CHAPTER V.

Ancient Masonry Operative and Religious.
THE next point, in order, will be to establish this position, that Ancient Mason- ry was Operative and Religious. By ope- rative Masonry, we allude to the proper application of the useful rules of architec- ture, whence a structure will derive its fi- gure, strength and beauty." Hence, Ma- sonry and architecture or geometry were anciently used as synonymous.
"In the beginning," we are informed, ( darkness was upon the face of the deep." •Then did the Supreme Architect of uni- v ^rsal nature display the greatness of his Power, and the excellency of his wisdom. ed, and it stood fast." The amazing sub- J } f nity and grandeur of the material crea- * lo n, the beauty and variety, the harmony ar Kl order, excited the liveliest emotions °f joy amongst the angelic hosts. This ^^s the first display of the operative prin- c, ples pertaining to the science of £eome- fy. Not that we would convey the idea *hat the Creator performed th?, work of Cr ^ation by the formal application of the Principles of geometry or architecture, but
52 SPECULATIVE MASONRY.
that such principles may clearly be deck ced from the order, beauty, symmetry aa proportion discoverable in his works. I this point of view only we wish to be ur derstood, in relation to the first display c those principles whence operative Masor ry anciently arose. It will be easy t prove that the science of architecture, g operative Masonry, in the first ages of Ih world, was divinely taught to men divini ]y inspired ; that moral and religious ii structions were originally designed to a company, and be inferred from the open live part, for the improvement and bapp ness of mankind.
To the law and the testimony we apnea The experience and testimony of Noal Moses and Solomon are directly in poin
Noah* was a preacher of righteousnes to the inhabitants of the old world, a hui
* Let it be remarked in this place, and carefully recolle ed by every reader, that when mention is made of Noah, Abrai Moses and others, who lived before the building of the first ter pie, that the Masonic character and knowledge of those persoi is to be understood in a qualified sense- It is not meant to I asserted that they belonged to regular bodies and associated i members of this Institution It is not pretended that they wei initiated into the Order, as in modern times ; neither is it sti] posed they were known by the name or style of Masons. A we wish to have understood is, that Noah, and others after hie embraced and taught such geometrical and moral principles t were fundamental in the first establishment of the Institutio: when duly organized, and such as are essential in the syste of Speculative Masonry as it now exists We, therefore, me* to say, that many principles peculiar to our Institution were u
SPECULATIVE MASONRY. 53
dt> dred and twenty years. In consequence
'oc of the wickedness of man, God determined
Ii[ to destroy all flesh, except Noah and his
unj family. The Divine purpose was, th*-re-
4 fore made known to this man, and the way
w by which his deliverance should be eflect-
m ed. Divine instructions were from time to
®l time communicated in relation to that great
M undertaking, by which his deliverance
W should be effected ; and it is literally true,
®l 'bat Noah was specially taught, by the Spi-
*l r U of God, the length and breadth, the
l height and depth, the form, manner, and
/ Workmanship of that building, which he
f Prepared, by divine command, to the sav-
,r *5J of his house. It hence appears, that
'hf Ark was erected under the immediate
a nd special superintendence of a Divine a-
£tent. Such is the testimony of Inspiration,
a s recorded in the Scriptures of truth.
When Moses conducted the Hebrews *Vom Egypt towards the promised land, his journeying* arid encampments were direct- ed by a pillar of a cloud by day, and a pil- lar of fire by night. Divine agency was a- bundanlly manifest in the deliverance and protection, the support and preservation of that people, during forty years' travel in
derstood and patronised by those men. Such, we feel confident, is the fact, llence we claim them as ancient patrons, because through their bands have been transmitted those excellent prin- ciple* which now characterize Speculative Masonry.
5*
i
54 SPECULATIVE MASONRY.
the wilderness. Moses, their prophet ar leader, being called up into Mount Sina talked with God fare to face, as a man tall eth with his friend. Here were delivere to him the tables of stone, containing tl decalogue, written by the finger of Goc Here, also, was shown to Moses the who pattern of the tabernacle. This taberhar was designed as a visible pledge and tokc that God would go with that people, th he would communicate divine instruction that he would guide them in their duty, well as in their journey, and finally cau the nation to inherit the promised land.- Moses was not only directed by words ha to build this tabernacle, but was shown i a model, exactly representing the form, tl symmetry and proportion of every par " For see," saith Inspiration, " thou mal all things according to the pattern show* to thee in the Mount." Hence, also, v discover that Divine knowledge was coi municated to Moses in every particul; which related to the building of the tabe nacle.
