Freemasonry > Free-masons pocket-companion

18 6 A general Charge to Mafons.
adminifter that relief and comfort, which the con-'
dition of any member requires, and we can beftow
without manifeft inconvenience to ©urfelves. No
artful diflimulation of affedtion can ever be allow¬
ed among thofe who are upon a level; nor can
psrlbns who live within compafs, aft otherwile
than upon the fquare, confiftently with the golden
rule, of doing as they would be done by. For a-
mong us, every one is, or fhould be another felf :
lb that he that hates another, muft neceflarily ab¬
hor himfelf alfb ; he that prejudices another, in¬
jures his own nature ; and he that doth not relieve
a diftrefTed brother, ftarves a member of his own
body; but then this relief is not to be bellowed
upon the idle, indolent, and extravagant ; but up¬
on the unfortunate, indullrious, fuccefslefs brother.
Let us next remember the regulations of this
Jbciety are calculated, not only for the prevention
of enmity, wrath, and diflenfion, but for the pro¬
motion of love, peace, and friendlhip; then here
furely converfation mull be attended with mutual
confidence, freedom, and complacency. He who
neither contrives mifchief againlt others, nor fu-
fpecls any againft himlelf, has his mind always fe-
rene, and his affedlions compofed. All the human
faculties rejoice in order, harmony, and proportion ;
by this our fociety fublills, and upon this depends
its wifdoth, Jlrength, and beauty. Let therefore
no narrow diftinflions diicompofe this goodly
frame, or diflurb its fymmetry; but when good
and