I.
Page 297* What mote ytt be?
(* The number refers to the page in which the questions occur.)
Mr. Locke observes, in his annotation on this question, that the answer to it imports, that Masonry consists of natural, mathematical, and mechanical knowledge; some part of which the Masons pretend to have taught the rest of mankind, and some part they still conceal. The arts which have been communicated to the world by Masons are particularly specified in an answer to one of the following questions, as are also those which they have restricted to themselves for wise purposes. Morality might likewise have been included in this answer, as it constitutes a principal part of the Masonic system: every character, figure, and emblem adopted by Masons, having a moral tendency, and serving to inculcate the practice of virtue.
II.
Page 297. Where dyd ytt begynne?
Mr. Locke's remark on the answer to this question, that Masons believe there were men in the east before Adam, is indeed a mere conjecture. This opinion may be confirmed by many learned authors, hut Masons comprehend the true meaning of Masonry taking its rise in the east and spreading to the west, without having recourse to the Pre-Adamites. East and west are terms peculiar to the society; and, when masonically adopted, are only intelligible to Masons, as they refer to certain forms and established customs among themselves.
III.
Page, 298. Who did brynge ytt westlye?
The judicious corrections of an illiterate clerk, in the answer to this question as well as the next, reflects great credit on the ingenious annotator. His explanation is just, and his elucidation accurate.
IV.
Page 298. Howe comede ytt yn Engelonde?
Pythagoras was regularly initiated into Masonry, and being properly instructed in the mysteries of the art, he was much improved, and propagated the principles of the order in other countries into which he afterwards traveled. The records of the fraternity inform us, that the usages and customs among Masons have ever corresponded with those of the ancient Egyptians, to which they bear a near affinity. These philosophers, unwilling to expose their mysteries to vulgar eyes, couched with particular tenets and principles of polity under hieroglyphical figures, and expressed their notions of government by signs and symbols, which they communicated to their magi alone, and they were bound by oath not to reveal them. Hence arose the Pythagorean system, and many other orders of a more modern date. This method of inculcating sublime truths and important points of knowledge by allegory, secured them from descending into the familiar reach of every inattentive and unprepared novice, from whom they might not receive due veneration. A similar custom still prevails in many of the eastern nations.
V.
Page 300. Dothe Maconnes discouer there artes unto odhers?
Masons in all ages have studied the general good of mankind. Every art which is useful or necessary for the support of authority and preservation of good government, as well as for promoting science, they have cheerfully communicated to mankind. Those matters which were of no public importance they have carefully preserved in their own breasts, such as the tenets of the order, their mystic forms and particular customs. Thus they have been distinguished in different countries, and by this means have confined their privileges to the just and meritorious.
VI.
Page, 300. Whatte artes haueth the Maconnes techedde mankynde?
The arts, which the Masons have publicly
taught, are here specified. It appears to have surprised the learned
annotator that religion should be ranked among the arts propagated
by the fraternity. Masons have ever, in compliance with the tenor
of their profession, paid due obedience to the moral law, and
have inculcated its precepts with powerful energy on all their
followers. The doctrine of one God, the Creator and Preserver
of the universe, has always been their firm belief. Under the
influence of this doctrine, the conduct of the fraternity has
been regulated through a succession of ages. The progress of knowledge
and philosophy, aided by divine revelation, having abolished many
of the vain superstitions of antiquity, and enlightened the minds
of men with the knowledge of the true God and the sacred mysteries
of the Christian faith, Masons have always acquiesced in, and
zealously pursued, every measure which might promote that holy
religion so wisely calculated to make men happy. In those countries,
however, where the gospel has not reached, and Christianity displayed
her beauties, the Masons have pursued the universal religion,
or the religion of nature; that is, to be good men and true, by
whatever denomination or persuasion they have been distinguished.
A cheerful compliance with the established religion of the country
in which they live, in so far as it corresponds with, and is agreeable
to, the tenets of Masonry, is earnestly recommended in all their
assemblies. This universal conformity, notwithstanding private
sentiment and opinion, answers the laudable purpose of conciliating
true
friendship among men, and is an art few are qualified to learn,
and still fewer to reach.
VII.
Page 301. How comede Maconnes more teachers than odher menne?
The answer implies that Masons having greater opportunities of improving their natural parts are better qualified to instruct others. Mr. Locke's observation on their having the art of finding new arts is very judicious, and his explanation of it just. The fraternity have ever made the study of the arts a principal part of their private amusement; in their several assemblies nice and difficult theories have been faithfully canvassed and wisely explained; fresh discoveries have also been produced, and those already known have been accurately illustrated. The different classes established, the gradual progression of knowledge communicated, and the regularity observed throughout the whole system of their government, is an evident proof of this assertion. Those initiated into the mysteries of the art soon discover that Masons are possessed of the art of finding out new arts; to which knowledge they gradually arrive by instruction from, and familiar intercourse with, men of genius and ability.
