SECTION I.

A Letter from the learned Mr. John Locke to the Right Hon. Thomas Earl of Pembroke, with an old Manuscript on the subject of Freemasonry.
6TH MAY, 1696. MY LORD,
I have at length, by the help .of Mr. Collins, procured a copy of that MS. in the Bodleian library, which you were so curious to see ; and, in obedience to your Lord- ship's commands, I herewith send it to you. Most of the notes annexed to it are what I made yesterday for the reading of my Lady Masham, who is become so fond of Masonry as to say, that she now more than ever wishes herself a man, that she might be capable of admission into the Fraternity.
The MS. of which this is a copy, appears to be about IbO years old ; yet (as your Lordship will observe by the title) it is itself a copy of one yet more ancient by about 100 years ; for the original is said to be the hand- writing of K. Henry VI. Where that prince had it, is at present an uncertainty; but it seems to me to be an examination (taken perhaps before the king) of some one of the bro- therhood of Masons ; among whom he entered himself, as it is said, when he came out of his minority, and thence- forth put a stop to a persecution that had been raised against them : but I must not detain your Lordship longer by my preface from the thing itself.
I know not what effect the sight of this old paper may have upon your Lordship ; but for my own part I cannot deny, that it has so much raised my curiosity, as to induce
80 ILLUSTRATIONS
me to enter myself into the Fraternity, which I am deter- mined to do (if I may be admitted) the next time I go to London, and that will be shortly. I am,
MY LORD, Your Lordship's most obedient,
. and most humble servant,
JOHN LOCKE.
Certayne Questyons, with Answeres to the same, concerning the Mystery of MAJONRYE ; writtene by the hande of kynge HENRYE, the sixthe of the name, and faithfully e copycd by me1 JOHAN LEYLANDE, Antiquarius, by the commaunde oj his2 Highnesse.
They be as followethe : —
QUEST. What mote ytt be?3
ANSW. Ytt beeth the skylle of Nature, the understond- ynge of the myghte that ys hereynne, and its sondrye werkynges: sonderlyche, the skylle of reckenyngs, of waightes and rnetynges, and the true manere of fa^on- nynge al thyngs for mannes use ; headlye, dwellinges, and buyldynges of alle kindes, and all other thynges that make gudde to inanne.
QUEST. Where dyd ytt begynne?
ANSW. Ytt dydd begynne with the ffyrste menne yn the este,4 whych were before the5 ffyrste menne of the
1 JOHN LEYLANDE was appointed by Henry VIII., at the dissolution of monasteries, to search for and save such books and records as were valuable among them. * He was a man of great labour and industry.
* His HIGHNESSE, meaning the said King Henry VIII. Our kings had not then the title of Majesty.
3 What mote ytt be ?] That is, what may this mystery of Masonry be? The answer imports. That it consists in natural, mathematical, and mechanical knowledge. Some part of which (as appears by what follows) the Masons pretend to have taught the rest of mankind, and some part they still conceal.
4 3 Ffyrste menne yn the este, &c.] It should seem by this, that Masons believe there were men in the east before Adam, who is called the " ffyrste manne of the weste ;" and that arts and sciences began in the east. Some authors of great note for learning have been of the same opinion; and it is certain that Europe and Africa, (which, in respect to Asia, may be called western countries,) were wild and savage, long after arts and politeness of manners were in great perfection in China and the Indies.
OF MASONRY. 81
weste; and comyinge westlye, ytt hathe broughte her- wyth alle comfortes to the wylde and comfortlesse.
QUEST. Who dyd brynge ytt westlye?
ANSW. The Venetians,0 whoo beynge grate merchaun- des, corned ffyrste ftromme the este ynn Venetia, for the commodyte of merchaundysynge beithe este and weste bey the redde and myddlonde sees.
QUEST. Howe comede ytt yn Engelonde?
ANSW. Peter Gower,7 a Grecian journeydde ffor kun- nynge yn Egypte, and in Syria, and yn everyche londe, whereas the Venetians hadde plaunted ma^onrye, and wynnynge entraunce yn al lodges of ma^onnes, he lerried muche, and retournedde, and woned yn Grecia Magna,8 wacksynge and becommynge a myghtye wyseacre,9 and gratelyche renowned, and her he framed a grate lodge at
8 The Venetians, &c.] In the times of monkish ignorance it is no wonder that the Phoenicians should be mistaken for the Venetians. Or, perhaps, if the people were not taken one for the other, similitude of sound might deceive the clerk who first took down the examination. The Phoenicians were the greatest voyagers among the ancients, and were in Europe thought to be the inventors of letters, which, perhaps, they brought from the east with other arts.
7 Peter Gower,] This must be another mistake of the writer. I was puzzled at first to guess who Peter Gower should be, the name being perfectly English ; or how a Greek should come by such a name. But as soon as I thought of Pythagoras, I could scarce forbear smiling, to find that philosopher had undergone a metempsychosis he never dreamt of. We need only consider the French pronunciation of his name, Pythagore, that is, Petagore, to conceive how easily such a mis- take may be made by an unlearned clerk. That Pythagoras travelled for knowledge into Egypt. &c., is known to all the learned ; and that he was initiated into several different Orders of priests, who in those days kept all their learning secret from the vulgar, is as well known. Pythagoras also made every geometrical theorem a secret, arid admit- ted only such to the knowledge of them as had first undergone a five years' silence. He is supposed to be the inventor of the 47th proposi- tion of the first book of Euclid, for which, in the joy of his heart, it is said he sacrificed a hecatomb. He also knew the true system of the world, lately revived by Copernicus; and was certainly a most wonder- ful man. See his Life by DION. HAL.
