Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

188 FREE MASONRY PARALLEL WITH THE BIBLE.
" Without distinction of nation or country, without prejudice
to religion or sect, a Mason should view the great
mystic family as united to him by the bonds of affection. 1 '
—(Dolcho's Orations, p. 2.)
Again, p. 17. Dalcho's Orations: " The wandering
Arab, the civilized Chinese, and the native American; the
rigid observers of the Mosaic law, the followers of Mahomet,
and the professors of Christianity, are all connected by
the mystic union" in one indissoluble bond of ejection.
" The universal principles of the art unite in one indissoluble
bond of affection, men of the most opposite tenets, and
of the most contradictory opinions." (Preston, p. 30. F.
M. M. part 1. ch. 1.)
" As Masons, we only pursue the universal religion, or
the religion of nature."—{Ahiman Rezon,35.)
Again: u Masons are generally charged to adhere to
that religion in which all men agree; that is, to be good
men and true, men of honour and honesty, by whatever
names, religions, or persuasions, they may be distinguished."—(Ahiman
Rezon, p. 25.)
" Religious disputes are never suffered within the lodge;
for, as Masons, we only pursue that universal religion which
unites the most different principles in one sacred bond."—
(Book of Const, p. 128.)
Brethren^are " charged to adhere to the essentials of religion
in which ALL MEN AGREE." Formerly they were
" charged to comply with the religious opinions and usages
of the country where they worked." (Book of Const, p.
34.) Nearly in the words of the Book of Const, and Ahiman
Rezon, here quoted, is the language of the New Monitor
upon this subject (p. 48. and 108. F. M. L. p. 66.)
Now, to say that masonic faith acknowledges the Holy
Bible to be the word of God, as our author and the grand
chapter do here, is contrary to all truth, though according
to many well established precedents. Masonry will be the
most ancient and honourable institution; will teach all the
most renowned sciences and arts, with " the art of wun-