VIII.
Page 301. What dothe the Maconnes concele and hyde?
The answer imports the art of finding new arts for their profit and praise, and then particularizes the different arts they carefully conceal. Mr. Locke's remark, that this shows too much regard for their own society, and too little for the rest of mankind, is rather too severe, when he has admitted the propriety of concealing from the world what is of no real public utility, lest, being converted to bad uses, the consequences might be prejudicial to society. By the word praise is here meant honor and respect; to which the Masons were ever entitled, and which could only give credit to the wise doctrines they propagated. Their fidelity has ever given them a claim to esteem, and the rectitude of their manners has ever demanded veneration.
Mr. Locke has made several judicious observations on the answer to this question. His being in the dark concerning the meaning of the faculty of Abrac, I am nowise surprised at, nor can I conceive how he could otherwise be. Abrac is an abbreviation of the word Abracadabra. In the days of ignorance and superstition, that word had a magical signification, and was written in a certain form peculiar to the craft. The explanation of it is now lost.
Our celebrated annotator has taken no notice of the Masons having the art of working miracles, and forseeing things to come. Astrology was received as one of the arts which merited their patronage; and the good effect resulting from the study of it may fully vindicate the countenance given by the Masons to this delusion.
The ancient philosophers applied with unwearied diligence to discover the aspects, magnitudes, distances, motions, and revolutions of the heavenly bodies; and, according to the discoveries they made, pretended to foretell future events, and to deter-mine concerning the secrets of Providence: hence this study grew, in course of time, to be a regular science, and was admitted among the other arts practiced by Masons.
Astrology, it must be owned, however vain and delusive in itself, has proved extremely useful to mankind by promoting the excellent science of astronomy. The vain hope of reading the fates of men and the success of their designs, has been one of the strongest motives to induce them, in all countries, to an attentive observation of the celestial bodies; whence they have been taught to measure time, to mark the duration of seasons, and to regulate the operations of agriculture.
IX.
Page 303. Wylle he teche me thay same artes?
By the answer to this question, we learn the necessary qualifications which are required in a candidate for Masonry; a good character, and an able capacity.
X.
Page 303. Dothe all Maconnes kunne more then odher menne?
The answer implies that Masons have a better opportunity than the rest of mankind of improving in useful knowledge.
XI.
Page 303. Are Maconnes gudder menne than odhers?
Masons are not understood to be more virtuous in their lives and actions than other men may be ; but it is an undoubted fact, that a strict conformity to the rules of their profession may make them better men than they otherwise would be.
XII.
Page 303. Dothe Maconnes love eidher odher myghtylye as beeth sayde?
The answer to this question is truly great, and is judiciously remarked upon by the learned annotator.
By the answers to the three last questions, Masonry is vindicated against all the objections of cavilers; its excellency is displayed; and every censure against it, on account of the transgressions of its professors, entirely removed. No bad man can be enrolled in our records, if known to be so; but should he impose upon us, and we unwarily are led to receive him, our endeavors are exerted to reform him; and it is certain, by being a Mason, he will become a better subject to his sovereign, and a more useful member to the state.
Upon the whole, Mr. Locke's observations on this curious manuscript are well deserving a serious and careful examination; and there remains little doubt but the favorable opinion he conceived of the society of Masons before his admission, was sufficiently confirmed after his initiation.
Of all the arts which Masons profess, the art of keeping a secret particularly distinguishes them. Secrecy is a proof of wisdom, and is of the utmost importance in the different transactions of life. - Sacred as well as profane history has declared it to be an art of inestimable value. Secrecy is agreeable to the Deity himself, who gives the glorious example by concealing from mankind the secrets of his providence. The wisest of men cannot pry into the arcana of Heaven, nor can they divine today what tomorrow may bring forth. Many instances may be adduced from history of the great veneration that was paid to this art by the ancients, but I shall only select a few for the present entertainment of the reader.
Pliny informs us that Anaxarchus, being imprisoned, with a view to extort from him some secrets with which he had been entrusted, and, dreading that exquisite torture might induce him to betray his trust, bit his tongue in the middle, and threw it in the face of Nicoreon, the tyrant of Cyprus. No torments could make the servants of Plancus betray the secrets of their master; with fortitude they encountered every pain, and strenuously supported their fidelity, till death put a period to their sufferings. The Athenians had a statue of brass to which they bowed; the figure was represented without a tongue, to denote secrecy. The Egyptians worshipped Harpocrates, the god of Silence, who was always represented holding his finger to his mouth. The Romans had also their goddess of Silence, named Angerona, to whom they offered worship. In short, the multiplicity of examples which might be brought to confirm the regard that was paid to this virtue in the early ages would increase the plan of my work far beyond its prescribed limits; suffice it to observe, that Lycurgus, the celebrated law-giver, as well as Pythagoras, the great scholar, particularly recommended this virtue; especially the last, who kept his disciples silent during seven years, that they might learn the valuable secrets he had to communicate to them; thereby expressing that secrecy was the rarest, as well as the noblest art.
