Page:Oration Delivered on the Centennial Day of Washington's Initiation into Masonry (1852).djvu/14

14 to neglect our interests. And to pursue and embrace one branch of truth, or only some of them, is a line of conduct that it suicidal to our interests and welfare, identified in that path which is neclected. And, yet, this is the line of conduct pursued, by too many of the friends and advocates of truth. They take a part for the whole; they pursue the truth in one department, to the exclusion of all the rest; they gather the fruits and the flowers in in one or a few of its gardens, and drink of its waters, and thereby secure a part of their interests; but while the rest is neglected, many interests lie in ruins, and much happiness is lost. And thus, they miss the full benefit and blessings, that the whole truth can bestow.—By taking a part, only, they are, only partially benefitted: and that truth, which, by neglect, benefits them not, they despise and deny. The loss and the disadvantages, resulting from such a policy, in reference to truth, are incalculably great; while a contrary line of policy, would secure all of man’s highest interests in time and in eternity. We will mention a few of the advantages that result from one policy, and, also, some of the evils and disadvantages that result from the other policy.

The mind that is open to the reception of all truth, or truth from all its departments, assumes a higher moral tone, as well as a loftier elevation, and from that very position, has a far more extended range of observation, than the mind that limits itself to one or a few, only, of truth’s many departments. The former view truth as a grand and mighty unity, though composed of a great variety of parts: he sees, also, that in, this unity of truth, there is unity of design—unity of purpose, and unity of end—which unity of ultimate ends can only be effected by all the parts of truth, diversified as they are, co-operating together and uniting each, its respective end, in the one grand and ultimate object.—The former is also safe against the intrusion of error; for every faculty of his mind is fully exercised in search of truth: and equally safe is he from every species of fanaticism, bigotry and exclusive selfishness: he sees a brothterbrother [sic], where another would see a stranger; he sees a friend where another would see an enemy: and the tender sympathies of his heart, the fellowship of his spirit, and the communion of his mind, have an exercise and extent as far and wide as the range of his moral vision, illumed by the light of truth, extends: he feels for all, and desires that all may participate in the benefits and blessings of universal truth. While the latter enjoys none of these advantages—taking a part of truth for the whole—all is error which he rejects. And he soon becomes the slave of bigotry, fanaticism and blending prejudice. He sees no truth but in the single department, in which he moves and lives; and he has no sympathy of heart, no communion of mind, no fellowship of soul with any, save those, only, who live and move with himself. And thus he creates discord where peace would