Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

LODGE WORK. 101
shape four hundred years and upwards, befpre that destruction
was achieved:) I confine my remarks to the farmer, to
Masonry in the lodges, and will draw from the incongruities
of the system itself, further arguments to prove that King
Solomon knew no more of Free Masonry than did his father,
King David.
I present the leading thoughts which follow, for the consideration
of the invincibles of Free Masonry, the stout hearted
supporters of her greatness, the men made dimsighted by
the splendour of her glories, hoping that even they will see,
and feel, and confess the force of trutlj, and the absurdity of
attempting to support a fabric so thoroughly rotten in all its
timbers.
What is the tradition? That Solomon and the two Hirams
often retired to the secret vault of the temple for the
study of Masonry.
How could this be ? The King of Tyre had a great government
at home to manage; he could not spend his
months at Jerusalem, probably not less than 130 miles distant
; and post coaches did not run on the roads of Galilee
in that day; nor have kings been in the habit of visiting
foreign parts without a retinue, which forbids rapidity of
motion: he could not go up, then, to lodge meetings at Jerusalem,
if they had been most worthy of his attendance.
How this affair is to be accommodated I know not; let
the reader decide.
Suppose it to be granted, however, that by the help of
some wishing cap, belonging to " the art of foresaying
things,"* King Hiram was often present at the meetings in
the secret vault. Suppose the three in lodge, King Hiram
in the north, King Solomon in the west, and the third in the
north east
" Begin."
" You begin."
* F. M. Library, p. 11. Book of Constitutions, p. 19. Preston, b. 3.
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