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Article ON FREEMASONRY. Page 1 of 9 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry.
ON FREEMASONRY .
HAVING traced Masonic science in its progress from the creation ofthe world , through the Antediluvian , Patriarchal , Jewish , Heathen , and modern ages , it now becomes our duty to divide it into its different epochs , and illustrate each by such evidence as may best establish its divine origin and
high antiquity . We shall commence with its first grand epoch , from the creation of the human race to the destruction of a guilty world by the deluge ; but it may previously be necessary to offer a few observations upon the nature of the evidence by
which we are supported . The true value of tradition lies in an appeal to the common sense of all mankind , and is a reliance upon the testimony of men without reference to their nation , or religion , but drawn from principles which
the whole species alike partake of , and uninfluenced by such as are peculiar to their community or faith . It may fairly be considered admissible proof , when it contains nothing improbable or inconsistent with Scripture and reason ; and ought to be received as genuine , when the authorities from
whence it is derived are not suspected of being themselves deceived , or of wishing to deceive others . This may fairly be presumed of the Hebrew Patriarchs , through whom alone Masonry is asserted to have been transmitted in its purity . Its gradual deterioration amongst heathen nations is
universally admitted . Oral tradition often affords assistance to history by supplying the loss of monuments and records , even at the present time , in countries where letters are but little known ; it hands down events with an artless simplicity which bears internal evidence of their truth : but our records stand upon a yet firmer basis , the bond of fidelity by which
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry.
ON FREEMASONRY .
HAVING traced Masonic science in its progress from the creation ofthe world , through the Antediluvian , Patriarchal , Jewish , Heathen , and modern ages , it now becomes our duty to divide it into its different epochs , and illustrate each by such evidence as may best establish its divine origin and
high antiquity . We shall commence with its first grand epoch , from the creation of the human race to the destruction of a guilty world by the deluge ; but it may previously be necessary to offer a few observations upon the nature of the evidence by
which we are supported . The true value of tradition lies in an appeal to the common sense of all mankind , and is a reliance upon the testimony of men without reference to their nation , or religion , but drawn from principles which
the whole species alike partake of , and uninfluenced by such as are peculiar to their community or faith . It may fairly be considered admissible proof , when it contains nothing improbable or inconsistent with Scripture and reason ; and ought to be received as genuine , when the authorities from
whence it is derived are not suspected of being themselves deceived , or of wishing to deceive others . This may fairly be presumed of the Hebrew Patriarchs , through whom alone Masonry is asserted to have been transmitted in its purity . Its gradual deterioration amongst heathen nations is
universally admitted . Oral tradition often affords assistance to history by supplying the loss of monuments and records , even at the present time , in countries where letters are but little known ; it hands down events with an artless simplicity which bears internal evidence of their truth : but our records stand upon a yet firmer basis , the bond of fidelity by which