Freemasonry In The 17th Century.

Masons . In the first place they were worn out of compliment to the latter , subsequently they were valued for their beautiful symbolism . Guest . Of what is the apron a symbol ? Host . Of the fall of man and of his regeneration . Guest . How of the fall of man ?

Host . After our first parents had sinned they became conscious of shame , and made themselves aprons of fig-leaves , for which perishable clothing the Great Architect afterwards substituted the skins of beasts .

Guest . How of his regeneration ? Host . They were made of lambskin to typify that as the original wearing of aprons was consequent upon the consciousness of sin , so by the sacrifice of the Lamb of God is the sin itself

covered and blotted out . Guest . Is the wearing of clothing and jewels consistent with the dignity of the Masonic profession ? Host . Quite so . The aprons , jewels , & c , are

to Masons what crowns and sceptres are to kings , robes to judges , and so on , independently of their symbolic import , they mark the wearer's rank in Masonry and in his lodge , and the human mind is so constitnted as to render the use of official

insignia essential to the maintenance of rule and order , besides we have the highest authority for he use of distinctive apparel . Guest . Has Freemasonry rendered any important services to mankind at larjre ?

Host . lb has . In our lodges during the dark ages were preserved the Holy Scriptures and the writings of the fathers of the Christian church pure and untampered with , and when the early reformers sought to purge the church of the

superstitious and idolatrous observances which had , through the devices of man , by degrees inoculated her , they found that in our lodges the primitive and simple mode of worship had been preserved intact . Guest . I have heard of Jews being- initiated into

Masonry , how is this if the Order is so essentially Christian in its nature and origin ? Host . When a candidate for initiation presents himself we make no enquiries of him as to his particular tenets beyond satisfying ourselves that

he believes in God , neither do we in any way modify our ceremonies to suit his particular ideas . he comes to us of his own free will and without solicitation , and if on his introduction into the

Order he finds anything nnpleasing to him he need pursue it no further being simply . pledged to secrecy so far as he may have obtained any knowledge of our rites . Quest . Do you find many retire in the way you

have alluded to ? Host . No . Unfortunately many who join our Order , care little or nothing for its religious import , which they altogether ignore , being content with the social advantages which they derive from

being members of it . Quest , I have heard that in some lodges all Christian references have been omitted from the ceremonies , in order that members who are not Christians may not be offended ; is this true ?

Host . I hope not ; such a proceeding would , deprive our Order of its lustre , beauty , and significance , and render it to a great extent unmeaning , it mig ht materially increase the number of its members , but what was gained in quantity would

be more than lost in quality , and in course of time , unless a reformation took place , it would run a great risk of being overthrown by its own weight , having no sure foundation .

Guest . What is the present utility of Freemasonry ? Host . It serves as a bond of unity between its members , teaches them the beauty and advantages , of religion and morality and to those who know

and consider its origin , serves as an interesting , memorial of the faith and sufferings of our early brethren . Guest . Does not religion answer every purpose of Freemasonry ?

Host . It should do , and with the truly religious man does . But , unfortunately , it is not so with all . Experience teaches us that many men who have slig hted religion , have been to a great extent kept in the paths of rectitude by the teachings of

Masonry , and this because it is founded on religion , and has the Rock of Ages for its corner stone-Quest . When will the utility of Freemasonry cease .

Host . When " the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea "' then will the mission of Freemasonry be accomlished , and its further existence become unnecessary .

Such was the substance of my visionary conversation with Bro . Richard Penketh—the views of the origin of Masonry , & c , are different from