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Article ON THE INSTITUTION OF FREEMASONRY.* ← Page 10 of 13 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Institution Of Freemasonry.*
which the } ' enshrouded all their proceedings , the authentic-ton this head are very few ; collecting and collating , however , all that can be found , it would appear that a regular system of science , handed down to them from early times , and added to by almost each possessor , was taught in then-Lodges ; and that of this systemgeometry ( considered b
, y them the first and noblest of the sciences ) , was the basis . The strictest morality was inculcated at their meetings , and the ancient charges by which they were governed display an uprightness of conduct much to be admired . " Let no master , " says one , " take on him no Lord ' s worke , nor any other man'sunlesse he know himselfe well able to perform
, that worke , so that the Craft have no slander ; " a caution seen by no means to be disregarded , when we find in Dugdale ancl in Rymer tbe Freemason stipulating in his contracts , " to yield up hys body to prison at my Lord ' s wyll " in case of non-performance . Another enjoins , not to supersede a Brother Mason , or to work for less than the
established rate ; and a third impresses the necessity of humility of behaviour and general kindness to all men . When a band departed on an undertaking , a charge provided that the most expert Craftsman should be appointed master of the ivorhs ; under whom , when they reached their destination , every tenth man was appointed warden over
his nine fellows ; a camp near the spot was erected , and a Lodge built in which to hold their meetings ancl regulate their prices ; here , also , the apprentices resorted at certain periods to hear discourses upon the sciences and lectures on morality ; for at this period , I should have said , it is supposed that none could become a free and accepted Mason
without serving ancl studying under a Master , as an apprentice , for seven years ; during which time lie was gradually initiated into the mysteries , and was ultimately accepted as a Brother .
With respect to the mechanical aids employed by the fraternity , it has been supposed , from the fact that nearly all their buildings are constructed of small stones , that , although they possessed ancl understood the windlass and other contrivances , they never used them , each stone being taken up the ladder by a man . Thishoweverhas been
, , disproved . Some little time since I met with an old picture , I think of the fourteenth century , in the University at Brussels , in which is represented a body of Freemasons , who are employed in erecting a church , and who are attacked by
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Institution Of Freemasonry.*
which the } ' enshrouded all their proceedings , the authentic-ton this head are very few ; collecting and collating , however , all that can be found , it would appear that a regular system of science , handed down to them from early times , and added to by almost each possessor , was taught in then-Lodges ; and that of this systemgeometry ( considered b
, y them the first and noblest of the sciences ) , was the basis . The strictest morality was inculcated at their meetings , and the ancient charges by which they were governed display an uprightness of conduct much to be admired . " Let no master , " says one , " take on him no Lord ' s worke , nor any other man'sunlesse he know himselfe well able to perform
, that worke , so that the Craft have no slander ; " a caution seen by no means to be disregarded , when we find in Dugdale ancl in Rymer tbe Freemason stipulating in his contracts , " to yield up hys body to prison at my Lord ' s wyll " in case of non-performance . Another enjoins , not to supersede a Brother Mason , or to work for less than the
established rate ; and a third impresses the necessity of humility of behaviour and general kindness to all men . When a band departed on an undertaking , a charge provided that the most expert Craftsman should be appointed master of the ivorhs ; under whom , when they reached their destination , every tenth man was appointed warden over
his nine fellows ; a camp near the spot was erected , and a Lodge built in which to hold their meetings ancl regulate their prices ; here , also , the apprentices resorted at certain periods to hear discourses upon the sciences and lectures on morality ; for at this period , I should have said , it is supposed that none could become a free and accepted Mason
without serving ancl studying under a Master , as an apprentice , for seven years ; during which time lie was gradually initiated into the mysteries , and was ultimately accepted as a Brother .
With respect to the mechanical aids employed by the fraternity , it has been supposed , from the fact that nearly all their buildings are constructed of small stones , that , although they possessed ancl understood the windlass and other contrivances , they never used them , each stone being taken up the ladder by a man . Thishoweverhas been
, , disproved . Some little time since I met with an old picture , I think of the fourteenth century , in the University at Brussels , in which is represented a body of Freemasons , who are employed in erecting a church , and who are attacked by