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Article THE ROYAL ARCH JEWEL. Page 1 of 1 Article THE ROYAL ARCH JEWEL. Page 1 of 1 Article THE ROYAL ARCH JEWEL. Page 1 of 1 Article THE CASE OF WILLIAM PRESTON. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Royal Arch Jewel.
THE ROYAL ARCH JEWEL .
WE have great p leasure in re-producing for the benefit of our "Royal Arch" readers the following explanation of the Jewel of the Order which has been furnished to a contemporary by the R . W . Brother Col . A . J . Greenlaw , P . S . G . W . of
England , and District Grand Master for British Burmah . It is given , as he states , to illustrate the Jewel worn b y the Companions , which by its intersections forms a given number of angles which may be taken in five several combinations
and these being reduced to their amount in ri ght angles will be found equal to the five regular Platonic bodies representing the four elements and the S p here of the Universe . The explanation , according to Bro . Greenlaw ,
is from the pen of the late Sir William Drummond , subsequently enlarged by the Rev . T . Haverlield , B . D . , and its beauty will be prized by every Royal Arch Mason who essays to understand the Masonic Science of Geometry .
Fig . 1 . Fig . 2 . Fig 3 . XIwML
* lg . o . A Fig . 4 . / ^ /\ N . ^ ^•**,/'AVV* D * F
These combinations will bo found respectively to correspond in geometrical value with the five regular solids contained under equal and equilateral triangles , equal squires , and equal and equilateral pentagons , viz ., the Tetrahedron , Octahedron , Cube , Icosaliedron , and Dodecahedron , which were used by the Plat-mists to express the four elements , and the sphere of tho Universe .
It may be proper here to state that the Platonic theory was this , that the Universe itself , as well as its subordinate parts , both animate ami inanimate , were created by the Deity from the four elements—fire , air , water , anil earth . It was conceived according to this theory that all created matter must be both visible and tangible . Now , considering lire as the source of light , it is plain that
nothing can be visible without it ; and since nothing can be tangible but what is solid , and that the earth is thc most properly solid of all the four elements , therefore , all created matter was constituted t . f ( ire and earth . Again , it was supposed by the Platonists that no two bodies could unite and cohere without some intervening medium ' to consolidate them -, that planes required one such
medium , and solids two . Therefore the Deity constituted two intervening elements between tire and earth , viz ., air and water , in such a manner that there might lie an exact analogy between the four i . e ., as fire is to air , so is air to water , and as air is to water , so is water to earth ; thus forming a regular and harmonious gradation from Ihe lightest and most penetrating of the elements to the heaviest and
most obtuse . Now all the elements except the earth arc without form in themselves ; yet , in order to assist tlie mind ia arranging its ideas , it is necessary lo attach some form to then ) . Therefore , since tlie elements arc bodies , and all bodies arc solid , and bounded by superficies which consist of triangles either equilateral or otherwise , the Platonic theory assigned
to each of the four elements the form of a solid , bounded by piano surfaces constituted of triangles ; for although one of those solids is bounded by squares , and another by pentagons , yet it will be evident that equilateral rectilineal figures maybo resolved inlo as many triangles as the figures have sides united by their vertices in a common centre . ( Sec Pigs . 1 <( -2 . ) Having thus stated the general outline of the Platonic
theory , we proceed to show by the assistance of the Key , i < tho jewel forms by its various triangles and intersections nn equivalent in geometrical value for the live regular solids expressing the four elements and the sphere of the Universe . Tlio hermatic T was a most ancient hicroglypliic . il representation nf the Deity , and consequently the triple \ ~ denotes His triunessencc , and in geometrical value is eight right
angles , viz ., two on each of the exterior lines , and two at thc point of union in the cintro . In this figure ( Pig . •>) , which is similar to that in which the six lights are arranged , there will lie found a geometrical raluo equivalent to tho in , for since the interior angles of
every triangle uro together equal to two right angles , ami thus the whole triangle here displayed resolves itself into four equal and equilateral triangles , that is three ( u b c ) on the extremities , and a fourth ( d ) by their union at the centre It follows therefore that tho triangle thus resolved in equal to eight right angle . * , and consequently to one •* " -.
