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Institutes of Masonic Jurisprudence, an Exemplification of the English Book of Constitutions Methodically Digested Under Appropriate Heads
Institutes of Masonic Jurisprudence an Exemplification of the English Book of Constitutions Methodically Digested Under Appropriate Heads Author:George Oliver Subtitle: Together With a Summary View of the Laws and Principles of the Royal Arch General Books publication date: 2009 Original publication date: 1859 Notes: This is a black and white OCR reprint of the original. It has no illustrations and there may be typos or missing text. When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free... more » trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free. Excerpt: CHAPTER VII. THE COMMUNITY. Sec. I. -- Application And Lethaeqy Conthasted. 1. Masonic Progress. -- The editor of the "Freemasons' Magazine," in a lucid article on intellectual progress, which our readers will thank us for quoting as an appropriate introduction to this portion of the subject, observes: -- "The objects of interest to men are three, -- gain, politics, religion; by these their passions are excited, and their opposition, if not their virtues, evoked. It is evident, therefore, that a system which especially cuts off all sources of opposition, and reduces communication almost to the absolute yea and nay of unfermenting union, would be tiresome; for man cannot endure perfect harmony as yet, without falling into lethargy. Now it is at this very point of peril, that one of the vital excellencies of Masonry may be peculiarly and most gloriously exhibited -- we allude to scientific and literary intercourse, in all the ramifications of intellectual speculation; we have the myth -- we possess the symbol -- but because we do not choose to go beyond both, or to ascertain the jewel hidden in the casket, we blame the system, when we shouldonly blame ourselves. Would the casket, the external case, be so rare and nobly carved and blazoned, if knowledge, one of the earth's brightest jewels, did not lie within?" 2. Apathy. -- There is much valuable truth in these remarks, and we can corroborate them from the dictates of personal knowledge and mature experience, although it is to be regretted that we cannot compliment th...« less