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Friendly Admonitions
SECTION X
BOOK I - The Excellency of Masonry Displayed
illustrations of masonry
william preston
Having explained the principles of the Order, and endeavoured to demonstrate
the excellence and utility of the institution, I shall conclude my observations
with a few friendly admonitions to my brethren.
As useful knowledge is the great object of our desire, let us steadily adhere
to the principles it inculcates, check our progress, or damp our zeal; but let
us recollect, that the ways of wisdom are beautiful, and lead to pleasure.
Knowledge is attained by degrees, and cannot every where be found. Wisdom seeks
the secret shade, the lonely cell designed for contemplation. There enthroned
she sits, delivering her sacred oracles. There let us seek her, and pursue the
real bliss. Though the passage be difficult, the farther we trace it, the easier
it will become.
Union and harmony constitute the essence of Freemasonry: while we enlist
under that banner, the society must flourish, and privet animosities give place
to peace and good fellowship. Uniting in one design, let it be our aim to be
happy ourselves, and contribute to the happiness of others. Let us make our
superiority and distinction among men, by the sincerity of our profession as
Masons; let us cultivate the moral virtues, and improve in all that is good and
amiable; let the Genius of Masonry preside over our conduct, and under her sway
let us perform our part with becoming dignity. Let us preserve an elevation of
understanding, with a politeness of manner, and an evenness of temper. Let our
recreations be innocent, and pursued with moderation; and never let irregular
indulgences lead to the subversion of our system, by impairing our faculties,
and exposing our character to derision. But, in conformity to our precepts, as
patterns worthy of imitation, let the respectability of our lives be supported
by the regularity of our conduct, and the uniformity of our deportment. Thus, as
citizens of the world, as friends to every clime, we shall be living examples of
virtue and benevolence, equally zealous to merit as to obtain universal
approbation.
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