8 GRECIA MAGNA, a part of Italy formerly so called, in which the Greeks had settled a large colony.
9 Wyseacre.] This word at present signifies simpleton, but formerly had a quite contrary meaning. Wiseacre, in the old Saxon, is philo- sopher, wiseman, or wizard ; and having been frequently used ironically, at length came to have a direct meaning in the ironical sense. Thus Duns Scotus. a man famed for the subtilty and acuteness of his under- standing, has, by the same method of irony, given a general name tc modern dunces.
5*
82 ILLUSTRATIONS
Groton,10 and maked manye Maconnes, some whereoffe dyde journeye yn Fraunce and maked manye Maconnes; wherefromme, yn processe of tyme, the Arte passed in Engelonde.
QUEST. Dothe Maconnes descouer here artes unto odhers 't
ANSW. Peter Gower, whenne he journeyede to lerne, was ffyrste made,11 and anonne techedde; evenne soe shulde all odhers beyn recht. Natheless Mayonnes hauethe12 alweys, yn everyche tyme, from tyme to tyme, communycatedde to mannkynde soche of her secret tea as general lyche rayghte be usefulle ; they haueth keped back soche allein as shulde be harmfulle ytf they coined yn euylle haundes, oder soche as ne myghte be holpynge wytbouten the techynges to be joynedde lierwythe in the lodge, oder soche as do bynde the freres more strong- lyche togeder, bey the proffytte and commodytye com- ynge to the confrerie lierfroiinne.
QEST. Whatte artes haueth the Maconnes techedde inankynde?
ANSW. The artes agricultura,13 architecture, astro- nomia, geometria, numeres, musica, poesie, kymistrye, governemente, and relygyonne.
QUEST. Howe commethe Mayonnes more teachers than odher menue?
ANSW. The hemselfe haueth allein in arte of ffyndynge neue artes,14 whyche arte the ffyrste Mayonnes receaued
10 Groton,] Groton is the name of a place in England. The place here meant is Crotona, a city of Grecia Magna, which in the time of Pythagoras was very populous.
11 Ffyrste made.] The word MADE I suppose has a particular mean- ing among the Masons; perhaps it signifies initiated.
13 Mac.onnes hauethe — communycatedde, &c.J This paragraph hath something remarkable in it. It contains a justification of the secrecy so much boasted 'of by Mtsons, and so much blamed by others; asserting that they have in all ages discovered such things as might be useful, and that they conceal such only as would be hurtful either to the wor4d or themselves. What these secrets are. we see after- wards.
13 The artes agricultura, &c.] It seems a bold pretence, this of the Masons, that they have taught mankind all these arts. They have their own authority for it; and I know not how we shall disprove them. But what appears most odd is, that they reckon religion among the arts.
H Arte of ffyndynge neue artes,] The art of inventing arts, must certainly be a most useful art. My Lord Bacon's Novum Organum ia
OF MASONRY. 83
from Godde ; by the whyche they fyndethe what artes hem plesethe, and the treu way of teachynge the same. Whatt odher menne doethe ffynde out, ys onelyche bey chaunce, and herfore but lytel I tro.
QUEST. What dothe the Masonries concele and hyde?
ANSW. Thay concele the the arte of fFyndynge neue artes, and thatt ys for here owne proffytte, and preise :15 they concelethe the arte of kepynge secrettes,16 that soe the worlde mayeth nothinge concele from them. Thay concelethe the arte of wunder-werckynge, and of fore- sayinge thynges to comme, that so thay same artes may not be usedde of the wyckedde to an euyell ende. Thay also concelethe the arte of chaunges,17 the wey of wyn- nynge the facultye of Abrac,18 the skylle of becommynge gude and parfyghte wythouten the holpynges of fere and hope ; and the universelle longage of Ma?onnes.19
QUEST. Wylle he teche me thay same artes?
an attempt towards somewhat of the same kind. But I much doubt, that if ever the Masons had it, they have now lost it ; since so few new arts have been lately invented, and so many are wanted. The idea I have of such an art is, that it must be something proper to be employed in all the sciences generally, as algebra is in numbers, by the help of which new rules of arithmetic are, and may be found.
15 Preise :] It seems the Masons have great regard to the reputation as well as the profit of their Order ; since they make it one reason for not divulging an art in common, that it may do honour to the posses- sors of it. 1 think in this particular they show too much regard for their own society, and too little for the rest of mankind.
16 Arte of kepynge secrettes,] What kind of an art this is, I can by no means imagine. But certainly such an art the Masons must have : for though, as some people suppose, they should have no secret at all, even that must be a secret, which, being discovered, would expose them to the highest ridicule ; and therefore it requires the utmost caution to conceal it.
17 Arte of chaunges,] I know not what this means, unless it be the transmutation of metals.
18 Facultye of Abrac,] Here I am utterly in the dark.
18 Universelle longage of Masonnes.] An universal language has been much desired by the learned of many ages. It is a thing rather to be wished than hoped for. But it seems the Masons pretend to have such a thing among them. If it be true, I guess it must be something like the language of the Pantomimes, among the ancient Romans, who are said to be able, by signs only, to express and deliver any oration intelligibly to men of all nations and languages. A man who has all these arts and advantages is certainly in a condition to be envied : but we are told that this is not the case with all Masons ; for though these arts are among them, and all have a right and an opportunity to know them, yet some want capacity, and others industry, to acquire them. However, of all their aits and secrets, that which I most desire to
84 ILLUSTRATIONS
ANSW. Ye shalle be techedde yff ye be werthye, ana able to lerne.
