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Ancient Definition of a Freemason
In the Farmers Almanac for 1823 published at
Andover, Mass., the following was printed
under the heading, "Character of a
Freemason":
The real Freemason is distinguished from
the rest of mankind by the uniform
unrestrained rectitude of his conduct. Other
men are honest in fear of punishment which
the law might inflect; they are religious in
expectation of being rewarded, or in dread of
the devil, in the next world. A Freemason
would be just if there were no laws, human or
divine except those written in his heart by
the finger of his creator. In every climate,
under every system of religion, he is the
same. He kneels before the universal throne
of God in gratitude for the blessings he has
received and humble solicitation for his
future protection. He venerates the good men
of all religions. He disturbs not the
religion of others. He restrains his
passions, because they cannot be indulged
without injuring his neighbor or himself. He
gives no offense, because he does not choose
to be offended. He contracts no debts which
he is certain he cannot discharge, because he is
honest upon principal.
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