Illustrations of Masonry, by One of the Fraternity [W. Morgan]

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1827 edition. Excerpt: ... tiucted by the same unerring: law of nature. A survey et nature, and the observations of her beautiful proportions, first determined man to imitate the divine plan, and study symetry and order. The Architect began to design; and the plans which he laid down, being improved by experience and time, have produced works which are the admiration of every age. The lapse of time, the ruthless band of ignorance, and the devastations of war have laid waste and destroyed many valuable monuments of antiquity, on which the utmost exertion of human genius have been employed. Even the Temple of Solomon, so spacious and magnificent, and constructed by so many celebrated artists, escaped not the unsparing ravages of barbarous force. The attentive ear recives the sound from the instructive tongue and the mysteries of Freemasonry are safely lodged in the repository of faithful breasts. Tools and implements of architecture, and symbolic emblems, most expressive, are selected by the fraternity, to imprint on the mind wise and serious truths; and thus, through a succession of ages, are transmitted, unimpaired, the most excellent tenets of our institution.' Here ends the work part of the Fellow Craft's degree. It will be observed that the candidate has received, in this place, the second section ef the lecture on this degree. This course is not generally pursued, but it is much the most instructive method, and when it is omitted, I genera+iy conclude that it is for want of a knowledge of the lecture. Monitorial writers [who are by no means coeval with Masonry] all write or copy very much after each other, and Ihey have all inserted in their books all (hose clauses of the several lectures which are not considered by the wise ones as tending to develope the...