Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

154 FREE MASONRY,
Preston's Illustrations of Masonry, p. 61. b. 2. s. 4. Hardie's
Man. p. 89. F1M. Mon. part L ch. 10. The Charge
to the newly admitted Fellow Craft.) O renowned " Art of
finding new arts,"* "for her>otonprofit and praise!" (F.
M. L. p. 11. Book of Cons. p. 19. Preston, b. 3. s. 1.)
" How shall aU that pass by, clap their hands at thee, and
say, is this the society that men call the perfection of beauty ?
that is " built on the Rock of Ages ?* (Mr. Town, p. 24.)
the glory and beauty of the whole earth ? O, how art thou
fallen, Daughter of the night, and of darkness, and there is
none to help thee! " Thine enemies have opened their
mouth; they hiss; they say, Certainly this is the day we
looked for; we have found; we have seen it."*
Though our lady always carries some jewels to allure,
and the same immodest spirit to defile, yet her common
garb is of this $prt.
She is self-complaisant enough to think that it is useful,
and even necessary for the promotion of virtue, that her influence
should universally prevail, and that all consciences
should be laid under the restraint of her oaths. And, because
Evangelical truth is much esteemed by some, Free
Masonry, by the hand of Mr. Town, and the Grand Chapter
of New-York, (Town's Spec. M. p. 31.) is declared
to " embrace the whole subject matter of the divine econo*
my;" and present " for sublime contemplation," " the deep
mysteries of the Divine Word, in whom all the fulness of
the Godhead dwelt bodily." (Idem. p. 24.) Thi» pleases
some Christians.
But as other men are infidels, she presents herself to them,
in the ceremonial of the craft, publicly offering prayers in
mockery of truth: " As we are now about to enlighten a
feUoto mortal in Free Masonry, wilt thou enlighten us in a
knowledge of divine truth." (Book of Cons. p. 151.) And
from profane lips uttering over the novice, "Endue him
* Jeremiah.