CHAPTER X.

Outlines of Masonic History. — The proba- ble Origin of Masonry as an organized In* slitution. — The dissemination of its Prin- ciples amongst the Nations of the Earth.
YT is now proposed to exhibit a suc- cinct history of ancient Masonry, so far as the same can be ascertained, or fairly in- ferred, from the records of ancient, pro- fane, sacred or church histories. Some of the most distinguished ancient patrons and benefactors of the Institution will be nam- ed* Perhaps something of this nature may be useful and satisfactory to every friend of truth.
Various have been the opinions of his- torians, who have said any thin? on this subject, as well as Masons, relative to the origin- of ancient Free-Masonry : and this very circumstance will afford us incontro- vertible evidence of its great antiquity. Had it been of modern date, no difficulties could have arisen on this point ; its origin would have been recorded in numerous instances and immediately published to the world. Some persons from an enthu- siastic fondness for its antiquity, have tra- velled back to the commencement of time for its origin* It has been asserted, that
88 SPECULATIVE MASOKRY.
" ever since symmetry existed, and harmo- ny displayed her charms, our order ha9 had a being.'* That (be moralising principles were co-existent with those of true religion, there can be no doubt ; yet with no sem- blance of propriety can we hence date Ma- sonry, under its systematized form. It is by no means correct to speak of Masonry in the abstract, merely considering its prin- ciples, when we are only aiming to prove the origin of the Society, in a state of or- ganization. The materials of an excellent edifice may all exist, either in a wrought or unwrought state, yet, with no propriety can we speak of the existence of that edi- fice, until those materials are collected, properly arranged, and duly put together. Such, in this respect, is Masonry ; though its principles existed " ere time began, or nature received her birth." Notwithstand- ing there are many symbolical representa- tions highly instructive, pointing out man? important truths, and illustrating their excellencies, which claim great antiquity, yet these, in themselves considered, afford not sufficient proof that Free- Masonry must necessarily have been co-existent — Should we argue thus, it would prove more than any Brother would be willing to ad- mit. For in the order of time, many of our symbols have originated in periods
SPECULATIVE MASONRY. 89
distant from each other. This argu- nl, therefore, by proving too much; »ves nothing. Hence, it is evident* if H our moralizing principles we date the jin of Masonry, we must fix its era co- ntent with the Almighty. If we date it n the existence of symmetry and pro- tion, we date it from the creation of the Id; yea, before man existed : and if we ) it from the intoduction of our sym- i, we plainly contradict ourselves. It lid, therefore, be absurd to infer the o- n of Masonry in its organized state, neither of those considerations. Could in truth affirm that the earth had an ab- ite existence, merely from the Divine pose to call it into being, while as yet energies of Almighty power had not n put forth in its formation ? If not, nei-
can we affirm it of Masonry. Nothing e can be understood by its origin, than
period when its principles were sys- atized, and an Institution organized by ual association. It would hence ap- % that we have substantial reasons to ?lude, that an organized state of the iety termed Masonic, arose from the ortance of social intercourse, the lo- sing relative duties of mankind, and an i*>st solicitude amongst individuals to note the general good.- Meu, vd\o ImA
8*
90 SPECULATIVE MASONRY.
a sacred regard for the Divine charade: would endeavour to honour bis name by faithful discbarge of each subordinate di ty. Motives of benevolence would indue such men to unite their exertions in tb cause of humanity.
