Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

162 ROYAL ARCH MASONRY.
the Grand Lodge of Scotland, it is expressly declared, thai
all ancient St. John's Masonry is contained within the three
degrees of apprentice, fellow craft,, and master Mason.
(Laurie's History of Masonry, chap. Constitution of the
Grand Lodge of Scotland,)
Smith's Use and Abuse of Masonry is on elaborate octavo
of some 400 pages, critical and historical, published in
London, 1784, without noticing a chapter, or the royal arch
degree, or any degree higher than the master's.
Calcott's Disquisition upon Free Masonry, republished at
Boston, 1770, gives no treatise upon the royal arch degree,
or any degree above the master's.
By act of Parliament, 1799, all secret assemblies whatever
are made penal, except those of the Free Masons*
lodges. Vide Ency. Britt. art. Masonry.
Visiting London, then, with a view practically to acquire
a correct knowledge of the higher degrees of Free Masonry,
would be labour lost.
No; we have the information nearer home. Hear the
voice of experience, " of a distinguished member of our
fraternity," says the Free Mason's Library. " The brief
analysis which it gives of Masonry cannot be too deeply
impressed upon the minds of all who are, or who would become,
Free and Accepted Masons." (F. M. Lib. p. 6 of
the preface.) " In the mark Mason's degree I obtained a
plan l well ordered in all things, 9 to avert the evils of any
disorganizing power, and prevent the calamities of poverty
and want (Excellent! who would not be a Free Mason ?)
As a past master, I learned the true art of governing myself,
and those over whom I should be appointed to preside.
In the most excellent master's degree, I was carried back
to the time when the temple was finished, the capstone
brought forth with shoutings of ' grace, grace to it, 1 the
ark safely seated, the most excellent masters prostrate before
the Eternal, praising his goodness and mercy; and the
fire of heaven not only burning on the altar, but in the
hearts of the worthy; my heart was touched as with a live