Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry. Evidences, Doctrines, And Traditions.
what might happen amiss , and to hold a yearly communication and general assembly . " That , accordingly , Prince Edwin summoned all the Masons in the realm to meet lihn in a congregation at York ; who came and composed a general Lodge , of which he was Grand Master ; and having brought with them all the
writings and records extant , some in Greek , some in Latin , some in French , and other languages , from the contents thereof that assembly did frame the Constitution and Charges of an English Lodge . "
Nothing can be more clear and satisfactory than this document , to determine the question ofthe existence of our Order before the Norman conquest . And the system appears to have been based on that recognized principle of Masonry , that the private Lodges throughout England should make annual communications to the Grand Lodge at York ,
under the influence of which Freemasonry increased and prospered ; and many noble and learned men were initiated into its mysteries . A valuable manuscript roll , in the possession of Dr . Crucefix ( which I have seen ) , professing to be written A . D . 1185 , corroborates all the above
information . " At this time , " says Preston , " there was but one family among Masons , and every Mason was a branch of that family . It is true , the privileges of the different degrees of the Order , always centered in certain Members of the Fraternity ; who , according to their advancement in the art ,
were authorized by the ancient Charges to assemble in , hold , and rule Lodges , at their will and discretion , in such places as best suited their convenience ; and when so assembled , to receive pupils and deliver instructions in the Art ; but all the tribute from these individuals , separately and collectively , rested ultimately in the General Assembly ; to which all the Fraternity might repair ; and to whose award all were bound to pay submission . "
If these observations have any force , no better testimony can be desired of the systematic establishment of Freemasonry in that early age ; at a time when the Spurious Freemasonry , under the denomination of Druidism , was scouted ancl proscribed . Here we have the system regularly organized ; Athelstane being Grand Master , and Prince Edwin his Deputy . We find them convening Grand Lodges , establishing regulations , and delivering charges to the Brethren , on morality and science . In a word , the evidence is
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry. Evidences, Doctrines, And Traditions.
what might happen amiss , and to hold a yearly communication and general assembly . " That , accordingly , Prince Edwin summoned all the Masons in the realm to meet lihn in a congregation at York ; who came and composed a general Lodge , of which he was Grand Master ; and having brought with them all the
writings and records extant , some in Greek , some in Latin , some in French , and other languages , from the contents thereof that assembly did frame the Constitution and Charges of an English Lodge . "
Nothing can be more clear and satisfactory than this document , to determine the question ofthe existence of our Order before the Norman conquest . And the system appears to have been based on that recognized principle of Masonry , that the private Lodges throughout England should make annual communications to the Grand Lodge at York ,
under the influence of which Freemasonry increased and prospered ; and many noble and learned men were initiated into its mysteries . A valuable manuscript roll , in the possession of Dr . Crucefix ( which I have seen ) , professing to be written A . D . 1185 , corroborates all the above
information . " At this time , " says Preston , " there was but one family among Masons , and every Mason was a branch of that family . It is true , the privileges of the different degrees of the Order , always centered in certain Members of the Fraternity ; who , according to their advancement in the art ,
were authorized by the ancient Charges to assemble in , hold , and rule Lodges , at their will and discretion , in such places as best suited their convenience ; and when so assembled , to receive pupils and deliver instructions in the Art ; but all the tribute from these individuals , separately and collectively , rested ultimately in the General Assembly ; to which all the Fraternity might repair ; and to whose award all were bound to pay submission . "
If these observations have any force , no better testimony can be desired of the systematic establishment of Freemasonry in that early age ; at a time when the Spurious Freemasonry , under the denomination of Druidism , was scouted ancl proscribed . Here we have the system regularly organized ; Athelstane being Grand Master , and Prince Edwin his Deputy . We find them convening Grand Lodges , establishing regulations , and delivering charges to the Brethren , on morality and science . In a word , the evidence is