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Article WHAT IS THE ORDER OF FREEMASONRY? ← Page 4 of 4
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What Is The Order Of Freemasonry?
If we aim at this , my Brethren , at the same time that we endeavour to exert ourselves in Masonry , there is no doubt but we shall have peace within , become favourites of Pleaven , and secure the love of
men . Here I should conclude , but that 1 wish to impart a mafter of importance yet to the unguarded of our Fraternity . As it was the voice of Wisdom that warned the reli g ious against false prophets , so warns us the voice of Prudence against deluders ; who , under a pretence of communicating an endless number of superior degrees in Masonryimpose upon the credulousand rob them of their
, , money ; which these impostors have alone in view . " I appeal to the Patriarchs of our Order , and ask , whether there be any mention in our records of Masonic degrees under the appellation of Illuminates ; Excellent ; Super-excellent ; Kings ; Scribes ; High-Priests ; Knights of the Sun ; Kni g hts of the Moon ; Knights of the Morning-Star ; Knights of the Evening Star ; Sir Kni g hts cf Malta ;
Sir Knights of the Red Sea ; Sir Knights of the Isle of Patmos ; Sir Knights of the Mediterranean ; SirKnights of Gibraltar , C 5 V . ' < Sc . & c . If any thing can be found in our archives that authorises these degrees , I will stand reproved ; if not , I shall make bold to call them phantoms , and diametrically opposite to the wise and benevolent views of the Reverend Institutors of our Order ; accounting it incumbent upon me to intreat the still unexperienced Brethren to give ear to
none that hawk such useless wares about . The real , hig her degrees are in the hands of men of rank , honour , and reputation , and are conferred as a favour upon such only as have made themselves deserving of it ; not for an adequate sum of money , but gratis . King Solomon , who no doubt knew it well , finishes with the seventh number . He tells us by way of instruction ; ' Wisdom hath buiUkd
ber house , and hath hexvn out her seven pillars . ' * Consonant to this , theOrder has seven degrees , and is classed in Schools of Virtue and the Temple of Wisdom , The three first degrees form the Schools of Virtue , and the three highest degrees the Temple of Wisdom , which is the repository of the Grand ^ Mystery , and guarded by those of the fourth degree ,
stationed in the Middle Chamber , who , from the nature of their office , are called either Temple-Guard ; Noble-Guard ; or , Knights and Champions of the Temple , f As an eider Brother , as one already returned from his pilgrimage to Colchis , and arrived at the ultimity of Masonry , I might take it uporj me to speak more peremptorily ; but wishing not to appear presumptuous , I shall leave that to others .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
What Is The Order Of Freemasonry?
If we aim at this , my Brethren , at the same time that we endeavour to exert ourselves in Masonry , there is no doubt but we shall have peace within , become favourites of Pleaven , and secure the love of
men . Here I should conclude , but that 1 wish to impart a mafter of importance yet to the unguarded of our Fraternity . As it was the voice of Wisdom that warned the reli g ious against false prophets , so warns us the voice of Prudence against deluders ; who , under a pretence of communicating an endless number of superior degrees in Masonryimpose upon the credulousand rob them of their
, , money ; which these impostors have alone in view . " I appeal to the Patriarchs of our Order , and ask , whether there be any mention in our records of Masonic degrees under the appellation of Illuminates ; Excellent ; Super-excellent ; Kings ; Scribes ; High-Priests ; Knights of the Sun ; Kni g hts of the Moon ; Knights of the Morning-Star ; Knights of the Evening Star ; Sir Kni g hts cf Malta ;
Sir Knights of the Red Sea ; Sir Knights of the Isle of Patmos ; Sir Knights of the Mediterranean ; SirKnights of Gibraltar , C 5 V . ' < Sc . & c . If any thing can be found in our archives that authorises these degrees , I will stand reproved ; if not , I shall make bold to call them phantoms , and diametrically opposite to the wise and benevolent views of the Reverend Institutors of our Order ; accounting it incumbent upon me to intreat the still unexperienced Brethren to give ear to
none that hawk such useless wares about . The real , hig her degrees are in the hands of men of rank , honour , and reputation , and are conferred as a favour upon such only as have made themselves deserving of it ; not for an adequate sum of money , but gratis . King Solomon , who no doubt knew it well , finishes with the seventh number . He tells us by way of instruction ; ' Wisdom hath buiUkd
ber house , and hath hexvn out her seven pillars . ' * Consonant to this , theOrder has seven degrees , and is classed in Schools of Virtue and the Temple of Wisdom , The three first degrees form the Schools of Virtue , and the three highest degrees the Temple of Wisdom , which is the repository of the Grand ^ Mystery , and guarded by those of the fourth degree ,
stationed in the Middle Chamber , who , from the nature of their office , are called either Temple-Guard ; Noble-Guard ; or , Knights and Champions of the Temple , f As an eider Brother , as one already returned from his pilgrimage to Colchis , and arrived at the ultimity of Masonry , I might take it uporj me to speak more peremptorily ; but wishing not to appear presumptuous , I shall leave that to others .