Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

BOOK OF CONSTITUTIONS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 49
who are set over them in the work of the lodges. " Brethren,
submit yourselves unto such," &c.
But' this story is not locked up in the lodge room with the
Book of Constitutions, nor in the breasts of " great Masons
;" if it were so, its harm would be incalculable, though
much less than when it is published in TI popular form, and
finds access to the very mind. It is published, with slight
variations, in one of the most popular masonic works of
the age, Hardie's Monitor, in a plain type, with every sanction
and circumstance calculated to impress the reader
with the belief both of the genuineness of the manuscript,
and of Mr. Locke's notes; and, what is more, of the fairness
of the conclusion of that great philosopher and good
man, that Masonry was a wonder worthy of his eager investigation.
It is published, also, with particular zeal by Mr. Hutchinson,
under the sanction of the Grand Lodge of England,
and by Calcott, and by the renowned Master of the Lodge
of Antiquity, Mr. William Preston.
I wipe my hands of this, as well as the other erroneous
pretensions of Masonry. Humble as an individual brother
may be, I cannot consent for a day to have my name quoted
as one that belongs to a society, under its public seal upholding
pretensions so abhorrent to truth and to piety, as
are contained in this authenticated manuscript.
Conscience directs, and the world will uphold, this cause.
Masons themselves will follow it, when once they have
coolly examined, and find that all these things are word for
word, without gloss or redeeming comment, in the Book of
Constitutions.*
* The Free Mason's Library, from p. 8. to 14, contains this same disgraceful
paper, word for word, as given in the Book of Constitutions of
Massachusetts, a paper which the great Clinton, in his unfortunate attachment
to Masonry, condescends to name without a word of disapprobation:
" The celebrated philosopher, John Locke, was much struck with a manu-
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