Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry. Evidences, Doctrines, And Traditions.
a charter from the King and his counsell for to hold a general counsell , and gave itt to name assemblie . Thereat he was himselfe , and did helpe to make Masons , and gave them good charges . "
Here we have the science of Freemasonry in active operation at the latter end of the third century of Christianity ; and it is evident that Speculative and Operative Freemasonry were intermixed , for the document refers to morals as well as science . And a manuscript of undoubted antiquity now in the British Museum * asserts that " St . Alban instructed the
King in the science of Masonry and also in Divinity , who was a pagan . " Authentic history confirms the fact ; for St . Alban was a great favourite with Carausius , King of Britain , and steward of his household .
Six hundred years later , we find , from another ancient Manuscript , that numerous records of the Fraternity had been destroyed during the indiscriminate ravages of the Danish marauders , which would have thrown great light on the progress of Freemasonry during these times . The fact itself , however , is an evident proof that the Craft was
then in a flourishing state , and that the system was gradually progressing ; for this manuscript , which was in the possession of Elias Ashmole , informs us , " that though the ancient
records of the Brotherhood m England were many of them destroyed , or lost , in the wars of the Saxons and Danes , yet King Athelstane ( the grandson of King Alfred the Great , a mighty architect ) , the first anointed King of England , and who translated the Holy Bible into the Saxon tongue , ( A . D . 930 ) , when he had brought the land into rest and peace ,
built many great works , and encouraged many Masons from France , who were appointed overseers thereof , and brought with them the charges and regulations of the Lodges , preserved since the Roman times ; who also prevailed with the King to improve the constitutions of the English Lodges , according to the foreign model .
" That the said King ' s brother , Prince Edwin , being taught Masonry , and taking upon him the charges of a Master-Mason , for the love he had to the said Craft , and the honourable principles whereon it is grounded , purchased a free charter of King Athelstane for the Masons ; having a correction among themselves ( as it was anciently expressed ) , or a freedom and power to regulate themselves , to amend
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry. Evidences, Doctrines, And Traditions.
a charter from the King and his counsell for to hold a general counsell , and gave itt to name assemblie . Thereat he was himselfe , and did helpe to make Masons , and gave them good charges . "
Here we have the science of Freemasonry in active operation at the latter end of the third century of Christianity ; and it is evident that Speculative and Operative Freemasonry were intermixed , for the document refers to morals as well as science . And a manuscript of undoubted antiquity now in the British Museum * asserts that " St . Alban instructed the
King in the science of Masonry and also in Divinity , who was a pagan . " Authentic history confirms the fact ; for St . Alban was a great favourite with Carausius , King of Britain , and steward of his household .
Six hundred years later , we find , from another ancient Manuscript , that numerous records of the Fraternity had been destroyed during the indiscriminate ravages of the Danish marauders , which would have thrown great light on the progress of Freemasonry during these times . The fact itself , however , is an evident proof that the Craft was
then in a flourishing state , and that the system was gradually progressing ; for this manuscript , which was in the possession of Elias Ashmole , informs us , " that though the ancient
records of the Brotherhood m England were many of them destroyed , or lost , in the wars of the Saxons and Danes , yet King Athelstane ( the grandson of King Alfred the Great , a mighty architect ) , the first anointed King of England , and who translated the Holy Bible into the Saxon tongue , ( A . D . 930 ) , when he had brought the land into rest and peace ,
built many great works , and encouraged many Masons from France , who were appointed overseers thereof , and brought with them the charges and regulations of the Lodges , preserved since the Roman times ; who also prevailed with the King to improve the constitutions of the English Lodges , according to the foreign model .
" That the said King ' s brother , Prince Edwin , being taught Masonry , and taking upon him the charges of a Master-Mason , for the love he had to the said Craft , and the honourable principles whereon it is grounded , purchased a free charter of King Athelstane for the Masons ; having a correction among themselves ( as it was anciently expressed ) , or a freedom and power to regulate themselves , to amend