Fritz Springmeier

THE MASONIC REVIEW.sole claim to greatness, to recognition,is its past.Masonry's greatness is not in the antiquityof its beginnings, neither in itsconservatism, but rather in the fact thatit has always been a leader of thoughtand action.Its members have been the world'spioneer corps, clearing away the densegrowth of ignorance, bridging the turbidwaters of superstition and fanaticism,blazing ways of enlightenment whereonthe mighty army of humanity...mightmove to nobler achievements, to grandervictories.The great leaders in Masonry as wellas in the secular world have been menwho, though clinging tenaciously to certaingreat principles, were quick to seeand take advantage of everything in theline of progress and development. Theirswas no blind conservatism holding fastto a dead past, but a glorious faith inthe possibilities of the future, a faith,that, like the star in the East which ledthe Magi of old to the lowly birthplaceof the Redeemer has led mankind underthe leadership of many a Mosesthrough the wilderness of pain andtravail and bitter opposition into thebright light of twentieth century civilization.I repeat, a comprehensive understandingof the history of Masonry leads inevitablyto the conclusion that notthrough conservatism has it most servedthe world, but rather through its spiritof unrest, its utter abhorrence of unnecessaryrestraint, its abiding love forliberty, its unconquerable desire to progressaway from the old to the new andbetter conditions.Wherever the conflict has been wagedbetween the old and the new, betweena narrow conservatism and real progress,our Masonic brethren have been foundon the right side, witness the membersof St. Andrew's lodge of the Green ,Dragon who threw the tea into Boston .harbor.We must not be content to abide inthe glory of bygone days. There is needtoday of just such men as have madeMasonry great in the past. We cannotrest on our laurels, but following in thefootsteps of our sires we must makeMasonry of the twentieth century aspotent a factor for good as it has beenin the centuries that have gone.— MasonicTidings.Antiquity Admitted a Century Ago.An old book published in London inthe early part of the last century containsthe following in regard to Freemasonry:"This very ancient society is so called,either from some extraordinary knowledgeof Masonry, of which they are supposedto be masters, or because the firstfounders of this society were persons ofthis profession. They are now very considerable,both on account of their numbersand the rank they hold in society,being found in every country in Europe,as well as North America; and they consistprincipally of persons of merit andconsideration. They make no smallpretentions to antiquity, for they claima standing of some thousands of years.What the design of their institution is,seems still in some measure a secret."The members are said to be admittedinto the fraternity by being put into possessionof a great number of secrets,called the Mason's word, which havebeen religiously kept from age to age.In a treatise on Masonry, published in1792, by William Preston, grand masterof the Lodge of Antiquity, the origin ofMasonry is traced from the creation.Ever since symmetry began, and bar-Masons are aware that Masonry hasbeen behind revolutions and social change.