INTRODUCTION

Originally published in 1775.

This edition is published by Bell Publishing Company distributed by Crown Publishers, Inc.

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1982 EDITION

Manufactured in the United States of America

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data

Hutchinson, William, 1732-1814.
The spirit of masonry.

Originally published: 1775.
1. Freemasons - Symbolism - Addresses, essays, lectures. I. Oliver, George, 1781-1861.
II. Title.
HS425. H85 1982 366'. 1 81-17963
ISBN 0-517-36604-5 AACR2

FOREWORD

Dr. Albert Gallatin Mackey wrote that of all the Masonic writers of the eighteenth century, "there was no one who did more to elevate the spirit and character of the Institution than William Hutchinson."

William James Hutchinson (1732-1814) was a solicitor, antiquarian, novelist, Freemason, prominent member of the Royal Society of Antiquaries and, for some years, Master of the Masonic Lodge of Concord at Barnard Castle. The series of lectures Hutchinson composed and delivered to the Lodge attracted so much attention that he was requested to publish them in permanent form.

In 1774, Hutchinson applied to the Grand Lodge of England for permission to publish and, having obtained it, Spirit of Masonry appeared in 1775. Although of a highly religious, Christian character, it soon became a classic in the literature of Freemasonry. Received with enthusiasm, it was widely accepted as the first work to deal with the religion, philosophy, spirituality, purpose, and deeper significance of Freemasonry. Its popularity among Masonic scholars has never decreased.

The scientific methodology, antiquarian expertise, and valuable information on the subject are solid evidence of the quality and character of this work. Indeed, more than two centuries have passed and Spirit of Masonry continues to be required reading for anyone seeking the inner mysteries of the Masonic Fraternity.

Hutchinson wrote in an age when the oral tradition of the attentive ear and the instructive tongue was rapidly falling prey to the ease and effectiveness of the printed word. With systematic care and scholarly precision, he preserved a part of that tradition in this handbook of subjects.

We may fault his etymologies as fanciful, object to his presumptions as unsubstantiated, or magnify what may appear to be errors of omission, but we must recognize that Spirit of Masonry opened new paths of thought on Freemasonry which, expanded and enlarged by subsequent writers, has helped to give the Fraternity the high rank it now holds.

ALLAN BOUDREAU, PH.D.
Curator and Librarian
Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York

THE SANCTION*

OBTAINED FOR THE FIRST EDITION.

Whereas Brother WILLIAM HUTCHINSON has compiled a book, entitled "The Spirit of Masonry," and has requested our Sanction for the publication thereof; we, having perused the said book, and finding it will be of use to this Society, do recommend the Same.

PETRE, G.M.
ROWLAND HOLT, D.G.M.
THOMAS NOEL, S.G.W.
JOHN HATCH, J.G.W.
ROWLAND BERKELEY, G.T.
JAMES HESELTINE, G.S.

* This Sanction is undated, but the above Grand Officers were appointed May, 2, 1774; and the First Edition, penes me, is dated 1775 - EDITOR.

WILLIAM HUTCHINSON, F.A.S.

The much respected Author of this work, paid the debt of nature on the 7th of April, 1814, at the Grove, Barnard Castle, at the advanced age of eighty-two years of an active and well-spent life. Notwithstanding an extensive practice as an Attorney-at-Law, such was Mr. Hutchinson 's indefatigable industry, that he compiled and wrote "A History of the County of Durham," in three large quarto volumes; "A View of Northumberland," in two volumes; "A History of Cumberland," in two quarto volumes; "The Spirit of Masonry," which has gone through many editions; with a number of other publications, to which his name was not prefixed. He was a Member of the Royal Society of Antiquaries, and much respected for his extensive literary acquirements, his cultivated mind, and suavity of manners. His death was preceded only two or three days by that of his wife, in the 78th year of her age; and they were both interred in the same grave.

THE AUTHOR'S ADDREDS PREFIXED TO THE SECOND EDITION

TO THE ANCIENT AND HONORABLE SOCIETY OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS

BRETHREN, - The following Lectures were composed for the use of the Barnard Castle Lodge of Concord, over which I presided for several successive years. Explanatory notes are given to support my positions, or exemplify the principles of the work.

These Lectures, it is hoped, may serve to detect the wretched artifices used by wicked men to impose upon the world; and may also excite in you the due exercise of those moral works which
our profession enjoins.

From the nature of our Society and its laws, it is difficult to write on the subject of Masonry. We are not allowed that explicit language any other topic would admit of. The moral intention of the work must plead for what is couched in allegory, or comprehended in that peculiarity of language which our mysteries prescribe.

To this edition many valuable Lectures, Observations, and Proofs, are added.

THE AUTHOR

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