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Article MASONIC MUSINGS. ← Page 2 of 4 Article MASONIC MUSINGS. Page 2 of 4 Article MASONIC MUSINGS. Page 2 of 4 →
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Masonic Musings.
the glimmering star which may illume his path onwards to improvement and knowledge . For , failing a competent acquaintance with these important points , he is prone to think and speak
lightly , and to permit the diffusion of an erroneous impression , through the minds of others , with respect to the fundamental principles of his profession .
We must , thirdly , direct our regards to the history of Masonry under all the aspects which it has necessarily and unavoidably assumed in different ages , and amongst different
peoplefrom its earliest origin to the present day—more especially must we carefully note all that has been handed down by oral tradition and otherwise .
Marking its progress during certain Masonic periods in our country , and in those nations , the lodges of which have derived their constitution from us .
No branch , however , opens to us a wider or more luxuriant field in which to prosecute our researches , than the literature of Masonry . That illustrious band of learned men , amongst whom
the names of Champollion , i oung , Eniest Kenand , Le Normand , Rawlinson , Layard , Hinckes , Lubbock , M'Causland , and Ferguson , stand preeminent , have disclosed to our astonished view
antiquarian , philological , and ethnographical curiosities , which they have discovered in tlie archives of the Egyptian and Assyrian dynasties , midst the mighty works which once adorned
the banks of the Nile and the Euphrates , and buried deep in the undoubted Ham hie remains of Central America—evolving thereby the precious sparkling brilliants of truth from the crust
of ignorance and mythical superstition in which it had laid embedded for countless ages . Then there is the Sacred Volume , every page of which is stamped with the impress of Divine authority
—every word of which , if we rightly read it , conveys irrefragable truth . To this Book of Books we must have recourse for a thorough acquaintance with that mode of Masonry and
those sublime and significant representations which were adopted by God ' s chosen people , and have , with little alteration , been transmitted through Christian hands to the lodges of our own
country ; and as we , in a spirit free from cavil or contentiousness , study Holy Writ side by side with the researches of those who have so recently opened to us thc key of prehistoric
archaeology , we cannot but give a warm assent , and yield a ready acquiescence to that which has been so clearly and firmly laid down b y one of the most philosophic of the writers on this
subject , and that is , that any addition to our knowledge of prehistoric events , come whence it may , must contribute to a better understanding of the primaeval history in Genesis , and must tend
to mitigate the evils that have arisen from the unnatural state of hostility that has prevailed throughout all ages of Christendom , between the religionist who disregards science , and the
philosopher who ignores revelation . But to descend to comparatively more recent periods , and to date our researches from that epoch , when history , in its ordinary sense of the
authentic history of mankind commences , which admittedl y has its starting point at the first Olympiad , we can discern the traces of our mysterious science on the classic ground of Greece
Masonic Musings.
and Rome , and in the writings of those antient days from the fall of Troy to the end of the Augustan age , on the Acropolis of Athens , by the sunny shores of the iEgan Sea , on the
Capitol of the once proud mistress of thc world , and by the banks of the Tuscan Tiber . We can likewise trace its footsteps amongst the Chinese and Druids , the errina ; followers of Confucius ,
and the bloody Hierophants of the Celtic tribes . To the man before whom this intellectual banquet is spread , and who still complains that all is
barren and bare , we would say - . — " Croire tout decouvert est une erreur prof on de , C ' est prendre 1 'horizon pour les bornes du monde . "
Fifthly , we must regard the science of Masonry , strictly speaking , as embracing the whole circle of abstract demonstration and experimental knowledge , constituting the studies of natural
philosophy , arithmetic , and mathematics , and through all the various branches over which this letter reigns dominant ; the application of the same to the government of the universe , as well
as to the comfort and refinement of social life . In this section we may , with all propriety , nlsn include the theory of those arts which are sc
intimately connected with science itself as almost to deserve being included under the same division , viz ., architecture , design , and sculpture .
