We will conclude these lectures with collecting into one view the propositions and maxims which have engaged our attention throughout the whole work; thereby to give a clear idea of the mysteries of Masonry, the progression and spirit of its institution, Origin, and present state.
We may have seemed prolix, and appear to have filled our arguments or representations with repetitions; but where that seeming impropriety takes place, it was necessary to urge a position which contended with some accepted error, prepossession, or vulgar prejudice.
From the ancient rites and ceremonies which we have laid before you, it will be easy for you to trace the origins of our own rites, and to discover the foundations on which our society was erected. It is evident they had their progress in the postdiluvian world from Ham. We have been under a necessity sometimes to use terms of art, or expressions which to others may not carry distinct and clear images; but to the brethren breathe an energy which flows from the united force of technical terms, symbols, and hieroglyphics. When we speak of Masons under the denomination of a society, we mean Masons as embodied in lodges, according to the present manners in which such lodges are held. Our antiquity is in our principles, maxims, language, learning, and religion: those we derive from Eden,* from the patriarchs, and from the sages of the east; all which are made perfect under the Christian dispensation. The light and doctrines which we possess are derived from the beginning of time, and have descended through this long succession of ages uncorrupted; but our modes and manners are deduced from the different eras of paradise, the building of the temple at Jerusalem, and the Christian revelation.
(* "WISDOM preserved the first formed father of the world, that was created alone, and brought him out of his fall, and gave him power to rule all things " (Wisd. x. 1, 2.) -EDITOR)
We have explained to you, that the structure of the lodge is a pattern of the universe, and that the first entry of a Mason represents the first worship of the true God. We have retained the Egyptian symbols of the sun and moon, as emblems of God's power, eternity, omnipresence, and benevolence;** and thereby we signify, that we are the children of light, and that the first foundation of our profession is the knowledge and adoration of the Almighty, ?es???a?e? who seateth himself in the centre of the heavens. We derive from the Druids many of the Amonian rites; and are bold to say, that we retain more of the ceremonials and doctrines of the Druids than is to be found in the whole world besides;*** and have saved from oblivion many of their religious rites, in our initiation to the first degree of Masonry, which otherwise would have slept in eternity. These we seem to have mixed and tempered with the principles of the Essenes, who are a sect as ancient as the departure of the children of Israel out of Egypt. The philosophy of the Egyptians, and the manners, principles, and customs of the Hebrews, were introduced to this land by the Phœmcians, and make a part of our profession, so far as they are adapted to the worship of Nature's great Author, unpolluted by idolatry.
(** In fact, among all people, a circle was the symbol of the Deity. Thus Hermes Trismegistus, as Alan Copo (Max. Propos. vii.) asserts, defined God to be an intelligible sphere, whose centre is every where, but whose circumference is indefinable; because, being eternal, no computation of time can estimate his existence. And David said, to the same effect, "Thou art the same, and thy years will have no end." In some countries he was called" the circle of heaven," because the expanse which he was supposed to fill, is boundless. -EDITOR)
(*** The knowledge of astronomy, which die Druids undoubtedly possessed, is a strong argument in proof, not only of the primitive population of this island by the very first descendants of the Noachic Ogdoad, who were well versed in this sublime science, but also that this knowledge was accompanied by the patriarchal system of religion; and there can be little doubt but these priests had acquired a proficiency in the science; which cannot be otherwise accounted for; and applied its principles to the practice of Masonry, as is fully exemplified in the remains of their sacred edifices. -EDITOR)
We hold our grand festival on the day of St. John, which is Midsummer-day;* in which we celebrate that season when the sun is in its greatest altitude, and in the midst of its prolific powers: the great type of the omnipotence of the Deity.
(* Appendix, A.)
The famous lawyer, Lord Coke, in his Treatise on Littleton's Institutes, says, "Prudent antiquity did, for more solemnity and better memory and observation of that which is to be done, express substances under ceremonies."
It has been pointed out to you, that the furnitures of the lodge are emblems excitive of morality and good government: prudence shines in the centre; or if you would apply this object to more sacred principles, it represents the blazing star which conducted the wise men to Bethlehem, and proclaimed the presence of the Son of God. It is here placed in your view, that you may remember to work out the works of salvation, which is at hand: and that you may pass on in acts of strict propriety with great alacrity, the Tessalata or Mosaic-work intimates to you the checkered diversity and uncertainty of human affairs; that you may not set your hearts on the things of this world, but lay up your treasures where the rust cannot deface their polish and luster, neither can the moth despoil the garment for the wedding feast.
To protect and support us under the infirmities of nature, and lead us to the paths of propriety, the book of true knowledge is in the lodge; the Master circumscribes you, as with the sweep of the compass; and the square is your trial, whereby you shall prove the rectitude and uniformity of your manners.