The Royal Arch Jewel.
If you look at the jewel or on this figure , ( Fig- 4 ) where it is represented , you will perceive that it consists of two larger equal and equilateral triangles ABC and D E F inscribed in one circle , and equally intersecting each other , and of a smaller triangle in the centre G H I which divides or revolves the larger inverted triangle D E F after the manner explained in the former figure . First , then , the
central triangle GHI , resolved into its elements according to the first figure , will be equal to eight right angles or n , and these are equal in amount to those contained in tho Tetrahedron—a solid figure contained under four equal and equilateral triangles . This body ( each of thesolid angles of which is formed by the union of three plane acute angles ) on account of its lightness ,
as well as its acute and pyramidal form , are used by the Platonists to express tho clement . _/ " >< :. 2 ndly . The two larger triangles A B C , D E F considered without regard to their intersections , and resolved upon the foregoing principle , will be = 2 j-q , or 16 right angles , which are equal in amount , to those contained in the Octahedron , a solid figure comprised of 8 equal and equilateral
triangles . This body ( each of the solid angles of which is formed by the union of fom- plane acute angles ) being next in lightness and acutoness to the Tetrahedron , was used by the Platonists to express tho element air . ordly . The triangles A B C , D E F , and GUI ( i . e ., the two larger and the small central triangle ) considered without
regard to intersections , and resolved by the same rule will be found 8 | X | , or 21 right angles which are equal in amount to those contained in the cube , a solid figure contained by six equal squares . This body ( each of the solid angles of which is formed by the union of three plane right angles ) being tlu most substantial in its form , as well as the firmest and most
immoveable on its basis , of all thu solids , was used by the Platonists to express the element earth . 4 thly . Consider now tho inverted triangle D E F , as divided into 4 lesser ones by the central triangle G II I , and add to these the oilier large triangle A B C . These five triangles considered again without regard to intersections , and resolved in the same manner as before , will
be 5 | i ( , or 40 right angles , which are equal in amount to those contained in the Icosaliedron , a solid body bounded by 20 equal aud equilateral triangles . This body ( each of tlie solid angles of which is formed by the union of 5 plane acute angles , ) being the heaviest of the solids contained by triangles , and the next in weight and substance to the cube , was used by tho Platonists to express
the element ivatcr . Thus , 1 st , the central triangle G II I = ix < , is equivalent to the Tetrahedron , which expresses the element fire . 'hid . thc two largs triangles A B C , D E F = 2 w , are equivalent to the Octahedron which expresses tbe element air . 3 rd , the 3 triangles A II C , D E F , G II I , = 3 R , arc equivalent to the Cube , which expresses earth .
4 th , the 5 triangles A 11 C , E G II , I' li I , D I II , nnd G II 1 = 5 A , are equivalent to ihe Icosaliedron , which expresses wa ' cr . It now remains to find an equivalent in the R . A . Jewel for the solid expressing the sphere of the Universe , which is the Dodecahedron , a solid body ununited by 12 equal and equilateral pentagons . ( Sec Fig . 5 ) .
The b' small triangles round ihe circumference of the jewel ( formed by the intersections of the 2 larger triangles ) together with tlie central triangle U II I , if res , ' ved in ihe same manner as the former , will be found to Im = 7 m , or X 8 = flti r ght angles ; to these add thc external angles of the before-mentioned 0 triangles , formed by ( lie intersections of the 2 larger triangles = lii right angles . For since the
exterior angle of every triangle formed by producing one of its sides is equal to 2 interior and opposite angles , and every angle of one equilateral triangle is equal to one-third of the 2 right angles , therefore each of these external angles will be equal lo two thirds of right angles ; and as ( hey are 12 in number , their amount in right angles will be 1 C , i" of 2 = 1 = H X 12 = 1 C .
