Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

86 FREE MASONRY.
Having established a character for fidelity to truth, which
escapes a mistake in point of fact, I have confidence in the
public to present the manuscript to my countrymen. Let
them judge.
The writer grows bold with Free Masonry, now he un
' derstands it. At first, thinking it might have in itself re
deeming qualities unknown to the Master Mason, he forebore
to censure much that was doubted. But having deeply
investigated its history, its character, its claims, and its
services, he fears not to offend the less informed by frank
declarations of truth, unqualified with a single doubt of
Free Masonry's containing a valuable mystery; any thing
not revealed to all mankind.
He has not gathered, neither will he gather, reproaches
against the institution from the foes of Free Masonry. His
quotations have been, and shall be, from approved masonic
writers; from treatises sanctioned by the masonic reputation
of their authors, and by the seal and recommendation
of the grand lodges and grand chapters, and by the
signatures of most illustrious Free Masons.
He does not select extravagant masonic writers; he quotes
none unless they are sanctioned by the highest authorities of
Free Masonry. No, no; the 24th of June orations, though
published by the request of the lodges, are not ofhis choice
touched; neither the endless variety of vain-glorious pretensions
which float in vulgar breath throughout the land.
The standard treatises of the craft, its books of constitutions,
its universal manuals, its renowned essays and histories,
are his chief authorities. Title and page is given, that
all may see to their satisfaction. And, what is singular,
every such work coming to hand is quoted here, and the
reader may know that Free Masonry furnishes no treatise
without inimitable impressions of her own folly stamped
upon its whimsical pages; no, not one.
New Free Mason's Monitor, p. 157.—" Of the Master
Mason's Order.'' 1
•' Of the three first orders of Masonrv. viz. the Entered