In the next lecture it was demonstrated to you that, to be a worthy servant in the temple of God, you must be clothed with innocence, that your service may stand in approbation, and you may be accepted in heaven. Our jewels are emblems of that good working in a moral mind which adorns the life of man-faith, charity, and uprightness.
In the succeeding lecture you were led to a discernment of the second race of the servants of God under the Mosaic law, the truth being stripped of the errors of idolatry. This stage is adapted to the second gradation of Masonry.
We have argued for the propriety of our adopting geometry in this society, as being a science from whence the mighty powers of God are revealed and demonstrated to mankind.
Afterwards the estate of the worshippers of the Deity was attended to under the corruptions of the house of Israel, and under the rottenness of the old law In this assembly of Christians, it is nowise requisite to attempt an argument on the necessity which there was upon earth for a Mediator and Savior for man; in the rubbish, superstitions, ceremonials, and filth of the Jewish temple, the true worship of God was buried and confounded, and innocence became only the ornaments of its monument. Then it was that the Divinity, looking down with an eye of commiseration on the deplorable state of man, in his mercy and love sent us a Preceptor and Mediator, who should teach to us the doctrine of regeneration, and raise us from the sepulcher of sin, to which the human race had resigned themselves; he gave to us the precepts of that acceptable service wherewith his father should be well pleased; he made the sacrifice of expiation, and, becoming the first fruits of them that slept, manifested to mankind the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. In the Master's order this whole doctrine is symbolized, and the Christian conduct is by types presented to us.
We Masons have adopted three particular characteristics - secrecy, charity, and brotherly love. Our sense of these three great duties has been explained, and of what especial import they are of to Masons, or to men who have separated themselves from the rest of mankind, and professed that they are servants of Him who ruleth in the midst of heaven.
Lastly, we have attempted to examine into the origin of our society, and in many instances, wandering without evidence, have been left to probability in conjecture only. It doth not now seem material to us what our originals and predecessors were, if we occupy ourselves in the true Spirit of Masonry; in that divine spirit which inspired the patriarchs when they erected altars unto the Lord; if we are true servants to our king, faithful and true to our chartered liberties, Christians in profession and in practice, and to each other, and mankind in general, affectionate and upright.
Whether Masons were originally builders* or religious, it matters not to us in this age: comparing these works with the righteousness to which you have been exhorted, the honor of antiquity would be swallowed up in the virtues of practice, and in the splendor of that light of acceptation, which at once proclaims to the world that we are servants of the true God, who saves our souls alive.
(Appendix, P.)
If our ceremonies mean not the matter which has been expressed; if they imply not the moral and religious principles which we have endeavored to unveil; it may be asked of you, Masons, what they do imply, import, or indicate?
Can we presume so many learned and noble personages would, for many successive ages, have been steady members of this fraternity, if the mysteries were unimportant, and the ceremonies unintelligible? It cannot be; take away their spirit, and they become ridiculous.
Hath it been for ages a maxim of foolish sport, to introduce men to a silly snare, in which the guide, having been entrapped into ridicule, longs to laugh at another for revenge? It is too ridiculous to be presumed. Besides, if it was only so, the snare might be formed and ornamented with simple things, and there was no need to introduce sacred matters into the device. This renders the conjecture so absurd, that it will bear no further animadversion.
We Masons profess that we are pilgrims in progression from the east. The Almighty planted a garden in the east, wherein he placed the perfection of human nature, the first man full of innocence and divine knowledge, and full of honor, even bearing the image of God.
Learning had its first progression from the east after the Flood; the Egyptians were the first who represented the zodiac, and the first who demonstrated the wisdom of the great Architect of the World in the revolutions of the Heavens; they were the first projectors of the science of Geometry.
In regard to the doctrine of our Savior and the Christian revelation, it proceeded from the east. The star which proclaimed the birth of the Son of God appeared in the east. The east was an expression used by the prophets to denote the Redeemer. From thence it may well be conceived that we should profess our progress to be from thence; if we profess by being Masons, that we are a society of the servants of that Divinity, whose abode is with the Father co-eternal, in the centre of the Heavens. But if we profess no suck matter, then why should not we have alleged our progress to have been from the north, and the regions of chaos and darkness?
But we will, my brethren, forbear all further argument, and close the labors of the year with a sincere exhortation, that you will continue to act in this society as upright and religious men: that you will exert yourselves in the promotion of its honor; and let the wicked and ignorant revile ever so maliciously, be strenuous in your duties, as Masons and as Brethren: exercise your benevolence with openness of heart, and your charity with cordiality, and not as hypocrites: with attention endeavor to arrive at the utmost knowledge of your profession, the end of which, we boldly proclaim to you, is to work out the works of righteousness.
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