Then 10 added to the before-mentioned 5 G right angles will make 72 . lint by a corollary lo the 32 nd Proh . of the 1 st Book of Euclid the i terior angles of every rectilinear figure arc equal to twice as many right- angles — 4 as thc figure has sides ; hence the interior angles of the ft-sided figure called a pentagon are 10 — 1 = 0 right angles ; whence the solid figure
called u Dodecahedron being contained by 12 equal and equilateral pentagon * , its amount iu right angles will be 12 X 0 = 72 , corresponding with the number of right angles contained iu the 7 triangles before mentioned , and the 12 exterior angles of intersections . Thus the Dodecahedron ( each of the solid an : dcs ol which is formed by the union of 3 plane obtuse angles ) , approaching nearer lo the
form of a sphere than any of tlio other solids bounded by piano superficies , was used by the l'latonists to express the sphere of the Universe . Thus is proved liy thc assistance of thc key I *) that the It . A . Jewel is equivalent to the live geometrical solids , which were used by the l'latonists lo express their 4 elements and the sphere of tbe I ' m ' vcrse .
In conclusion , let our attention be directed to the fact that the It . A . Jewel thus presents as with an emblem of those great attributes of the Deity—his eternity and triunessencc . The former is represented by the circle which surrounds the Jewel , the latter by tie relation which its conmoin-nt parts bear to the A ; while liy the equivalent which wc find in those parts for the 5 solids expressing the 4 elements and the sphere of the Universe , wo aro further reminded of Ilis
Omnipotence aud Creative power , who first formed the elements out nf ( milling , an I from them constituted that mighty frame within whose comprehensive sphere arc included myriads of worldi , each containing millions of animated beings dependent on His will and mercy . The Jewel which every Companion wears on his b east should inspire him with profound veneration for that Incomprehensible Being at whose coinmiiid the world burst forth from chaos into light , and all created matter had its
The Royal Arch Jewel.
birth ; whose infinite wisdom directs , and whose unspeakable goodness preserves aud blesses every work that has proceeded from His Hands . A . J . GREENLAW , 31 ° , District Grand Master for Burmah , Hon . P . S . G . W . of Grand Lodge of England .
The Case Of William Preston.
THE CASE OF WILLIAM PRESTON .
Bro . Preston was an expelled Mason , but as our Order is more indebted to him for the development of its beauties than any other man since the time of the " immortal three" who formed the first Grand Lodge at Jerusalem , our readers will excuse our making this article somewhat diffuse . Bro . William Preston was a Scotchman by birth ,
but removed to London , where he took up his permanent residence , in 1760 . He was entered , passed and raised among the " Antients , " a society which had its origin in a schism and secession from the Grand Lodge of England . Preston ' s clear perception , however soon convinced , him that his party was not a legally-constituted one and he left them and applied
for , and was received into , membership under the banner of the regular Grand Lodge of England . With the utmost assiduity did he study the principles of our Order , and ; i bright and successful student was he . He saw that the hidden treasures of Freemasonry required a more general development in order to be fully understood by the ordinary mind .
To effect this was the chief object of Ins life , and how successful he was every intelligent Brother knows . At a certain hour , daily , he applied himself to the drawing of designs on his trestle-board , and so perfect were his plans that the Craftsmen , wheresoever dispersed , have been since engaged in executing them ,.
