A Concise History Of Freemasonry.

A Concise History of Freemasonry .

THE advent of "A CONCISE HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY " is a noteworthy event in relation to the literature of the Craft , and by students generally its publication will be hailed with delight , having been written by ROISEUT FREKE GOULD , who beyond question is the best qualified for such a purpose as Hie Masonic historian accepted by the Fraternity throughout the wide world .

BRO . ROBERT FREKE GOULD . This compact volume is the chief single book on the subject—as a complete and reliable presentation of a general history of the Craft—ever issued , and of its kind , in my

opinion , is without either an equal or a rival . As respects certain branches of this enticing study , as good work has been done by other gifted brethren , the important results of whose labours with due acknowledgment have been utilized by my friend . In regard , however ,

to a comprehensive treatise on the Society from the earliest evidence of its activity to the present time , extending over many centuries , in which all the attested facts are noted , untenable theories and fancies discarded , and the evolution of the Grand Lodge era traced to sources dating back to the

14 th century ( the genealogical proofs being then exhausted ) , the " CONCISE HISTORY" is by far the best work extant . It is simply invaluable to members of the " mystic tie , " and of great interest to all who are wishful to understand the origin and character of the ancient and honourable Society of Free

and Accepted Masons . The volume is a scholarly production , without being unnecessarily technical , and though written ostensibly for the Brotherhood , its conspicuous merits as a conscientious attempt to unravel the complicated history of this venerable

fellowship , will assuredly be heartily acknowledged by all competent critics . A word of explanation as to the term " Concise . " The history is in no sense an incomplete account of the Society , for no one can possibly consult its pages and be disappointed ;

Bro . Gould's aim having been to give all particulars concerning the universal Craft that could reasonably be looked for in one volume , free from superabundant and exhaustive details . When more light is needed on any special branch of the subject , other works by distinguished writers ( of a more

or less sectional character ) , which are appreciatively referred to by the author , may be consulted with advantage ; not forgetting his own great history . As Bro . Gould invariably cites the grounds on which he bases his conclusions , the attractive work can be studied with all confidence alike by the Masonic neophyte or the more informed student ,

My friend considers there is no proof that the customs of the Roman Colleges have directly continued in the modern Masonic lodges , for regarding the symbolism of the Craft as being chiefly directed to one point—the great doctrine of the immortality of the soul—we must go beyond these Colleges to that older type to be found in the Ancient

Mysteries . He thinks it possible " that about the 12 th century the skilled Masons of the monasteries amalgamated with the Craft builders , and together formed the Society afterwards known throughout Germany as the Slcinnielzcii . After

serving his time in that country the passed apprentice , was declared free of his Craft , and was termed a fellow , his selected mark was not to be altered , and the esoterics ( if any ) of the Sodality were to be concealed ; but " the evidence is far from being conclusive that these stonemasons were in

possession of a grip , " and the same almost may be said as to a " word . " Whilst there was a great outward similarity between the usages of the Slciiiiiiclzcn and the Freemasons , " no sort of connection between the two Associations was set up as an article of belief until 1779 , " and then without justification .

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