Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Connexion Between Speculative And Operative Masonry.
directed to the advancement of the truths ofthe existence of theMostHigh , and inducing the early Brethren to repose "faith" in him "hope" in salvation , and fitting them for a future state by the free exercise of that most excellent gift of ' ' charity , " the brightest gem and greatest ornament of the Masonic profession . Saint Paul energetically and beautifully describes " faith to be the substance of things hoped forthe evidence of things not seen" and it
, , was by the adoption ancl cultivation of this virtue the primative Brethren were enabled to withstand the mysterious ancl fascinating temptations and allurements which were held out to them by the priests who directed and governed the pollutions of idolatrous worship . It was during their ages , says Saint Paul , faith , that procured the acceptance of Abel ' s offering , —the tranlation of Enoch , —the saving of Noah and his house , — the call of Abraham , —the birth of Isaac , —the ready compliance of
Abraham in offering his only son as a sacrifice to the will of God , —the blessing obtained from Isaac by Jacob—and by faith did Moses lead the favoured children of God safely through the depths of the Red Sea , — thus was faith the most distinguished ' characteristic of pure Masonry during those periods , and although the true principles of operative Masonry were also carefully studied ancl preserved , and handed down , as was proved in the erection of the tabernacle in the wilderness , yet
speculative Masonry seems to have held the predominance ; and it was indeed , through its divine influence , in maintaining by faith , the pure principles of truth , and genuine worship , in times , when the ancient and true science was threatened to be divested of its primitive character , and applied to the very worst species of idolatry , —that the bringing into action of the operative became necessary , and which produced the erection of those superb edifices , which , even in our days of refined improvement , demand our utmost admiration and wonder .
There can be but little doubt , when we refer to the rules which were then observed , and compare them with the present state of the Craft , that at the erection of the first tabernacle in the wilderness , Freemasonry assumed in its general arrangements a character somewhat similar to that which has ever since and still marks our order;—but many of its characters are evidently conspicuous at a period prior to that event , and there are many strong instances in Scri p tural record , inof traditional
dependent evidence , in support of this hypothesis , particularl y during Abraham ' s time , in the verification of his covenants with Sodom and Abimelech , and his requiring a similar verification from his servant and his son ; and again in the adoption and use of signs , of which we also have many recorded instances . It has been asserted that the first societies of antiquity with which Freemasonry appears to stand in historical connexion , are the
Corporations of architects and mechanics which ori ginated and existed with the Romans , under the names of Collegia and Corpora , and that their first Establishment was under Numa Pompilius , the Second King of Rome . History fails to furnish us with much information of the events of this time ; but there can be little or no difficulty in identifying , not only the character of Numa with that of a good Mason , but also the laws , asjderived from the Corpus Juris Romani of these Colleges , with those of
Masonic Lodges of the present day . Numa , before he accepted the dignity with which the Romans so unanimousl y invested him , " had long been eminent for his piety , justice , and exemplary life , and distinguished by his learning and phi-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Connexion Between Speculative And Operative Masonry.
directed to the advancement of the truths ofthe existence of theMostHigh , and inducing the early Brethren to repose "faith" in him "hope" in salvation , and fitting them for a future state by the free exercise of that most excellent gift of ' ' charity , " the brightest gem and greatest ornament of the Masonic profession . Saint Paul energetically and beautifully describes " faith to be the substance of things hoped forthe evidence of things not seen" and it
, , was by the adoption ancl cultivation of this virtue the primative Brethren were enabled to withstand the mysterious ancl fascinating temptations and allurements which were held out to them by the priests who directed and governed the pollutions of idolatrous worship . It was during their ages , says Saint Paul , faith , that procured the acceptance of Abel ' s offering , —the tranlation of Enoch , —the saving of Noah and his house , — the call of Abraham , —the birth of Isaac , —the ready compliance of
Abraham in offering his only son as a sacrifice to the will of God , —the blessing obtained from Isaac by Jacob—and by faith did Moses lead the favoured children of God safely through the depths of the Red Sea , — thus was faith the most distinguished ' characteristic of pure Masonry during those periods , and although the true principles of operative Masonry were also carefully studied ancl preserved , and handed down , as was proved in the erection of the tabernacle in the wilderness , yet
speculative Masonry seems to have held the predominance ; and it was indeed , through its divine influence , in maintaining by faith , the pure principles of truth , and genuine worship , in times , when the ancient and true science was threatened to be divested of its primitive character , and applied to the very worst species of idolatry , —that the bringing into action of the operative became necessary , and which produced the erection of those superb edifices , which , even in our days of refined improvement , demand our utmost admiration and wonder .
There can be but little doubt , when we refer to the rules which were then observed , and compare them with the present state of the Craft , that at the erection of the first tabernacle in the wilderness , Freemasonry assumed in its general arrangements a character somewhat similar to that which has ever since and still marks our order;—but many of its characters are evidently conspicuous at a period prior to that event , and there are many strong instances in Scri p tural record , inof traditional
dependent evidence , in support of this hypothesis , particularl y during Abraham ' s time , in the verification of his covenants with Sodom and Abimelech , and his requiring a similar verification from his servant and his son ; and again in the adoption and use of signs , of which we also have many recorded instances . It has been asserted that the first societies of antiquity with which Freemasonry appears to stand in historical connexion , are the
Corporations of architects and mechanics which ori ginated and existed with the Romans , under the names of Collegia and Corpora , and that their first Establishment was under Numa Pompilius , the Second King of Rome . History fails to furnish us with much information of the events of this time ; but there can be little or no difficulty in identifying , not only the character of Numa with that of a good Mason , but also the laws , asjderived from the Corpus Juris Romani of these Colleges , with those of
Masonic Lodges of the present day . Numa , before he accepted the dignity with which the Romans so unanimousl y invested him , " had long been eminent for his piety , justice , and exemplary life , and distinguished by his learning and phi-