QUEST. Dothe all Ma^onnes kunne more then odher menne?
ANSW. Not so. Thay onlyche haueth recht and occasyonne more then odher menne to kunne, butt inanye doeth fale yn capacity, and manye more doth want industrye, that ys peniecessarye for the gaynynge all kunnynge.
QUEST. Are Ma^onnes gudder men than odhers?
ANSW. Some Ma^onnes are not so virtuous as some odher menne ; but, yn the most parte, thay be more gude then they would be yf thay war not Masonnes.
QUEST. Dothe Magonnes love eidher odher myghtylye as beeth sayde?
ANSW. Yea verylyche, and yt may not odherwise be : for gude menne and true, kennynge eidher odher to be soche, doeth always love the more as they be more gude.20
[Here endethe the questyonnes and awnsweres.]
know is, " The skylle of becommynge gude and parfyghte ;" and I wish it were communicated to all mankind, since there is nothing more true than the beautiful sentence contained in the last answer, " That the better men are, the more they love one another:" Virtue having in itself something so amiable as to charm the hearts of all that behold it.
20 A GLOSSARY of antiquated Words in the foregoing Manuscript
Aibein, only Myghte, power
Alweys, always Occasyonne, opportunity
Beithe, both Odher, other
Commodyte, convenience Onelyche, only
Confrerie, fraternity Pernecessarye, absolutely neces-
Faconnynge, forming sary
Foresayingc, prophesying Preise, honour
Freres, brethren Recht, right
Headlye, chiefly Reckenyngs, numbers
Hem plesethe, they please Sonderlyciie, particularly
Hemselfe, themselves Skylle, knowledge
Her, there, their Wacksynge, growing
Hereynne, therein Werck, operation
Herwyth, with it Wey, way
Holpynge, beneficial Whereas, where
Kunne, know Woned, dwelt
Kunnynge, knowledge Wunderwerckyngc, working
Make gudde, are beneficial miracles
Metynges, measures Wylde, savage
Mote, may Wynnynge, gaining
Myddlonde, Mediterranean Ynn, into
OP MASONRY. 86
SECT. II.
Remarks on the preceding Manuscript, ahd on the Annotations of Mr. LOCKE.
THIS dialogue possesses a double claim to our regard : first, for its antiquity ; and next, for the notes added to it by Mr. Locke, who, though not at that time enrolled in the order of Masons, offers very just conjectures on their history and traditions.
Every reader must feel a secret satisfaction in the perusal of this ancient manuscript, especially the true Mason, whom it more nearly concerns. The recommend- ation of a philosopher of as great merit and penetration as this nation ever produced, added to the real value of the piece itself, mus,t give it a sanction and render it deserving a serious examination.
The conjecture of the learned annotator concerning its being an examination taken before King Henry of one of the Fraternity of Masons, is accurate. The* severe edict passed at that time against the Society, and the discouragement given to the Masons by the Bishop of Winchester and his party, induced that prince, in his riper years, to make a strict scrutiny into the nature of the Masonic Institution ; which was attended with the happy circumstance of gaining his favour, and his pa- tronage. Had not the civil commotions in the kingdom during his reign attracted the notice of government, this act would probably have been repealed, through the intercession of the Duke of Gloucester, whose attach- ment to the Fraternity was conspicuous.
Page 80. What mote ytt be?] Mr. Locke observes, in his annotation on this question, that the answer im- ports, Masonry consists of natural, mathematical, and mechanical knowledge; some part of which, he says, the Masons pretend to have taught mankind, and some part they still conceal. — The arts which they have com- municated to the world, are particularly specified in an answer to one of the following questions ; as are also those which they have restricted to themselves for wise purposes. — Morality, however, might have been included in this answer, as it constitutes a principal part of the masonic system.
86 ILLUSTRATIONS
Page 80. Where dyd ytt begynne?] In the annota- tion to the answer on this question, Mr. Locke seems to suggest, that Masons believed there were men in the East before Adam, which is, indeed, a mere conjecture. This opinion may be countenanced by some learned authors; but Masons comprehend the true meaning ot Masonry taking rise in the east and spreading to the west, without having recourse to the Preadamites. East and west are terms peculiar to their Society , and when masonically adopted are very intelligible,21 as they refer to certain forms and established customs among themselves. From the east, it is well known, learning extended to the western world, and gradually advanced into Europe.
Page 81. ' Who dyd brynge ytt westlye ?] The judi- cious correction of an illiterate clerk, in the answer to this question as well as in the next, reflects credit on the ingenious annotator. The explanation is just, and the elucidation accurate.
Page 81. Howe comede ytt yn Engelonde?] The records, of the Fraternity inform us, that Pythagoras was regularly initiated into Masonry; and, being properly instructed in the mysteries of the Art, propagated the principles of the Order in other countries into which he travelled.
Pythagoras lived at Samos, in the reign of Tarquin, the last king of the Romans, in the year of Rome 220; or, according to Livy, in the reign of Servius Tullius, in the year of the world 3472. He was the son of a sculp- tor, and was educated under one of the greatest men of his time, Pherecydes of Syrus, who first taught the immortality of the soul. On the death of his patron, he determined to trace science to its source, and to supply himself with fresh stores in every part of the world where these could be obtained. Animated by a desire of know- ledge, he travelled into Egypt, and submitted to that tedious and discouraging course of preparatory discipline, which was requisite to obtain the benefit of Egyptian initiation. When he had made himself a thorough mas-
81 "And behold the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the East." Ezek. xliii., 2.— Vid. " Signs and Symbols," by the Editor.
