Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

CONCLUSION, 303
her ninety degrees, thirty-seven more steps to her ladder
than she ever thought of."
Stay; but why may not Free Masonry have the other
thirty-seven degrees 1 Where, brethren, are the ancient
land-marks ? In 1730, the limit in America was three. In
1797, a push was made to seven. In 1801, the sovereign
inspectors announced thirty-three in direct ascent,
and twenty collateral degrees. (See Jkddufs Orations.)
In 1816, the number in direct ascent was increased to
forty-three. (See F- M. L.) And now why not go to
ninety? It is done. I have before me, in fair type, the
names, and the numbers against the names, of ninety degrees
of Free Masonry as given in Europe in 1825. They
are in French, divided into four series; the first of thirtythree
symbolic degrees; the second of thirty-three philosophic
degrees; the third of eleven mystic degrees, and
the fourth of thirteen hermetic and cabalistic degrees. The
four series are again divided into seventeen classes. The
last I copy for the satisfaction of the brethren; but let me
not attempt to translate the universal language.
" 17th Class. 87°. SS.: GG.: P.: P.: G.: G.:MM.:
Constit. Rep. Legit de l'Ord pour
la premiere serie.
88°. Idem pour la deuxieme serie.
80°. Idem pour la trois&ne serie.
90°. Et dernier dfegrfe SS.\ GG.\ MM/.
Abs. Puiss. Sup. de l'Ord.
Esprit du Dogme, p. 263.
"Whatever we tell
u Of Trulla that's improbable,
" Shall be deposed by those have seen't,
u Or, what's as good, produced in print:
"And if they will not take our word,
" Well prove it true upon record."
Thus, brethren, such a flood of innovation has gone over
the ancient landmarks, that Free Masonry's own science,
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