Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

166 ROYAL ARCH MASONRY.
Grand Lecturer, J. L. Cross, upon the prostyle temple, co*
pied in this vol. p. 55, and sanctioned by the greatest names,
and highest bodies of Masons in North America. Naming
the grand officers, he toys, " Elected 10th Sept A. D. 1819.
R. A. M. 2349." Nothing can be more certain, then, than
that as A. D., the era of our Lord was A. D. 1819; so was
R. A. M., the era of Royal Arch Masonry, R. A, M. 2349.
So, Mr. Town, sanctioned by the Grand Chapter of
New- York, and the greatest names of* Masons, in a laboured
attempt to show, " that ancient Masonry has been the
medium through which the Pentateuch, or five books of
Moses, have been preserved to the world," (Town's Speculative
Free Masonry, second ed. p. 190.) clearly asserts,
"• We have a tradition descending from time immemorial,
involving certain facts unknown to the world, that.the sacred
ark, together with the book of the law, was removed
from the most holy place, under masonic direction, and so
deposited as to escape that overwhelming destruction
which swept the whole land of Judea. From this tradition
we learn where; and under what circumstances, the
book of the law was found. v The very name of royal arch
/ has a significant allusion, well understood by every brother
of that degree. The very foundation of that degree rests
on this fact:'—(Ibid. p. 208.)
This trifling pretension of Free Masonry is .in the mouths
of the disciples of the nocturnal school from Canterbury
Green to Manlius Square, and is commonly urged upon
Christians as a motive of gratitude to Free Masonry for the
important service and distinguished favour thus conferred
. upon religion. " What claims of gratitude," cries Mr. ,
Town and thfe grand chapter: " What claims of gratitude
lias ancient Maionry on the whole Christian world, as the
angel of mercy in protecting tlve revelcUions of Grace I"
" Gratitude!" O, how mistaken is Mr. Town. Does
not ancient Free Masonry confess that, she saved but the
Pentateuch ?