and have never been at a stand for want ot employment . On Thursday , 21 st ftlay , 1772 , in order to have the counsel and advice of the Craft , he gave a banquet at his own expense , at the Crown and Anchor tavern , in the Strand , London , to which he invited all the mnsonic wisdom and talent of Great Britain to be
present . According to his request , thc Brethren assembled early , and he was not slow in announcing the object lie had in view in convoking them . He said that " Freemasonry in order to preserve its standing must spread its roots and expand its branches far and wide , for the purpose of extending its capabilities to meet the exigencies ofthe times . " He then
laid before them the result of long and arduous labor ; the present system of lecturing ( a reconstruction of the old ) , as practised in England in the beginning of the present century ; whence it wis introduced to the United States by Bro . T . S . Webb . It was discussed seriatim , approved and adopted . Bro . Preston then became exceedingly popular and was employed as an
Assistant under Bro . Ileseltine , Grand Secretary who w ished at that time to publish an improved edition of the Book of Constitutions , which would bring down the history of Freemasonry to his own time . Considering Bro . Preston the most eligible to prepare the work for the printer , he gave him the entire charge of it , and free access to all the documents and papers of the Grand Lodge . When the
most laborious part of the work was performed , and it was nearly ready to go to press , Bro . Ileseltine wanted to give an acquaintance of his , a Bro . Noorthouck , Treasurer of the Lodge of Antiquity , an interest in its publication , nnd appointed him to assist Preston in completing it . Bro . Preston having done all the work of selecting , arranging , etc ., thought he wns entitled to the individual honor of his labors and
declined the oiler , when the job was taken irom him altogether and given to Noortliouck . Seeing that the honors he had so well earned were taken from him and g iven toanother , who had no right whatever to them , he remonstrated warmly and threw up tho ollice of Assistant Grand Secretary in disgust , and , some say , withheld a part of the material he had collected for
the book , flu ' s displeased Bro . Ileselttno , wlio was not long waiting for an opportunity of resenting tlie offence whidii Preston had g iven him , ami the latter was arraigned for a violation ofthe laws of tho Grand Lodge in attending a sermon at church in masonic costume ; and in his defence , Bro . Preston said that this regulation of the Grand Lodge—the one which
they said he had violated—was " the height of absurdity and could not be admitted by any person who professed himself a friend to the Society . " He also said that - ' the Lodge of Antiquity had its own peculiar rights formall y secured to it at the revival in 1717 , and was determined to preserve them inviolate , and it was very questionable if the Grand Lodge was
empowered to make laws binding on a Lodge which had acted on its own independent authority from a period long anterior to tlie existence of that body . " On the . 'JOtli of January , 1778 , he ( Bro . Preston ) was " expelled from the Grand Lodge and declared incapable of attending the same or any of its
Committees . " In 17 S 7 , when the Duke of Cumberland was Grand Master , the case of Bro . Preston was submitted to the Grand Lodge , who then , in a better and more masonic spirit , reconsidered all its former p-oceedings ami reinstated Bro . Preston to all the rights und honors of Freemasonry ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Royal Arch Jewel.
THE ROYAL ARCH JEWEL .
WE have great p leasure in re-producing for the benefit of our "Royal Arch" readers the following explanation of the Jewel of the Order which has been furnished to a contemporary by the R . W . Brother Col . A . J . Greenlaw , P . S . G . W . of
England , and District Grand Master for British Burmah . It is given , as he states , to illustrate the Jewel worn b y the Companions , which by its intersections forms a given number of angles which may be taken in five several combinations
and these being reduced to their amount in ri ght angles will be found equal to the five regular Platonic bodies representing the four elements and the S p here of the Universe . The explanation , according to Bro . Greenlaw ,
is from the pen of the late Sir William Drummond , subsequently enlarged by the Rev . T . Haverlield , B . D . , and its beauty will be prized by every Royal Arch Mason who essays to understand the Masonic Science of Geometry .
Fig . 1 . Fig . 2 . Fig 3 . XIwML
* lg . o . A Fig . 4 . / ^ /\ N . ^ ^•**,/'AVV* D * F
These combinations will bo found respectively to correspond in geometrical value with the five regular solids contained under equal and equilateral triangles , equal squires , and equal and equilateral pentagons , viz ., the Tetrahedron , Octahedron , Cube , Icosaliedron , and Dodecahedron , which were used by the Plat-mists to express the four elements , and the sphere of tho Universe .
