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But happily , men who are capable of perjury , and such deeds dishonourable as are indicated here , are not of a class to persevere in the acquisition of Masonic lore to a sufficient extent to do any lasting or material injury . So little , in fact , has Masonry to fear from scum of this sort ; that Dr . Oliver has noticed every pretended revelation and antagonistic production which appeared throughout the eighteenth century , giving titles at full length , with the dates , and
publishers . About 1730 , these " belchings of Billingsgate" had become so numerous , that a worthy and accomplished Brother , the Rev . James Anderson , D . D ., brought out a masterly " Defence of Masonry , " mainly in reply to the productions of one Prichard , a renegade . This " Defence" produced a very powerful effect upon the public mind , and turned the current in favour of Masonry . The "Defence " proved fatal to the poor perjurer Prichard .
The Square pursues his story , giving an amusing account of the different Masters to whose sashes he was from time to time appended , and reporting , in brief , their sentiments on divers matters affecting the good conduct of their particular Lodge , as well as the welfare of the Craft in general . Masonic processions and Masonic balls come in for a share of his notice , and the latter meet with his severe
reprehension , as also does the hard drinking which was so customary in those days . During the time the Square adorned the breast of Dr . Manningham , D . G-. M ., the Fraternity made great progress , although the exercise of discipline led to some disaffection and division of opinion , resulting in the melancholy schism which , for half a century and upwards , divided the Craft into two sections . The ultimate effect of the schism , however , according to the Square's version
of it , was beneficial rather than otherwise . Numerous innovations , of a continental origin , were about this time introduced into some of the Lodges , to the great perplexity of those who wished to adhere to the ancient landmarks of the Order . Some of the singular and incredible legends attached to these novel observances are related by the Square in a very amusing manner . He also gives the ancient test questions , and affords a vast variety of curious information .
We are now brought down to the age of Preston , Dagge , and Dunckerley , when publications of all kinds relating to Masonry appeared in great abundance . This portion of the Square ' s story is full of fact and anecdote , and cannot fail to excite the deepest interest in the minds of all those who are concerned for the welfare
of our Order . Bro . Dunckerley ' s career is sketched in a very graphic manner ; he was an able and indefatigable Mason , and devoted himself to the progress of Masonry with great enthusiasm . One day , in the year 17 G 0 , Bro . Dunckerley received a curious piece of information . A lady partaking of the last rites of the church , upon her
* About this time Lord Level was Grand Master , and amongst those initiated were B . K . H . tlie Duke of Lorraine , the Duke of Newcastle , and HR . II . the Prince of Wales . The Earls of London , Morton , and Darnley , as well as the Marquis of Caernarvon , were also members of the order .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Untitled Article
But happily , men who are capable of perjury , and such deeds dishonourable as are indicated here , are not of a class to persevere in the acquisition of Masonic lore to a sufficient extent to do any lasting or material injury . So little , in fact , has Masonry to fear from scum of this sort ; that Dr . Oliver has noticed every pretended revelation and antagonistic production which appeared throughout the eighteenth century , giving titles at full length , with the dates , and
publishers . About 1730 , these " belchings of Billingsgate" had become so numerous , that a worthy and accomplished Brother , the Rev . James Anderson , D . D ., brought out a masterly " Defence of Masonry , " mainly in reply to the productions of one Prichard , a renegade . This " Defence" produced a very powerful effect upon the public mind , and turned the current in favour of Masonry . The "Defence " proved fatal to the poor perjurer Prichard .
The Square pursues his story , giving an amusing account of the different Masters to whose sashes he was from time to time appended , and reporting , in brief , their sentiments on divers matters affecting the good conduct of their particular Lodge , as well as the welfare of the Craft in general . Masonic processions and Masonic balls come in for a share of his notice , and the latter meet with his severe
reprehension , as also does the hard drinking which was so customary in those days . During the time the Square adorned the breast of Dr . Manningham , D . G-. M ., the Fraternity made great progress , although the exercise of discipline led to some disaffection and division of opinion , resulting in the melancholy schism which , for half a century and upwards , divided the Craft into two sections . The ultimate effect of the schism , however , according to the Square's version
of it , was beneficial rather than otherwise . Numerous innovations , of a continental origin , were about this time introduced into some of the Lodges , to the great perplexity of those who wished to adhere to the ancient landmarks of the Order . Some of the singular and incredible legends attached to these novel observances are related by the Square in a very amusing manner . He also gives the ancient test questions , and affords a vast variety of curious information .
We are now brought down to the age of Preston , Dagge , and Dunckerley , when publications of all kinds relating to Masonry appeared in great abundance . This portion of the Square ' s story is full of fact and anecdote , and cannot fail to excite the deepest interest in the minds of all those who are concerned for the welfare
of our Order . Bro . Dunckerley ' s career is sketched in a very graphic manner ; he was an able and indefatigable Mason , and devoted himself to the progress of Masonry with great enthusiasm . One day , in the year 17 G 0 , Bro . Dunckerley received a curious piece of information . A lady partaking of the last rites of the church , upon her
* About this time Lord Level was Grand Master , and amongst those initiated were B . K . H . tlie Duke of Lorraine , the Duke of Newcastle , and HR . II . the Prince of Wales . The Earls of London , Morton , and Darnley , as well as the Marquis of Caernarvon , were also members of the order .