Freemasonry In The 17th Century.

error , which has gained ground from the numerous allusions to the Temple contained in our ceremonies . Freemasonry although not known by that name until many centuries after , was instituted towards the end of the first century of the

Christian era , at a time when the followers of our heavenly Master were comparatively few , and suffered terrible persecution from almost all denominations of men . The last of the apostles had gone full of years and honour to join his Master

and brethren in the Heavenly Grand Lodge , and adopting him as their patron , our first brethren banded themselves together for mutual protection , and adopted symbols and secret methods of recognition that they might preserve the light , which

had been transmitted to them , undimmed by the heathen darkness andsuperstition whichsurrounded them , until the fulness of time should come , and the Kingdom of Heaven working like a little leaven in a large measure of meal , should leaven the

whole lump , and the Gentile world should with gladness receive the truths of the Gospel . Guest . If the Temple of Solomon had nothing to do with the origin of Masonry how do you account for the frequent allusions to it in our ceremonies ?

Host . Our first brethren , warranted by the example of their heavenly Master in the use of symbols and parables for the purpose of conveying and preserving great and important truths , remembered that he himself had likened his holy body

to the Temple of Solomon , that in him was impersonated the stone rejected of the builders and become the head of the corner , that St . Paulo had declared him to be the only " foundation" which any man could lay , that at his crucifixion the veil

of the Temple was rent in twain , and they gladly accepted that Temple as a leading feature of their symbolism . Quest . If such was the origin of Masonry can you account for the non-admission of females into

our society ? Host . I can * the government and ministry of the church were exclusively confided to men . The women , although by their gentle piety and patient suffering under persecution they greatly

strengthened the cause of Christianity , sought not to interfere in church matters , but confining themselves to . ministration to the saints , cheerfully left to them all , matters of government , having confidence in their wisdom and discretion , and not seeking to intrude themselves where their presence

might give rise to scandal , and could serve no good purpose . Guest . Did Masonry when first constituted consist of three degrees as at present ? Host . It did not , although candidates were not

at once admitted to its full mysteries . On their initiation they were pledged to secrecy , and entrusted only with the sign of recognition , which had reference to the crucifixion , subsequently the great truths of Christianity were imparted to them

in the form of parables , which if found worthy , were afterwards fully interpreted to them . Guest . By what name did our first brethren designate themselves ? Host . " Children of Light , " firstly , because their

Blessed Master was " the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world" and secondly , because St . Paul had said " Ye are al l the children of light , and the children of the day . " Guest . Were our first brethren in any way connected with operative Masonry ?

Host . They were hot . Many centuries after the institution of the Order , our brethren , who naturally took great interest in the erection of the stupendous edifices , where the rites of the true religion , of which they were conservators , were to

be celebrated , discovered that the operative Masons had a secret society of their own for the pm * pose of preserving the mysteries of their Craft , and finding that the working tools of the operatives were especially adapted for perfecting their

speculative symbolism , an amalgamation was brouo-ht about when for the first time the Fellow Craft ' s degree was established , beyond which but few operative Masons were admitted .

Guest . Were the Knights Templars Masons ? Host . Not necessarily so . Some may have been but there was no connection between the Orders . Our early brethren thought they served their Master better by cultivating morality and

desseminating true religion at home , than by idly fighting for the possession of a locality , which , although deeply interesting to them from the reminiscences connected with it , possessed no intrinsic value , and the possession of which had no talismanic virtue ,

for they well knew that the benefits to be derived from their Master ' s suffering and death were not confined to time or place , but were like himself , omnipresent and eternal . Guest . When were aprons first worn by our brethren ? Host . At the amalgamation with the operative