Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Connexion Between Speculative And Operative Masonry.
ON THE CONNEXION BETWEEN SPECULATIVE AND OPERATIVE MASONRY .
BV CHARLES G 00 DWYN , OF 327 , TAUNTON .
ALTHOUGH there exists an old axiom , that " too much of a good thing is good for nothing , " still I am induced to think there are many good things of which too much cannot be said , ancl on which too much cannot be written ; and having endeavoured , ancl , I trust , not in vain , the short time I have been permitted to participate in the mysteries of the Craft , dispassionately to cultivate its real principles , and to pay that devotion to the characteristics by which it is so singularly distinguishedwhich
, they tend to inspire , I am induced to believe Freemasonry holds a very prominent situation in the exception ; and without further comment or apology than that which this observation must immediately suggest , I venture to offer a few observations which have occurred to me on the perusal of an article on our venerable institution , in a work recently published . But , labouring , as I do , under the difficulty which all must feel ' . vho have a lack of that knowledge and refined investigation which
is requisite to discover the art of recording and transmitting to posterity , without fallacious additions or prejudiced corruption , remarkable events ; added to the difficulties of unveiling the distortions which those events have undergone in their transmission from generation to generation , through ignorance ancl mystification , by credulity antl superstition , I fear my greatest difficulty will be in divesting them of their fallacious additions , ancl to draw those inferences from the relation that will approximate nearest to the truth . Freemasonry , however , though possessing , to a considerable extent , historical ancl other incidents , which
have been handed down by tradition , does not depend on that species of evidence alone for proof of its antiquity , as it is happily substantiated in many parts by scriptural and historical record ; and thus we derive a zest ancl stimulus to seek further into its mysteries , ivhich scripture or tradition alone too often fails to produce . When , however , both are united , it cannot , in a rational mind , but induce a steady ancl attentive application and classification of the incidents comprised in each , and it must eventually produce the most sensitive and lively interest ; and somewhat
partaking of these feelings , and with the view of supporting , however humble that support might be , the antiquity of a profession which might justly and trul y be saicl to be the greatest and most beautiful ornament that man can boast of , I venture to intrude my remarks , which are more particularl y directed to substantiate the antiquity of the union of the operative and speculative sciences , it having been asserted that the latter was not introduced until 17 J 7 when " DesaguiliersAndersonand
, , , Payne , changed the society into one which had nothing to clo with building , " thereby imply ing that the Craft was originally established for operative purposes alone ; and that it did not , until the above period , partake of that , speculative character which establishes the " central point" of union , ancl becomes the means of inducing friendship among persons who , without its aid , might probably live in a continued state of separation ; and of fitting thembits influencefor receiving aud
in-, y , culcating the operative art , ancl obtaining , by the symbol of the level , tlie ready and willing assistance and instruction of more experienced and skilful artists . All well-informed Masons who have carefully investigated the prin-VOL . III . 2 v
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Connexion Between Speculative And Operative Masonry.
ON THE CONNEXION BETWEEN SPECULATIVE AND OPERATIVE MASONRY .
BV CHARLES G 00 DWYN , OF 327 , TAUNTON .
ALTHOUGH there exists an old axiom , that " too much of a good thing is good for nothing , " still I am induced to think there are many good things of which too much cannot be said , ancl on which too much cannot be written ; and having endeavoured , ancl , I trust , not in vain , the short time I have been permitted to participate in the mysteries of the Craft , dispassionately to cultivate its real principles , and to pay that devotion to the characteristics by which it is so singularly distinguishedwhich
, they tend to inspire , I am induced to believe Freemasonry holds a very prominent situation in the exception ; and without further comment or apology than that which this observation must immediately suggest , I venture to offer a few observations which have occurred to me on the perusal of an article on our venerable institution , in a work recently published . But , labouring , as I do , under the difficulty which all must feel ' . vho have a lack of that knowledge and refined investigation which
is requisite to discover the art of recording and transmitting to posterity , without fallacious additions or prejudiced corruption , remarkable events ; added to the difficulties of unveiling the distortions which those events have undergone in their transmission from generation to generation , through ignorance ancl mystification , by credulity antl superstition , I fear my greatest difficulty will be in divesting them of their fallacious additions , ancl to draw those inferences from the relation that will approximate nearest to the truth . Freemasonry , however , though possessing , to a considerable extent , historical ancl other incidents , which
have been handed down by tradition , does not depend on that species of evidence alone for proof of its antiquity , as it is happily substantiated in many parts by scriptural and historical record ; and thus we derive a zest ancl stimulus to seek further into its mysteries , ivhich scripture or tradition alone too often fails to produce . When , however , both are united , it cannot , in a rational mind , but induce a steady ancl attentive application and classification of the incidents comprised in each , and it must eventually produce the most sensitive and lively interest ; and somewhat
partaking of these feelings , and with the view of supporting , however humble that support might be , the antiquity of a profession which might justly and trul y be saicl to be the greatest and most beautiful ornament that man can boast of , I venture to intrude my remarks , which are more particularl y directed to substantiate the antiquity of the union of the operative and speculative sciences , it having been asserted that the latter was not introduced until 17 J 7 when " DesaguiliersAndersonand
, , , Payne , changed the society into one which had nothing to clo with building , " thereby imply ing that the Craft was originally established for operative purposes alone ; and that it did not , until the above period , partake of that , speculative character which establishes the " central point" of union , ancl becomes the means of inducing friendship among persons who , without its aid , might probably live in a continued state of separation ; and of fitting thembits influencefor receiving aud
in-, y , culcating the operative art , ancl obtaining , by the symbol of the level , tlie ready and willing assistance and instruction of more experienced and skilful artists . All well-informed Masons who have carefully investigated the prin-VOL . III . 2 v