Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Legend Of The Introduction Of Masons Into England.
in 1879 , another copy of this charter is given ( Caput ssxix , vol . i ., p . 316 ) which agrees word for word with the above Latin text . Another similar copy will be found in Kemble ' s " Codex Diplomaticus Arvi Saxonici" vol . iii ., p . 113 , published by the English Historical Society , taken from MS . Lansdowne , 417 , folio 12 b .
The early Chronicles abound in instances of various Bishops and religious votaries having founded , built , or restored churches and other sacred edifices . The mode of expression used , as has been often stated , is , however , in most instances , so very vague that no certainty can be arrived at as to the character of the buildings themselves .
" The Rev . Peter Roberts writes in " Collectanea Cambrica , " p . 297 : Later writers have in general presumed , from the customs of their own times , thut founding a church and building a church were nearly or exactly the same thing , and confounded the congregation with the edifice . The objections of Lactantius to edifices for prayer , prove
that the Christians even to his time had erected none , though they probably soon after converted the heathen ' s temples to that use . When , therefore , Lucius is said to have founded churches in all the cities of Britain , this must be understood not of edifices but of Christian communities so called . " [ Lactantius died about 325-330 ] .
Much has already been Avritten on these ancient histories , dealing more or less particularly Avith the art of building as described in them The subject is always an interesting one , as showing what was the belief on these matters at the time the records were written , although the information there given may not , and is not on all occasions ,
strictly to be relied on . My object in taking up the subject was to find , if possible , the foundation for certain legends and traditions preserved in the records of the Craft , and to place in a collected form such references to the building art as are to be found in the chronicles .
How much of the general history and geography these earl y historians took from classical , rather than from native sources , is a matter of question ; but in such matters as the building- of the churches and abbeys , there can be no doubt that the information they gave was original .
Few persons , I think , can read the Book of Constitutions , compiled h y Dr . Anderson in 1723 , and other early works , without noticing that there was running through the minds of the authors a belief that Freemasonry was connected with the art of building . * Many of those Avho particulary encouraged the art were recorded as havingbeen Grand Masters or other officers . This is true alike to a great extent of the ancient charges , and of the later histories ; and whatever
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Legend Of The Introduction Of Masons Into England.
in 1879 , another copy of this charter is given ( Caput ssxix , vol . i ., p . 316 ) which agrees word for word with the above Latin text . Another similar copy will be found in Kemble ' s " Codex Diplomaticus Arvi Saxonici" vol . iii ., p . 113 , published by the English Historical Society , taken from MS . Lansdowne , 417 , folio 12 b .
The early Chronicles abound in instances of various Bishops and religious votaries having founded , built , or restored churches and other sacred edifices . The mode of expression used , as has been often stated , is , however , in most instances , so very vague that no certainty can be arrived at as to the character of the buildings themselves .
" The Rev . Peter Roberts writes in " Collectanea Cambrica , " p . 297 : Later writers have in general presumed , from the customs of their own times , thut founding a church and building a church were nearly or exactly the same thing , and confounded the congregation with the edifice . The objections of Lactantius to edifices for prayer , prove
that the Christians even to his time had erected none , though they probably soon after converted the heathen ' s temples to that use . When , therefore , Lucius is said to have founded churches in all the cities of Britain , this must be understood not of edifices but of Christian communities so called . " [ Lactantius died about 325-330 ] .
Much has already been Avritten on these ancient histories , dealing more or less particularly Avith the art of building as described in them The subject is always an interesting one , as showing what was the belief on these matters at the time the records were written , although the information there given may not , and is not on all occasions ,
strictly to be relied on . My object in taking up the subject was to find , if possible , the foundation for certain legends and traditions preserved in the records of the Craft , and to place in a collected form such references to the building art as are to be found in the chronicles .
How much of the general history and geography these earl y historians took from classical , rather than from native sources , is a matter of question ; but in such matters as the building- of the churches and abbeys , there can be no doubt that the information they gave was original .
Few persons , I think , can read the Book of Constitutions , compiled h y Dr . Anderson in 1723 , and other early works , without noticing that there was running through the minds of the authors a belief that Freemasonry was connected with the art of building . * Many of those Avho particulary encouraged the art were recorded as havingbeen Grand Masters or other officers . This is true alike to a great extent of the ancient charges , and of the later histories ; and whatever