Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
An Address On The Subject Of Freemasonry,
uncertain the histories of those times may have left us whether the accusations which were brought against the Templars , and which were the cause of the persecution and destruction of the order , were true or false , we have good grounds to believe that their riches awoke the envy and avarice—their renown and power awoke the fears—but above all , their truly enlightened , devout , and comprehensive views upon religious subjectsobtained by their long intercourse with the most enlightened
, men of the East , and their separating themselves from the foolish and superstitious dreams of the mass of the Crusaders , were the principal reasons for the hatred and persecution by the before named pope and king ; and it is probable that for those reasons alone , they both determined upon their destruction . * Horrible were the persecutions which our Temple brethren suffered ; scaffolds and stakes were erected in all Europe to punish them for crimes whichalthough attributed to them ,
, never were proved . The sorrowful end of their last Grand Master , Jacques Molay , is too universally known to render it necessary for me to repeat it here . It is said that , in order to escape this universal destruction , a certain Templar , called Aumont , and seven others disguised as mechanics , or Operative Masons , fled into Scotland , and there , secretly and under another name , founded another order ; and to preserve as much as
possible the ancient name of Templars , Temple Masters , or Temple Brothers , as well as to retain the remembrance of the clothing of Masons , in which disguise they had fled , they chose the name of Masons , in conjunction with the word Franc . The greater number of the ancient Templars having been French , and the double meaning of the word Franc , which signifies both French and Free , the order , in establishing itself in England and other countries , adopted the name of
Franc-Maconnerie , or Freemasonry . They preserved their bond of union , and formed themselves into a society , which instead of conquering or rebuilding the Temple of Jerusalem , should fountl symbolical temples , consecrated unto Virtue , Truth , and Light , for the salvation of mankind , and to the honour of the great Architect of Heaven and of Earth . Those changes , alterations , and improvements in the object of the society , although a nobler and a better one , did not occur at one moment .
The sun does not appear suddenly in all his glory to dazzle and to blind mankind , but he rises gradually from the clouds of the eastern hemisphere , until having attained his meridian altitude , he shines forth in all his majesty—an object worthy ofthe admiration of mortals . Such also was the case with respect to the Lig ht which flows from Freemasonry ; for the various alterations and improvements which have been made in it from time to time , have been made carefully and cautiously , until the order has been elevated to that distinguished condition in which we now find , prize , and honour it .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
An Address On The Subject Of Freemasonry,
uncertain the histories of those times may have left us whether the accusations which were brought against the Templars , and which were the cause of the persecution and destruction of the order , were true or false , we have good grounds to believe that their riches awoke the envy and avarice—their renown and power awoke the fears—but above all , their truly enlightened , devout , and comprehensive views upon religious subjectsobtained by their long intercourse with the most enlightened
, men of the East , and their separating themselves from the foolish and superstitious dreams of the mass of the Crusaders , were the principal reasons for the hatred and persecution by the before named pope and king ; and it is probable that for those reasons alone , they both determined upon their destruction . * Horrible were the persecutions which our Temple brethren suffered ; scaffolds and stakes were erected in all Europe to punish them for crimes whichalthough attributed to them ,
, never were proved . The sorrowful end of their last Grand Master , Jacques Molay , is too universally known to render it necessary for me to repeat it here . It is said that , in order to escape this universal destruction , a certain Templar , called Aumont , and seven others disguised as mechanics , or Operative Masons , fled into Scotland , and there , secretly and under another name , founded another order ; and to preserve as much as
possible the ancient name of Templars , Temple Masters , or Temple Brothers , as well as to retain the remembrance of the clothing of Masons , in which disguise they had fled , they chose the name of Masons , in conjunction with the word Franc . The greater number of the ancient Templars having been French , and the double meaning of the word Franc , which signifies both French and Free , the order , in establishing itself in England and other countries , adopted the name of
Franc-Maconnerie , or Freemasonry . They preserved their bond of union , and formed themselves into a society , which instead of conquering or rebuilding the Temple of Jerusalem , should fountl symbolical temples , consecrated unto Virtue , Truth , and Light , for the salvation of mankind , and to the honour of the great Architect of Heaven and of Earth . Those changes , alterations , and improvements in the object of the society , although a nobler and a better one , did not occur at one moment .
The sun does not appear suddenly in all his glory to dazzle and to blind mankind , but he rises gradually from the clouds of the eastern hemisphere , until having attained his meridian altitude , he shines forth in all his majesty—an object worthy ofthe admiration of mortals . Such also was the case with respect to the Lig ht which flows from Freemasonry ; for the various alterations and improvements which have been made in it from time to time , have been made carefully and cautiously , until the order has been elevated to that distinguished condition in which we now find , prize , and honour it .