Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

224 REV. MR. STEARNS' INQUIRY.
written word, in plain and definite language; not by chisels,
and mallets, and white leather aprons, and other masonic
symbols. I may say that my candle and snuffers before
me, are emblems of the virtues of the heart, and are designed
to teach moral truth; I should be as nobly employed,
should I attempt to communicate religious instruction
from these to lost, dying men, as from a chisel, or a mallet.
My authority is as good in one case as in the other."
This is good sense, and it came upon my ear like pure
water upon parched lips, soothing, refreshing, and strengthening.
With a view to make Mr. Stearns 9 effort better
known, and at the same time to touch the most ancient institution
on a point that otherwise might be overlooked,
I continue to extract from the same fourth chapter of
"Steams' Inquiry." 1
" There is something worthy of notice respecting the
dedication of masonic lodgGs and halls. 'Our ancient brethren,'
says Mr. Bradley,' dedicated their lodges to king Solomon
; yet Masons professing Christianity, dedicate theirs
to St. John the Baptist, and St. John the Evangelist, who
were eminent patrons of Masonry.' (p. 59.) Has Mr. B.
any proof that these two men were Masons ? If he has,
it would have been important to Masonry had he produced
it. No proof is offered, and there is none to offer, unless it
be masonic tradition. This may satisfy Masons, but it never
will satisfy those who think for themselves. We are at
liberty to reject the proposition, and to believe that those
men were not Masons; (and we take the liberty;) and
when Masons say they were, they say what they cannot
prove. In dedicating their lodges to them, they are guilty of
consummate folly, for even if they were Masons, and Masonry
were of God, why dedicate lodges to them ? Strange
if the property of the Almighty must be dedicated in solemn
form lo somd of his creatures.
" The method of dedicating a masonic hall is, in its nature,
nothing less than blasphemy ; though Masons may intend
to perform a religious, and a very solemn ceremony.