The next example is that of king Sol mon's temple. Previous to the eommenc ment of this great undertaking, Solomo went to Gibeon, where he offered numetoi sacrifices, and humbly and devoutly wo shipped the God of his fathers agreeabl
SPECULATIVE MASONRY. f)5
to the custom of his nation. Meet ing the di- vine approbation in these services, God in- spired him. with wisdom and understanding in a most eminent degree. Under Divine superintendence, he built the temple at Je- rusalem with such perfect symmetry, that it became the beauty and the wonder of the World. All civilized nations admit Solo- mon most probably was a Mason, and the fact is admitted from the circumstance of his building the temple. If therefore, his Masonic character rests on this ground, the conclusion is irresistible, that his Masonic knowledge was Divinely derived. The same inference is equally true of Moses. *W the temple of Solomon was built after the similitude of the tabernacle, whose pat- tern was showed in Mount Sinai. In each c ^e, therefore, we observe the same Di- v *ne Author directing, the same principles °f symmetry and proportion taught, and the s &uie important end kept in view. Hence ^ derive this certain truth from divine a uthority, that just as far as the operative principles of architecture or Masonry were n ^cessary in building the Ark, to preserve * posterity in the earth, in rearing the ta- bernacle in the wilderness, that token of pod's presence, and the temple at Jerusa- ; e *n, that bright emblem of heaven itself; J u st so far Divine knowledge was coauxui-
56 SPECULATIVE MASONRY.
nicated, Divine superintendence exercised^ arid Divine approbation manifested. Noah a Moses and Solomon were men highly fa _ voured of God, and received their sever communications from the same Divin source. It therefore follows, by parity reasoning, that according to primitive ac ceptation, Noah, Moses and Solomon we skilled in the science of architecture or a cient Masonry ; and as they did not, wil their own hands, build the ark, the tabe nacle and temple, those principles neeess ry for that purpose must, of consequenc have been communicated to others.
These several buildings had their spirit- ual allusions, and were typical of very itn- portant events in the economy of the mor- al system, and originally designed to con- vey religious instruction.
The ark most beautifully typified {he great Redeemer of the world, who endur- ed the flood of Divine wrath for a season*
that he might atone for the sins of man.
It was also emblematical of that great sal-' vation which constitutes the sure ark of- our safety in the day of final retribution-* The tabernacle was a type of the humar* nature of our glorious Mediator. It alscr* had a manifest reference to every true be-" liever, to the church of God, and even tcr heaven itself. Numerous references were?
SPECULATIVE MASONRY. . 57
lade to this tabernacle, under the Jewish ixpensation, which are replete with reli- ious knowledge and instruction. Its very i#ure and partitions, its ornaments and overings, with its whole plan, workman- bip and service, were subjects of moral nd religious explanations. Thus did the ncient Jews understand them, and thus o modern expositors. The temple of Solomon was an assemblage f types, which, in a peculiar manner, pre- ^ured those numerous moral events on hich the salvation and future happiness T man depended. The whole workman- tip, its materials and building, its pillars, Arches and partitions, the brazen sea and t* lavers, the candlesticks and the uten- ls of service, the cherubim, the ark of ie covenant, the altar of incense, the cen- >r and the mercy-seat, all pointed to those iblime events which issued in man's re- emption. All things pointing to the pu- liation of the soul, through the office- ork of the promised Messiah, to the great toneroent which should be wrought out y him,to the gospel dispensation, tot lie call- ugof the Gentiles, to the futureglory of the hurchon earth,andto the final admission of be righteous to that u temple not made with aruls, eternal in the heavens." Such was >e Divine appointment under the Jewish
58 SPECULATIVE MASONRY.
economy, that sensible objects were con- stituted emblematic of moral events, in sc striking a manner, as in view of them to impress the mind with devotional contem- plations. The ancient Jews were looking forward, with anxious expectations, to the coming of the promised Messiah. And the constant employment of the craftsmen who wrought at the temple, was on those sensi- ble objects which pointed to his appear- ing, and constantly reminded them of its happy and glorious consequences. Hence, we may reasonably conclude that archi- tecture, or ancient Masonry, was not only operative, but in many respects, religious. Suffice it, therefore, to say, in addition to all other considerations, that just and sat- isfactory evidence of this truth is contain- ed within the sacred veils of our Institution; and every person who is regularly introduc- ed, may on this head obtain such evidence. That ancient Masonry was operative, there can be no doubt ; and, from this view of the subject, all may have reason to be- lieve it was improved for moral and reli- gious purposes.