Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

156 FREE MASONRY,
licentiousness ? She, in ft moment, repeats all the emblems
and morals of the apprentice's degree. Does one charge
her with infidelity, rank deism ? She quotes Mr. Town and
the Grand Chapter, officially declaring that: " As the Word
in the first verge of St. John, constitutes the foundation, the
subject matter, and the great ultimate end of the Christian
economy; so does the same WORD in all its relations to
man, time, and eternity, constitute the very essence of speculative
Free Masonry." [Spec. Masonry, p. 154., the last
clause of chap. 13.]
Does any one say, she is senseless and unmeaning ? She
immediately calls up Mr. Preston, Col. Webb, Mr. Cross,
Messrs., and gentlemen by scores, to declare, " Free Masonry
is a progressive science:" " Masonry includes almost
every branch of polite learning -," " to exhaust the various
subjects of which Masonry treats, would transcend the powers
of the brightest genius."
Does any say she is contemptible ? She replies:
u The greatest of monarchy the wisest of men,
u Free Masonry, honoured again and again:
u And nobles have quitted all other delights,
" With joy to preside in our mystical rites."
Washington, Warren, and Franklin, are names often
quoted to the honour of Free Masonry. It does not appear
that the first concerned himself with it. He was taken in,
as many have since been, and said no more about it But
Washingtoh civilly answered the compliments of the Grand
Lodges, and that is reason enough for Free Masonry to decorate
herself with his name.
Warren and Franklin were active Free Masons: so has
been George IV. and Frederick the Great. But in 'either
case, was it for her sake, whose Grand Master so pusjllanimously
died under the stroke of the two foot rule, the square,
and the mallet ? Did they court the lodges for the sake of
bantering with strangers: " you are a Mason then, I presume?
1 '
"I am ; try me.*'