Duncan's Ritual of Freemasonry.pdf - FatimaMovement

(as Professor of Astronomy and Geography), visiting all the
different States in the Union, and (1829-30) many parts of
Europe--successfully communicating, to numerous Lodges
and Associations of Brethren, the same 'valuable lectures of
the Craft,' according to the ancient landmarks."
Here, then, we have the assertion of Gleason
himself, that the
p. 278
lectures he received from Webb were, "in many
parts of Europe," as well as in the States at home,
communicated by him to "numerous Lodges and
Associations of Brethren, according to the ancient
landmarks," without the slightest hint or
intimation of any objection being made to them
abroad, as not being the true lectures of the
Order. This is, at least, prima facie evidence of
their having been substantially what I claimed
them to be. But if I am still told that it carries no
conclusive evidence that Brother Gleason knew
anything of the true Preston lectures, I call that
brother upon the stand again. On the 24th day of
June, 1812, "Brother Benjamin Gleason, A. M.,"
delivered an "Oration" at "Montreal, Lower
Canada," before St. Paul's Lodge No. 12, and
Union Lodge No. 8, by "special request" of the
former Lodge. It was published at Montreal, and
a second edition of it was soon after published at
Boston. I copy from this second edition the
following remarks of Brother Gleason:
"On the subject of our Lectures, we notice with pleasure,
this day, the venerable Preston of England, whose
'Illustrations of Masonry' redound to the honor of the Craft,
and whose estimable system of improvements, while with
precision and certainty they define, with purity and
eloquence, aggrandize, the immovable landmarks of our
ancient Society."
Brother Gleason then, did, upon his own