Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

8 PRETENSIONS OF FREE MASONRY.
origin of the principles for the date of the institution, masonry
is more than 5828 years old; and if the organization of
the-first lodge be, as it truly should be, taken as the day of
its date, masonry is not so old as time. It is very evident,
then, that Free Masonry lies under a flat contradiction on
the first pretension.
The principle of liberty is as old as the creation, or as any
of the principles of masonry. But how absurd it would be
to date the independence of these United States from the
beginning of time! And hot less absurd is it, to date masonry
from that early period, because some of the principles
it has chosen to adopt are, indeed, much older. So conclusive
is this argument to my mind, that I take my leave of
the first pretension with a strong hope, that an effort will be
speedily made to rectify the 6ra of Free Masonry to some
possible date; and, as one of the brethren, I cheerfully offer
my services to aid in the work.
A lame attempt is made to rest the second pretension
on the authority of Josephus; but as the relation of that
author differs essentially from the masonic tradition, if it
proves any thing in the premises, it is unfavourable to the
pretensions of Free Masonry.
1 I will set the pretension from the Monitor by the side of
Josephus 9 relation, that the reader may compare for himself.
. Monitor.
Josephus, Booh Book 1, Chap. 2.
" " Enoch being inspired by
Speaking of the descend­
the Most High, built two ants of Seth: "They also
great great pillars on the top of
were the inventors of that
the highest mountain, the peculiar sort of wisdom
one of brass, to withstand which is is concerned with the
water, the other of marble, heavenly bodies and their
to withstand fire. fire. He en- en­ order. And that their ingravedgraved
on the pillar of brass ventions might not be lost
the principles of the liberal before they were sufficiently
arts, particularly of of Masonry. Masonry, known, upon Adam's pre-