Welcome to the Scottish right Journal podcast an audio presentation of the Scottish right Journal brought to you by the Supreme Council of the Scottish right Southern jurisdiction mother Supreme Council of the world this week’s article is the hidden virtue of the charge in the Northeast by brother kadji
Master Mason and comes from the January February 2024 issue of the Scottish right journal in the craft ritual of the Grand Lodge of India we learn from the charge in the northeast of Charity that this virtue has the approbation of Heaven and Earth and like its sister Mercy blesses
He who gives as well as he who receives the charge also says that this virtue so often has been felt and practiced by the candidate that there is little need of elucidation yet we are reminded by Albert Pike in his eth degree intendent of the building lecture in morals and
Dogma the symbols and ceremonies of masonry have more than one meaning they rather conceal than disclose the truth they Hint it only at least and their varied meanings are only to be discovered by reflection and study in this article we will explore the concept of Charity in search of its virtue Which
Is less apparent or even hidden Freemasonry throughout the craft Lodge rituals exhorts one to practice Justice praising it as a cardinal virtue that historically has been practiced by most Masons on the other hand HS hfold notes in his 1985 study Justice to Mercy that philosophers have adequately called out
From their phenomenological research the conflict between Justice and mercy other additions by Scholars highlight how mercy and retribution both stem from moral orientations towards charity and Justice respectively Masons also must wrestle with how to reconcile charity with Justice in order to avoid descending into brute retribution the
Aim of this article is to address how this might be achieved in Freemasonry wisdom is often veiled although it lies in plain sight many a Mason May set sail for what is lucidly visible in a ritual book but they should stop and take notice of the system that Mason’s term
Morality veiled and allegory while the charge in the Northeast espouses the beauty of Charity it delicately highlights that Mercy is of equal importance when dealing with our fellow man the charge after initiation guides us to render every kind office which Justice or Mercy may require the direction here points clearly towards
Rendering Justice within the purview of kindness the same charge also calls for the cardinal virtues of prudence and temperance ultimately the charge advises moderation that a Freemason must practice while delivering Justice the fourth cardinal virtue spoken of in the same breath as Temperance prudence and Justice is fortitude and recommending fortitude the
Charge thus may be calling upon us to exercise the courage to forgive with Mercy clearly Justice for Freemasons is to be tempered with the remaining virtues after extolling these virt virtues and priming the candidate with thoughts of Justice the lecture ends with a clear call for Mercy to be found
Always in a Mason’s heart in a similar vein the charge of passing draws to attention that the duties of a fellowcraft include admonishing with friendship and reprimanding with Mercy In the words of the late brother Swami vivanda who defined Mercy as Heaven itself and recommended all to be
Merciful even Justice and right should stand on Mercy from a candidate’s first moment inside a lodge to being raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason the craft degrees seek to inculcate compassion towards others as the character puts himself into different roles within powerful human dramas while
The center of attention is the candidate the rituals evoke compassion not merely in the candidate but also on others observing the Feats the candidate performs the circumambulations during rituals are symbolic of ordeal notes H Bogden in Western esoterism and rituals of initiation this experience for spectators who are brothers ought to be
Empathy for having gone through it themselves previously charity has been celebrated as a virtue that goes beyond justice as our venerable charge informs us Mercy is on par with Charity being its sister it naturally follows then that even Mercy goes above and beyond Justice this may lead to a natural
Uproar from the those like Kent who believe that a monarch that displays a sovereign’s power of Pardon may be failing in his duties as a monarch in serving Justice it may even seem paradoxical that God who is committed to love kindness and forgiveness can also punish the wicked as in Exodus 34:
6-7 a virtuous person is one who exercises charity a foundation of mercy and forgiveness while also practic iing Justice the quality of Mercy is not strained as Porsche famously says in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice Act 4 scene 1 the task before us is to find Harmony between the often juxtaposed
Virtues Of Justice and the charity which is Mercy I conclude by heeding the late brother Mark Twain who thought it wise to cite Shakespeare’s quality of Mercy speech before the first chapter of his book The Prince and the popper including these Sublime words from The Bard it
Mercy is twice blessed it blesseth him that gives and him that takes his mightiest in the mightiest it becomes the throned Monarch better than his crown like and share this article and don’t forget to subscribe to the channel if you wish to comment please leave one and as a reminder hit the notifications
Bell any accompanying photographs or citations for this article can be found in the corresponding print edition the Scottish right Journal is published by the Supreme Council of the Scottish right Southern jurisdiction mother Supreme Council of the World Mark dyon stock 33rd degree managing editor I’m your host Matt Bowers
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