Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

$92 FREE MASONRY OF KINO SOLOMON*
will sympathize with the writer in the full expression of indignation
and abhorrence; that ihey will be heartily glad
to mock at her, who, by her numerous Books of Constitutions,
professes to teach the seven liberal arts, and also the
black art; who proffers to give one a wonderful secret,
which is that she has none; who sprung from the clouds—
formed by the smoke of her own records, which were burnt
for the honour of the mystery; who stood the shock of
ages, and the revolutions of time, on the reputation of
King Solomon ; who is always and unchangeably the same
glorious fraternity, whether of three degrees, of seven degrees,
of thirty-three degrees, or forty-three degrees, or fiftythree
degrees, or of ninety degrees!
Yes, brethren, I hope you will feel no kindness of heart
towards one who has so abused your confidence, mocked
your credulity, and trifled with your good sense. Pay her
double for all her indecencies. The shameless harlot 1 she
has palmed herself upon us for chaste virtue. Full of all
subtlety and craftiness, she would seem as simple and plainfaced
as a trowel. Promising to bring us to the light, she
first put a thick bandage over our eyes. Seeming to honour
the Bible, she makes it one light, where the square and the
compasses are the other two: pronouncing charity with ten
thousand tongues, she is careful how she extends it beyond
her own. She can read " mystic chronicles long since forgotten
in tradition, and lost in history/ 1 She can hold converse
with the spirit of other times, while she peruses the
mossy stones of dilapidated walls. She can speak die language
of Eden, " which has come down uncorrupted from
the plains of Shinar;" and she who employed Ham in the
ignoble office of Tyler, to the disrespect of his own mother
and sisters, now admits sisters to have their tyler and
lodge!
" Your zeal, my friend, carries you beyond the bounds of
modesty. You say tough things that are true; but you
have added to the extravagance of Free Masonry, giving