations, handed down tous from some ancient and patriarchal priesthood,in which all men may agree and in which no men1See Religion of Masonry, in Supplement.2 See Kabbalah, in Supplement.109