A Curious Masonic Tract.

secret from its first institution to this time , to the great surprize of the whole world ; and by its being thus secreted from the eyes and knowledge of the rest of the universe , mankind has been induced to think , and led into the erroneous opinion , so as to conclude , the Masons were bound to this secrecy by oath . I dare say those who affronted me will gnash their teeth , and bite their fingers for mere madness , upon the perusal of this book ; and I make no doubt but the whole fraternity , if they knew the author , would throw their libels at me ; ancl I don't question but they will take a great deal of pains to tell the world , that this is not Masomy ; but I assure them it is .

ORIGIN OF MASONRY . Some persons are of opinion that the human species existed before Adam , but the Masons say , they take their warrant from Hol y Writ ; and not finding there any authority to ground a supposition upon that there was such an existence , either east , west , north , or south , before him , they content themselves with saying , there were Masons in the first age of the world , as recorded in sacred

history ; and that the first Masons after the flood ( which they believe was universal ) were Shem , Ham , and Japhet . But Ham is in very little repute among them , upon account , as they say , of the crime he committed , Genesis ix ., 22 . Yet they alledge that the Great Creator , by his vicegerent , implanted in all rational beings a belief that the children were not to answer , or suffer , for the iniquitous proceedings of their fathers ; as was afterwards declared b y

the deity in express words , or by such means as in his infinite wisdom he thought proper to use in his converse with mankind . So that they admit the descendants of Ham , with those of Shem and Japhet , to have attained in a few years so great a knowledge of architecture as to build many cities , and superb edifices , in particular that of Babel ; and that the survivors of these , and the successors of the deceased after them , having a hearty zeal for the promotion of the Craft , spared no pains to bring up their children to the understanding of architecture ; ancl by unwearied diligence , close application , and indefatigable

industry , gave instructions themselves till such time as they were so compleat , as the knowledge of the art in their age could or would admit ; and that the younger , emulating the examples of their parents and predecessors , with benevolence , and even affection , to each other , endeavoured each to excell therein . And thus , from generation to generation , they proceeded till the time of Solomon ; who , they say , by a supernatural gift , excelled all that had been before himand will never be excelled by any . They further say

, , those ancient Masons associated to explain the scriptures , to preserve the knowledge of architecture , and to endevour to make improvements therein , to cultivate brotherly love , friendship , and hospitality , not only between themselves , but also to study how to be useful and beneficial to mankind in general . This sacred rite or custom ( as they term it ) is still kept up among them : they meet twice a month . Thus far it has been suggested to me by Masons . But

what follows my ears and eyes have been witnesses of , and my tongue hath confirmed it to others , when I was a Principal among them . When they are assembled together , and free from interruptions and disturbance ( which is the reason for their having a man at the door of the lodge ) , the Principals of the lodge begin to expound and clear up the dark sayings and hard sentences of old , by comparing one passage with another ; and thereby endeavour to determine the meaning and intention of those intricate phrases .

The next topic they go upon is morality . They display this subject very copiously . In the first place , they endeavour to implant in the minds of newmade brothers the many advantages attending temperance , forecast , and a well regulated conduct ; and enumerate the long chain of bad consequences that always follow intemperance , sloth , and the want of making a proper use of that foresight , reason , or reflection which distinguishes the human species from the inferior animal creation , and which is given them to make a suitable