golden sentences
THE CRAFTSMAN - 1866
From an address by De Witt Clinton,
before Holland Lodge, the evening of his installation, Dec. 24, 1793
HIS DEFINITION OF FREEMASONRY
It is well known that our Order was at first
composed of scientific and ingenious men who assembled to improve the arts and
sciences, and cultivate a pure and sublime system of morality. Knowledge at that
time, was restricted to a chosen few; but when the invention of printing had
opened the means of instruction to all ranks of people, then the generous
cultivators of Masonry communicated with cheerfulness to the world those secrets
of the arts and sciences which had been transmitted and improved from the
foundation of the institutions then our Fraternity bent their principal
attention to the cultivation of morality. And Masonry may now be defined as a
moral institution, intended to promote individual and social happiness.
THE EQUALITY OF MASONRY
Our institution asserts, in language not to
be misunderstood, the natural equality of mankind. It declares that all brethren
are upon a level, and it throws open its hospitable doors to all men of all
nations. It admits of no rank, except the priority of merit, and its only
aristocracy is the nobility of virtue.
THE ONEROUS CARES OF THE MASTER
Sensible I am that neither my age,
experience nor abilities entitle me to fill this place. Sensible I am that it is
surrounded with difficulties and embarrassments; that it requires promptitude of
expression, quickness of thought and presence of mind, and that it demands
conciliatory manners and instantaneous perception of character, and a
considerable knowledge of mankind.
THE BENEFICENT WORK OF MASONRY
How often has it showered down its golden
gifts into the seemingly inaccessible dungeons of misery! How often has it
radiated with its beneficent rays the glooms of affliction, and converted its
horrors of despair into the meridian splendor of unexpected joy! How often has
it, with its philanthropic voice, recalled the unhappy wanderer into the paths
of felicity, and with its powerful arm, protected from the grasp of malice and
oppression the forlorn outcast of society! Let the widow, the orphan, the
prisoner, the debtor, the unfortunate, witness its beneficent deeds, and in a
symphony of gratitude, declare that on the flight of all the other virtues,
charity as well as hope remained to bless mankind.
THE DUTIES OF A MASON TO HIS BROTHER
A Mason is bound to consult the happiness
and to promote the interests of his brother; to avoid everything offensive to
his feelings; to abstain from reproach censure and unjust suspicions; to warn
him of tie machinations of his enemies; to advise him of his errors; to advance
the welfare and reputation of his family; to protect the chastity of his house;
to defend his life, his property, and what is dearer to a roan of honor, his
character, against unjust attacks; to relieve his wants and his distress; to
instill into his mind proper ideas of conduct in the department of life which he
is called to fill; and, let me add, to foster his schemes of interest and
promotion, if compatible with the paramount duties a man owes to the community.
If such are the obligations which a man owes to brother, they are precisely the
duties that one freemason ought to perform to another. Our Order enjoins them as
rules from which nothing can justify a deviation, and considers their infraction
a violation of honor; conscience and religion; a prostitution of all that is
deemed sacred and venerable among men. But Masonry does not confine the
benignity of her precepts to her followers; she rises higher in the scale of
excellence, and enjoins the observance of honor, honesty and good faith to all
men; she espouses the cause of universal benevolence and virtue; she declares as
unworthy of her patronage those who violate the laws of rectitude, and her
votaries exemplify in their lives the truth of the remark that, although there
are vicious men in the fraternity, yet they are better, than if they were not
Masons.
THE RELIGION OF MASONRY
As Christian Masons, acknowledging the
divinity of Christ, we have introduced the Bible into our Lodges, to manifest
our belief in the doctrines which it inculcates. In like manner the followers of
Moses, Mahomet and Burmah may introduce into their Masonic assemblies their
Pentateuch, their Alcoran, and their Vedan; and yet the unity of Masonry would
remain - the essential principles on which she moves would be the same; she
would still declare to her votaries, I regard not to what sect you attach
yourselves; venerate the popular religion of your respective countries; follow
the light of your understanding; forget not, however, the doctrines of the
religion of nature; adore the Great Architect of the Universe, acknowledge the
immortal soul, and look forward to a state of future retribution when the
virtuous of all religions and countries hall meet together, and enjoy never
fading bliss.
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