Chapter 1
Preface
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RECOMMENDATIO
Grand Chapter of the State of .Yew- fork, convened in the City
of Albany \ February 7, 5817
Resolved Uwaiimouslt, That this Grand Chapter recom- mend »o t»»e public in general, and more especially to all Ma- sonic Brethren, " The System of Free- Masonry," about to be published by compt -ion Salem T.»wji, Grand Chaplain. The subjects of that work, having b -en exhibited before the mem- bers of this Grand Chapter, in a series of addresses, we do re- commend it as a most valuable production, on Speculative Ma- sonry, an 1 believe it r ill be of great importance to the institu- tion in general, and interesting to every friend of truth, of sound principles and benevolent feelings
ISAAC HEMI'STED, Grand Secretary of the Grand Chapter:
Wit, the undersigned, having heard companion Salem Town's Masonic \ddrosses, which, by the special request of the Grand Chapter, he has reduced to « regular system, do most cordial* lv recommend it to all our brethren and companions, as a most valuable production, and in our opinion, calculated to advance tin* general interests of the Masonic Institution, and open a field for individual improvement in Masonic knowledge, more than any work which to our knowledge has appeared .to the public. We therefore feel the highest confidence in recom- mending it to the perusal of every Mason, entertaining no doubt, hut his mind will be thereby replenished with ru»ny new and interesting ideas, calculated to show the great impor- tance of the Institution.
M - R Ezra \mes, G~and Hi?h Priest.
E Joseph E*
E Jon* Brush, Grand Scribe
E Isaac Hempsted. Grand Treasurer: M.- E Samuel Edmonds, P. DO H Priest, •
E. Elisha Gilbert, Past Grand King.
K Asa Fitch, Past Grand Kiny
E. Chris. C Yates, Past Grand Treasurer.
IS, Ebehezer Wadswortb, Past Grund s'ci&c.
Grawvtlle, March 2, 18 IT. I have examined companion Salem Town's Addresses to the Gr«nd Chapter of New-York, and tor extent of Masonic re- scrch, purity of moral, correctness of Masonic principle, and fervency of piety, I consider them unequalled j and therefore most cordully recommend them to the perusal and patronage of
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the lovers of Masonry and human happiness. They develop the origin, principles and use of the institution, and redeem the sacred order at once from the ignorance, spleen and mistaken dread of a too censorious world. They enlighten the dark, teach the novice, confirm the weak, and add grace and beauty to what the discerning eye has ever deemed beautiful
Z. It. SH1PHERD, Past Dep. Grand H Priest.
Recommendation of the Honourable and Most Excellent Compan- ion DE WITT CLWTQJST> General Grand High Priest of the General Grated Chapter of the United States of America, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of JKerv-l'oi h t &c* &c.
Having perused some chapters of a manuscript, entitled " A System of Speculative Masonry" by companion Sait.m Town, of Washington county, highly approving the general outlines of this work, and being satisfied of its accurate and able illus- tration of the benign principles of Free-Masonry, I have no he- sitation in recommending it to the patronage of the fraternity. Dated at Albany, 20th March, 5817.
DE WITT CLINTON.
Since the publication of the first edition t the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the state of Vermont, and the Grand Master cfthe sUte of New- Jersey t have been pleased to communicate to the Author ; the following : —
The Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the state of Vermont, ten- der you their most grateful acknowledgments for your valua- ble and interesting publication on Speculative Masonry. They consider this book well calculated to do good, to remove the suspicions of prejudice, and to secure to the institution, a name and a praise, among all the lovers of science and virtue.
By order of the Grand Chapter*
