Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Secrecy Imposed On The Mysteries Of Masonry,
Among the Greek nations , the Athenians had a statue of brass , which they awfully revered ; this fi gure was without a tongue , by which secrecy was intimated . ' " The Romans had a goddess of silence , named Angerona , represented with her fore finger on her lips , as a symbol of prudence and taciturnity . Anacarchuswho ( according to Pliny ) ' was apprehended in order
, to extort his secrets from him , bit his tongue off in the midst , and afterwards spit It in the tyrant ' s face , rather choosing to lose that organ , than'to . discover those things which he had promised to conceal . We read likewise that Cato , the censor , often said to his friends , that pf three things which he had good reason to repent , the principal was divulging a secret .
The Druids in our own nation ( who were the only priests among the ancient Britons ) committed nothing to writing . And Ccesar observes , that they had a head or chief , who exercised a sort of excommunication , attended with dreadful penalties , on those who either published or prophaned their mysteries . Therefore , since it evidently appears from the foregoing instances
( among many pthers ) that there ever were secrets among mankind , as well respecting societies as individuals , and that the keeping these inviolable was always reputed an indispensable duty , and attended with an honourable estimation , it must be very difficult to assign a sufficient reason why the same practice should be at all wondered ni , or less approved of among the FBEE AND ACCEPTED MASONS of the than
present age , they were among the wisest men , and the greatest philosophers , of antiquity . The general practice and constant applause of the ancients , as well as the customs of the moderns , one would naturally imagine , should be sufficient to justify MASONS against any charge of singularity or innovation , on this account : for how . can this be thought singular , or " new , by any one who will but allow himself the smallest time for calm reflection ?
_ Do not all incorporated bodies among us enjoy this liberty , without impeachment or censure ? An apprentice is bound to keep the secrets of his master ; a freeman is obli ged to consult the interest of his company , and not to prostitute in common the mysteries cf his profession ; secret committees and private councils are solemnly enjoined not to publish abroad their debates and resolutions . In courts-martial , the members bound to
are secrecy ; and in many cases , for more effectual security , an oath is administered . As , in society in general , we are united together by-our wants ancl infirmities , and a vast variety of circumstances contribute to our m utual and necessary dependence on each other ( which lays a general foundation for terrestrial happinessbsecuringgeneral and the reci
, y amity procation of good offices in the world ); so , in all particular ' societies , of whatever aenomination , the members are united by a sort of cement ; b y bonds and Jaws which are peculiar to each of them , from the hi ghest assemblies to the lowest . Consequently the injunctions to secrecy among FREEMASONS can be no more unwarrantable , than in the societies and
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Secrecy Imposed On The Mysteries Of Masonry,
Among the Greek nations , the Athenians had a statue of brass , which they awfully revered ; this fi gure was without a tongue , by which secrecy was intimated . ' " The Romans had a goddess of silence , named Angerona , represented with her fore finger on her lips , as a symbol of prudence and taciturnity . Anacarchuswho ( according to Pliny ) ' was apprehended in order
, to extort his secrets from him , bit his tongue off in the midst , and afterwards spit It in the tyrant ' s face , rather choosing to lose that organ , than'to . discover those things which he had promised to conceal . We read likewise that Cato , the censor , often said to his friends , that pf three things which he had good reason to repent , the principal was divulging a secret .
The Druids in our own nation ( who were the only priests among the ancient Britons ) committed nothing to writing . And Ccesar observes , that they had a head or chief , who exercised a sort of excommunication , attended with dreadful penalties , on those who either published or prophaned their mysteries . Therefore , since it evidently appears from the foregoing instances
( among many pthers ) that there ever were secrets among mankind , as well respecting societies as individuals , and that the keeping these inviolable was always reputed an indispensable duty , and attended with an honourable estimation , it must be very difficult to assign a sufficient reason why the same practice should be at all wondered ni , or less approved of among the FBEE AND ACCEPTED MASONS of the than
present age , they were among the wisest men , and the greatest philosophers , of antiquity . The general practice and constant applause of the ancients , as well as the customs of the moderns , one would naturally imagine , should be sufficient to justify MASONS against any charge of singularity or innovation , on this account : for how . can this be thought singular , or " new , by any one who will but allow himself the smallest time for calm reflection ?
_ Do not all incorporated bodies among us enjoy this liberty , without impeachment or censure ? An apprentice is bound to keep the secrets of his master ; a freeman is obli ged to consult the interest of his company , and not to prostitute in common the mysteries cf his profession ; secret committees and private councils are solemnly enjoined not to publish abroad their debates and resolutions . In courts-martial , the members bound to
are secrecy ; and in many cases , for more effectual security , an oath is administered . As , in society in general , we are united together by-our wants ancl infirmities , and a vast variety of circumstances contribute to our m utual and necessary dependence on each other ( which lays a general foundation for terrestrial happinessbsecuringgeneral and the reci
, y amity procation of good offices in the world ); so , in all particular ' societies , of whatever aenomination , the members are united by a sort of cement ; b y bonds and Jaws which are peculiar to each of them , from the hi ghest assemblies to the lowest . Consequently the injunctions to secrecy among FREEMASONS can be no more unwarrantable , than in the societies and