Profane history confirms the fact, bt yond the shadow of a doubt, that Masonrj in its primeval state, was principally opt rative. The same truth has also been mad to appear from sacred history. Symbol cal representations were introduced forth purpose of impressing on the heart, th importance and religious nature of thos things which were prefigured. Hence th serious and weighty considerations of ete nity, were constantly kept in view. By a easy and natural transition, the Order \\i been changed from ope rative to Speculativ Masonry. This truth also appears in pr fane history. That the operative principle are coeval with the creation of the materii world, cannot be doubted. That the m ralizing principles are, at least, co-existei with true religion, is equally certain. Bu that the existence of the Society in its o ganized state, was previous to the buildin of the temple, during the reign of Solomoi king of Israel, to me appears highly imprc hable. Those Masonic representation which every brother must necessarily wi
SPECULATIVE MASONRY. 91
£ r | ness on receiving the several degrees, are sufficient to convince me, that the Society, according to common acceptation of the «f term, then had its origin, or those repre- *l sentations must be groundless and absurd. It is also evident, as will hereafter be made ^f to appear, that the principles which con- •t stitute the foundation of the Masonic In- L jf stitution, were known to the ancient wise t men and fathers, from time immemorial ; by them held sacred and transmitted to the pnident and faithful, during all succeeding a ?es, to the time of Solomon. It is, there- fore, thought, in view of all considerations, I and all the evidence which can be had on r thi s subject, that we may safely date an- ient Masonry, as a regular institution, r from the reign of Solomon. Every cir- ^nstance attendant on that period fur- nishes corroborating evidence. This car- * ,e s U back to the year one thousand and twelve before the birth of Christ, or two *"°Usand eight hundred and twenty-nine ^ r .°'Jh the present time. Solomon, who was ,|r inely inspired, found it indispensably f^'cssary, in prosecuting such an under- ling as he had been directed, that the I °**kmen should be formed into a regular- ly organized body, that every part of the I l| 'Ming might be executed without the ^^st confusion, and with the gieate&t dea-
92 SPECULATIVE MASONRY.
patch. Nothing could he more conducive to the improvement and profit of the buil- ders, or to the prudence, wisdom and hon- our of their employer. The whole num- ber of men employed at the building of the temple, exclusive of the three grand officers, was one hundred and thirteen thousand six hundred. Of these, eighty thousand were stone-squarers, polishers, and sculptors; all of them ingenious and faithful craftsmen. Thirty thousand were employed in the cedar forests of Lebanon, in the rotation often thousand per month- Three thousand and three hundred being expert masters in working, were appointed
overseers and inspectors of the work.
Three hundred rulers or masters to lay out the work and superintend Hie gene rah can- cer ns. And t hree principal officers, not nui * 1- " bered, to direct in the whole plan, the forr* 1 * manner and workmanship of the whole bu i la- ding.
Thus, all the materials were prepare" with the utmost promptitude, every p* *"* of the temple completed with the greater s * skill, and all confusion prevented, whil*| harmony and brotherly love reign^" through all the different ordersof workme ** m
After the completion of this building, ** would be a dictate of reason to conclude* that the workmen must be eminently skii' - "
SPECULATIVE MASONRY. 93
ed in theii; arj ; that, anticipating the pe- riod of their separation, they would strength- en the cords of friendship by such ties and obligations as remain permanently bind- ing; that they would introduce a kind of language, unknown to the world, by which 'bey might for ever thereafter make them- selves known to each other; and that such additional regulations would be adopted, as should be best calculated to render the association lasting, useful and respectable. . After the completion and dedication of *he temple, we may reasonably conclude, toany of those craftsmen would travel not °nly through, the different tribes of Israel, kut amongst other contiguous nations, in J ^arch of employment equal to their skill. Fbose who had shown sufficient specimens *JT their skill, whose faithfulness and integ- ity had gained them distinction, whose * riderstandings were improved, and whose l ^arts were modeled and expanded by the ^>und principles of morality and virtue, v ouId most probably be instructed and re- vive commission to organize their breth- '^n, and form similar societies in different -*>untries, where they might travel or re- Mde. At any rate, this is a natural con- clusion, and what might necessarily be ex^ ejected to grow out of that order and mu- t ual friendship, which existed amongst the
94 SPECULATIVE MASONRY.
craftsmen at the building of tbe temple.— We may, therefore, reasonably act ount,io part, for the early and rapid dissemination of ancient Masonry amongst different na- tions, as well as for that striking similarity in the whole body of the Institution.— Some nations with which the world has had no intercourse for hundreds of years are in possession of all tbe Masonic secrets and have regular Lodges, similar ceremo nies, and in all essential points perfectly agree with the rest of the world.
