M. W Jamfs Giles, G M of the G L. of the state of

•Yew- Jersey, and U. P* ofBcardsleij It* A* C.
*
jfoZu- *¥ &** J4***~>
A SYSTEM
OF
SPECULATIVE MASONRY.
\ \
\\ ~ v^ V
SYSTEM
of '--. . ;
IN ITS
ORIGIN, PATRONAGE* DISSEMINATION, PRINCIPLES, DUTIES, AND ULTI- MATE DESIGNS, LAID OPEN FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE SERIOUS AND CANDID :
BEING A
COURSE OF LECTURES,
DELIVERED BEFORE THE
GRAND CHAPTER OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK,
AT THEIR
ANNUAL MEETL\GS,
HELD JS TEMPLE CHAPTER ROOM, IN THE CITY OF ALBANY.
Br SALEM TOWN, A. M. Grand Chaplain, t
PRINCIPAL OF GRANVILLE ACADEMY.
44 To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no inao knowetb, saving he that receiveth it." st. john.
* ' According to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept se- cret since the world began. 1 ' bt. pall.
SECOND EDITION.
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\ \ SALEM, JV. r.
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PRINTED BY H. DODD AND CO
1822. ,
4
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PSVLU- M uu»»-
MML U«»* AI ?. a
Northern District of Netv- York, ss.
Be it hemembered. that on the twenty third day of April, io the forty-sixth year of the Independence of the United (l. 8.) States of America, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and twenty two, Salem Town, of the said District, has deposited in this Office, the title of a Book, the right whereof he claims as Author in the words following, to wit : " A System of Speculative Masonry in its Origin. Patronage. Disip.miMatmn, Principles. Duties and Ultimate Designs, laid open/or the Examination of the Serious and Candid ; being a Course of Lectures delivered before the Grand Chap- ter of the State of New- York, at their Annual meetings held in Temple Chapte\ Room, in the City of Albany. By Salem T«m, A. M. Grand Chaplaiix, Principal of Granville Academy.
'* To him that overcometh will J give to eat of the hidden manna and will ghfe him a white stone* and in the stone a new name nritten, which no man knoweth saving he thai receiveth it," St. John.
" According to the Revelation of the Mystery which was kept set ret since the world began, St. Paul.
In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, en- titled '• An Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned." And ako, to the Act, entitled " An Act, supplementary to an Act, entitled ' an Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned, 1 and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical and other prints.
* RICHARD R. LANSING,
Clerk if the Northern District of New- York.
Ml
FOLLOWING WORK
II HUMBLY DEDICATED TO THE
MOST EXCELLENT GRAND CHAPTER
^ OF THE STATE OF NEW- YORK,
H B7 THEIR
^ BROTHER AND COMPANION,
"I SALEM TOWN.
^Feb.4, A. L.58I7.
%
PREFACE.
THE public are informed, that the following pages were originally prepared in separate addresses, only to be exhibited before Masons. That the author had not the most distant idea of their appearing in print. Not that he thought some publica- tion, of a similar nature, might not be ex- ceedingly important; but that it should pooie from one better able to do justice to a subject of so much public interest.
The sentiments contained in this little book, have been exhibited before the " r and Chapter of this state, and the most y them in the same languafl^they are now * 0|, nd. The arrangement in chapters, was jo throw the work into v the form of a -regit* Jar system.-
yVt tbs annual meeting of the Grand ^' l5 *pter in February, eighteen hundred an *J sixteen, the idea was suggested of pre- P at "ing for the press, several Masonic ad- Jj lf *5iSM, which had been delivered before ,^t honourable body. On mature delibeia- " (> *~i, the measure was thought expedient, ? nc * therefore adopted. Relying on the ? e t ter discernment of respectable and well HtffVirmed brethren, the work has been sub- m *t.ttd. It is, therefore, ^presented to the
VI PREFACE.
public, not for its elegance of composition, but for its truth. The primary object was, to give a plain, concise description of Speculative Pice-Masonry.
Some few repetitions will be found to occur in language and sentiment, which are to be ascribed to the original prepara- tion in distinct addresses. It is, however, sincerely hoped, some good may result to community. It is confidently believed, the brotherhood will take occasion to improve on those general ideas suggested in the work ; that the community in general, will be inclined to think favourably of our In- stitution. We mean not to deceive. We mean, to statc^acts, in relation to Specula- tive Pree-M snronry. We have no doubt, but what you find in these pages, would accord with your own views and feelings on the subject, should you unite with our Society, and fully understand its. princi- ples. We are not deceived as to the na- ture of those important instructions deri- ved from the institution. We know we are not. They are plain, and according to the common acceptation entertained of mo- ral fitness, not only by the wise and pru- dent and discerning, but the more hum- ble capacity. As we are your neighbours and friends, we wish to be your brethren. To love and cherish you as such, and per-
p • * » • .
•
• •
PREFACE. VU
form all those mutual and reciprocal acts of friendship, which are required, and are binding on members of this Society. We wish to be fellow helpers with you, in pro- moting the general happiness and well be- ing of mankind. Our charity is more ex- tensive. We wish the whole world might become brethren of one common family, and fulfil all those offices of kindness, re- sulting from such a relation.
These are privileges peculiar to our pro- fession, and we desire they may be com- mensurate with human wants. Many, how- ever, are restricted to members of our own Society. This, we think, cannot be wrong in itself. It is according to the very na- ture of things. It is precisely what exists in every associated body of men, formed for any laudable purpose whatever. In su ch bodies we expect to find privileges Peculiar to their own members.
Nothing is intmded by this work, but a plain, unadorned statement of Masonic principles. Nothing is designed to be con- strued unfavourably, as to the sacred scrip- tures, or the churches of Christ, or any re- ligious denomination. Nothing is design- ed to reflect, either on the community in general, or individuals of that community. # The plain truth is, we, as Masons, do be- lieve in the high importance and utility of
Till PREFACE.
the Institution, and are not only willing, but desire that others should be informed, as far as consistent, what our privileges are. If, therefore, the public are pleased with us as citizens, as neighbours, as friends and cortnexions, why not esteem us as Masons ? If we are wholesome citizens, good neigh- bours, honest merchants and mechanics, or wise and prudent statesmen, why may we not be good and honest Masons? If our opinions in other mailers* are esteemed equally sound withother men's, why should we be disbelieved in our opinions of Ma- sonry ? Let the inquiry be made, whether it is in any way probable, that all Masons should have been deceived. Let us exer- cise charity towards each other, and be as- sured, neither our happiness, nor our friend- ship, nor our interest will, in the least, suf- fer by it.
THE AUTHOR.
CONTENTS.
Page. Preliminaries. - - - -13