The Mysteries of Free Masonry eBook

William Morgan
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 425 pages of information about The Mysteries of Free Masonry.

The Mysteries of Free Masonry eBook

William Morgan
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 425 pages of information about The Mysteries of Free Masonry.
us a bright example.  For though he was the Eternal Son of God, he humbled himself to be born of a woman, to endure the pains and afflictions incident to human nature, and finally to suffer a cruel and ignominious death upon the cross; it is also a trial of that faith which will conduct you safely over the dark gulf of everlasting death, and land your enfranchised spirit in the peaceful abodes of the blessed.  Pilgrim, keep ever in your memory this awful truth; you know not how soon you may be called upon to render an account to that Supreme Judge, from whom not even the most minute action of your life is hidden; for although you now stand erect in all the strength of manhood and pride of beauty, in a few short moments you may become a pale and lifeless corpse.  This moment, even while I yet speak, the angel of death may receive the fatal mandate to strike you from the role of existence; and the friends who now surround you may be called upon to perform the last sad duty of laying you in the earth, a banquet for worms, and this fair body become as the relic you now hold in your hand.  Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of sorrow; he cometh up and is cut down like a flower; he fleeth as a shadow and continueth not; in the midst of life we are in death; of whom may we seek for succor but of Thee, O Lord, who for our sins are justly displeased.  Yet, O God most holy, thou God most mighty, O holy and most merciful Saviour, deliver us from the pains of eternal death.  I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, write from henceforth, blessed are the dead that die in the Lord; even so, saith the spirit, for they rest from their labors; be ye also ready, and rest assured that a firm faith in the truths here revealed will afford you consolation in the gloomy hour of dissolution, and insure you ineffable and eternal happiness in the world to come.  Amen and amen.”

Q. Where did your tour of penance end?  A. It has not yet ended; neither can it end until this mortal shall put on immortality; for all men err, and all error need repentance.

Q. Were you then permitted to participate in the fifth libation?  A. I was.

Q. Where?  A. Within the asylum.

Q. How gained you admittance there?  A. After having passed my year of penance, I returned to the door of the asylum, where, on giving the alarm, the Warden appeared and demanded, “Who comes there?”

Q. Your answer?  A. Pilgrim penitent, traveling from afar, who begs your permission here to rest, and at the shrine of our departed Lord to offer up his prayers and meditations.

Q. What was then demanded of you?  A. What surety can he offer that he is no impostor?

Q. Your answer?  A. The commendation of two true and courteous Knights, the Junior and Senior Wardens.

Q. What was then demanded of you?  A. By what further right or benefit I expected to gain admittance.

Q. Your answer?  A. By the benefit of a pass-word.

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Project Gutenberg
The Mysteries of Free Masonry from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.