WHAT IS FREEMASONRY?

Grey River Argus, Volume VIII, Issue 580, 5 October 1869, Page 4

WHAT IS FREEMASONRY?

[From the Isle of Man Times.] An address delivered by Bro. H. Thompson, P.M., 177 and 1158, to the members of the Domatic Lodge of Instruction. A very important question is asked in our lectures " What is Freemasonry ?" and the ordinary reply to the query is, that it is " a peculiar system of morality, veiled in allegorj , and illustrated by symbols." But the subject demands a closer examination, and a more elaborate answer, for it embraces every part of that noble science which has existed as far as we know front time immemorial, and under whose powerful influence such wonderful influence has been obtained. This question, however, is often reiterated by those who are outside our order, and sometimes with no friendly motive, for like all other human institutions, it has its detractors, however pure may be its object or spotless'its career. From vain curiosity they strive to penetrate the arcana of. our secrets, but happily such efforts have hitherto proved fruitless to all who do not possess the master-key by which alone they can be obtained. While such inquirers should always be discouraged, .and our order closely tyled against them, there are, however, many others who are prompted by truly laudable motives, and a favorable opinion preconceived of our institutions, who feel a longing desire to know something of the origin, growth, and progress of that gigantic tree whose bivinchtis are spread over the entire surface of the habitable globe, and from which such abundant fruits have been gathered. The first-class of inquirers to which 1 have alluded, arc, I am happy to say, very limited in numbers, but notwithstanding their insignificance they are very energetic and vituperative in their slanders, and in the presence of kindred spirits in feelings and inclinations, are ever ready to denounce our institution as a body that should not exist, and ought at once to be put down by the strong arm of the law. We, however, can well afford to laugh at their puny threats, and treat their vaunted allocutions with all the contempt they deserve, and in the few remarks I intend to oiler, I shall perhaps not again refer to a class of iuquirers who possess no title and have no claim to oar consideration. As regards the latter class to which 1 have referred, their motives cannot be too highly commended, for, unmindful of t c vulgar remarks sometimes levelled at us by those who really know nothing about the secrets and objects of our Order, they suck to inquire for themselves as to the great motives which appear to have such a potent iuflnence in inducing so many of their fellow men to unite together with no oilier law than than that which is enforced by their own free will, to extend the light of truth, and promote the welfare and happiness of their fellow creatures. To such inquirers we give a hearty welcome, and if they want to know more of us, and how we. prove that in uniting together, oyir object is to render our-

selves more extensively serviceable to our fellow creatures, we may well use the expressive epitaph on Sir Christopher Wren, and tell them to look around at the noble institutions we have provided for the deserving objects committed to our care. Like the Roman Matron Cornelia, we can say, "These are oiir jewels — these are the bright and shining lights of Freemasonry." It has been said that "en the empire of England the sun never sets," an apt and forcible illustration of the extent and power of the country to which we owe our birth ; but great, noble, and dazzling as is the acquisition of territory as an inseparable and'inevitable result of conquest, such victories are sometimes only obtained at the cost of thousands of lives, with desolation, ruin, and widows, and orphans following in their train. But with regard to Freemasonry, although its domain is even far more extended, although as regards its influence the sun is always at its meridian — it brings no such pangs in her bright career, for hers is the mission of peace and goodwill to all mankind. Her conquests are great, noble, and bloodless, and her highest ambition is to extend the blessings of peace and the bounties of charity to every deserving object under Heaven. Hex 1 reign commenced in the primitive period of the world, and her territory is not confined to one country, language or people, for it is spread over the 'entire habitable globe. It stands with a rock for its foundation — honor, truth, and virtue for its superstructure, whilst the three great pillars supporting its noble temple are Faith, Hope, and Charity, thereby implying our faith in the Great Architect of the Universe, a hope in salvation, and to be in charity with all men. Our institution, too, can boast of its antiquity, forming the great link between the period when civilisation just emerged from barbarism into an age in which it has expanded to such noble proportions. It was in the early days of Freemasonry that natural religion first beamed on man, the darkness which ushered in his existence began to disappear, his mind was insensibly drawn to the contemplation of the works of Nature, and up through them to Nature's God. Step by step he was led to higher and nobler aspirations and a due reverence of the Almighty, through whose benign influence and great mercy we live, and move, and have our being. It has been well said that " the Almighty Architect of the Universe has never left himself without a faithful witness amongst. men," as the patriarch, saved from universal desolation, has preserved the sacred tire of religion and transmitted it, pure and untainted, to his descendants. Even in the rudest period the teachings df Freemasonry were full of veneration for the Diety, and the utmost regard for his su preme wisdom and power. The first tent or tabernacle erected by Moses in the wilderness, for the proper and decent celebration of Divine worship, by a singular coincidence formed the great prototype and ground plan of the magnifi cen t temple built at Jerusalem by King Solomon, wliich for its extent and regal splendour was at that time considered one of the wonders of the world, but just like all the edifices reared by the hands of man wliich were designed to last foi all time, they have all disappeared from the earth, and true to the prophecy that was "pronounced when they were all rich in their splendour, the ploughshare of time has passed over their site and not one stone has been left on another. The glories of Solomon could not preserve this stately fabric from ruin ; and the temple that was reared with such industry, skill, and care, has passed away, "like the baseless fabric of a vision and left not a mark behind." But what shall we say of Freemasonry, the Order which King Solomon in all his glory delighted to honor ? Has that shared the fate of the temple to which we have referred I— has it, like the splendid structure of our Royal founder, crumbled to tne dust ? To these questions we can give an emphatic answer, and say that the great Order of Freemasonry not only still exists, but has gone on increasing in strength, adding every year to its vitality, and like the sapling oak it has grown to a noble and majestic tree, under whose spreading branches the young find shelter, and the old happiness and repose. And why is all this 1 Why is it that men hitherto strangers, should thus meet o» the common gronnd of love to each other'? It may be simply expressed in a few words, because it is founded on religion, and virtue, and its precepts teach us to extend the hand of brotherly love to all who come within the charmed circle of the Order. It has been well described by a brother, whose name I forget, in eloquent terms, when he said, ' ' Amid the institutions which in all ages have best deserved the protection of sovereigns, the esteem of philosophers, and the support of mankind, our Order has stood conspicuous as eminently inculcating the knowledge of the supreme God, obedience to princes, subjugation of the passions, love towards our fellow creatures, and humanity to the distressed. Works of art may show the genius of man, and the fertility of his imagination ; the perfection of the sciences may mark the extent of his enterprise and spirit ; but nothing can demonstrate the goodness of his heart more than Freemasonry. Whether it be in peace or war— in the calm of sunshine, of prosperity, or the bitter I gales of adversity. Freemasons welcome each other with cordiality, sacrifice themselves one for another, recieve with brotherly love, cherish with relief and greet with truth those who have no other claim than fraternity, no other tie than one common bond of recognition. " This truly describes, in answer to our inquiry, " What is Freemasonry ?" This is its universal and immutable religion ; and whilst so established, no fear need be entertained that it will continue and flourish until the end of time. Our institution has been called a " secret society" by one class of persons referred to in the beginning of this paper, but is it really so in the sense in wliich the term is generally received? I deny that it is so. Secret societies, under their generic appellation, are bodies of men collected for a purpose which is forbidden by the law, and their actions will not bear the light of day ; but in what does this resemble Freemasonry 1 or by what perversion or straining of language can it be called a secret society ? It is true that it has its secrets, but those secrets are neither opposed to the law, nor are they incompatible with any man's civil, moral, or religious duties; and it is well known that one of the prominent injunctions given to a candidate is to be a peaceable citizen and to pay a due obedience to the laws of any state wliich may become the place of his residence or afford him its protection, I

