Freemasonry > Free-masons pocket-companion

A general Charge to Mafons. 187
and worthy men ofFer themlelves, let them ever
have the firft place in our efteem; but as for the
abettors of Atheifm, irreligion, libertinifm, infi¬
delity, let us, in the words of the prophet, /hake
our hands from them, juft as a perfon would do,
who happens to have burning coals or fome veno¬
mous creature faftening upon his flefh. In fuch a
cafe none would ftand a moment to confider;
none would debate with himfelf the expediency of
the thing; but inftantly fling off the pernicious
incumberance ; inftantly endeavour to difengage
himfelf from the clinging mifchief: fo fhould eve¬
ry upright mafon from fuch perilous falfe brethren.
There is one eflential property which belongs
to our craft, which had like to have flipped me,
and which, however condemned, is highly worthy
of all applaufe ; and that is fecrecy. All that
ftioiild be difclofed of a lodge is this, that, in our
meetings, we are all good-natured, loving, and
cheerful one with another. But what are thefe
fecrets ? Why, if a brother in neceflity feeks re¬
lief, it is an inviolable fecret, becaufe true chari¬
ty vaunteth not itfelf. If an*overtaken brother
be admonifhed, it is in fecret ; becaufe charity is
kind. If poflibly little differences, feuds, or ani-
mofities fhould invade our peaceful walls, they
are ftill kept fecret; for charity fuffereth long, is
not eafdy provoked, thinketh no evil.—Thefe and
many more (would time permit) which I could
name, are the embellifhments that emblazon the
A a a malbos