Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Banquet.
noise in the Masonic world—in 1813 or 1814 ; a numerous and flourishing Lodge , ivith which I was in the habit of occasional communication , appointed a committee to revise the lectures , for the purpose of making them palatable to all the Brethren . Amongst the members of the Lodge were several JeAvish Masons , and they possessed sufficient influence to direct the committee to withdraw from the lectures every reference to Christianity . The attempt was rash ; becauseif it had succeededthe
, , ancient Landmarks of the Order would not only have been removed , but actually destroyed . The committee entered on the ivork Avith great zeal and perseverance . But , as they proceeded , unforeseen obstacfes impeded their progress . They complained that on a minute analyzation of the lectures , they found them so full of types and references to Christianity , that they could not strike them out without reducing the noble system to a meagre skeletonunpossessed of either wisdomstrengthor beauty .
, , , After mature deliberation , they unanimously resolved to abandon the undertaking ; anel pronounced it hopeless and impracticable . This experiment , which I watched with great attention , opened my eyes to the important fact , that Freemasonry is capable of being made , not only more extensively useful , but of great actual value to the moral and religious institutions of the country . I deliberated long on the most feasible method of bringing the Order before the worldas an institution
, in which Christianity was imbeded , and morals and religion incorporated with scientific attainments ; but without the most remote idea that I was to be the instrument for its development —( Cheers ) . It is true , I instituted a strict search into Masonic facts ; I penetrated into the dark and abstruse region of Masonic antiquities ; and the further I advanced
in my inquiries , the more I became convinced of the absolute necessity of some systematic attempt to identify Freemasonry with the religious institutions of ancient nations , as typical of the universal religion of Christ —( Hear ) . AFhile I was engaged in these investigations , I found an opinion promulgated in several learned writings , that Freemasonry was nothing more than a scion from the Eleusinian mysteries . It was contended that their internal construction , their external ceremonies , and their legend of initiationresembled each other in so many important
, particulars , that it was impossible for any candid mind to doubt their identity . This opinion , I regret to say , was hastily taken up , not only by some uninitiated persons , who were very glad of a pretext to throw discredit on the Order , but also—owing to the undoubted resemblance of the legend and ceremonies—by some well-meaning members of our own fraternity . A conclusion , so disadvantageous to Freemasonry , was forbidding ; and I determined , as a Christian divine , to abandon it altogether ,
if the charge should prove to be true . To satisfy myself on this point , I determined to investigate tbe evidences of both these institutions . With care and circumspection I waded through all the ancient and modern writers who had treated on the subject ; and , after mature deliberation , on every point and bearing of the case , whicli occupied my attention , at intervals , for several years of my life , I came to a conclusion which proved the oriin of much anxiety and much labourand ended
g , in the production of those publications to which my worshipful friend has so pointedly referred , anel ivhieh , I have the gratification of saying , have , by the favour of the fraternity , passeel through many editions , and , therefore , I have just reason to conclude they have not been entirely useless —( Cheers ) . Still the series is not complete . A great principle remains to be established , on which I have bestowed much care and
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Banquet.
noise in the Masonic world—in 1813 or 1814 ; a numerous and flourishing Lodge , ivith which I was in the habit of occasional communication , appointed a committee to revise the lectures , for the purpose of making them palatable to all the Brethren . Amongst the members of the Lodge were several JeAvish Masons , and they possessed sufficient influence to direct the committee to withdraw from the lectures every reference to Christianity . The attempt was rash ; becauseif it had succeededthe
, , ancient Landmarks of the Order would not only have been removed , but actually destroyed . The committee entered on the ivork Avith great zeal and perseverance . But , as they proceeded , unforeseen obstacfes impeded their progress . They complained that on a minute analyzation of the lectures , they found them so full of types and references to Christianity , that they could not strike them out without reducing the noble system to a meagre skeletonunpossessed of either wisdomstrengthor beauty .
, , , After mature deliberation , they unanimously resolved to abandon the undertaking ; anel pronounced it hopeless and impracticable . This experiment , which I watched with great attention , opened my eyes to the important fact , that Freemasonry is capable of being made , not only more extensively useful , but of great actual value to the moral and religious institutions of the country . I deliberated long on the most feasible method of bringing the Order before the worldas an institution
, in which Christianity was imbeded , and morals and religion incorporated with scientific attainments ; but without the most remote idea that I was to be the instrument for its development —( Cheers ) . It is true , I instituted a strict search into Masonic facts ; I penetrated into the dark and abstruse region of Masonic antiquities ; and the further I advanced
in my inquiries , the more I became convinced of the absolute necessity of some systematic attempt to identify Freemasonry with the religious institutions of ancient nations , as typical of the universal religion of Christ —( Hear ) . AFhile I was engaged in these investigations , I found an opinion promulgated in several learned writings , that Freemasonry was nothing more than a scion from the Eleusinian mysteries . It was contended that their internal construction , their external ceremonies , and their legend of initiationresembled each other in so many important
, particulars , that it was impossible for any candid mind to doubt their identity . This opinion , I regret to say , was hastily taken up , not only by some uninitiated persons , who were very glad of a pretext to throw discredit on the Order , but also—owing to the undoubted resemblance of the legend and ceremonies—by some well-meaning members of our own fraternity . A conclusion , so disadvantageous to Freemasonry , was forbidding ; and I determined , as a Christian divine , to abandon it altogether ,
if the charge should prove to be true . To satisfy myself on this point , I determined to investigate tbe evidences of both these institutions . With care and circumspection I waded through all the ancient and modern writers who had treated on the subject ; and , after mature deliberation , on every point and bearing of the case , whicli occupied my attention , at intervals , for several years of my life , I came to a conclusion which proved the oriin of much anxiety and much labourand ended
g , in the production of those publications to which my worshipful friend has so pointedly referred , anel ivhieh , I have the gratification of saying , have , by the favour of the fraternity , passeel through many editions , and , therefore , I have just reason to conclude they have not been entirely useless —( Cheers ) . Still the series is not complete . A great principle remains to be established , on which I have bestowed much care and