And now , finally , we come to the art , —that is , operative Masonry—which we must consider with special reference to the form in which it has existed in the lodges of our country from
Roman , or perhaps , more strictly speaking , from Saxon times , till that glorious period , when the grand-daughter of the celebrated Chancellor Hyde , afterwards Earl of Clarendon , ruled the
land , and of whom Dibdm sang" No reign than Anne ' s in war more justly crown'd , No reign for learning justly more renown'd . "
These lodges were composed , in all probability , on the Semitic model of the days of Solomon , chiefly , if not exclusively , of working Masons , instructed and governed by architects
of higher mental attainments , and deeper views of science than the community in general . The whole fraternity , however , being , as a rule , subject to a Grand Master of noble birth , or high
rank and influence , whose qualifications it may with all correctness be assumed , were not those of an operative Alason ; but whose zeal and ability in the prosecution of the more elevated
branches of general knowledge were undoubted , and whose high moral character marked him as worth y to occupy so high and so exalted a post —a leader , guide , and judge , to whom the words of Wordsworth might apply , one possessing
1 emperance proof Against all trials , industry severe And constant as tho motion of the day ; Stern self-denial round him spread , with shade
That mi ght be deemed forbidding , did not there All generous feelings flourish and rejoice ; And resolution competent to take Out of the bosom of simplicity All that her holy customs recommend . "
To these operative Masons , so wisel y taught , so judiciously guided , and so munificentl y patronised , we owe the splendid edifices which adorn our country , and which , when time shall have passed his destroying hand over them , and
Masonic Musings.
they are gradually sinking away into crumbling ruins , when perchance the oft quoted Antipodean will be driving down shafts to discover and trace out the foundations of Westminster Abbey , as
we are now doing at Jerusalem and at Ephesus , will still have their historical remembrance , and afford a convincing proof that the British Empire , at its zenith , had a just and overwhelming
claim to be enrolled amongst , and to hold a commanding position amidst the most cultivated nations of the earth . Our cathedrals and our colleges bear witness to the progress of the Craft
during the several periods of what is usually de nominated Gothic architecture ; and when ano ther style was introduced , and its proudest monu
ment , St . Paul ' s , had been completed by Sir Christopher Wren—our Arch Architect , and at that time Acting Grand Master of the Order
—there was an importance and a prominence given to the tenets of the Craft , such as it had possibly never before received , and the portals of Masonic lodges were thrown open to all who
were qualified by birth and character , and who were desirous of penetrating into the adyta , let their profession and their pursuits be what they might .
From this era may be dated a great accession to the number and respectability of our lodges , by the admission of persons of education and independence as accepted masons—brethren who
possessed the necessary talents and leisure to investigate the true objects of the science , and bear powerful and convincing testimony to its innocence and utility .
hrom the foregoing survey , superficial as it is , it appears to me that we may be enabled to collect data for the construction of a * sound definition of masonry , and although it is always
one of the most difficult , and often one of the most unsatisfactory things to decide on the terms of a definition , more especially where many subjects are to be embraced , I am not aware that the
one which 1 shall now propose is liable to any objection but that of being too long . I should affirm then , that " Freemasonry" is a secret combination ofthe Arts and Sciences , and especially
of Architecture , which implies a knowledge , and requires a practical application of them all , with religion undt ? r every modification , whether true or false . "
This mysterious combination , has been kept secret by the establishment of a social compact , into which none have ever been admitted , but upon certain inviolable conditions ; the terms of
which none have ever been at liberty to reveal , the basis of which is a beautiful system of morals , veiled in allegory , and illustrated by symbols ; The genuine fruits and proper
outcome ol which tend necessarily and powerfully to promote Glory to God in the hi g hest , on earth peace , goodwill toward men . That the mysterious terms under which this secret
compact exists have been handed down to us from ages past in a condition inviolate , is one of the proudest boasts of our Order , and that it will still for ages to come be so handed down , we
have no reason to doubt . Woe to him , if he should e ' er arise , who fails in this important item of his obligation ; with but slight paraphrase , every brother may then apply the words of Horace to the outcast : —
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Musings.
the glimmering star which may illume his path onwards to improvement and knowledge . For , failing a competent acquaintance with these important points , he is prone to think and speak
lightly , and to permit the diffusion of an erroneous impression , through the minds of others , with respect to the fundamental principles of his profession .
