THE ARCANE SCHOOLS - Fort Myers Beach Masonic Lodge No. 362

foundation, the subject-matter, and the great ultimate end of the Christian
economy, so does the same Word, in all its relations to man, time, and eternity,
constitute the very spirit and essence of Speculative Freemasonry."--P. 155.
Again, referring to the promise of the Messiah, he says: "The same precious
promise is the great corner-stone in the edifice of Speculative Freemasonry."--P.
171. Again he says: "The Jewish order of priesthood from Aaron to Zacharias,
and even till the coming of Messias, was in confirmation of the great event, which
issued in the redemption of man. All pointed to the eternal priesthood of the Son
of God, who by his own blood made atonement for sin, and consecrated the way
to the Holy of holies. This constitutes the great and ultimate point of Masonic
research."--P. 121.
"That a knowledge of the divine Word, or Logos, should have been the object of
so much religious research from time immemorial adds not a little to the honor of
Speculative Freemasonry."--P. 151.
Again he says: "It is a great truth, and weighty as eternity, that the present and
everlasting well-being of mankind is solely and ultimately intended." --P. 170.
This he says of Freemasonry. But again he says: "Speculative Masonry, according
to present acceptation, has an ultimate reference to that spiritual building erected
by virtue in the heart, and summarily implies the arrangement and perfection of
those holy and sublime principles by which the soul is fitted for a meet temple of
God in a world of immortality." --P. 63. Does not Freemasonry profess to be a
saving religion?
Again he says: "In advancing to the fourth degree, the good man is greatly
encouraged to persevere in the ways of well-doing even to the end. He has a name
which no man knoweth save him that receiveth it. If, therefore, he be rejected and
cast forth among the rubbish of the world, he knows full well that the great
Master-builder of the universe, having chosen and prepared him a lively stone in
that spiritual building in the heavens, will bring him forth in triumph, while
shouting grace, grace to the Divine Redeemer. Then the Freemason is assured of
his election and final salvation. Hence, opens the fifth degree, where he discovers
his election to, and his glorified station in, the kingdom of his Father." Then again
he is assured of his "election and glorified station in the kingdom of his Father." If
this is not claiming for Freemasonry a saving power what is? Salem Town is the
great light in Freemasonry, as the title and history of his work imports. Does he
not claim that Freemasonry is a saving religion? To be sure he does, or no words
can assert such a claim. "With these views, the sixth degree is conferred, where
the riches of divine grace are opened in boundless prospect." "Then he beholds in
the eighth degree, that all the heavenly sojourners will be admitted within the veil
of God's presence, where they will become kings and priests before the throne of
his glory forever and ever."--Pp. 79-81. By the "heavenly sojourners," he certainly
means Freemasons. Observe what he asserts of them: "Then he (the Freemason)
beholds in the eighth degree that all the heavenly sojourners will be admitted
within the veil of God's presence, where they will become kings and priests
before the throne of his glory forever and ever." This clenches the claim. "The
maxims of wisdom are gradually unfolded, till the whole duty of man is clearly