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Article HISTORY OF MASONRY. Page 1 of 4 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
History Of Masonry.
HISTORY OF MASONRY .
[ Continued from p . 23 . 3
THOUGH Solomon , as we have before observed , had established certain classes or lodges , and to each had assigned regulations , -the salutary effects of which were evinced in the perfection of the work performed ; yet , not content with those effects by which his own fame and glory were to be extended , he also took into consideration the future agreement and prosperity of the craft , and deliberated on the best means to secure them by a lasting cement .
Now , brotherly love and immutable fidelity , presented themselves to his mind , as the most proper basis for an institution , whose aim and end should be to establish permanent unity among its members , and to render them a society , who , while they enjoyed the most perfect felicity , would be of considerable utility to mankind .. And being desirousto transmit it under the ancient restrictions as a blessing to future
ages , Solomon decreed , that whenever they should assemble in their lodges to discourse upon and improve themselves in the arts and sciences , and whatever else should be deemed proper topics to encrease their knowledge , they should likewise instruct each other in secrecy and prudence , morality and good fellowship ; and for these purposes he established certain peculiar rules and customs to be invariablobserved
y in their conversations , that their minds mi ght be enriched by a perfect acquaintance with , and practice of , every moral , social and religious duty , lest whilethey were so highly honoured by being employed iii raising a temple to the great Jehovah , they should neglect to secure to themselves an happy admittance into the celestial lodge , of which the temple was only to be a type . , '
Thus did our wise Grand Master contrive a plan by mechanical and practical allusions , to instruct the craftsmen in principles of the most sublime speculative philosophy , tending to the glory of God , and to secure to them temporal blessings" here , and eternal life hereafter ; as well as to unite the speculative and operative masons , thereby forming a two-fold advantage , from the principles of geometry and architecture on the one part , and the precepts of wisdom and ethics on the other .
He was likewise sensible , that when this building should be com * pleted , the craftsmen would disperse themselves over the whole earth ; and being desirous to perpetuate in the most effectual manner the harmony and good-fellowship already established among them , and to secure to themselves , their future pupils , and their successors , the honour and respect due to men whose abilities were so greatand
, would be so justly renowned , in conjunction with Hiram king of Tyre ancl Hiram Abbif , the Deputy Grand Master , he concerted a proper plan to accomplish his intentions ¦ in which it was determined . - VOL , -V . - -- . ¦ M- ¦ .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
History Of Masonry.
HISTORY OF MASONRY .
[ Continued from p . 23 . 3
THOUGH Solomon , as we have before observed , had established certain classes or lodges , and to each had assigned regulations , -the salutary effects of which were evinced in the perfection of the work performed ; yet , not content with those effects by which his own fame and glory were to be extended , he also took into consideration the future agreement and prosperity of the craft , and deliberated on the best means to secure them by a lasting cement .
Now , brotherly love and immutable fidelity , presented themselves to his mind , as the most proper basis for an institution , whose aim and end should be to establish permanent unity among its members , and to render them a society , who , while they enjoyed the most perfect felicity , would be of considerable utility to mankind .. And being desirousto transmit it under the ancient restrictions as a blessing to future
ages , Solomon decreed , that whenever they should assemble in their lodges to discourse upon and improve themselves in the arts and sciences , and whatever else should be deemed proper topics to encrease their knowledge , they should likewise instruct each other in secrecy and prudence , morality and good fellowship ; and for these purposes he established certain peculiar rules and customs to be invariablobserved
y in their conversations , that their minds mi ght be enriched by a perfect acquaintance with , and practice of , every moral , social and religious duty , lest whilethey were so highly honoured by being employed iii raising a temple to the great Jehovah , they should neglect to secure to themselves an happy admittance into the celestial lodge , of which the temple was only to be a type . , '
Thus did our wise Grand Master contrive a plan by mechanical and practical allusions , to instruct the craftsmen in principles of the most sublime speculative philosophy , tending to the glory of God , and to secure to them temporal blessings" here , and eternal life hereafter ; as well as to unite the speculative and operative masons , thereby forming a two-fold advantage , from the principles of geometry and architecture on the one part , and the precepts of wisdom and ethics on the other .
He was likewise sensible , that when this building should be com * pleted , the craftsmen would disperse themselves over the whole earth ; and being desirous to perpetuate in the most effectual manner the harmony and good-fellowship already established among them , and to secure to themselves , their future pupils , and their successors , the honour and respect due to men whose abilities were so greatand
, would be so justly renowned , in conjunction with Hiram king of Tyre ancl Hiram Abbif , the Deputy Grand Master , he concerted a proper plan to accomplish his intentions ¦ in which it was determined . - VOL , -V . - -- . ¦ M- ¦ .