illustrations of masonry by william preston - Lodge Prudentia

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Illustrations of Masonry – by William PrestonMasonry has long laboured under these disadvantages, and every zealous friend to theOrder must earnestly wish for a correction of the abuse. Of late years it must beacknowledged, our assemblies are in general better regulated; of which the good effects aresufficiently displayed in the judicious selection of our members, and the more properobservance of our general regulations.Were the brethren who preside at our meetings to be properly instructed previous to theirappointment, and regularly apprized of the importance of the offices they are chosen tosupport, a general reformation would speedily take place. This conduct would establish thepropriety of our government, and lead men to acknowledge that our honours were notundeservedly conferred. The ancient consequence of the Order would be restored, and thereputation of the Society preserved. Till genuine merit shall distinguish our claim to thehonours of Masonry, and regularity of deportment display the influence and utility of ourrules, the world in general will not be led to reconcile our proceedings with the tenets ofthe profession.Page 20 of 248
Illustrations of Masonry – by William PrestonSECTION VII.FEW SOCIETIES EXEMPTED FROM CENSURE.Irregularities of Masons no Argument against the Institution.Among the various societies of men, few, if any, are wholly exempted from censure.Friendship, however valuable in itself, and however universal may be its pretensions, hasseldom operated so powerfully in general associations as to promote that sincereattachment to the welfare and prosperity of each other which is necessary to constitute truehappiness. This may be ascribed to sundry causes, but to none with more propriety than tothe reprehensible motives which too frequently lead men to a participation of socialentertainments. If to pass an idle hour, to oblige a friend, or probably to gratify an irregularindulgence, be the only inducement to mix in company, is it surprising that the importantduties of society should be neglected, and that in the quick circulation of the cheerful glassthe noblest faculties should he sometimes buried in the cup of ebriety?It is an obvious truth, that the privileges of Masonry have long been prostituted forunworthy considerations, and hence their good effects have been less conspicuous. Manyhave enrolled their names in our records for the mere purposes of conviviality withoutinquiring into the nature of the particular engagements to which they are subjected bybecoming Masons. Several have been prompted by motives of interest, and manyintroduced to gratify an idle curiosity, or to please as jolly companions. A general odium,or at least a careless indifference, must be the result of such conduct. But the evil stops nothere. Persons of this description, ignorant of the true nature of the institution, probablywithout any real defect in their own morals, are induced to recommend others of the samecast to join the society for the same purpose.Hence the true knowledge of the art decreases with the increase of its members, and themost valuable part of the institution is turned into ridicule; while the dissipations of luxuryand intemperance bury in oblivion principles which might have dignified the most exaltedcharacters.When we consider the 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, we neednot wonder that few should be distinguished for exemplary lives. From persons who areprecipitately introduced into the mysteries of the art, without the requisite qualifications, itcannot be expected that much regard will be paid to the observance of duties which theyperceive to be openly violated by their own initiation; and it is an incontrovertible truth,that, such is the unhappy bias in the disposition of some men, though the fairest and bestideas were imprinted on the mind, they are so careless of their own reputation as todisregard the most instructive lessons. We have reason to regret, that even persons who aredistinguished for a knowledge in the art, are too frequently induced to violate the rules, apretended conformity to which may have gained them applause. The hypocrisy, however,is speedily unveiled; no sooner are they liberated from the trammels, as they conceive, of aregular and virtuous deportment, in the temporary government of the lodge, than, byabusing the innocent and cheerful repast, they become slaves to vice and intemperance,and not only disgrace themselves, but reflect dishonour on the Fraternity. By suchPage 21 of 248
Page 1 and 2: Illustrations of Masonry - by Willi
Page 19: Illustrations of Masonry - by Willi
Page 71 and 72:
Illustrations of Masonry - by Willi
Page 73 and 74:
Page 75 and 76:
Page 77 and 78:
Page 79 and 80:
Page 81 and 82:
Page 83 and 84:
Page 85 and 86:
Page 87 and 88:
Page 89 and 90:
Page 91 and 92:
Page 93 and 94:
Page 95 and 96:
Page 97 and 98:
Page 99 and 100:
Page 101 and 102:
Page 103 and 104:
Page 105 and 106:
Page 107 and 108:
Page 109 and 110:
Page 111 and 112:
Page 113 and 114:
Page 115 and 116:
Page 117 and 118:
Page 119 and 120:
Page 121 and 122:
Page 123 and 124:
Page 125 and 126:
12. for Montserrat.Illustrations of
Page 127 and 128:
Page 129 and 130:
Page 131 and 132:
Page 133 and 134:
Page 135 and 136:
Page 137 and 138:
Page 139 and 140:
TranslationIllustrations of Masonry
Page 141 and 142:
Page 143 and 144:
Page 145 and 146:
Page 147 and 148:
Page 149 and 150:
Page 151 and 152:
Page 153 and 154:
Music — Clergy.Illustrations of M
Page 155 and 156:
Page 157 and 158:
Page 159 and 160:
Page 161 and 162:
Page 163 and 164:
Page 165 and 166:
Page 167 and 168:
Page 169 and 170:
Page 171 and 172:
Page 173 and 174:
Page 175 and 176:
Page 177 and 178:
Page 179 and 180:
Page 181 and 182:
Page 183 and 184:
Page 185 and 186:
Page 187 and 188:
Page 189 and 190:
Page 191 and 192:
Abash'd hoarse jarring atoms heard,
Page 193 and 194:
Page 195 and 196:
Page 197 and 198:
Page 199 and 200:
No lowen, no lowen our secrets can
Page 201 and 202:
All climates are their native home,
Page 203 and 204:
Page 205 and 206:
Page 207 and 208:
Page 209 and 210:
Page 211 and 212:
Page 213 and 214:
Page 215 and 216:
Page 217 and 218:
Antiquity's prideWe have on our sid
Page 219 and 220:
Page 221 and 222:
Page 223 and 224:
Sweet Friendship tooHer smiles with
Page 225 and 226:
SONG XXX.Illustrations of Masonry -
Page 227 and 228:
Page 229 and 230:
Page 231 and 232:
for less than seaven years. And tha
Page 233 and 234:
who first took down the examination
Page 235 and 236:
other angels, to the number of thre
Page 237 and 238:
That when the Master and Wardens me
Page 239 and 240:
it cannot derogate from the honour
Page 241 and 242:
16th October 1646.' In another plac
Page 243 and 244:
It is a question that will admit of
Page 245 and 246:
EUROPAMHONORES OCCUPAVERATNOMEN LAT
Page 247 and 248:
cxxiiThe particulars of this part o
show all

illustrations of masonry by william preston - Lodge Prudentia

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?