Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

~A MASONRY.
" The third class (Master Masons) is confined t6 a selected
few, whom truth and fidelity have distinguished, whom
years and experience have improved, and whom merit and
abilities have entitled to preferment. With whom the ancient
landmarks of the order are preserved, and from whom
we learn and practice those necessary and instructive lessons,
which at once dignify tfte art, and qualify its numerous
professors to illustrate and explain its excellence and
utility.
" This is the established mode of our government, when
we act in conformity to our rules, By this judicious arrangement,
true friendship is cultivated among different
rank* and degrees of men, while hospitality is promoted,
industry rewarded, and ingenuity encouraged."
While copying, I exclaim, is it possible that I am a Master
Mason! that I have been made even a fellow craft, to
receive " an accurate elucidation of science both in theory
and practice ?" have I received the explanation of the nice
and difficult theories ; also, the new discoveries and the beautiful
embellishments of those truths already discovered, all
which things, it seems, are conferred in the second degree!
And what a wonder that they are now entirely forgotten!
It is some comfort, under the loss, to know that I am received
among that selected few, who, having been presented
with all that the second degree has to give, and being distinguished
for truth and fidelity, enjoy the preferment, to
which they are by their merit and abilities entitled, WHO
ARE QUALIFIED TO ILLUSTRATE AND EXPLAIN THE EXCEL­
LENCE OF THE ORDER, AND ITS UTILITY.
I attempt only in my way; and if a master can do this,
as the Grand Lodge here certify, the writer may; and this
is his view of " the order:" that excellence and utility are
to be named in connexion with the gentlemen of the order
only; that the institution itself is a whited sepulchre, full
of loathsome decay and dead men's bones.