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Article HISTORY OF MASONRY. ← Page 2 of 4 →
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History Of Masonry.
that , in conformity to the practice of the original professors of tfie * royal art , general distinguishing characteriscticks should be established for a proof of their having been fellow labourers in this glorious work , to descend to their successors in all future ages , who should be in a peculiar manner qualified to cultivate the sublime principles of this noble establishment ; and such were adopted and received accordingl With respect to the method which would be hereafter
y . necessary for propagating the principles of the society , Solomon pursued the uniform and ancient custom , in regard to degrees of probation and injunctions to secrecy ; which he himself had been obliged to comply with before he gained a perfection in the royal art , or even arrived at the summit of the sciences ; therefore , though there weie no apprentices employed in the building of the temple ; yet as the
craftsmen were all intended to be promoted to the degr . ee of Masters , after its dedication ; and as these would secure a succession , by receiving apprentices who might themselves in due time- also become Master Masons , it was determined , that the gradations in the science should consist of three distinct degrees , to each of which should be adapted a particular distinguishing test , which test , together with the
explication , was accordingly settled and communicated to the fraternity , previous to their dispersion , under a necessary and solemn injunction to secrecy : and they have been most cautiously preserved , and transmitted down to posterity by faithful brethren , ever since their emigration . Thus the center of union among Free Masons was firmly fixed : their cabala regulated and established ; and their principles directed to the excellent purposes of their original intention .
The old constitutions aver , that , some short time before the consecration of the temple , King Hiram came from Tyre to take a view of that mighty edifice , and to inspect the different parts thereof ; in which he was accompanied by King Solomon , and the Deputy Grand Master Hiram Abbif ; and that after his examination , he declared the temple to be the utmost stretch of human art ! Solomon here again renewed the league with Hiramand made hirn a present
, of the sacred scriptures , translated into the Syriac tongue ; which , it is said , is still extant among the Maronites , and other eastern Christians ,, under the name of the old Syriac version . The temple of Jehovah being finished , under the auspices of the wisest and most glorious king of Israel , the prince of architecture , and Grand Master Mason of his daythe fraternity celebrated the
cape-; stone with great joy ; but their exultations were soon checked by the sudden death of their dear and worthy Master Hiram Abbif ; to the great concern of King Solomon , who , after some time allowed to the craft to indulge their sorrow , ordered his obsequies to be performed with great solemnity , and buried him in the lodge , near the temple , according to the ancient s Masons
usageamong . After Hiram Abbif had been mourned for , the tabernacle of Moses and its holy reliques being lodged in the temple , Solomon , in a general assembly , dedicated , or consecrated it by solemn pra \ er , sa » srifkes , and music , vocal and instrumental , praising Jehovah , upon
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
History Of Masonry.
that , in conformity to the practice of the original professors of tfie * royal art , general distinguishing characteriscticks should be established for a proof of their having been fellow labourers in this glorious work , to descend to their successors in all future ages , who should be in a peculiar manner qualified to cultivate the sublime principles of this noble establishment ; and such were adopted and received accordingl With respect to the method which would be hereafter
y . necessary for propagating the principles of the society , Solomon pursued the uniform and ancient custom , in regard to degrees of probation and injunctions to secrecy ; which he himself had been obliged to comply with before he gained a perfection in the royal art , or even arrived at the summit of the sciences ; therefore , though there weie no apprentices employed in the building of the temple ; yet as the
craftsmen were all intended to be promoted to the degr . ee of Masters , after its dedication ; and as these would secure a succession , by receiving apprentices who might themselves in due time- also become Master Masons , it was determined , that the gradations in the science should consist of three distinct degrees , to each of which should be adapted a particular distinguishing test , which test , together with the
explication , was accordingly settled and communicated to the fraternity , previous to their dispersion , under a necessary and solemn injunction to secrecy : and they have been most cautiously preserved , and transmitted down to posterity by faithful brethren , ever since their emigration . Thus the center of union among Free Masons was firmly fixed : their cabala regulated and established ; and their principles directed to the excellent purposes of their original intention .
The old constitutions aver , that , some short time before the consecration of the temple , King Hiram came from Tyre to take a view of that mighty edifice , and to inspect the different parts thereof ; in which he was accompanied by King Solomon , and the Deputy Grand Master Hiram Abbif ; and that after his examination , he declared the temple to be the utmost stretch of human art ! Solomon here again renewed the league with Hiramand made hirn a present
, of the sacred scriptures , translated into the Syriac tongue ; which , it is said , is still extant among the Maronites , and other eastern Christians ,, under the name of the old Syriac version . The temple of Jehovah being finished , under the auspices of the wisest and most glorious king of Israel , the prince of architecture , and Grand Master Mason of his daythe fraternity celebrated the
cape-; stone with great joy ; but their exultations were soon checked by the sudden death of their dear and worthy Master Hiram Abbif ; to the great concern of King Solomon , who , after some time allowed to the craft to indulge their sorrow , ordered his obsequies to be performed with great solemnity , and buried him in the lodge , near the temple , according to the ancient s Masons
usageamong . After Hiram Abbif had been mourned for , the tabernacle of Moses and its holy reliques being lodged in the temple , Solomon , in a general assembly , dedicated , or consecrated it by solemn pra \ er , sa » srifkes , and music , vocal and instrumental , praising Jehovah , upon