Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

216 THE MASONIC WORD.
books of Moses, have been preserved to the world," cannot
proceed from any disposition to neglect Mr. Town, or his
unequalled effort. The fact is, our author hits not been
thoroughly taught in his logic; does not know how to reason
closely; is easily imposed upon; tells a story about
the land of Canaan, the ark, and the law of Moses, before
he comes to the matter in hand; and having come to that,
what are his strong arguments ? why, one single faqt—that,
an assumed fact, and a fact which, if granted, proves nothing
in the premises; viz. " that they (the five books of
Moses) were thoroughly concealed by Josiah, or by others,
at some time previous to the destruction of Jerusalem, and
afterwards discovered and brought to light" (p. 222.) He
doefc afterwards say, the hiding and finding was performed
by Masons, and in proof brings that veritable witness, masonic
tradition, who is well known to consider,
" That as best tempered blades are found,
" Before they break, to bend quite round,
" So truest oaths are still most tough,
" Which, though they bow, are breaking proof."
No judge would allow the testimony of such a witness to
goto the jury in an action of petty trespass.
Our author is truly a man of pure intentions; his errors
are not of the heart, but of education and understanding.
Governors and kings have taken an interest in
Free Masonry for the accomplishment of their personal
' schemes; and he, in common with others, has thought
it was for the intrinsic value of the institution! Not finding
that expected value in any particular mystery, or In
any new developement of science, or in any other thing;
and still supposing intrinsic value must be there to engage
the attention of the philosopher and prince, he simply supposes
it to be in the religious and moral nature of the institution
; not considering that the institution, which alike embraces
men of all religions, must itself be totally destitute
of a religious nature, and that, being destitute of fixed reli-