It may be proper here to state that the Platonic theory was this , that the Universe itself , as well as its subordinate parts , both animate ami inanimate , were created by the Deity from the four elements—fire , air , water , anil earth . It was conceived according to this theory that all created matter must be both visible and tangible . Now , considering lire as the source of light , it is plain that
nothing can be visible without it ; and since nothing can be tangible but what is solid , and that the earth is thc most properly solid of all the four elements , therefore , all created matter was constituted t . f ( ire and earth . Again , it was supposed by the Platonists that no two bodies could unite and cohere without some intervening medium ' to consolidate them -, that planes required one such
medium , and solids two . Therefore the Deity constituted two intervening elements between tire and earth , viz ., air and water , in such a manner that there might lie an exact analogy between the four i . e ., as fire is to air , so is air to water , and as air is to water , so is water to earth ; thus forming a regular and harmonious gradation from Ihe lightest and most penetrating of the elements to the heaviest and
most obtuse . Now all the elements except the earth arc without form in themselves ; yet , in order to assist tlie mind ia arranging its ideas , it is necessary lo attach some form to then ) . Therefore , since tlie elements arc bodies , and all bodies arc solid , and bounded by superficies which consist of triangles either equilateral or otherwise , the Platonic theory assigned
to each of the four elements the form of a solid , bounded by piano surfaces constituted of triangles ; for although one of those solids is bounded by squares , and another by pentagons , yet it will be evident that equilateral rectilineal figures maybo resolved inlo as many triangles as the figures have sides united by their vertices in a common centre . ( Sec Pigs . 1 <( -2 . ) Having thus stated the general outline of the Platonic
theory , we proceed to show by the assistance of the Key , i < tho jewel forms by its various triangles and intersections nn equivalent in geometrical value for the live regular solids expressing the four elements and the sphere of the Universe . Tlio hermatic T was a most ancient hicroglypliic . il representation nf the Deity , and consequently the triple \ ~ denotes His triunessencc , and in geometrical value is eight right
angles , viz ., two on each of the exterior lines , and two at thc point of union in the cintro . In this figure ( Pig . •>) , which is similar to that in which the six lights are arranged , there will lie found a geometrical raluo equivalent to tho in , for since the interior angles of
every triangle uro together equal to two right angles , ami thus the whole triangle here displayed resolves itself into four equal and equilateral triangles , that is three ( u b c ) on the extremities , and a fourth ( d ) by their union at the centre It follows therefore that tho triangle thus resolved in equal to eight right angle . * , and consequently to one •* " -.
The Royal Arch Jewel.
If you look at the jewel or on this figure , ( Fig- 4 ) where it is represented , you will perceive that it consists of two larger equal and equilateral triangles ABC and D E F inscribed in one circle , and equally intersecting each other , and of a smaller triangle in the centre G H I which divides or revolves the larger inverted triangle D E F after the manner explained in the former figure . First , then , the
central triangle GHI , resolved into its elements according to the first figure , will be equal to eight right angles or n , and these are equal in amount to those contained in tho Tetrahedron—a solid figure contained under four equal and equilateral triangles . This body ( each of thesolid angles of which is formed by the union of three plane acute angles ) on account of its lightness ,
as well as its acute and pyramidal form , are used by the Platonists to express tho clement . _/ " >< :. 2 ndly . The two larger triangles A B C , D E F considered without regard to their intersections , and resolved upon the foregoing principle , will be = 2 j-q , or 16 right angles , which are equal in amount , to those contained in the Octahedron , a solid figure comprised of 8 equal and equilateral
triangles . This body ( each of the solid angles of which is formed by the union of fom- plane acute angles ) being next in lightness and acutoness to the Tetrahedron , was used by the Platonists to express tho element air . ordly . The triangles A B C , D E F , and GUI ( i . e ., the two larger and the small central triangle ) considered without
regard to intersections , and resolved by the same rule will be found 8 | X | , or 21 right angles which are equal in amount to those contained in the cube , a solid figure contained by six equal squares . This body ( each of the solid angles of which is formed by the union of three plane right angles ) being tlu most substantial in its form , as well as the firmest and most
immoveable on its basis , of all thu solids , was used by the Platonists to express the element earth . 4 thly . Consider now tho inverted triangle D E F , as divided into 4 lesser ones by the central triangle G II I , and add to these the oilier large triangle A B C . These five triangles considered again without regard to intersections , and resolved in the same manner as before , will
be 5 | i ( , or 40 right angles , which are equal in amount to those contained in the Icosaliedron , a solid body bounded by 20 equal aud equilateral triangles . This body ( each of tlie solid angles of which is formed by the union of 5 plane acute angles , ) being the heaviest of the solids contained by triangles , and the next in weight and substance to the cube , was used by tho Platonists to express
the element ivatcr . Thus , 1 st , the central triangle G II I = ix < , is equivalent to the Tetrahedron , which expresses the element fire . 'hid . thc two largs triangles A B C , D E F = 2 w , are equivalent to the Octahedron which expresses tbe element air . 3 rd , the 3 triangles A II C , D E F , G II I , = 3 R , arc equivalent to the Cube , which expresses earth .