OF MASONRY. 87
ter of all the sciences that were cultivated in the sacer- dotal colleges of Thebes and Memphis, he pursued his travels through the east, conversing with the Magi and Indian Brachmans, and mixing their doctrines with those he had learnt in Egypt. He afterwards studied the laws of Minos at Crete, and those of Lycurgus at Sparta. Having spent the earlier part of his life in this useful manner, he returned to. Samos well acquainted with every thing curious either in Nature or art in foreign countries, improved with all the advantages proceeding from a regular and laborious course of learned education, and adorned with that knowledge of mankind which was necessary to gain the ascendant over them. Accustomed to freedom, he disliked the arbitrary government of Pblycrates, then tyrant of Samos, and retired to Crotona in Italy, where he opened a school of philosophy ; and, by the gravity and sanctity of his manners, the import- ance of his tenets, and the peculiarity of his institutions, soon spread his fame and influence over Italy and Greece.22 Among other projects which he used to create respect, and gain credit to his assertions, he concealed himself in a cave, and caused it to be reported that* he was dead. After some time he came abroad, and pretended that the intelligence which his friends gave him in his retreat, of the transactions of Crotona, was collected during his stay in the other world among the shades of the departed. He formed his disciples, who came from all parts to put themselves under his direction, into a kind of republic, where none were admitted till a severe probation had sufficiently exercised their patience and docility. He afterwards divided them into the esoteric and exoteric classes: to the former he entrusted the more sublime and
22 The ceremony of opening his lodges concluded with an exhorta- tion to silence and secrecy, and to keep a tongue of good report ; and at closing, many important duties were enjoined: — 1. To abstain from brawls and quarrels ; to defend the characters of honest companions, knowing their approved worth. 2. Not to revile or slander each other ; and if. unfortunately, they could not applaud, to be silent ; for silence was considered a distinguishing characteristic of their profes- sion. 3. To be cautious in the use and application of words and phrases, and carefully to abstain from using any word of malignant import in common conversation, and for such words as prison, traitor, murder, poison, rebellion, death. &c., to substitute others of milder interpretation. Vide lamblichus passim. Cic. de Divin., 1. 1, &o.— ED
88 ILLUSTRATIONS
secret doctrines, to the latter the more simple and popu- lar. This great man found himself able to unite the character of the legislator to that of the philosopher, and to rival Lycurgus and Orpheus in the one, Pherecydes and Thales in the other; following, in this particular, the patterns set him by the Egyptian priests, his instructors, who were not less celebrated for settling the civil than the religious economy of their nation. In imitation of them, Pythagoras gave laws to the republic of Crotona, and brought the inhabitants from a state of luxury and dissoluteness, to be eminent for order and sobriety. While he lived, he was frequently consulted by the neighbouring republics, as the composer of their differences, and the reformer of their manners ; and, since his death, (which happened about the fourth year of the 70th Olympiad, in a tumult raised against him by one Cylon,) the administration of their affairs has been gene- rally intrusted to some of his disciples ; among whom, to produce the authority of their master for any assertion, was sufficient to establish the truth of it without further inquiry.
The most celebrated of the philosophical notions of Pythagoras are those concerning the nature of the Deity, the transmigration of souls into different bodies (which he borrowed from the Brachmans). and the system of the world. He was the first who took the name of philoso- pher, that is, a lover of wisdom. His system of morality was admirable. He made unity the principle of all things, and imagined that between God and man there were various orders of spiritual beings, who administered to the divine will. He believed in the doctrine of the metempsychosis, or transmigration of souls: and heh that God was diffused through all parts of the universe, like a kind of universal soul, pervading every particle of matter, and animating every living creature, from the most contemptible reptile to mankind themselves, who shared a larger portion of the Divine Spirit. The metem- psychosis was founded on this maxim, that as the soul was of celestial origin, it could not be annihilated ; and therefore, upon abandoning one body, it necessarily removed into another, and frequently did penance for its former vicious inclinations in the shape of a beast or an insect, before it appeared again in that of a human
Ol MASONRY. 89 "
creature. He asserted that he had a particular faculty given him by the gods, of remembering the various bodies his own soul had passed through, and confounded cavillers by referring them to his own experience. In his system of the world, the third doctrine which distin- guishes his sect, was a supposition that the sun was at rest in the centre, and that the earth, the moon, and the other planets moved round it "in different orbits. He pretended to have great skill in the mysterious properties of numbers, arid held that some particular ones contained a peculiar force and significance. He was a great geome- trician, and admitted only those to the knowledge of his system, who had first undergone a probation of five years' silence. To his discovery is attributed the 47th propo- sition of the first book of Euclid,23 which, in geometrical solutions and demonstrations of quantities, is of excellent use; and for which, as Mr. Locke observes, in the joy of his heart, he is said to have sacrificed a hecatomb. His extraordinary desire of knowledge, and the pains he took to propagate his system, have justly transmitted his fame to posterity.24
The pupils who were initiated by him in the sciences and study of Nature at the Crotonian school, brought all their goods into a common stock, contemned the pleas- ures of sense, abstained from swearing, and ate nothing that had life. Steady to the tenets and principles which they had imbibed, they dispersed abroad, and taught the doctrines of their preceptor in all the countries through which they travelled.
