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The writer of Mr. Ashmole's life gives the following account of masonry.

"He, (Mr. Ashmole,) was elected a brother amongst the free masons, a favour esteemed so singular, that even kings have not disdained to enter as members of the society. These are the adopted, the free and accepted masons, who are known to each other all over the world by certain signs and words, which are intelligible to themselves alone. They have several lodges for their reception, in different countries, and when any of the members falls into decay, the brotherhood are bound to relieve him. The manner of their adoption, is very formal and solemn; and accompanied by an oath of secrecy, which has had a better fate than other oaths, as it has, from time immemorial, been most religiously observed, nor has the world been yet able to dive into this mystery, by the inadvertency, surprise, or folly, of any of its members.'

In some of Mr. Ashmole's manuscripts, there are many valuable collections, relative to the history of freemasons, as may be gathered from the letters of Dr. Knipé, of Christ Church, Oxford, to the publisher of Mr. Ashmole's life, of which, I deem it sufficient, to subjoin the following,

"As to the ancient society of free-masons, concerning whom, you are desirous of ascertaining what may be known with certainty, I shall only tell you, that if our worthy brother, E. Ashmole, Esq. had executed his intended designs, our fraternity had been as much obliged to him, as the brethren of the most noble order of the garter. I would not have you surprised at this expression, or think it at all too assuming. The sovereigns of that order, have not disdained our fellowship, and there have been times, when emperors also, have been masons. What I could gather from Mr. Ashmole's collection was

that the report of our society having taken rise from a bull granted by the pope, in the reign of Henry VI., to some Italian architects, to travel through Europe and erect chapels, was ill founded. Such a bull there was, and those architects were masons. But as to the time and manner of that establishment, I shall quote somehing from the same collection.

"St. Alban, the protomartyr, who suffered death, A. D. 303, established masonry here, (in England), and from that period it flourished, more or less, according to the state of the times, down to the days of king Athelstane, who, at the request of his brother Edwin, granted the masons a charter. Under our Norman princes they frequently received extraordinary marks of royal favour. There is no doubt, that the skill of masons was always transcendently great, even in the most barbarous times. Their wonderful kindness and attachment to each other, however different they may be in condition, and their inviolable fidelity in keeping religiously their secrets, must expose them in ignorant, troublesome, and superstitious times, to a variety of adventures, according to the different state of parties, and other alterations in government. But it ought to be observed, that nasons have always been loyal, in consequence of which, they have been exposed to great severities, when power prevailed over right, and those who committed treason, punished true men as traitors. Thus, in the 3d year Henry VI., an act was passed to abolish the society of masons, and to prevent the holding of lodges, chapters, or other regular assemblies, under the most severe penalties; yet this act was afterwards virtually repealed, and even before that, king Henry and several lords of his court, became fellows of the craft.'"

of

Some lodges in the reign of Charles the Second, were constituted by leave of the several noble grand masters,

and many gentlemen, and famous scholars requested, at that time, to be admitted members of the fraternity,

CHAPTER XXV.

Of a Lodge and its Government.

A LODGE is a place, in which masons assemble, or go on with their work, and transact their necessary business, and may be considered of similar import with the word church, which is expressive of the congregation, as well as of the place, in which they meet. To some lodge, every brother ought to belong; but he must not be a member of more lodges than one, although, if he conduct himself with propriety, he will be a welcome visitor in any lodge throughout the world. He should likewise attend with punctuality, at every regular or extra meeting, unless he be prevented by sickness or some other cause, which will satisfy his brethren that it was not voluntary. He should be subject to the by-laws, which are of two kinds, general and particular, of which, the young mason will acquire more extensive knowledge, by a regular attendance on his lodge, and a friendly intercourse with some of his enlightened brethren. He may become acquainted with the general regulations, by perusing the constitution of the grand lodge of the state of New-York, which, when compared with the constitutions of all other grand lodges, not only in the United States, but in all other parts of the world, will not be found to differ very materially.

A lodge ought to assemble for work, at least once in every month, and must consist of a master, a senior and junior warden, a secretary, treasurer, two deacons, one on

more stewards, a tyler,* and as many members as the master and a majority of the brethren shall think proper. It is, however, in general, deemed expedient for the convenience of working to advantage, that a lodge should not consist of more than fifty members. When a lodge considerably exceeds that number, some of the most able workmen, and others under them, will obtain leave from the grand lodge to separate, and form themselves into a new lodge.

All preferment, amongst masons, should exclusively depend upon merit, so that the body may be well served, and thereby have honour and profit. The wardens must be chosen from amongst the master masons, and no one can be promoted to the master's chair, who has not officiated as a warden, except on extraordinary occasions, or when a new lodge is to be formed; in which case, three master masons, though never masters or wardens before, may be installed as master and wardens of the new lodge; but no number whatever, unless there be three master masons, can constitute a lodge, and no brother can be grand master, or a grand warden, who has not been a master of some particular lodge.

CHAPTER XXVI.

Of the Ceremony of Opening and Closing a Lodge.

In all regular assemblies, convened for wise and useful purposes, the commencement and conclusion of the business is, in general, accompanied by some form. In every country, the practice prevails, and is deemed essential. It is traced from the most remote periods of

* In all lodges, where there are many members, there is likewise in general, an officer who is denominated master of ceremonies,

antiquity, and the refined improvements of modern times, have not abolished it.

Ceremonies, simply considered, are little more than visionary delusions; but their effects are sometimes very important. When they impress awe and reverence on the mind, and attract the attention to solemn rites, they become peculiarly interesting. A good beginning, is the most certain mode of ensuring a good ending, of any business or pursuit whatever; and it may be observed, that when order is neglected at the beginning, it will seldom be found to take place at the end. “Let all things," says the apostle Paul, "be done decently, and in order." 1 Corinthians, xiv. 40. And again, xiv. 33, "God is not the author of confusion but of peace." The ceremony of opening and closing the lodge with solemnity and decorum, is, therefore, universally adopted; and though the mode may vary in some meetings, it will be found to be in all, essentially the same. Το conduct this ceremony with propriety, ought to be the particular study of every mason; but more especially, of those who have the honour of presiding in our assemblies.

Our first care is directed to the external avenues of the lodge, and the proper officers will always direct their attention to this important object, so that no improper persons can gain admission.

At the opening of the lodge, two purposes are effected, the master is reminded of the dignity of his station, and the brethren of that respect which is due to him, whom they have appointed to direct their steps in the masonic

art.

But these are the least important of the advantages, which result from this ceremony, A reverential awe for the Great Architect of the Universe is inculcated, and the eye fixed on that object, from whose radiant beams,

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