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

Brother Hughan points out that it is but that of 1738, with a new title.
In 1736 "Le Franc Macon," appeared at Frankfort and Leipzic, and was dedicated
to Count Bruhl. (Scott gives it in his Pocket Companion of 1757).
In 1737 "The Mysterious Receptions of the Celebrated Society of Freemasons."
Also, in the same year, "The Society of Masonry made known to all men," by
S.P.
In 1738, "Masonry further Dissected."
In 1745, The Testament of a Freemason or "Le Testament de Chevalier Graf."
In 1747, "L'Adept Macon, or the True Secret of Freemasonry."
In a work entitled "Magistracy settled upon its only True Basis," by Thomas
Nairn, Minister of the Gospel at Abbotshall, printed in the year MDCCXLVII., for
which I am indebted to my Publisher, there is a peculiar "Protestation" in the
Appendix. At Kirknewton, on December 27th, 1739, James Chrystie, James
Aikman, Andrew Purdie, and John Chrystie renounce the Mason-Word, to which
John Miller, at Dalkeith, July 27th, 1747, adds his adhesion. All repudiate their
oaths as members of "The Society of Operative Masons in the Lodge at
Torphicen to meet at Livingston Kirk." They declare "When I was young at my
admission amongst you, both as an Apprentice and Fellow Craft, wherein (upon
very solemn penalties) I was bound to Secrecy and also to admit none but
operative Masons into the Society." . . . "Kneeling upon their bare knee with the
Bible upon the same, and the naked arm upon the Bible." . . . "Most of the
secrets being idle stuff and lies." . . . "And as a further aggravation the idle and
excessive misspending of precious time and money in superstitious observation
of St. John's Day in idleness, drunkenness and profane jests and songs." Several
particulars {508} of the old Operative Charges are quoted and they withdraw from
the Society in favour of the "Oaths of our National and Solemn League and
Covenant."
In 1750, December 27th, A Sermon was preached at Gloucester, by F.M.: printed
and dedicated to "Henry Toy Bridgeman, of Prinknach, Esq.," High Sheriff of the
County of Gloucester, Master Mason, and Master of the Lodge of the Ancient
and Honourable Society of Free and Accepted Masons, regularly constituted in
the City of Gloucester.
In 1751, "An Answer to the Pope's Bull, with a Vindication of the Real Principles
of Freemasonry." Published by the assent and approbation of the Grand Lodge
of Ireland. "Magna est veritas et proevalebit." Dublin, printed by John Butler on
Cork Hill, for the author, 1751. Small 8vo., 64 pp. Dedicated -- "To the Right
Worshipful and Right Honourable Lord George Sackville, Grand Master of the
Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons in Ireland."
(Arms plate -- R. Close, Sculp.)
In the same year, "La Macon Demasque." By T.W. initiated at the Swan, in the
Strand, thro' his friend Mons. Cowen, a Mr. Fielding being the Venerable or
Master. London 1751. (In Berlin 1757).
It is not difficult to see where the shoe pinched the "Modern Mason." An old