The Arcana of Freemasonry (1915) - The Masonic Trowel

162 THE ARCANA OF FREEMASONRY
years to complete, but it was a labour of love,
because it was written for the information of the
Brotherhood " who could not read the writings
on the wall." But it is not a work which is
perfect by any means. It is written to guide
and interest you in the right road to the know-
ledge you wish to obtain ;
a small path cut through
a dense, dark forest, which I hope others will
broaden and enlarge.
Much has been said lately on the subject of
Freemasonry and religion. Many Brethren, and
some of them very eminent and learned divines,
have stated—and no doubt they would not make
the statement if they did not believe it— " that
Freemasonry is not a religion." Brothers, my con-
tention is that Freemasonry is the greatest, truest,
and purest religion in the world, for these reasons :
1. Religion proper commences with and must in-
clude the idea or desire for and belief in another
life.
2. This belief in another life is founded on the
belief of the resurrection of the Spirit.
3. We all believe in one great God, the Great
Architect of the Universe.
4. Therefore we all believe in the rising again of
the human soul, emerging alive from the body of
dead matter. This body of dead matter could not
come back or rise again, if disintegrated, but the
Spirit could.