Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

208
FAEfi MASONRY.
tians, all agree in the essentials of Free Masonry! A most
lovely institution!
P. 176. u It is a sacred truth, and weighty as eternity, that
the present and everlasting well being of mankind is solely
intended; and, if we may safely infer the future from the
past, a happy masonic millenial period will soon commence,
to the inexpressible joy of all the inhabitants of the earth.
[O, for a nobler speech than English use. " Commorabitur
lupus cum agno—et leo sicut bos commedet stramen."]
Why should such an opinion be considered hypothetical?
why rejected as altogether improbable? The
analogy between Speculative Free Masonry and Christianity,
is not partial, but complete. It is not imaginary, but
real."
Our author is in his senses, and Masons are not enough
in a passion with his shameless absurdities. I hope they
will bear the exposure of this extravagance with the same
equanimity, (p. 178.) u It is believed a glorious millenial
period will soon be experienced in the church, and this
belief is founded on Divine testimony. In view, therefore,
of the foregoing comparisons, [omitted here,] have we
not the same reasons to believe an era similar in some
respects, will soon commence in the masonic world!"
I do not intend to be unjust to Free Masonry; to quote
to her prejudice the conduct or remarks of single individuals,
however exalted in rank, or ennobled by virtue, or degraded
by vice. But for the treatises published by her ablest advocates,
and officially sanctioned by her highest authorities,
Free Masonry is responsible.
Nor am I unjust to Mr. Town and his masonic sponsors,
in the quotations taken from his Speculative Masonry. I
have given his thoughts in the order and words which he
himself has used, and that too with a generous hand. It
has been my wish to place as much as possible of the Grand
Chaplain's text before my readers, and to leave every one
to make his own comments. Hear him. (p. 140.)