Page 82. Dothe Macjonnes descouer here artes unto odhers ?] Masons, in all ages, have studied the general good of mankind. Every art which is necessary for the support of authority and good government, or which could extend science, they have cheerfully communicated to the world. Points of no public utility, as their pecu- liar tenets, mystic forms, and solemn rites, they have
23 THEOREM.] In any right-angled triangle, the square which is described upon the side subtending the right angle, is equal to the squares described upon the sides which contain the right angle. ^Euclid, lib. i., prop. 47.
24 For a more particular account of the system of Pythagoras, I may refer the curious Mason to my History of Initiation, Lecture xi — EDITOR.
90 ILLUSTRATIONS
carefully concealed. Thus Masons have been distin- guished in various countries for disseminating learning and general knowledge, while they have always kept the privileges of their own Order sacred and inviolable among themselves.
Page 82. Whatte artes haueth the Ma?onnes techedde mankynde?] The arts which the Masons have publicly taught, are here specified. It appears to have surprised the learned annotator, that religion25 should have been ranked among the arts taught by the Fraternity ; but it may be observed, that religion is the only tie which can bind men ; and that where there is no religion, there can be no Masonry. Among Masons, however, it is an art, which is calculated to unite for a time opposite systems, without perverting or destroying those systems. By the influence of this art, the purposes of the institution are effectually answered, and religious animosities happily terminated.
Masons have ever paid due obedience to the moral law, and inculcated its precepts with powerful energy on their disciples. Hence the doctrine of a God, the creator and preserver of the universe, has been their firm belief in every age ; and under the influence of that doctrine, their conduct has been regulated through a succession of years. The progress of knowledge and philosophy, aided by Divine Revelation, having enlightened the minds of men with the knowledge of the true God, and the sacred tenets of the Christian faith, Masons have readily acqui- esced in a religion so wisely calculated to make men happy ; but in those countries where the Gospel has not reached, or Christianity displayed her beauties, they have inculcated the universal religion, or the religion of Na- ture j26 that is, to be good men and true, by whatever denomination or persuasion they are distinguished ; and by this universal system, their conduct has always been regulated. A cheerful compliance with the established religion of the country in which they live, is earnestly recommended in the assemblies of Masons ; and this universal conformity, notwithstanding private sentiment and opinion, is the art practised by them, which effects
26 Vide Star in the East.
86 Vide Antiquities of Freemasonry, p. 10.
OF MASONRY. 91
the laudable purpose of conciliating true friendship among men of every persuasion, while it proves the cement of general union.
By Masonry we are taught not to deviate from the line of instruction in which we have been educated, or disre- gard the principles of religion that we have originally imbibed. Though it is our rule to suit ourselves to cir- cumstances and situation in the character of Masons, we are never to forget the wise maxims of our parents, or desert the faith in which we have been nurtured, unless from conviction we may be justified in making the change ; and in effecting that change, Masonry can have no share. The tenets of the institution, therefore, inter- fere with no particular faith, but are alike reconcilable to all. Religious and political disputes never engage the attention of Masons in their private seminaries : those points are left to the discussion and determination of other associations for whom the theme is better'calcu- lated ; it being a certain truth, that the wisest systems have been more frequently Injured than benefited by religious cavil.27
27 Notwithstanding the happiest events have arisen in many periods of the history of the world, from the efforts of a wise, pious, learned, and moderate clergy, seconded by the influence and authority of reli- gious principles, whose counsels and example have always had a com- manding power, by enabling them to do good with a facility peculiar to themselves, it must be observed, with a generous concern, that those efforts have not been sufficient to extinguish the unhappy spirit of fanaticism, of whose deplorable effects almost every age has exhibited a striking picture. Enthusiastical sects have been perpetu- ally inventing new forms of religion in various 'countries, by working on the passions of the ignorant and unwary, and deriving their rules of faith and manners from the fallacious suggestions of a warm imagi- nation, rather than from the clear and infallible dictates of the Word of God. One set of men has covered religion with a tawdry habit of type and allegory, while another has converted it into an instrument of dissension and discord. The discerning mind, however, may easily trace the unhappy consequences of departing from the divine simplicity of the Gospel, and loading its pure and heavenly doctrines with the inventions and commandments of men. The tendency of true religion is, to strengthen the springs of government, by purifying the motives and animating the zeal of those who govern ; to promote the virtues which exalt a nation, by rendering its inhabitants good subjects and true patriots, and confirming all the essential bonds and obligations of civil society. The enemies of religion are the enemies of mankind ; and it is the natural tendency of infidelity and licentiousness to dis- solve the most sacred obligations, to remove the most powerful motives
92 ILLUSTRATIONS
Page 82. Howe commethe Masonries more teachers than odher menrie ?] The answer implies that Masons, from the nature and government of their association, have greater opportunities than other men to improve their talents, and therefore are allowed to be better qualified to instruct others.
Mr. Locke's observation on Masons having the art of finding new arts is judicious, and his explanation just. The Fraternity have always made the study of the arts a principal part of their private amusement: in their assemblies, nice and difficult theories have been canvassed and explained, new discoveries produced, and those already known illustrated. The different classes established, the gradual progression of knowledge communicated, and the regularity observed throughout the whole system of their government, are evident proofs, that those who are initiated into the mysteries of the Masonic Art, may discover new arts ; and this knowledge is acquired by instruction from, and familiar intercourse with, men of genius and ability, who have, in their masonic disqui- sitions, an opportunity of displaying their talents to advantage on almost every important branch of science.