Hiram, who was the king of Tyre, \ country contiguous to the Jews, was no only in league with Solomon, but his ac tive and zealous friend;* and Hiram tb celebrated artisan, had a Tyrian for bi father, though his mother was a Jewess.- Many of the Tynans were actively et gaged, with the workmen of Solomon, i preparing the materials and erecting tb temple. A friendly intercourse contini ed for many years between these nation on the principles of mutual reciprocity Masonry must, therefore, have existed an flourished amongst the Tyrians, nearly i the same degree as amongst the Jews. Th language of tbe Tynans, being almost ei tirely derived from the Hebrew, woul
* l. Kings, chap. 5,
SPECULATIVE MASONRY. 95
r facilitate this intercourse between ) nations.f
hundred and sixty-four years after lication of the temple, the Tyrians 1 a colony in the northern part of
whence arose the Carthagenians* 9opIe in a short time became ex- \\y commercial and opulent. A rcial and friendly intercourse ever led between the Tyrians and Car- ians, in such a manner, and on such as would induce us to believe, if ry existed amongst the former, it of course amongst the latter; The s not only sent colonies into Africa, -y into Europe. The city of Cadiz, las since become the great empo- f Spain, was very anciently founded
Tyrians. The Carthagenians in j of time possessed themselves of jatest part of Spain, together with
important Islands in the Mediter-
sea; all of which possessions/to- with their own country, afterwards o the hands of the Romans, ing the reign of Solomon especial- veil as before and after, a very inti- onnexion was kept up, between the md Egyptians. This is sufficiently
•
Lin, Book 2, Part l,6ec. 1.
96 SPECULATIVE MASONRY.
evident from one of the wives* of Solomon being the daughter of the king of Egypt; from their commercial intercourse, and i from many of the nobility of Egypt visit- ing the court of Solomon. . From this connexion, perhaps, we may* with some propriety, infer the introduction of ancient Masonry amongst the Egyp - tians. Be this however as it may, we are substantially informed by several ancient historians, that Masonry did flourish in Egypt soon after this period. It is we]* known, that the Egyptian priests have uni- formly been considered, by ancient histo- rians, as possessing many valuable secrets, and as the greatest proficients in the arts and sciences of their times. Whether they actually possessed the Masonic secrets o*" not, we cannot absolutely determine, but we have strong circumstantial reasons to believe they did. It was here that Pytha- goras was initiated into their mysteries* and instructed in 4heir art. It was lier^ that sculpture and architecture, and all tb^ sciences of those times,* were so greatly perfected. And here, it has been thought* antiquity, that Masonry was formerly cul-
* 1. Kings, Chap. x. verses 28, 29 —Also Indent History oi Egypt.
SPECULATIVE MASONRY. 97
»d and held in high estimation. Seve- Egyptian obelisks still remain, some lieh were, in the reign of Augustus, *yed to Home.* On these obelisks uriously engraved many hieroglyphic Masonic emblems. Egypt, by an- philosophcrs, was considered the of science. Hence we find that Ho- Lycurgus, Solon, Pythagoras, Plato, >s and many others of the ancient po- atesmen and philosophers, frequently d Egypt, where many of them, accor- to profane history ,f were by the E- an priests initiated into their mys- u
crops, an Egyptian, was the original ler of Athens. Hence a correspon- 5 would necessarily follow for some h of time between those countries. — if this connexion and correspondence ot afford a suitable medium for the Per of their mysteries, yet those phi- hers, who were in the habit of visit- Igypt, would, of course, carry back, eir native country, whatever they ed valuable for their own citizens. — y incidental circumstances, however, • in the history of the Grecian states*
lin, Book 1, Part 1, Chap. 2, Sec. 1. lin, Book 1, Part 2, Chap. 1.
9
98 SPECULATIVE MASONRY.
which strongly favour the idea oftheexte*- ence of Masonry amongst that people, i* they do not prove the very fact. Fro** 1 the many considerations which might t>6 mentioned, two shall in this place suffice At the time when the plague proved so mortal in the city of Athens, Hippocrates, a native of the island of Coos, being err»^- nent as a physician, was invited to Ather*. s. He immediately complied with the invit ^" tion, and proved abundantly serviceab Mt in that pestilential disorder.
Such was the gratitude of the Atheniar^s, that it was decreed "he should be initm *■ ted into the most exalted mysteries ^of their nation."*
When Alexander the great, in bis c quest of nations, approached the city *>f Jerusalem, he was met by the high prie ^t clad in all his pontifical robes. No soc^ n- er did the conqueror discover this venear^B- ble person, with the insignia of his officr~e, than, halting his army, he instantly advanc- ed, reverently bowed, saluted the h\^b priest, conferred with him, and depart «^d in peace.f This singular circumstance happened three hundred and thirty-thr^e years before the birth of Christ.
