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Article FBEEMASONRY ILLUSTRATED. ← Page 4 of 16 →
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Fbeemasonry Illustrated.
" The attentive ear receives the sound from the instructive tongue , and the sacred mysteries are safely lodged in the repository of faithful breasts . Tools and implements of architecture ( symbols the most expressive !) are selected by the Fraternity , to imprint on the memory serious and solemn truths ; and thus the excellent tenets of the institution are transmitted , unimpaired , under circumstances precarious , and even adverse , through a succession of ages /
Then , with regard to the government of the order , the same writer says : — " The mode of government observed by the Fraternity will give the best idea of the nature and design of the Masonic institution . " Three classes are established among Masons , under different appellations . The privileges of each class are distinct ; and particular means are
adopted to preserve those privileges to the just and meritorious . Honour and probity are recommendations to the First Class ; in which the practice of virtue is enforced , and the duties of morality are inculcated ; while the mind is prepared for a regular progress in the principles of knowledge and philosophy . Diligence , assiduity , and application , are qualifications for the Second Class , in which is given an accurate elucidation of science , both in theory and practice . Here human reason is cultivated by a due exertion
of the intellectual powers and faculties ; nice and difficult theories are explained ; new discoveries are produced , and those already known beautifully embellished . The Third Class is restricted to a selected few , whom truth and fidelity have distinguished , whom years and experience have improved , and whom merit and abilities have entitled to preferment . With them the ancient land-marks of the Order are preserved ; and from them we learn the necessary instructive lessons which dignify the art , and qualify the professors to illustrate its excellence and utility .
" Such is the established plan of the Masonic system . By this judicious arrangement true friendship is cultivated among different ranks of men , hospitality promoted , industry rewarded , and ingenuity encouraged / 5 The style and title of the institution is " The ancient Pbateenity of iFREE and ACCEPTED Masons . The word Free originally signified that the person so called was free of the company or guild of
incorporated Masons ; and those operative Masons who were not free of the guild , were excluded from working with those who were . We are told , by many authors , that this term was first used in the tenth century , when the travelling masons of Lombardy were incorporated by the Eoman pontiff . Accepted , we take to be equivalent to the term initiated ; and it doubtless alludes to the acceptance into
their society , by operative masons , of persons who were not operatives . An Accepted Mason , is one who has been adopted into the Order , and has received the freedom of the society , in the same manner as the freedom of the city of London is now bestowed as a mark of honour on persons of distinguished rank , valour , or attainments . This is evident from the regulations made in . 1668 , under the Grand Mastership of the Earl of St . Albans , where the word is
repeatedly used in this sense . Thus : — "No person hereafter , who shall bo accepted a Freemason , shall be admitted into any Lodge or assembly , until he has brought a certificate of the time and place of his acceptation , from the Lodge that accepted him , unto the Master
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Fbeemasonry Illustrated.
" The attentive ear receives the sound from the instructive tongue , and the sacred mysteries are safely lodged in the repository of faithful breasts . Tools and implements of architecture ( symbols the most expressive !) are selected by the Fraternity , to imprint on the memory serious and solemn truths ; and thus the excellent tenets of the institution are transmitted , unimpaired , under circumstances precarious , and even adverse , through a succession of ages /
Then , with regard to the government of the order , the same writer says : — " The mode of government observed by the Fraternity will give the best idea of the nature and design of the Masonic institution . " Three classes are established among Masons , under different appellations . The privileges of each class are distinct ; and particular means are
adopted to preserve those privileges to the just and meritorious . Honour and probity are recommendations to the First Class ; in which the practice of virtue is enforced , and the duties of morality are inculcated ; while the mind is prepared for a regular progress in the principles of knowledge and philosophy . Diligence , assiduity , and application , are qualifications for the Second Class , in which is given an accurate elucidation of science , both in theory and practice . Here human reason is cultivated by a due exertion
of the intellectual powers and faculties ; nice and difficult theories are explained ; new discoveries are produced , and those already known beautifully embellished . The Third Class is restricted to a selected few , whom truth and fidelity have distinguished , whom years and experience have improved , and whom merit and abilities have entitled to preferment . With them the ancient land-marks of the Order are preserved ; and from them we learn the necessary instructive lessons which dignify the art , and qualify the professors to illustrate its excellence and utility .
" Such is the established plan of the Masonic system . By this judicious arrangement true friendship is cultivated among different ranks of men , hospitality promoted , industry rewarded , and ingenuity encouraged / 5 The style and title of the institution is " The ancient Pbateenity of iFREE and ACCEPTED Masons . The word Free originally signified that the person so called was free of the company or guild of
incorporated Masons ; and those operative Masons who were not free of the guild , were excluded from working with those who were . We are told , by many authors , that this term was first used in the tenth century , when the travelling masons of Lombardy were incorporated by the Eoman pontiff . Accepted , we take to be equivalent to the term initiated ; and it doubtless alludes to the acceptance into
their society , by operative masons , of persons who were not operatives . An Accepted Mason , is one who has been adopted into the Order , and has received the freedom of the society , in the same manner as the freedom of the city of London is now bestowed as a mark of honour on persons of distinguished rank , valour , or attainments . This is evident from the regulations made in . 1668 , under the Grand Mastership of the Earl of St . Albans , where the word is
repeatedly used in this sense . Thus : — "No person hereafter , who shall bo accepted a Freemason , shall be admitted into any Lodge or assembly , until he has brought a certificate of the time and place of his acceptation , from the Lodge that accepted him , unto the Master