Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Speech
But that , with the repairs of it b y Josiab , rebuilding by Zeruhbahel and Herod , to the final destruction b y Titus Vespasia / i ; together with the history of the Grecian and Roman orders and architects , the Gothic intrusion over all , and its late resurrection and present growing greatness , may be subjects sufficient for several discourses ; which , since I have ventured to break the iceI hope some abler hand will on
, carry . I shall now , by way of conclusion , beg leave to subjoin some observations , and apply them more particularly to our ancient Lodge , and to our present meeting at this solemnity . And here , I know , you'll excuse me from unveiling our mysteries , though I am speaking to my brethren , when you see the reason I dare not plain in my hand . Since , as has been said , human society has always been so useful ,
it cannot be wondered at that this of ours should have so very ancient an original , I have alread y shewn you . that Masonry is the oldest science the world has produced ; the first the earliest ages employed their whole study and industry upon ; and for this reason the fundamental rules of this art have been handed down from age to age , and very justly thought fit to be made a mystery of . A mystery , however , that has
something in it apparent to the whole world , and which alone is sufficient to answer all the pbjeaions that malice or ignorance can throw , or has urged against us ; ' of which , to mention no more , our three Grand Princi ples of Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth , to one another , are very shinin g instances . A foundation laid in virtue by the , strictest geometrical rules is a point of such moment , that each line describes its strength and stability , and a Mason must have a very superficial , and far from a solid judgment , that can doubt of its
duration to the end of all things . The pen , the pencil , ' and the trowel , have always been thought , by the greatest monarchs the world has produced , the- properest instruments to convey their names and actions to the latest posterity . The two former are certainl y capable of flattering either their vices or their persons ; but the honest Trowel , as the best and most durable register , must be allowed to bid the fairest for '
eternizing of them , and has intheir erecting cities , castles , palaces , amphitheatres , & c . brought down for many ages , and does not only , convince us at present of their distinct genius , riches , reli gion , politics , and power , but their very names have beenstampt , and are still current among us ; for instance , Constant ^ nople , Cesarea , and Alexandria .
What wonder , after . this , that so many kings ,-princes , and noblemen , have at alltimes honoured this Society with their peculiar patronaga and protection , have taken it as an honour to have been initiated into the mysterious part of it , and thought it no . degradation for a Mason to say he was brother and fellow to a king ? Europe came much later to the knowled of this art than the
. ge Eastern parts pf the world ; and this island , as far as I can find , the . latest of all : for , though by our records we learn it was brought into France and Germany b y one * who was actually at the btiildino- of ' ¦ s ? - *•
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Speech
But that , with the repairs of it b y Josiab , rebuilding by Zeruhbahel and Herod , to the final destruction b y Titus Vespasia / i ; together with the history of the Grecian and Roman orders and architects , the Gothic intrusion over all , and its late resurrection and present growing greatness , may be subjects sufficient for several discourses ; which , since I have ventured to break the iceI hope some abler hand will on
, carry . I shall now , by way of conclusion , beg leave to subjoin some observations , and apply them more particularly to our ancient Lodge , and to our present meeting at this solemnity . And here , I know , you'll excuse me from unveiling our mysteries , though I am speaking to my brethren , when you see the reason I dare not plain in my hand . Since , as has been said , human society has always been so useful ,
it cannot be wondered at that this of ours should have so very ancient an original , I have alread y shewn you . that Masonry is the oldest science the world has produced ; the first the earliest ages employed their whole study and industry upon ; and for this reason the fundamental rules of this art have been handed down from age to age , and very justly thought fit to be made a mystery of . A mystery , however , that has
something in it apparent to the whole world , and which alone is sufficient to answer all the pbjeaions that malice or ignorance can throw , or has urged against us ; ' of which , to mention no more , our three Grand Princi ples of Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth , to one another , are very shinin g instances . A foundation laid in virtue by the , strictest geometrical rules is a point of such moment , that each line describes its strength and stability , and a Mason must have a very superficial , and far from a solid judgment , that can doubt of its
duration to the end of all things . The pen , the pencil , ' and the trowel , have always been thought , by the greatest monarchs the world has produced , the- properest instruments to convey their names and actions to the latest posterity . The two former are certainl y capable of flattering either their vices or their persons ; but the honest Trowel , as the best and most durable register , must be allowed to bid the fairest for '
eternizing of them , and has intheir erecting cities , castles , palaces , amphitheatres , & c . brought down for many ages , and does not only , convince us at present of their distinct genius , riches , reli gion , politics , and power , but their very names have beenstampt , and are still current among us ; for instance , Constant ^ nople , Cesarea , and Alexandria .
What wonder , after . this , that so many kings ,-princes , and noblemen , have at alltimes honoured this Society with their peculiar patronaga and protection , have taken it as an honour to have been initiated into the mysterious part of it , and thought it no . degradation for a Mason to say he was brother and fellow to a king ? Europe came much later to the knowled of this art than the
. ge Eastern parts pf the world ; and this island , as far as I can find , the . latest of all : for , though by our records we learn it was brought into France and Germany b y one * who was actually at the btiildino- of ' ¦ s ? - *•