I shall conclude my remarks with the following story, related by a Roman historian, which, as it may be equally pleasing and instructive, I shall give at full length:
The senators of Rome had ordained that, during their consultations in the senate-house, each brother senator should be permitted to bring his son with him, who was to depart if occasion required. This favor, however, was not general, but restricted only to the sons of noblemen, who were tutored, from their infancy, in the virtue of secrecy, and thereby qualified, in their riper years, to discharge the most important offices of government with fidelity and wisdom. About this time it happened that the senators met on a very important case, and the affair requiring mature deliberation, they were detained longer than usual in the senate-house, and the conclusion of their determination adjourned to the following day; each member engaging, in the meantime, to keep secret the transactions of the meeting. Among other noble-men's sons who had attended on the occasion, was the son of the grave Papyrus, a family of great renown and splendor. The young Papyrus was no less remarkable for his genius than for the prudence of his deportment. On his return home, his mother, anxious to know what important case had been debated in the senate that day, which had detained the senators beyond the usual hour, entreated him to relate the particulars. The noble and virtuous youth told her it was a business not in his power to reveal, he being solemnly enjoined to silence. On hearing this, her importunities were more earnest, and her inquiries more minute. -Intelligence she must have; all evasions were vain. First, by fair speeches and entreaties, with liberal promises, she endeavored to break open this little casket of secrecy; then, finding her efforts in vain, she adopted rigorous measures, and had recourse to stripes and violent threats; firmly persuaded that force would extort what lenity could not effect. The youth, finding his mother's threats to be very harsh, but her stripes more severe, comparing his love to her, as his mother, with the duty he owed to his father; the one mighty, but the other impulsive; lays her and her fond conceit in one scale; his father, his own honor, and the solemn injunctions to secrecy, in the other scale: and, finding the latter greatly preponderate, with a noble and heroic spirit preserved his honor, at the risk of his mother's displeasure; and thus endeavored to relieve her anxiety:
"Madam, and dear mother, you may well blame the senate for their long sitting, at least, for presuming to call in question a case so truly impertinent: except the wives of the senators are allowed to consult thereon, there can be no hope of a conclusion. I speak this only from my own opinion; I know their gravity will easily confound my juvenile apprehensions; yet whether nature or duty instructs me to do so, I cannot tell. It seems necessary to them, for the increase of people, and the public good, that every senator should be allowed two wives; or, otherwise, their wives two husbands. I shall hardly incline to call, under one roof, two men by the name of father; I had rather, with cheerfulness, salute two women by the name of mother. This is the question, mother, and tomorrow is to be determined."
His mother hearing this, and his seeming unwilling to reveal it, she took it for an infallible truth. Her blood was quickly fired, and rage ensued. Without enquiring farther into the case, she immediately dispatched messengers to all the other ladies and matrons of Rome, acquainting them of this weighty affair now under deliberation, in which the peace and welfare of their whole lives were so nearly concerned. The melancholy news soon spread a general alarm; a thousand conjectures were formed; and the ladies being resolved to give their assistance in the decision of this weighty point, immediately assembled; and, headed by young Papyrus's mother, on the next morning proceeded to the senate-house. Though it is remarked that a parliament of women are seldom governed by one speaker, yet the affair being so urgent, the haste as pertinent, and the case (on their behalf) of the utmost consequence, the revealing woman must speak for all the rest and insist on the necessity of the concurrence of the senators' wives to the determination of a law in which they were so particularly interested. When they came to the door of the senate-house, such a noise was made for admission to sit with their husbands in this grand consultation, that all Rome seemed to be in an uproar. Their business must be known before they have audience; which being complied with, and their admission granted, such an elaborate oration was made by the female speaker on the occasion, in behalf of her sex, as astonished the whole senators. She requested that the matter might be seriously canvassed according to justice and equity; and expressed the determined resolution of all her sisters to oppose a measure so unconstitutional as that of permitting one husband to have two wives, who could scarcely please one; she proposed, as the most effectual way of peopling the state, that, if any alteration was made in the established custom of Rome, women might be permitted to have two husbands. Upon the riddle being solved the ladies were greatly confounded, and departed with blushing cheeks; while the noble youth, who had thus proved himself worthy of his trust, was highly commended for his fidelity. However, in order to avoid a like tumult in future, the senate resolved that the custom of introducing their sons should be abolished; but that young Papyrus, on account of his attachment to his word, and his discreet policy, should be freely admitted, and ever afterwards be dignified and rewarded.
The virtue and fidelity of Papyrus is truly worthy of imitation; but the Masons have a still more glorious example in their own body, of a brother, accomplished in every art, who, rather than forfeit his honor, or betray his trust, fell a sacrifice to the cruel hand of a barbarous assassin.
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