4 th , the 5 triangles A 11 C , E G II , I' li I , D I II , nnd G II 1 = 5 A , are equivalent to ihe Icosaliedron , which expresses wa ' cr . It now remains to find an equivalent in the R . A . Jewel for the solid expressing the sphere of the Universe , which is the Dodecahedron , a solid body ununited by 12 equal and equilateral pentagons . ( Sec Fig . 5 ) .
The b' small triangles round ihe circumference of the jewel ( formed by the intersections of the 2 larger triangles ) together with tlie central triangle U II I , if res , ' ved in ihe same manner as the former , will be found to Im = 7 m , or X 8 = flti r ght angles ; to these add thc external angles of the before-mentioned 0 triangles , formed by ( lie intersections of the 2 larger triangles = lii right angles . For since the
exterior angle of every triangle formed by producing one of its sides is equal to 2 interior and opposite angles , and every angle of one equilateral triangle is equal to one-third of the 2 right angles , therefore each of these external angles will be equal lo two thirds of right angles ; and as ( hey are 12 in number , their amount in right angles will be 1 C , i" of 2 = 1 = H X 12 = 1 C .
Then 10 added to the before-mentioned 5 G right angles will make 72 . lint by a corollary lo the 32 nd Proh . of the 1 st Book of Euclid the i terior angles of every rectilinear figure arc equal to twice as many right- angles — 4 as thc figure has sides ; hence the interior angles of the ft-sided figure called a pentagon are 10 — 1 = 0 right angles ; whence the solid figure
called u Dodecahedron being contained by 12 equal and equilateral pentagon * , its amount iu right angles will be 12 X 0 = 72 , corresponding with the number of right angles contained iu the 7 triangles before mentioned , and the 12 exterior angles of intersections . Thus the Dodecahedron ( each of the solid an : dcs ol which is formed by the union of 3 plane obtuse angles ) , approaching nearer lo the
form of a sphere than any of tlio other solids bounded by piano superficies , was used by the l'latonists to express the sphere of the Universe . Thus is proved liy thc assistance of thc key I *) that the It . A . Jewel is equivalent to the live geometrical solids , which were used by the l'latonists lo express their 4 elements and the sphere of tbe I ' m ' vcrse .
In conclusion , let our attention be directed to the fact that the It . A . Jewel thus presents as with an emblem of those great attributes of the Deity—his eternity and triunessencc . The former is represented by the circle which surrounds the Jewel , the latter by tie relation which its conmoin-nt parts bear to the A ; while liy the equivalent which wc find in those parts for the 5 solids expressing the 4 elements and the sphere of the Universe , wo aro further reminded of Ilis
Omnipotence aud Creative power , who first formed the elements out nf ( milling , an I from them constituted that mighty frame within whose comprehensive sphere arc included myriads of worldi , each containing millions of animated beings dependent on His will and mercy . The Jewel which every Companion wears on his b east should inspire him with profound veneration for that Incomprehensible Being at whose coinmiiid the world burst forth from chaos into light , and all created matter had its
The Royal Arch Jewel.
birth ; whose infinite wisdom directs , and whose unspeakable goodness preserves aud blesses every work that has proceeded from His Hands . A . J . GREENLAW , 31 ° , District Grand Master for Burmah , Hon . P . S . G . W . of Grand Lodge of England .
The Case Of William Preston.
THE CASE OF WILLIAM PRESTON .