Page 83. What dathe the Ma^onnes concele and hyde ?] The answer imports, the art; of finding new arts,28 for their profit and praise ; and then particularizes
to virtue, and, by corrupting the principles of individuals, to poison the sources of public order and tranquillity.
Such are the mischiefs arising from zeal and enthusiasm carried to excess ; but when the principles of Masonry are better understood and practised, the Fraternity will be found to be the best correctors of misguided zeal and unrestrained licentiousness, and the ablest supporters of every well-regulated government.
18 There can be no doubt but our ecclesiastical edifices are indebted for their splendour to the exertions and fine taste of the Freemasons. All our most intelligent and best informed architects and antiquaries freely acknowledge it. Sir James Hall says, that pointed architecture was one of the secrets of Freemasons, and originated from an imitation of wickerwork; and that it was practised earlier in Scotland than in England. Mr. Browne, of York, says, that the working principles of ecclesiastical architecture were founded on schemes analogous to the principles of the doctrine of the Trinity; and that "there is a great probability of the schemes having, in olden times, constituted a prin- cipal secret in the sublime degree of Freemasonry ; and that the bishops, priests, and other distinguished personages of the Roman Catholic Church, were nearly the sole professors of that degree ; and that they styled the principal secret of their Order, the "Art of finding new Arts."— -(Gent. Mag., Jan., 1829.)— EDITOR.
OF MASONRY. 93
the different arts they carefully conceal. Mr. Locke's remark, " That this shows too much regard for their own society, and too little for the rest of mankind," is rather severe, when he has before admitted the propriety of concealing from the world what is of no real public utility, lest, by being converted to bad uses, the conse- quences might be prejudicial to society. By the word praise is here meant that honour and respect to which Masons are entitled, as the friends of science and learn- ing, and which is absolutely necessary to give a sanction to the wise doctrines they propagate, while their fidelity gives them a claim to esteem, and the rectitude of their manners demands veneration.
Of all the acts which the Masons practise, the art of secrecy particularly distinguishes them. Taciturnity is a proof of wisdom, and is allowed to be of the utmost importance in the different transactions of life. The best writers have declared it to be an art of inestimable value ; and that it is agreeable to the Deity himself may be easily conceived from the glorious example which he gives, in concealing from mankind the secrets of his providence. The wisest of men cannot pry into the arcana of heaven ; nor can they divine to-day what to-morrow may bring forth.
Many instances might be adduced from history to show the high veneration which was paid to the art of secrecy29 by the ancients. Pliny informs us, that Anaxarchus, being imprisoned with a view to extort from him some secrets with which he had been entrusted, and dreading lest exquisite torture might induce him to betray his trust, bit his tongue in the middle, and threw it into the face of Nicocreon, the tyrant of Cyprus. — No torments could make the servants of Plancus betray the secrets of their master ; they encountered every pain with fortitude, and strenuously supported their fidelity, amidst the most severe tortures, till death put a period to their sufferings. — The Athenians bowed to a statue of brass, which was represented without a tongue, to denote secrecy. — The Egyptians worshipped Harpocrates, the god of silence,
f> Vide Clem. Alex., Strom. 2. Lucian Demon.— Meurs Eleus., c. 20. Suidas, voc. Jiayogas o Mqhos, &c. Si quis arcana) mystoria Cereris sacra vulgAsset, lege raorti addicebatur.— EDITOR.
94 ILLUSTRATIONS
who was always represented holding his finger at his mouth.30 — The Romans had their goddess of nilence, named Angerona, to whom they offered worship. — Ly- curgus, the celebrated lawgiver, as well as Pythagoras, the great scholar, particularly recommended this virtue; especially the last, who, as we have before observed, kept his disciples silent during five years, that they might learn the valuable secrets he had to communicate unto them. This evinces that he deemed secrecy the rarest as well as the noblest art.81
30 Hence, probably, originated the expression of " Under the Rose ;" for the rose was the symbol of silence in ancient times. Lemuius and others have recorded that it was the flower of Venus, which Cupid consecrated unto Harpocrates. the god of silence, And was. therefore, an emblem thereof, to conceal the pranks of this mischievous little urchin, as is declared in this tetrastich, —
Est Rosa flos Veueris, cujua qud facta laterent,
Harpocrati niatris. dona dicarit amor; Inde rosam mensis hoapes suspendit amicis,
Convivae ut sub ea dicta tacenda sciant. » Vide Brown's Vulg. Brr., b. 5, e. 22.--EPITOR.
81 The following story is related by a Roman historian (Aulus Gellius), which, as it may be equally pleasing and instructive, we shall insert at full length.
