Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Fragments And Documents Relating To Freemasonry.
FRAGMENTS AND DOCUMENTS RELATING TO EEEEMASONEY .
The antiquity of all documents depends upon the subject they illustrate . This is particularly the case respecting Masonic writings , and if we are to judge them exclusively by this rule , it needs no very great penetration to show that all our old memoranda are , Masonically speaking , new . But , in treating of ancient documents , we must
have recourse to another standard of age besides the former , and hence we shall call those writings old that have been penned beyond the limits of a century . In the majority of cases , all such works are considered by the antiquary as not old enough to be ancient , and too old to be modern . In Masonry we suffer under a disadvantage if we adopt this rule , for our records are but few , or , if there are many of them , so difficult to find , that we are reluctantly compelled
to adopt those as old which are of a recent date . One hundred and thirty years since was published a Masonic speech , and it is a question if that speech is not the first of its kind that ever saw the light through the medium of the press . Though not a very extraordinary performance , yet , as it was put forward under a semblance of authority , it is of some interest to Masons ; and that it was held so some sixty-four years since , is evident from the fact of its then being reprinted . Presuming there are but very few
Masons that have had their attention drawn to this speech , it has been thought that it comes strictly under our general heading ; and as it contains much that is applicable to our present good , it is hoped that its being brought forward in these papers , will not be deemed useless . Although , as we before stated , it has been reprinted , yet we have gone to the fountain-head for our transcript , and , believing that the peculiar lnanner in which words are printed adds much to the value of their reproduction , we have strictly followed the old
copy , as follows : — . " A Speech Deliver ed to the Worshipful and Ancient Societ }^ of Free and Accepted Masons . At a ( Sratrtf Jlafyjr , Held at Merchants' Hall in the City of York , on Hi . John ' s Day , December the 27 th , 1720 , The Right Worshipful Charles Bathurst , JUsq ., Grand-Master . 38 ji t \) t Jfrmtar <§ rw ^ OTarlM nu Oli m meminisse Jumhit . YORK : Printed by Thomas Gent , for the Benefit of the LODGE . " To Daniel Draper , Esq *
" Dear Brother ! " That this Discourse sees the Light , is chiefly owing to your candid Reception of it at the Rehearsal . J can no where therefore pitch upon a Patron more interested (/ may say ) in its Protection . A superior Command has since rvrung it from me ; and , as J hope you will bear m ? - Witness ^ with ileluctancy enough . I am sorry to say , that I am afraid the Lodge has trusted too much to your Judgment , tJio' that exceeds mine , as far as cm Extempore Harangue can a studied Speech . " Since I mean it entirely for the Good of my Brethren , I am in no ways in Pain what the rest of the World shall think of it ; Because wo all know
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Fragments And Documents Relating To Freemasonry.
FRAGMENTS AND DOCUMENTS RELATING TO EEEEMASONEY .
The antiquity of all documents depends upon the subject they illustrate . This is particularly the case respecting Masonic writings , and if we are to judge them exclusively by this rule , it needs no very great penetration to show that all our old memoranda are , Masonically speaking , new . But , in treating of ancient documents , we must
have recourse to another standard of age besides the former , and hence we shall call those writings old that have been penned beyond the limits of a century . In the majority of cases , all such works are considered by the antiquary as not old enough to be ancient , and too old to be modern . In Masonry we suffer under a disadvantage if we adopt this rule , for our records are but few , or , if there are many of them , so difficult to find , that we are reluctantly compelled
to adopt those as old which are of a recent date . One hundred and thirty years since was published a Masonic speech , and it is a question if that speech is not the first of its kind that ever saw the light through the medium of the press . Though not a very extraordinary performance , yet , as it was put forward under a semblance of authority , it is of some interest to Masons ; and that it was held so some sixty-four years since , is evident from the fact of its then being reprinted . Presuming there are but very few
Masons that have had their attention drawn to this speech , it has been thought that it comes strictly under our general heading ; and as it contains much that is applicable to our present good , it is hoped that its being brought forward in these papers , will not be deemed useless . Although , as we before stated , it has been reprinted , yet we have gone to the fountain-head for our transcript , and , believing that the peculiar lnanner in which words are printed adds much to the value of their reproduction , we have strictly followed the old
copy , as follows : — . " A Speech Deliver ed to the Worshipful and Ancient Societ }^ of Free and Accepted Masons . At a ( Sratrtf Jlafyjr , Held at Merchants' Hall in the City of York , on Hi . John ' s Day , December the 27 th , 1720 , The Right Worshipful Charles Bathurst , JUsq ., Grand-Master . 38 ji t \) t Jfrmtar <§ rw ^ OTarlM nu Oli m meminisse Jumhit . YORK : Printed by Thomas Gent , for the Benefit of the LODGE . " To Daniel Draper , Esq *
" Dear Brother ! " That this Discourse sees the Light , is chiefly owing to your candid Reception of it at the Rehearsal . J can no where therefore pitch upon a Patron more interested (/ may say ) in its Protection . A superior Command has since rvrung it from me ; and , as J hope you will bear m ? - Witness ^ with ileluctancy enough . I am sorry to say , that I am afraid the Lodge has trusted too much to your Judgment , tJio' that exceeds mine , as far as cm Extempore Harangue can a studied Speech . " Since I mean it entirely for the Good of my Brethren , I am in no ways in Pain what the rest of the World shall think of it ; Because wo all know