Gleanings By "Elihoenai."

as we Avould that they should do unto us ; and also includes Liberality , Friendship , Gratitude , Courtesy , Fidelity , and Love in the several relations of life , and Piety towards God .

An Analysis Of Ancient And Modern Freemasonry.

AN ANALYSIS OF ANCIENT AND MODERN FREEMASONRY .

BY ^< B . W ILLIAM J . HUGHAN , 18 ° . Member of the German " Union of Freemasons , Knight Comp , ofthe Poyal Order of Scotland , § c . That Masonry is one of the most ancient institutions that ever existed we do not question for

-one moment , as it can be traced far back into the ages of the past until the mind of man becoming weary , refuses to continue the search ; hence it is said that , from "time immemorial" its usages J O and customs have prevailed . But hoAV far

Freemasonry has had such an ancient existence is quite -another matter , and certainly so far as the present system of the Craft is concerned , probably in no sense beyond the second degree has it been in ¦ operation before the eighteenth century . Notwithstanding the labours of several Masonic historians , Avhose zeal and love for the Craft kneAV

no bounds save that of prudence , and Avhose surprising diligence and great abilities have amassed considerable information relative to ancient and modern Freemasonry ( Avholly opposed to the absurd notions UOAV rife respecting the antiquity

of degrees unknown a century and a half ago ) , a considerable number of the fraternity still believe n the literal interpretations of our lectures , and take the traditions to be real occurrences and facts of history , at the dates mentioned , although it has

been demonstrated over and over again that but two separate degrees or grades ( or , at the most , no more than three ) were acknoAvledged by the ancient fraternity , and that but feAV , if any , of the sublime and imposing rituals of

Freemasonryeither in Avhole or part—were known , or even could have been worked , or understood by the Masons of old .

No doubt this unacqaintance with the Operative Masonic Constitutions , and the modern nature of the majority of the degrees of Freemasonry , has arisen from the scanty patronage bestoAved on Masonic authors , the meagre circulation of the

organs of the Craft , and , in fact , the little attention given to the voluminous literature of our Institution generally . Our object i occupying a page of the

FEEEMASONS' MAGAZINE periodically , for a short period , will be to present an Analysis of Ancient and Modern Freemasonry respectively , and thereafter to examine the evidence pro and con for the antiquity of the Craft , Holy Royal Arch , and other

degrees . We make no pretence to style or symmetry of arrangement , to elegance of diction , or facility of expression , but simply confess to an anxiety in some measure—liOAvever humble and insignificant—to aid in unfolding the nature of our

ancient honourable Society . Masonry , it seems , was brought into Scotland by the operatives who built Kilwinning Abbey ; at least , this is the general belief of the fraternity .

There does not appear to be one uniform testimony as to the period Avhen it first became knoAvn or practised in England . Some say St . Alban ( the proto-martyr ) Avas the first who introduced it ; but Ave confess our inability to discover to whom we

are indebted for that blessing . One thing is quite certain , that whether both countries derived Masonry from the Germans or not , its principles and practices ere long were diffused over Great Britain , and throughout the civilised world , and

was universally acknoAvledged to be " an ancient and respectable institution , embracing individuals of every nation , of every religion , and of every condition in' life . "

William Preston , Alexander Laurie , Dr . Kloss , Dr . Oliver , Dr . Mackay , Findel , and other able authors agree in ascribing to Masonry a very ancient origin , although some allow their patriotism to affect their judgment , and maintain that their OAVU countries are entitled to the distinction of

establishing the Craft , whereas its origin is unknown . Bro . J . G . Findel has given much attention to our ancient history , and rightly considers it is now placed beyond doubt that the modern Society is

the direct descendant and successor , in an unbroken line , of the Operative Fraternity of Masons of the Middle Ages . Those anxious to farther consider so interesting a subject cannot do better than peruse Bro . Findel's " History of Freemasonry "

published lately . It is not our intention , hoAvever , to dwell long on any one phase of Masonry iu its operative character , as full details are given in several accessible and exhaustive works procurable for a small outlay ( see Bro . Spencer ' s list

of works ) . Every country in Europe can point Avith pride to the handiAVork of our ancestors , for wherever