The Mysteries of Free Masonry: Containing All the Degrees of the Order Conferred in a Master's LodgeMorgan, William
Religion
The Mysteries of Free Masonry: Containing All the Degrees of the Order Conferred in a Master's Lodge
Morgan, William
Freemasonry -- United States -- Rituals
COMPASS teaches to limit our desires in every station; thus rising to
eminence by merit, we may live respected, and die regretted. The RULE
directs that we should punctually observe our duty; press forward in
the path of virtue, and neither inclining to the right or to the left,
in all our actions have ETERNITY in view. The LINE teaches the
criterion of moral rectitude; to avoid dissimulation in conversation
and action, and to direct our steps to the path that leads to
IMMORTALITY. The BOOK OF CONSTITUTIONS you are to search at all times;
cause it to be read in your Lodge, that none may pretend ignorance of
the excellent precepts it enjoins. Lastly, you receive in charge the
by-laws of your Lodge, which you are to see carefully and punctually
executed. I will also present you with the mallet; it is an emblem of
power. One stroke of the mallet calls to order, and calls up the
Junior and Senior Deacons; two strokes call up all the subordinate
officers; and three, the whole Lodge." The following charge is then
delivered to the newly-installed Master (alias candidate) by the
former Master:
"Worshipful Master, being appointed Master of this Lodge, you
cannot be insensible of the obligations which devolve on you as
their head; nor of your responsibility for the faithful discharge
of the important duties annexed to your appointment. The honor,
usefulness, and reputation of your Lodge will materially depend on
the skill and assiduity with which you manage its concerns; while
the happiness of its members will be generally promoted, in
proportion to the zeal and ability with which you propagate the
genuine principles of our institution. For a pattern of
information, consider the luminary of nature, which, rising in the
East, regularly diffuses light and lustre to all within its
circle. In like manner, it is your province to spread and
communicate light and instruction to the brethren of your Lodge.
Forcibly impress upon them the dignity and high importance of
Masonry, and seriously admonish them never to disgrace it. Charge
them to practice out of the Lodge those duties which they have
been taught in it; and by amiable, discreet, and virtuous conduct,
to convince mankind of the goodness of the institution, so that,
when anyone is said to be a member of it, the world may know that
he is one to whom the burdened heart may pour out its sorrows--to
whom distress may prefer its suit--whose hand is guided by
justice, and his heart expanded by benevolence. In short, by a
diligent observance of the by-laws of your Lodge, the constitution
of Masonry, and, above all, the Holy Scriptures, which are given
as a rule and guide of your faith, you will be enabled to acquit
yourself with honor and reputation, and lay up a crown of
rejoicing which shall continue when time shall be no more."[6]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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