We must , thirdly , direct our regards to the history of Masonry under all the aspects which it has necessarily and unavoidably assumed in different ages , and amongst different
peoplefrom its earliest origin to the present day—more especially must we carefully note all that has been handed down by oral tradition and otherwise .
Marking its progress during certain Masonic periods in our country , and in those nations , the lodges of which have derived their constitution from us .
No branch , however , opens to us a wider or more luxuriant field in which to prosecute our researches , than the literature of Masonry . That illustrious band of learned men , amongst whom
the names of Champollion , i oung , Eniest Kenand , Le Normand , Rawlinson , Layard , Hinckes , Lubbock , M'Causland , and Ferguson , stand preeminent , have disclosed to our astonished view
antiquarian , philological , and ethnographical curiosities , which they have discovered in tlie archives of the Egyptian and Assyrian dynasties , midst the mighty works which once adorned
the banks of the Nile and the Euphrates , and buried deep in the undoubted Ham hie remains of Central America—evolving thereby the precious sparkling brilliants of truth from the crust
of ignorance and mythical superstition in which it had laid embedded for countless ages . Then there is the Sacred Volume , every page of which is stamped with the impress of Divine authority
—every word of which , if we rightly read it , conveys irrefragable truth . To this Book of Books we must have recourse for a thorough acquaintance with that mode of Masonry and
those sublime and significant representations which were adopted by God ' s chosen people , and have , with little alteration , been transmitted through Christian hands to the lodges of our own
country ; and as we , in a spirit free from cavil or contentiousness , study Holy Writ side by side with the researches of those who have so recently opened to us thc key of prehistoric
archaeology , we cannot but give a warm assent , and yield a ready acquiescence to that which has been so clearly and firmly laid down b y one of the most philosophic of the writers on this
subject , and that is , that any addition to our knowledge of prehistoric events , come whence it may , must contribute to a better understanding of the primaeval history in Genesis , and must tend
to mitigate the evils that have arisen from the unnatural state of hostility that has prevailed throughout all ages of Christendom , between the religionist who disregards science , and the
philosopher who ignores revelation . But to descend to comparatively more recent periods , and to date our researches from that epoch , when history , in its ordinary sense of the
authentic history of mankind commences , which admittedl y has its starting point at the first Olympiad , we can discern the traces of our mysterious science on the classic ground of Greece
Masonic Musings.
and Rome , and in the writings of those antient days from the fall of Troy to the end of the Augustan age , on the Acropolis of Athens , by the sunny shores of the iEgan Sea , on the
Capitol of the once proud mistress of thc world , and by the banks of the Tuscan Tiber . We can likewise trace its footsteps amongst the Chinese and Druids , the errina ; followers of Confucius ,
and the bloody Hierophants of the Celtic tribes . To the man before whom this intellectual banquet is spread , and who still complains that all is
barren and bare , we would say - . — " Croire tout decouvert est une erreur prof on de , C ' est prendre 1 'horizon pour les bornes du monde . "
Fifthly , we must regard the science of Masonry , strictly speaking , as embracing the whole circle of abstract demonstration and experimental knowledge , constituting the studies of natural
philosophy , arithmetic , and mathematics , and through all the various branches over which this letter reigns dominant ; the application of the same to the government of the universe , as well
as to the comfort and refinement of social life . In this section we may , with all propriety , nlsn include the theory of those arts which are sc
intimately connected with science itself as almost to deserve being included under the same division , viz ., architecture , design , and sculpture .