The Romans, who succeeded the Gre-
* Rollin, book vii chap, 3, sec. 2. f Ibid, book xi sec. 7.
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ei ^Hs in universal empire, had a favourable opportunity, in numerous ways, both from
iu ^ recians > ^ ie Carthagenians, and even [**s Jews themselves, of obtaining a know- ^dge of those mysteries which might ex- l $t in either of those nations.
To every critical reader of the Roman history, especially one who hasa knowledge Jimself of the Masonic Institution, very striking evidence will appear of the actu- al existence of Masonry amongst that na- ion.
On the whole, it is confidently believed, .hat many of the Roman geneials were not >nly Masons themselves, but great en- :ourageis of the art, both amongst their )wn citizens, and those of ancient Britain. Although tlie Britons were unknown to the Romans until the time of Julius Cae- 3ar, yet are there many convincing evi- dences that Masonry had long been known, even amongst that barbarous people, an- terior to tuat period.
The Druids, who were the ancient priests of Britain and Gaul, are thought to have derived their government, rights and cer- emonies from Pythagoras.
These Druids, who were the public in- structors of £he people, were held in high estimation. From tueir history, it is evi- dent, they, in a degree, understood geome-
100 SPECULATIVE MASONRY.
try and natural history, and also believed in the immortality of the soul. They had an Arch- Druid in each nation, who held sufficient authority to convene the others at pleasure, or whenever the general good required counsel. And it was their uni- form practice, on receiving any youth un- der their instructions, to retire to some re- mote place, where he was duly taught the** mysteries.* These circumstances are cal- culated to induce every person to believe certain mysteries, unknown to the peop^ e in general, were attached to their ceren* 45 " nies.
Ptthagoras is considered to have be^ n the founder of those institutions of \wf& Druids, and as he was ever thought to ha ~^ c been a Mason, we have strong eircumsta^f 1 ' tial reasons to believe something of lM^^ a sonry was known to the Druids. Mason r . therefore, might have existed amongst t^ " ancient Britons and Gauls, previous to th( having been conquered by the Romai However this may be, w T e find no count r in which it has flourished to that degn or been productive of greater good to nu kind than on the island of Great Brita In consequence, however, of those vari
* Harris's Encyclopaedia, vol. 2— and other Histories oF tke piuids.
ok otk.
-v,
;l
1
SPECULATIVE MASONRY. 101
lerfe ^ n «S?le? between the Picts and Scots, the Britons, Saxons and Danes, Masonry was not extensively cultivated until about five hundred and fifty years after the com- rupl ^ncement of the Christian era. About h\J *^at time» St. Austin, with a number of e J brethren came from Italy to England, k| * v here they devoted their time and talents, itf e **hisively, to the interests of Christianity r . : j a nd Masonry. At this time St. Austin Presided, in person, in laying the founda- '*ons of several important buildings. m In the vear six hundred and twenty-six, K +ng Athelstan summoned all the brethren ?F the kingdom to attend a general meet- **>g; he then granted them a charier, and ^^tablished a Grand Lodge, which has con- c *nued, by succession, until the present *^ay. Hence arose the ancient York Ma- ^tDns. In consequence of thjs high patron- **#e many of the nobility immediately came forward, and were united to the society.
In the year six hundred and ninety, Ed-
^ar became a distinguished patron of the
T^rder. In eight hundred and ninety six,
-Alfred the great, havingexpelled the Danes
^Vom his kingdom, became a zealous and
hearty encourager of Masonry. Such was
Iris attachment to the Order, that he appro-
priated one seventh part of his revenue to
promote the Institution.
9*
a
102 SPECULATIVE MASOKRr.
In one thousand and sixty-six the tower of London, the jpalace and hall of West- minster, and London bridge were begun under the joint patronage of the bishop of Rochester and the earl of Shrewsbury, both of whom were distinguished Masons. Du- ring the reigns of Henry I. and Stephen, the Order was liberally patronised by the crown ; and the chapel at Westminster, the house of commons and many other magni- ficent edifices were erected. In the reign of Edward III. lodges became numerous* and Masonry highly honourable. Richard