" The senators of Rome had ordained, that, during their consultations in the senate-house, each senator should be permitted to bring his son with him, who was to depart, if occasion required; but this favour was not general, being restricted only to the sons of noblemen ; who, in those days, were tutored from their infancy in the virtueof secrecy, and thereby qualified, in their riper years, to discharge the most important offices of government with fidelity and wisdom. About this time it happened that the senators met on a very important case, and the affair requiring mature deliberation, they were detained longer than usual in the senate-house, and the conclusion of their determina- tion was adjourned to the following day; each member engaging, in the mean time, to keep secret the proceedings of the meeting. Among other noblemen's sons who attended on the occasion, was the son of the grave Papyrus — a family of great renown and splendour. This youth was no less remarkable for the extent of his genius, than for the prudence of his deportment. On his return home, his mother, anxious to know what important case had been debated in the senate that day, which had detained the senators so long beyond the usual hour, entreated him to relate the particulars. The noble and virtuous youth told her it was a business not in his power to reveal, he being solemnly enjoined to silence. On hearing this, her importunities were more earnest, and her inquiries more minute! By fair speeches and entreaties, with liberal promises, she endeavoured to break open this little casket of secrecy; but these proving ineffectual, she adopted rigorous measures, and had recourse to. stripes and violent threats ; being determined that force should extort what lenity could not effect. The youth, finding his mother's threats to be very harsh, but
OF MASONRY. 96
Mr. Locke has made several judicious observations on the answer which is given to the question here proposed. His being in the dark concerning the meaning of the faculty of Abrac, I am not surprised at, nor can I con-
her stripes more severe, with a noble and heroic spirit, thus endeavoured to relieve her anxiety, without violating his fidelity :
" ' Madam, you may well blame the senate for their long sitting ; at least, for presuming to call in question a case so truly impertinent : except the wives of the senators are allowed to consult on it, there can be no hope of a conclusion. I speak this only from my own opinion: I know their gravity will easily confound my juvenile apprehensions ; yet. whether nature or duty instructs me to do so, I cannot tell. It seems necessary to them, for the increase of people, and the public good, that every senator should be allowed two wives ; or otherwise, their wives two husbands. I shalj hardly incline to call, under one roof, two men by the name of father ; I would rather with cheerfulness salute two women by the name of mother. This is the question, Madam, and to-morrow it is to be determined.'
" His mother, hearing this, and he seeming unwilling to reveal it, she took it for an infallible truth. Her blood was quickly fired, and rage ensued. Without inquiring any further into the merits of the case, she immediately despatched messengers to all the other ladies and matrons of Rome, to acquaint them with the weighty affair under deliberation in the senate, which so nearly concerned the peace and welfare of their whole lives. The melancholy news soon spread a general alarm, and many conjectures were formed. The ladies, re- solved to give their assistance in the decision of this weighty point, immediately assembled. Headed by young Papjjhis's mother, next morning they proceeded to the senate-house ; and though it is remarked, that a parliament of women is seldom governed by one speaker, yet, the affair being urgent, the haste pertinent, and the case (on their behalf) of the utmost consequence, the revealing woman must speak for all the rest. It was agreed that she should insist on the necessity of the concurrence of the senators' wives to the deter- mination of a law in which they were so particularly interested. When, they came to the door of the senate-house, such a. noise was made for admission to sit with their husbands in this grand consulta- tion, tnat all Rome seemed to be in an uproar. Their business, how- ever, must be known before they could gain an a idience. This being complied with, and their admission granted, such an elaborate oration was made by the female speaker on the occasion, in behalf of her sex, as astonished the whole senators. She requested, that the matter might not be hastily determined, but be seriously canvassed, according to justice and equity; and expressed the determined resolutions of herself and her sisters, to oppose a measure so unconstitutional as that of permitting one husband to have two wives, who could scarcely please one. She proposed in the name of her sisters, as the most effectual way of peopling the state, that if any alteration were to be made in the established custom of Rome, women might be permitted to have two husbands. The senators being informed of Papyrus'a scheme to preserve his reputation, and the riddle being publicly solved, the ladies were greatly confounded, and departed with blushing cheeks
96 ILLUSTRATIONS
oeive how he could otherwise be. ABRAC is an abbre- viation of the word ABRACADABRA. In the days of ignorance and superstition, that word had a magical signification ; but the explanation of it is now lost.82
while the noble youth, who had proved himself worthy of his trust was highly commended for his fidelity. To avoid a like tumult in future, it was resolved, that the custom of introducing the sons of senators should be abolished. Papyrus, however, on account of his attachment to his word, and his discreet policy, was excepted from this restriction, and ever afterwards freely admitted into the senate- house, where many honours were conferred upon him."
The virtue and fidelity of young Papyrus are, indeed, worthy of imitation; but the Masons have still a more glorious example, in their own body, of a brother, accomplished in every art, who, rather than forfeit his honour, or betray his trust, fell a sacrifice to the cruel hand of a barbarous assassin.
32 Mr. Hutchinson, in his ingenious treatise, entitled The Spirit of Masonry, gives the following explanation of the word ABRAC ; which, as it is curious, I shall here insert in that gentleman's own words:
"ABRAC, or ABRACAR, was a name which Basilides, a religious of the second century, gave to God ; who, he said, was the author of three hundred and sixty-five.
"The author of this superstition is said to have lived in the time of Adrian, and that it had its name after ABRASAN, or ABRAXAS, the denomination which Basrlides gave to the Deity. He called him the Supreme God, and ascribed to him seven subordinate powers or angels, who presided over the heavens : and also, according to the number of the days in the yeflr, held, that three hundred and sixty-five virtues, powers, or intelligences, existed as the emanations of God ; the value, or numerical distinction of the letters in the word, according to the ancient Greek numerals, made 365.
A B P A X A S 1 2 100 1 60 1 200
" Among Antiquaries, ABRAXAS is an antique gem, or stone, with the word ABRAXAS engraved on it. There are a great many kinds of them, of various figures and sizes, mostly as old as the third century. Persons professing the religious principles of Basilides wore this gem with great veneration as an amulet, from whose virtues, and the protection of the Deity, to whom it was consecrated, and with whose name it was inscribed, the wearer derived health, prosperity, and safety.
