CHAPTER II.

The ultimate end of the Material Creation to subserve the Moral World. The pre per object of human Association, and th origin of various Societies.
IN surveying the material world, wit all its numerous appendages, the contenr plative mind is naturally led to inquire a ter the great efficient cause. Prom the v$ ried scenery of nature, the sublimity of th heavens, and the order of the universe, w are constrained to ascribe wisdom, desig and superintendence to their Author.
In contemplating the moral world, \e behold that perfect order of beauty, b whi -h we admire the unspeakable goodne ; of God in e^very display of his moral p& fections.
From those constituted laws of matt* which pervade the natural world, and tho* harmonizing principles of moral fitness, s essential to the peace,and happinessand ge- neral well-being of society, we necessari infer some great and ultimate end, to whi« all things and all events are mpde subse? vient. We hence, infer that the prima i object of the material creation, was to for" a propf i theatre, on which to unfold l* counsels of eternity, in relation to thegre*
SPECULATIVE MAS0KRY. 37
moral system. Man was, therefore, crea- ted in the image of his God, endowed with reason and understanding, and constituted asocial being. Through the medium of social intercourse, those intrinsic excel- lencies of mind are unfolded, which fully bespeak the dignity of man. ft therefore appears that the principles of human as- sociation are inherent in our nature, and constitute the highest subordinate means in advancing the common happiness of mankind, in duly honouring our Creator, and answering the proper end of our cre- ation. It is certain that our intellectual faculties are susceptible of vast improve- ment ; improvement depends on means, and means are derived through, the m u*n of society* We hence infer most con- clusively that social intercourse is accord- tog to Divine constitution, and is the great Jl ^dium through which are displayed the beauties of the moral system.
The establishment of civil government, *llat powerful safeguard of individual r ights and privileges, at once constitutes * he broad foundation of a common associ- ation. Here is erected the standard, and ** £ re the great rallying point for civilized life. All mankind are, from the nature ^^f their existence, constituted me-nbers of this common society. A way is thus pre-
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38 SPECULATIVE MASONRY.
pared under the most favourable circum- stances, for individuals to establish and organize subordinate societies, with an ul- timate reference to the general good. As individual exertions proved inadequate to remedy incidental evils, and fully to sub- serve the purposes of social Jife, a union of means, of energy and wisdom became indispensible. Numerous are the objects essential to the present and future well-be- ing of mankind, which are not sufficiently embraced by civil polity. The legislative and executive departments of a nation can- not minutely extend their protecting care to every object, separately considered which may contribute in the best tnanne to the peace and happiness of the commia nity. A remedy for these deficiency was readily found in the voluntary assoc? ations of men. This is a natural conclLJ sion as to the origin of various individus societies, in every age and country. Tbm accomplishment of different objects, les to different systems of organization. — ■ Hence, all those religious and moral insU tutions, both ancient and modern : tl-^ co-operation of individuals to promote ar and sciences — to encourage agricultu*i and manufactures — to relieve the unfort * nate — to civilize the savage — to emanc- - pate the slave — to suppress vice and it i
SPECULATIVE MASOMiY. 39
morality — to diffuse the gospel and chris- tianize the world. AH these associations, so far as the members are actuated by proper motives, have one ultimate end in view; to meliorate the condition of man, and render his whole existence a blessing. The aggregate of happiness produced in the moral system through the instrumen- tality of those various humane, benevolent, moral and religious societies of the world, is far beyond all human conception. No period short of eternity, can fully show bow much misery has been prevented, and how much relative good introduced. In point of antiquity, and universal prevalence^ the Masonic institution ranks with the first, ^hese are points long since established by known historical facts.
From what has been said, it appears that mankind were not only created ration- al beings, but destined to act in a social Capacity. Our existence, therefore, neces- sarily creates a relation to ail mankind, «*nd our social compacts, in many respects, a dd an increasing weight to each original Obligation. Every relation we sustain, whether it arise from the constituted laws °f movzXjilntsSt or from voluntary engage- ****nt in mutual association, is inseparably c °nnecled with relative duties. Such is °Ur relation to God the supreme governor
40 SPECULATIVE MASONRY.
of Ihe universe, that we are undei greatest obligations to love and obej commands, to reverence his name, adore his perfections. These are d which accord with the nature of ou; istence and are necessarily binding o created intelligences. Our relation t whole human family, as beings of the s intellectual endowments, liable to the i vicissitudes of fortune, and exposed l same incidents of life, is also attended its relative duties. Our relation to government under which we live, imj other duties correspondent with our ous stations. Our relation to any \ cular society, duly organized for the pose of advancing, or the more effecti accomplishing some important end, b its relative duties. The members of ry society are justly considered as pi ing themselves, faithfully to disci each incumbent duty. Those duties not be neglected, nor the obligations ded without disappointing the exp tions, and betraying the confidence n ed in the solemnity of their engagem Wherever a duty exists, it necess imposes a corresponding obligation. be the duty of rational intelligence leverence arid adore their Creator, are of necessity under the most solem
SPECULATIVE MASONRY. 41
ligations cheerfully to comply with that divine requisition. If we owe certain du- ties to mankind as brethren of one com- mon family, to government as instituted for the greater personal security and gen- eral good, or to individual societies form- ed for moral, benevolent or other impor- tant purposes, the weight of obligation in either case is strictly commensurate with the duty.
Hence we may discover the extent of our relations, bur consequent -duties and reciprocal obligalionsi
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