Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

TOWN'S SPECULATIVE MASONRY. 175
turies been explored by the most able, ingenious, and fruitful
imaginations. The origin of the institution, its principles,
and design, have occupied many pens in every age.
But notwithstanding those numerous, as well as great exertions,
so often and so ably repeated, much still remains.
The subject is not, neither can it be exhausted. The great
and paramount point has never befen clearly and fully presented
to the world.
" That point," says Mr. Town, " is simply this, that the
principles of speculative Free Masonry have the same coeternal
and unshaken foundation, contain and inculcate in
substance the same truth, *nd propose the same ultimate
end, as the doctrines of Christianity taught by Divine Revelation."
(P. 13.) '
This single point our author labours to establish, being
himself persuaded, that (p. 14.) " if we would add universal
celebrity to our institution, the world must be convinced
that the foundation is laid in evangelical truth." u When
evidence is exhibited to this effect," says Mr. Town, " the
great point is fully accomplished. The ignorant and superstitious
will be constrained to behold the LIGHT ; the sober
and discreet will rejoice in Masonry as a compendious system
of moral and religious instruction; while the pious and
devout will embrace it as an auxiliary to human happiness,
and a guide to a blessed immortality" (P. 15.) O, the
strait way to be happy here and hereafter! Pay twenty
dollars and be a Free Mason.
What a pretender is this Free Masonry! We have seen
it before claim to be the most ancient and honourable in.
stitution descended from Heaven to bless mankind; but
now, grown more bold, it claims to be founded on the Word
of God, and on evangelical truth ; to inculcate the same
truth, and serve the same purpose, with Christianity, even to
be a guide to a blessed immortality.
The absurdity, the folly, the impiety of these pretensions,
place them beyond the reach of comment.