And now , finally , we come to the art , —that is , operative Masonry—which we must consider with special reference to the form in which it has existed in the lodges of our country from
Roman , or perhaps , more strictly speaking , from Saxon times , till that glorious period , when the grand-daughter of the celebrated Chancellor Hyde , afterwards Earl of Clarendon , ruled the
land , and of whom Dibdm sang" No reign than Anne ' s in war more justly crown'd , No reign for learning justly more renown'd . "
These lodges were composed , in all probability , on the Semitic model of the days of Solomon , chiefly , if not exclusively , of working Masons , instructed and governed by architects
of higher mental attainments , and deeper views of science than the community in general . The whole fraternity , however , being , as a rule , subject to a Grand Master of noble birth , or high
rank and influence , whose qualifications it may with all correctness be assumed , were not those of an operative Alason ; but whose zeal and ability in the prosecution of the more elevated
branches of general knowledge were undoubted , and whose high moral character marked him as worth y to occupy so high and so exalted a post —a leader , guide , and judge , to whom the words of Wordsworth might apply , one possessing
1 emperance proof Against all trials , industry severe And constant as tho motion of the day ; Stern self-denial round him spread , with shade
That mi ght be deemed forbidding , did not there All generous feelings flourish and rejoice ; And resolution competent to take Out of the bosom of simplicity All that her holy customs recommend . "
To these operative Masons , so wisel y taught , so judiciously guided , and so munificentl y patronised , we owe the splendid edifices which adorn our country , and which , when time shall have passed his destroying hand over them , and
Masonic Musings.
they are gradually sinking away into crumbling ruins , when perchance the oft quoted Antipodean will be driving down shafts to discover and trace out the foundations of Westminster Abbey , as
we are now doing at Jerusalem and at Ephesus , will still have their historical remembrance , and afford a convincing proof that the British Empire , at its zenith , had a just and overwhelming
claim to be enrolled amongst , and to hold a commanding position amidst the most cultivated nations of the earth . Our cathedrals and our colleges bear witness to the progress of the Craft
during the several periods of what is usually de nominated Gothic architecture ; and when ano ther style was introduced , and its proudest monu
ment , St . Paul ' s , had been completed by Sir Christopher Wren—our Arch Architect , and at that time Acting Grand Master of the Order
—there was an importance and a prominence given to the tenets of the Craft , such as it had possibly never before received , and the portals of Masonic lodges were thrown open to all who
were qualified by birth and character , and who were desirous of penetrating into the adyta , let their profession and their pursuits be what they might .
From this era may be dated a great accession to the number and respectability of our lodges , by the admission of persons of education and independence as accepted masons—brethren who
possessed the necessary talents and leisure to investigate the true objects of the science , and bear powerful and convincing testimony to its innocence and utility .
hrom the foregoing survey , superficial as it is , it appears to me that we may be enabled to collect data for the construction of a * sound definition of masonry , and although it is always
one of the most difficult , and often one of the most unsatisfactory things to decide on the terms of a definition , more especially where many subjects are to be embraced , I am not aware that the
one which 1 shall now propose is liable to any objection but that of being too long . I should affirm then , that " Freemasonry" is a secret combination ofthe Arts and Sciences , and especially
of Architecture , which implies a knowledge , and requires a practical application of them all , with religion undt ? r every modification , whether true or false . "
This mysterious combination , has been kept secret by the establishment of a social compact , into which none have ever been admitted , but upon certain inviolable conditions ; the terms of
which none have ever been at liberty to reveal , the basis of which is a beautiful system of morals , veiled in allegory , and illustrated by symbols ; The genuine fruits and proper
outcome ol which tend necessarily and powerfully to promote Glory to God in the hi g hest , on earth peace , goodwill toward men . That the mysterious terms under which this secret
compact exists have been handed down to us from ages past in a condition inviolate , is one of the proudest boasts of our Order , and that it will still for ages to come be so handed down , we
have no reason to doubt . Woe to him , if he should e ' er arise , who fails in this important item of his obligation ; with but slight paraphrase , every brother may then apply the words of Horace to the outcast : —