deny, therefore, strongly and emphatically, that it is a secret society, for our works are known to all the world, and our portals are always open to anyone who brings with him the passport -of a good character, who fears God, and honors the King. Pursuing the ritual of our Order, all tending to the elucidation of tlte question, " What is Freemaspnry f j may say that it is divided into thre.e distinct periods, o? stages, by which full knowledge of the science is obtained, and all of winch have a deep and significant meaiiing. The first of these stages is eminently symbolical of the early state of the darkness and chaos which preceded the foundation of man when darkness covered the earth ; but even then, when all was confusion and disorder, wh&n the shapeless ma3s had assumed no form or distinction, the guardian spirit of the Lord moved on the face of the waters. It was then the power of the Omnipotent Being became manifest ; the clouds that obscured our mortal vision were dispelled, and man was, glorified by standing in the broad sunlight of reason in the hallowed presence of his Divine Creator. The first degree in Freer masonry symbolises the state <Jf man, by admitting him to a participation in the enjoyment- of that whiph is the predominant wish of his heart, by emerging from a temporary darkness into the light of truth, and encouraging him to a fervent | hope, of becoming a partaker of the bles r sings of life eternal, Many, no doubt, before entering upon this stage have cultivated those qualities which fender them fit members for this probationary stage, by practising the principals of moral truth and virtue ; but an entrance on this degree cannot fail, if properly estimated by the newly initiated brother, to improve those principals upon which we ought to pursue the business of life, and on which we may safely rest our hopes for the enjoyments, of the future. The second degree admits us to the great intellectual field of science which is now unfolded to our view, and enables us to appreciate the wisdom, power, and goodness of the Great Creator, and read them in the sacred pages of the celestial hemisphere, although the feebleness of our nature does not permit us at once to grasp the magnitude of His works ! and we feel humbled at our own insignificance when we contemplate the wonders of His Almighty hand. j In the third dogree tlie inquirer is brought into the sublimity of the science, and the fuH blaze of revelation. "We have thus traversed many, aud tortuous steps, until we have at length arrived at the end of our journey, and this degree is symbolical of our passage through this life, after a series of years well spent in acts of piety jand virtue, and we hope to receive as our reward an admission to the Throae of Grace,. trusting to be finally received into a mansion, not built with hands, but one eternal: in the Heavens. Having done our duty, in our earthly, career, we trust to see shining in, the east thafcbright morning stay whose rising brings peace and s.alvation to. the faithful and obedient of the human ,race, and forever to live in the presence of our Almighty Creator, to be for ever in the regions of Him who has been so eloquently described as the— Father of all, in every age, In every clime adored, By saint, by savage, and by snge, Jehovah, Jove, and Lord.