"There is deposited in the British Museum such a gem, which is a besil stone, of the form of an egg. The head is in cameo, the reverse in intaglio.
" In church history, ABRAX is noted as a mystical term, expressing the Supreme God ; under whom the Basilidians supposed three hun- dred and sixty-five dependent deities ; it was the principle of the Gnostic hierarchy, whence sprang their multitudes of thaeons. From ABRAXAS proceeded their PRIMOGENIAL MIND; from the primogenial mind, the Locqs, or Word ; from the Logos, the PHRON^ESIS, or Pru- dence; from the Phronaesis, SOPHIA and DYNAMIS, or Wisdom and Strength ; from these two proceeded PRINCIPALITIES, POWEFS. and
OF MASONRY. 97
Our celebrated annotator has taken no notice of the Masons having the art of working miracles, and foresaying things to come. But this was certainly not the least important . of their doctrines ; hence astrology was admitted as one of the arts which they taught, and the study of it was warmly recommended in former times.
The ancient philosophers applied with unwearied dili- gence to discover the aspects, magnitudes, distances, motions, and revolutions of the heavenly bodies; and according to the discoveries they made, pretended to foretel future events, and to determine concerning the secrets of Providence. This study afterwards became a regular science.33
ANGELS ; and from these, other angels, to the number of three hundred and sixty-five, who were supposed to have the government of so many celestial orbs committed to their care."
33 Astrology, however vain and delusive in itself, has certainly proved extremely useful to mankind, by promoting the excellent science of astronomy. The vain hope of reading the fates of men, and the success of their designs, has been one of the strongest motives to induce them, in all countries, to an attentive observation of the celestial bodies; whence they have been taught to measure time, mark the duration of seasons, and regulate the operations of Agriculture.
The science of astrology, which is nothing more than the study of Nature, and the knowledge of the secret virtues of the heavens, is founded on Scripture, and confirmed by reason and experience. Moses tells us that the sun, moon, and stars, were placed in the firmament to be for signs as well as for seasons. We find the Deity thus addressing Job. " Canst thou bind the sweet influences of the Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion ?" We are instructed in the book of Judges, that " they fought from heaven ; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera." The ancient philosophers were unanimous in the same opinion ; and. among the moderns, we may cite Lord Bacon, and several others, as giving it a sanction. Milton thus expresses himself on the subject:
Of planetary notions and aspects
In scxtile, square, and trine, and opposite,
Of noxious efficacy, and when to join
In synod unbenign, and taught the fixed
Their influence malignant when to shower, dec.
It is well known, that inferior animals, and even birds and reptiles, have a foreknowledge of futurity ; and surely Nature never intended to withhold from man those favours which she has so liberally bestowed on the raven, the cat, and the sow. No; the aches in our limbs, and the shootings of our corns, before a tempest or a shower, evince the contrary. Man, who is a microcosm, or world in miniature, unites in himself all the powers and qualities which are scattered throughout Nature, and discerns from certain signs the future contingencies of his 6
98 ILLUSTRATIONS
Page 83. Wylle he teche me thay same artes?] By the answer to this question, we learn the necessary qualifications which are required in a candidate for M;i- soriry — a good character, and an able capacity.
Page 84. Dothe all Maconnes kunne more then odher menne ?] The answer only implies, that Masons have a better opportunity than the rest of mankind to improve in useful knowledge ; though a want of capacity in some, and of application in others, obstructs the progress of many.
Page 84. Are Magonnes gudder men then odjiers?] Masons are not understood to be, collectively, more virtuous in their lives and actions than other men ; but it is an undoubted fact, that a strict conformity to the rules of the profession may make them better men than they otherwise would be.
Page 84. Dothe Maconnes love eidher odher mygh- tylye as beeth sayde?] The answer to this question is truly great, and is judiciously remarked upon by the learned annotator.
By the answers to the three last questions, the objec- tions of cavillers against Masonry are amply refuted ; the excellency of the institution is displayed ; and every cen- sure against it, on account of the transgressions of its professors, entirely removed. A bad man, if his character be known, can never be enrolled in our records; and should we be unwarily led to receive an improper object, then our endeavours are exerted to reform him : so that, by being a Mason, it is probable he may become a better subject to his sovereign, and a more valuable member of
being. Finding his way through the palpable obscure to the visible diurnal and nocturnal sphere, he marks the presages and predictions of his happiness or misery. The mysterious and recondite doctrine of sympathies in Nature, is admirably illustrated from the sympathy between the moon and the sea; by which the waters of the ocean are, in a certain though inconceivable manner, drawn after that luminary. In these celestial and terrestrial sympathies, there is no doubt that the vegetable soul of the world transfers a specific virtue from the heavens to the elements, to animals, and to man. If the moon alone rules the world of waters, what effects must the combination of solar, stellar, and lunar influences have upon the land? In short, it is universally confessed, that astrology is the mother of astronomy ; and though the daughter may have rebelled against the mother, it has long been pre- dicted and expected that the venerable authority of the parent would prevail in the end.
OF MASONRY. 99
society, than he would have done had he not been in the way of those advantages.
To conclude, Mr. Locke's observations on the whole of this curious manuscript deserve a serious and careful examination ; and though he was not at the time one of the Brotherhood, he seems pretty clearly to have com- prehended the value and importance of the system which he endeavoured to illustrate. We may, therefore, fairly conjecture, that the favourable opinion which he con- ceived of the society of Masons before his admission, was sufficientlv confirmed after his initiation.
100 ILLUSTRATIONS