CHAPTER XVI.

Millennial slate. — General prosperity, and prevalence of Speculative Free- Masonry.
THE great scheme of Redemption began to be published to our first parents immediately after their apostaey. Early was the first promise made of a Saviour, even that divine Word, which created all things. Here was laid that deep foundation, on which the whole superstructure of the gospel dispensation was erected. The same precious promise is the great corner stone in the edifice of Speculative Free-Mason- ry. The seed of the woman, the divine Word, which in due time should be made fleshy early became a subject deeply inte- resting. The character and office- work of this Mediator, were for many ages known and understood but by few : few also un- derstood the great subject matter of an- cient Masonic principles. As the know ? - ledge of the one was transmitted +>y oral tradition from Adam to Noah, so also was the other. After the general deluge, both were communicated to the world by hinv who alone found favour in the sight of God. When Abram was separated from his kin- dred, and called to sojourn in a strange land, God established the true church m
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his family. Through his lineal descend- ants, this church was preserved, from one generation to another, till the advent of the promised Messias. During the whole of this period, the light of Divine Revela- tion was gradually increasing in the moral world, some rays of which reached the un- derstandings of individuals without the pale of the Jewish nation.
Such, also, was the early and gradual dissemination of ancient Masonic princi- ples, in the first ages of the world. Some few of those general truths were known to individuals in pagan nations.
As divine light shone more clearly in the Christian world, forms of devotion became more regular, and spiritual worshippers ap- proximated nearer to the simplicity of the gospel.
In a manner not very dissimilar, were an» cietit Masonic principles discovered to be emanations from the great source of moral excellence, and assumed more and more the form of a regular system, as light in- creased and irradiated the understanding. After the advent of the Saviour, the church was duly organized, and the scripture ca- non of the Old Testament filled up. The gospel was then, by Divine command, to be «ent to all the nations of the earth, and churches established. In a much similar
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nner, during the reign of Solomon, Ma- le principles were duly arranged, the Lem properly organized, and reduced to )resent admirable form. After Ihe corn- lion and dedication of the temple, those sons who had been well instructed, not y in the operative, but speculative parts, ?ived authority from Solomon, with :ial directions, to establish the craft in ry country where they might travel, communicate to faithful persons those ortant principles in which they had n instructed. Thus, the Institution, in systematized form, began to be intro- 3d amongst ancient nations. We may ?e conclude, from the following consi- itions, that Speculative Free-Masonry rout to enter a very glorious and hap- : j ra .
l its primitive state, it was summarily prehended in the knowledge of the acter and attributes of the divine rd. As light increased, the nature and acter of this Word, were unfolded in ore extensive and interesting point of ?. Duties and obligations, in their va- s connexions, were more distinctly un- tood.
oah, Moses and Solomon were speci- taught by Divine Inspiration. This ap- ed in chapter fifth. It appears* U\fcC£-
14*
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fore, that the system, in some shap passed through many ages, even froi cient times, commended and approve men of manifest piety.
It is also certain, as in former time in these last days, Speculative Mas comprises those great and fund am principles which constitute the ver sence of the Christian system.
Yet, in modern times, much piou search has been bestowed on the Vol of Inspiration, and many mportant weighty truths have been clearly discc ed, which in former ages were overloc This detracts nothing from that pre( Volume, but only shows the weaknes human intellect, and the depth of Di truth.
In a similar manner, many useful interesting truths have been discover* the Masonic system; truths ever con sed in that scheme, yet overlooked, or dimly seen by the ancients; truths, \ once presented, striking the mind clear evidence, and satisfying every est inquirer. Neither does this del from Masonry, but only evinces those and unsearchable riches of moral e: lence embraced in the system.