Bro . Preston was an expelled Mason , but as our Order is more indebted to him for the development of its beauties than any other man since the time of the " immortal three" who formed the first Grand Lodge at Jerusalem , our readers will excuse our making this article somewhat diffuse . Bro . William Preston was a Scotchman by birth ,
but removed to London , where he took up his permanent residence , in 1760 . He was entered , passed and raised among the " Antients , " a society which had its origin in a schism and secession from the Grand Lodge of England . Preston ' s clear perception , however soon convinced , him that his party was not a legally-constituted one and he left them and applied
for , and was received into , membership under the banner of the regular Grand Lodge of England . With the utmost assiduity did he study the principles of our Order , and ; i bright and successful student was he . He saw that the hidden treasures of Freemasonry required a more general development in order to be fully understood by the ordinary mind .
To effect this was the chief object of Ins life , and how successful he was every intelligent Brother knows . At a certain hour , daily , he applied himself to the drawing of designs on his trestle-board , and so perfect were his plans that the Craftsmen , wheresoever dispersed , have been since engaged in executing them ,.
and have never been at a stand for want ot employment . On Thursday , 21 st ftlay , 1772 , in order to have the counsel and advice of the Craft , he gave a banquet at his own expense , at the Crown and Anchor tavern , in the Strand , London , to which he invited all the mnsonic wisdom and talent of Great Britain to be
present . According to his request , thc Brethren assembled early , and he was not slow in announcing the object lie had in view in convoking them . He said that " Freemasonry in order to preserve its standing must spread its roots and expand its branches far and wide , for the purpose of extending its capabilities to meet the exigencies ofthe times . " He then
laid before them the result of long and arduous labor ; the present system of lecturing ( a reconstruction of the old ) , as practised in England in the beginning of the present century ; whence it wis introduced to the United States by Bro . T . S . Webb . It was discussed seriatim , approved and adopted . Bro . Preston then became exceedingly popular and was employed as an
Assistant under Bro . Ileseltine , Grand Secretary who w ished at that time to publish an improved edition of the Book of Constitutions , which would bring down the history of Freemasonry to his own time . Considering Bro . Preston the most eligible to prepare the work for the printer , he gave him the entire charge of it , and free access to all the documents and papers of the Grand Lodge . When the
most laborious part of the work was performed , and it was nearly ready to go to press , Bro . Ileseltine wanted to give an acquaintance of his , a Bro . Noorthouck , Treasurer of the Lodge of Antiquity , an interest in its publication , nnd appointed him to assist Preston in completing it . Bro . Preston having done all the work of selecting , arranging , etc ., thought he wns entitled to the individual honor of his labors and
declined the oiler , when the job was taken irom him altogether and given to Noortliouck . Seeing that the honors he had so well earned were taken from him and g iven toanother , who had no right whatever to them , he remonstrated warmly and threw up tho ollice of Assistant Grand Secretary in disgust , and , some say , withheld a part of the material he had collected for
the book , flu ' s displeased Bro . Ileselttno , wlio was not long waiting for an opportunity of resenting tlie offence whidii Preston had g iven him , ami the latter was arraigned for a violation ofthe laws of tho Grand Lodge in attending a sermon at church in masonic costume ; and in his defence , Bro . Preston said that this regulation of the Grand Lodge—the one which
they said he had violated—was " the height of absurdity and could not be admitted by any person who professed himself a friend to the Society . " He also said that - ' the Lodge of Antiquity had its own peculiar rights formall y secured to it at the revival in 1717 , and was determined to preserve them inviolate , and it was very questionable if the Grand Lodge was
empowered to make laws binding on a Lodge which had acted on its own independent authority from a period long anterior to tlie existence of that body . " On the . 'JOtli of January , 1778 , he ( Bro . Preston ) was " expelled from the Grand Lodge and declared incapable of attending the same or any of its
Committees . " In 17 S 7 , when the Duke of Cumberland was Grand Master , the case of Bro . Preston was submitted to the Grand Lodge , who then , in a better and more masonic spirit , reconsidered all its former p-oceedings ami reinstated Bro . Preston to all the rights und honors of Freemasonry ,