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Article REVIEW OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. ← Page 6 of 8 →
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Review Of New Publications.
The Spirit of Masonry , in Moral and Elucidatory Lectures , by William Hutchinson . The second Edition , Svo . 7 J . Carlisle , printed by F . Jollie . ,- THE first edition of this work appeared under the sanction of Lord Petre , then Grand Master , and the other officers of the Grand Lodge , in 1775 . We believe the work remained for many years almost in a state of obscurity , though it is very difficult to account for this , when its merits and originality
are taken into consideration . Most authors on the mysterious subject of Freemasonry have trod in each other ' s steps , and scarcely one has ventured to elucidate , by particular research , the Order itself , or any of its branches . Historical accounts of its progress in ancient and modern times , make up the principal part of their contents , and even here hardly one has corrected the errors of his predecessor . Mr . Hutchinson has adopted a very different plan , and has offered many
ingenious conjectures upon the most intricate points of this very curious and intricate subject . If he is sometimes fanciful , he is always pleasing and instructive ; and certainly a better book on the science cannot be recommended to those Brethren who wish to make themselves acquainted with the profession of which they are members . In bis prefatory address to the Society our author observes , ' These Lecturesit is hoped serve to defeat-the wretched artifices used b
, , may y wicked men to impose upon the world ; and may also excite in you the due exercise of those moral works which our profession enjoins . From the nature or our society and its laws , it is difficult to write on the subject of Masonry : we are not allowed that explicit language any other topic would admit of . — The moral intention of the work must plead for what is couched in allegory , or comprehended in that peculiarity of" language our mysteries prescribe . '
To this edition many valuable Lectures , observations , and proofs , are added . ' I have been induced to give this edition to the press , for the purpose of relieving the family of a worthy but indigent brother , by the whole profits of the subscription and sale ; and doubt not that the motive to the present publication will procure it the attention of the Brethren of this excellent institution . ' The Dedication that follows this Address is so extremely apposite , and is so simply beautiful , that we think our readers could not forgive us if we did not extract it .
'To BENEVOLENCE , that great attribute of the Divinity , the emulation of which dignifies the human race , this work is most devoutly dedicated ; with supplications to the Supreme , that the heavenl y influence of that excellent virtue may prevail with Masons , unpolluted' with the corruptions of the earth , throughout all nations , and in all ages , to the end of time . ' The Lectures are fourteen in number . The first is merel y introductory , and exhibits the design of the author , which ' is to investigate the orders of l
-rceiiuisomy ; and , under distinct heads , to arrange his observations on the nature of this society . ' * ' We must necessarily look backto cur firstparent , as the original professor of the worship of the true God , to whom the mysteries of nature were first revealed , and from whom all the wisdom of the world was in the beginning derived . _ ' Jn those times , when the rules and maxims of Freemasonry had their beginning , men had adopted allegories , emblems , and mystic devices , wherein peculiar sciences , institutions , and doctrines of many nations were wrapt tip- —tins was an invention of the earliest ages . The priests of Egypt se-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Review Of New Publications.
The Spirit of Masonry , in Moral and Elucidatory Lectures , by William Hutchinson . The second Edition , Svo . 7 J . Carlisle , printed by F . Jollie . ,- THE first edition of this work appeared under the sanction of Lord Petre , then Grand Master , and the other officers of the Grand Lodge , in 1775 . We believe the work remained for many years almost in a state of obscurity , though it is very difficult to account for this , when its merits and originality
are taken into consideration . Most authors on the mysterious subject of Freemasonry have trod in each other ' s steps , and scarcely one has ventured to elucidate , by particular research , the Order itself , or any of its branches . Historical accounts of its progress in ancient and modern times , make up the principal part of their contents , and even here hardly one has corrected the errors of his predecessor . Mr . Hutchinson has adopted a very different plan , and has offered many
ingenious conjectures upon the most intricate points of this very curious and intricate subject . If he is sometimes fanciful , he is always pleasing and instructive ; and certainly a better book on the science cannot be recommended to those Brethren who wish to make themselves acquainted with the profession of which they are members . In bis prefatory address to the Society our author observes , ' These Lecturesit is hoped serve to defeat-the wretched artifices used b
, , may y wicked men to impose upon the world ; and may also excite in you the due exercise of those moral works which our profession enjoins . From the nature or our society and its laws , it is difficult to write on the subject of Masonry : we are not allowed that explicit language any other topic would admit of . — The moral intention of the work must plead for what is couched in allegory , or comprehended in that peculiarity of" language our mysteries prescribe . '
To this edition many valuable Lectures , observations , and proofs , are added . ' I have been induced to give this edition to the press , for the purpose of relieving the family of a worthy but indigent brother , by the whole profits of the subscription and sale ; and doubt not that the motive to the present publication will procure it the attention of the Brethren of this excellent institution . ' The Dedication that follows this Address is so extremely apposite , and is so simply beautiful , that we think our readers could not forgive us if we did not extract it .
'To BENEVOLENCE , that great attribute of the Divinity , the emulation of which dignifies the human race , this work is most devoutly dedicated ; with supplications to the Supreme , that the heavenl y influence of that excellent virtue may prevail with Masons , unpolluted' with the corruptions of the earth , throughout all nations , and in all ages , to the end of time . ' The Lectures are fourteen in number . The first is merel y introductory , and exhibits the design of the author , which ' is to investigate the orders of l
-rceiiuisomy ; and , under distinct heads , to arrange his observations on the nature of this society . ' * ' We must necessarily look backto cur firstparent , as the original professor of the worship of the true God , to whom the mysteries of nature were first revealed , and from whom all the wisdom of the world was in the beginning derived . _ ' Jn those times , when the rules and maxims of Freemasonry had their beginning , men had adopted allegories , emblems , and mystic devices , wherein peculiar sciences , institutions , and doctrines of many nations were wrapt tip- —tins was an invention of the earliest ages . The priests of Egypt se-