This Is Freemasonry*

THIS IS FREEMASONRY *

BY BEO . TRENMOK COFFIN , GRAND ORATOR G . L . OP NEVADA , TTOWEVER great the benefits of Freemasonry are , it is far more than a -t- - benefit societ y ; and I have been led to make some inquiry as to what man , or what set of men , were wise ancl large-hearted enough to originate such an institution .

The first impression made upon a Candidate by tho initiatory ceremonies , and the Legend of the Craft , is that Masonry flourished , full-blown , under the patronage of King Solomon . But I am forced to conclude that such was not the case , and that Masonry , as we enjoy it , is a grand result never dreamed of by the toiling Craftsmen who first banded themselves together for mutual support , more in the nature of a trades' union , or mechanics' union , than the nature of universal

a benevolent brotherhood . That many thoughtless , ancl not a feiv unworthy men , have found their way into the Societ y would be foll y to deny ; but this amounts to nothing more than , a confession that Masonry is not exempt from the imperfections incident to every human society . Our ritual and symbols are full of allusions to the Jewish period of Biblical history , ancl , instead of inquiring into how these ceremonies into

were incorporated our system , many take it for granted that we have received them as a direct legacy from King Solomon . We are Speculative Masons , engaged in the erection of a spiritual temple not made with hands , ancl , if , we once fairl y apprehend this idea , we shall see that nothing could have been found more fit , or could more strono-l y testify to the wisdom ancl piet y of our forefathers in the Craft , than the choice of this sacred There

allegory . were quasi Masonic societies in the earl y periods of the world ' s history , and frequent mention is made of them during the period of Uie Roman Empire . But they seem to have been in the nature ? of mechanics unions , ancl the different societies had but little connection with each other . Upon the tombs of Roman Masons are found the compasses , square , plummet and trowel , ancl , occasionally , a pair of shoes upon ivhich lie the half-opened ' compasses .

It is , however , to the Masonic Guilds of Germany of about one thousand years ago , and to the English Masons of about three ' hundred years ao-0 , that we seem to be indebted for Masonry as we now find it in all parts of the -riobe IJie Roman Mason ' s duties and obligations were limited to his collegium or as we call it , lodge . He had no pass-words or signs by which he could o-ain admission to a lodge on his travels . About the year 1000 , a great impulse to tlie building of churches and

cathedrals arose throughout Europe , and buildings winch were the result of that impulse gave employment to large numbers ot artificers for long periods . It was about this time that the idea of a universal brotherhood seems to have been conceived b y Masons , and the word brother to have been first used among them . Masons—for at that time there were no Freemasons and no Accepted Masons— divided iuto three classes ¦

were Apprentices , young- men deemed worth y of admittance into the brotherhood ; if ellow-Crattsmen , who had sufficientl y advanced to be able to work alone on the details of building ; ancl Masters , comparatively few in number , who were competent to undertake the direction of entire works in the capacity of architects , surveyors , ancl master builders . The Entered Apprentice was intrusted