Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

ROYAL ARCH MASONRY. 16J
And here are some good reasons for believing it, until
the article itself is found.
Preston's Illustrations of Masonry pretend, to give a full
and perfect illustration of all the degrees, public ceremonies,
and forms of Free Masonry. He takes no notice of
any degree in Masonry higher than the master's. But in
the historical part of his later editions, lie mentions the formation
of the Harodim Chapter, A. D. 1787; and, at the
same time, expresses fears for the consequences of some
modern innovations in Masonry.
Hutchinson's Spirit of Masonry, published in 1764, treats
liberally of the three degrees, and of the three only.
He speaks of the royal arch; but indistinctly, and does not
account it a fourth degree of Masonry. He was a man
who would not have spared to honour the glorious craft,
Mesourania, with higher degrees,- had they been known
then to English Masons.
Jachin and Boaz professes to give a perfect key to all
the arcana of Free Masonry, without kn intimation of a
degtee above the lodges: that was published about 1770.
Ahiman Rezon, published in London, 1764, treats of the
three degrees, and names the holy royal arch, as the very
marrow of Free Masonry; but not as a distinct degree, not
as a separate order of Masonry.
** Three principal steps in oar ladder there be,
•* A mystery to all bat to those that are free."
Ahiman Hegon.
The Book of Constitutions of Massachusetts, ed. 1793,
professes to give a complete history of Free Masonry, both
in England and Massachusetts, but it makes no mention of
any degree, in either country, above the lodges of master
Majsons.
Lawrie's History of Free Masonry professes to give a
full history of the craft, and makes no mention of any body
of Masons higher than masters; but in the constitution of
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