Moral Masonry II
By VW Bro Neil Morse
The Level
Butterworth’s Instruments The Instruments of Freemasonry Moralized is a small pamphlet written by Mancunian James Butterworth, first published in 1801 and later in 1827 and 1829. Bro Neil Wynes Morse presents the second part of his research paper on the book. The Compasses Should remind us that we should in every station circumscribe our expenses to our means, never to ape those above us in their extravagances or follies, and though at times we may be tempted to follow them, when we conclude their designs are laudable, praiseworthy, and likely to command the admiration of their virtuous neighbours, yet even in these though apparently desirable actions, we ought first to consider whether our finances are equal to the pursuit of such beneficent, charitable, or other desirable objects, without injuring those more dear and near to us. In short we ought to consider our families and connections first, whether engaged to them by Social Contract or otherwise, reserving (if possible) first and primarily, what may contribute to the relief of their wants and necessities, and if then we still find a surplus, it most certainly then
...as good members of our ancient order, we ought to raise a stately fabric of good works...
May bring to our recollection, that as our forefather Adam was the first created man, and Eve the first born of woman kind, we must of necessity be all relations of each other, and consequently do all partake on one common nature; it therefore places us in regard thereto, upon one common level, the prince with the peasant; how improper then is it, not to comfort and accord assistance one to another, especially in the trying hour of distress; and what man is he who seeing his fellow creature in distress, if it be not even in his power to relieve him, does not sympathize with him, and instead of forcing the thorn deeper into his bosom, will not by every soothing attention endeavour to extract it. There may be such hardened wretches called fellow men, there may be such indeed, but they are only fit associates for the beasts of the forest, and never ought to be suffered to mingle with those social beings, of which in form only they bear the similitude.
“ Afflictions sons, are brothers in distress brother to relieve, A how exquisite the bliss!” Burns
belongs ‘To the Sons and Daughters of Affliction, wherever dispersed, and of whatever clime or kind.’ By such prudential conduct, we shall be noticed by the virtuous, live in reputation, and finally leave this sublunary state, in humble hope of compassing, what ought to be the chief pursuit and desire, of both high and low, an immortal Crown of Glory, in the heaven of heavens.
It is certainly necessary for the preservation of order, that there should be distinctions among us, but what eminence of station is there, that should make us forget that our fellow creatures are not of the same nature as ourselves, subject also to like passions and failings? Or why because placed in the lowest situations, and in the meanest drudgeries of life, are we to look down with an eye of contempt upon them? No, the glass of Time, the
Photo courtesy of Przemysław Sakrajda
38
September 2020
Integrity – Loyalty – Respect Freemason
