Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry. Evidences, Doctrines, And Traditions. *
wounded soldiers of the Cross , that the gratitude of thenleaders was unbounded . Kings , princes , and barons endowed them with lands and privileges ; conferred on their houses a regular system of government ; and the order of the Knights Hospitallers soon became famous , not only for
offices of charity , but also as valiant men-at-arms . Their fame and emoluments excited competition , and produced another order of military monks , whose fame was speedily extended to every quarter of the globe . The pilgrims were provided by the Hospitallers with food and refreshment at the several stages of their journey to the
Valley of Jehosaphat . But these were necessarily placed at a very great distance from each other ra the several countries of Europe and Asia ; and in the intermediate spaces the pilgrims were still exposed to many dangers , and needed
protection . i < or this purpose , nine valiant knights—members of the Masonic Fraternity—formed themselves into a voluntary society , vowing to live a life of celibacy , to have a stated residence near the Holy Sepulchre , and to be always on the alert to defend pilgrims against the machinations of Jews , Turks , infidels , and heretics . They bound themselves by
the usual monastic vows , and erected their domicile near the precincts of the Holy Temple . This was the origin of the Templars . As the Hospitallers held their secret conclaves in the deep Valley of Jehosaphat , so the Templars assembled in an encampment on the summit of Moriah . And thus these primitive warrior Masons met " on the highest of hills , and in the lowest of valleys . " Is it contended that the circumstances which rendered
such precautions necessary , would operate unfavourably to the spread of truth ? The fact is freely admitted . They would have a tendency to operate unfavourably . In a dark and superstitious age , secrets and mystery were objects of suspicion ; and the purity of their characters would not remove the jealousy with which the fraternity was regarded .
Indeed , if we refer to a much later period—even to the middle ages of Christianity—when , our cathedrals and collegiate churches were springing up in all their majesty throughout Christendom ; the builders , whose plans and designs were perfected within secret conclaves , frequently holden in the concealed crypts beneath the sacred
edificea type of the original valley—and which were probably constructed for that very purpose , were reputed to possess knowledge and power which were unattainable by human
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry. Evidences, Doctrines, And Traditions. *
wounded soldiers of the Cross , that the gratitude of thenleaders was unbounded . Kings , princes , and barons endowed them with lands and privileges ; conferred on their houses a regular system of government ; and the order of the Knights Hospitallers soon became famous , not only for
offices of charity , but also as valiant men-at-arms . Their fame and emoluments excited competition , and produced another order of military monks , whose fame was speedily extended to every quarter of the globe . The pilgrims were provided by the Hospitallers with food and refreshment at the several stages of their journey to the
Valley of Jehosaphat . But these were necessarily placed at a very great distance from each other ra the several countries of Europe and Asia ; and in the intermediate spaces the pilgrims were still exposed to many dangers , and needed
protection . i < or this purpose , nine valiant knights—members of the Masonic Fraternity—formed themselves into a voluntary society , vowing to live a life of celibacy , to have a stated residence near the Holy Sepulchre , and to be always on the alert to defend pilgrims against the machinations of Jews , Turks , infidels , and heretics . They bound themselves by
the usual monastic vows , and erected their domicile near the precincts of the Holy Temple . This was the origin of the Templars . As the Hospitallers held their secret conclaves in the deep Valley of Jehosaphat , so the Templars assembled in an encampment on the summit of Moriah . And thus these primitive warrior Masons met " on the highest of hills , and in the lowest of valleys . " Is it contended that the circumstances which rendered
such precautions necessary , would operate unfavourably to the spread of truth ? The fact is freely admitted . They would have a tendency to operate unfavourably . In a dark and superstitious age , secrets and mystery were objects of suspicion ; and the purity of their characters would not remove the jealousy with which the fraternity was regarded .
Indeed , if we refer to a much later period—even to the middle ages of Christianity—when , our cathedrals and collegiate churches were springing up in all their majesty throughout Christendom ; the builders , whose plans and designs were perfected within secret conclaves , frequently holden in the concealed crypts beneath the sacred
edificea type of the original valley—and which were probably constructed for that very purpose , were reputed to possess knowledge and power which were unattainable by human