Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry. Evidences, Doctrines, And Traditions.
descended to the times of the respective authors . The principals amongst the bards of these ages , appear very anxious to distinguish themselves from mere poets . They assert their own pretensions to the honour of the Druidical character , upon the plea of an accurate initiation into ihe mysteries and discip line of those ancient sages , or upon a direct descent from their venerated blood . "
It . is even asserted that this spurious system was never extinct . Mr . Owen , in his introduction to the poem of Llywarch Hen , states , " that the British constitution of Bardism , or Druidism , having continued in Wales , without interruption , to the dissolution of the Cambro-British government , was in consequence of that event , in danger of
becoming extinct . But that within twenty years after the death of the last Llewelyn , certain members of the Order established a Chair , a kind of Bardic college , in Glamorganshire , which has continued to this day . A catalogue is given of the Presidents and Members of this Chair , from Trahaearn Bryddd Maurthe first president , or founder , in
y , 1300 , down to the present , Mr . Edward Williams . We are also told that certain Members , in the sixteenth century , began to collect the learning , laws , and traditions of the Order into books ; that these collections were revised , and ratified in the seventeenth century , and that they are still received as the fundamental rules of the society . "
Thus it will appear that the Spurious Freemasonry of the Druids was a society quite distinct from the institution which has descended to our times , rich in its blooming honours and usefulness ; having few characteristics in common , as the following extracts will p lainl y show .
From the Institutes of Druidism . The groundwork of Druidism was , universal peace , and perfect equality . For a Bard was not to bear arms , nor even to espouse a cause by any other active means : neither was a naked weapon to be
held in his presence ; he being deemed the sacred character of a herald of peace . Superiority of individual power is what none but God can possibly be entitled to ; for the power that gave existence to all , is the only power that has a claim of right to rule over all- A man cannot
as-From the ancient Charges of Freemasonry . The rulers and governors , supream and subordinate , of the antient Lodge , are to be obeyed in their respective stations by all the Brethren , according to the old
charges and regulations , with all humility , reverence , love , and alacrity . When a fellow-Craftsman is chosen Warden of the work under the Master , he shall be true to both Master and Fellows , and shall carefully oversee the work in the Master ' s absence , to the Lord ' s pro-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry. Evidences, Doctrines, And Traditions.
descended to the times of the respective authors . The principals amongst the bards of these ages , appear very anxious to distinguish themselves from mere poets . They assert their own pretensions to the honour of the Druidical character , upon the plea of an accurate initiation into ihe mysteries and discip line of those ancient sages , or upon a direct descent from their venerated blood . "
It . is even asserted that this spurious system was never extinct . Mr . Owen , in his introduction to the poem of Llywarch Hen , states , " that the British constitution of Bardism , or Druidism , having continued in Wales , without interruption , to the dissolution of the Cambro-British government , was in consequence of that event , in danger of
becoming extinct . But that within twenty years after the death of the last Llewelyn , certain members of the Order established a Chair , a kind of Bardic college , in Glamorganshire , which has continued to this day . A catalogue is given of the Presidents and Members of this Chair , from Trahaearn Bryddd Maurthe first president , or founder , in
y , 1300 , down to the present , Mr . Edward Williams . We are also told that certain Members , in the sixteenth century , began to collect the learning , laws , and traditions of the Order into books ; that these collections were revised , and ratified in the seventeenth century , and that they are still received as the fundamental rules of the society . "
Thus it will appear that the Spurious Freemasonry of the Druids was a society quite distinct from the institution which has descended to our times , rich in its blooming honours and usefulness ; having few characteristics in common , as the following extracts will p lainl y show .
From the Institutes of Druidism . The groundwork of Druidism was , universal peace , and perfect equality . For a Bard was not to bear arms , nor even to espouse a cause by any other active means : neither was a naked weapon to be
held in his presence ; he being deemed the sacred character of a herald of peace . Superiority of individual power is what none but God can possibly be entitled to ; for the power that gave existence to all , is the only power that has a claim of right to rule over all- A man cannot
as-From the ancient Charges of Freemasonry . The rulers and governors , supream and subordinate , of the antient Lodge , are to be obeyed in their respective stations by all the Brethren , according to the old
charges and regulations , with all humility , reverence , love , and alacrity . When a fellow-Craftsman is chosen Warden of the work under the Master , he shall be true to both Master and Fellows , and shall carefully oversee the work in the Master ' s absence , to the Lord ' s pro-