In view, therefore, of the Divine oi of ancient Masonry \ i\a ^v^dw^l^ud c
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lar progress and dissemination, through the instrumentality of pious men, devoted to the service of their God and the good of mankind; from the nature of Ihe Institu- tion, the manifest coincidence in principle and design with the Christian economy, its harmonizing and controlling influence over the human heart ; from its general patronage by those who best understand the true nature and effect of its principles ; from its general flourishing state in this age of light,- of truth and knowledge : from all these have we not strong, yea, conclusive evidence, in reasoning from analogy, to be- lieve a period is not far distant, when this In- stitution will appear in beautiful garments, shine forth in the glory and excellence of her principles, the world be enlightened by her radiance, united in friendship, and rejoice together as brethren of one com- mon family ? Such an age we have abun- dant reason to expect, and such a one will fully display the moral beauty of Spe- culative Masonry in its true characteristic light. Such a display, I entertain no doubt, would command universal approbation. — It is a sacred truth, and weighty as eternity, that the present and everlasting good and well-being of mankind, are solely .and ul- timately intended. And, if we may safely infer the future from the p^sX, *ta^vs
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Masonic millennial period will soon com- mence, to the inexpressible joy of all llie inhabitants of the earth.
Why should such an opinion be consi- dered hypothetical ? why rejected as alto- gether improbable ? The analogy between Speculative Free-Masonry and Christiani- ty is not partial, but complete : it is not imaginary, but real. This analogy has, in its outlines, been briefly exhibited. Pre- vious to the Christian era, the true church of God had different external rights, cere- monies and requisitions, yet in its very es- sence was substantially the same as at the present day. This fact every person must admit, who acknowledges the church of God to be one. Masonry, in its earliest stages, was unsystematized in mam res- pects, and probably much less explicit as a science. In relation to membership, or what constituted the distinguishing Inarks of visible brotherhood, it might have been, in some unimportant sense, different from what it now is ; but as to first principles, most unquestionably, the same as at the present day. As the church of God was established in the family of Abram, and descended through his line, till Moses, by divine direction, introduced the Jewish ri- tual; so Masonry was transmitted from Enoch, through NoaYi, A.Y>taA\\,Mswfis> and
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heir successors, till Solomon, being inspi- ed of God, established a regular form of administration.
After the commencement of the Chris- tian era, the church was duly organized, and from that time to the present has, in a great mMsure, maintained the same forms, and observed the same memorials then in- stituted. Analogous to this, ancient Ma- sonry, since the time of Solomon, has been handed down, in all essential points, in per- ect conformity to the rights and ceremo- nies then established. The dissemination md prevalence of the one and the other, *ave been nearly the same in every civili- -ed country. During the past century, be two Institutions have had a more gen- ial spread and patronage than in any an- ^cedent, equal period of time. Within a ew years past the increase of both has >een altogether unexampled. In every ountry where Christianity has had a gene- al prevalence, Masonry has flourished to
similar extent.
This parallel, my brethren, exhibits a ?w of the more prominent features in the rogress of Free-Masonry, from the earli* ?t ages to the present time. Although jey are few, yet are they most strikingly nalogous to the progress of Christianity, rid, of consequence, justly entitled to our >rioU5 examination,
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It is believed a glorious millennial peri- od will soon be experienced in the church, and this belief is founded on Divine testi- mony. In view, therefore, of the forego- ing comparisons, have we not the same reasons to believe an era similar, in some respects, will soon commence in the Ma- sonic world I It is well known that great researches have been made, and are sii!' continued with increasing perseverance, to discover the manifold riches of Divine revelation ; that light increases ; and that Christian churches are ari>ing, trimming their lamps, and purifying their bodies. This most surely evidences the approach of the millennium.
It is also well known, that great resear- ches are making, as respects the deep and hidden mysteries of Speculative Free-Ma- sonry ; that light increases in the Institu- tion; and that the lodges are renewing their discipline, and pursuing such measures as shall more effectually promote the general good of mankind. Hence the general In- stitution is rapidly increasing in numbers and respectability, and patrons are greatly multiplied from the mnM virtuous and re- spectable part of the community. These cir- cumstances, collectively considered, sure- ly indicate something important. But, whatever may be the final result, we are
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strongly inclined to believe the Institution will continue to rise in the estimation of mankind, till it shall eventually receive universal approbation from all nations. — Principles so important in their nature, cannot always be overlooked. A society embracing so much historical, moral and religious instruction, cannot always be dis- regarded. The time will come, when man shall be a friend to man ; when peace and hdrmony shall reign; when brotherly love shall abound, and all shall practice what is now taught within the Lotfge.