-
Articles/Ads
Article THE FREEMASONS' REPOSITORY. ← Page 2 of 6 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Repository.
Minor were undoubtedl y an association of architects and engineers , who had the exclusive privilege of building temples , stadia , and theatres , under the mysterious tutelage of Bacchus , and distinguished from the uninitiated or proplune inhabitants by the science which they possessed , and by many private ' signs and tokens , by which they recognized each other . This association came into Ionia from Syria , into which it had
country come from Persia , along with that style of architecture that we call Grecian . We are also certain that there was a similar trading association , during the dark ages , in Christian Europe , which monopolized the building of great churches and castles , working under the patronage and protection of the : Sovereigns and Princes of Europe , and possessing many privileges . Circumstances , which it would be tedious to enumerate and discuss , continued this association later in Britain than on the Continent . '
OBSERVATIONS UPON THE CELKBRATF . D CHEVALIER RAMSAY . 'The celebrated Chevalier Ramsay , affectionatel y attached to the family of Stuart , and to his native country , had co-operated heartily with those who endeavoured to employ Masonry in the service ofthe Pretender , and , availing himself of the pre-eminence given ( at first courtl
perhaps as a y compliment ) to Scotch Masonry , he laboured to shew that it existed , and indeed arose , during the Crusades , and that there really was either an order of chivalry whose business it was to rebuild the Christian churches destroyed by tlie Saracens , or that a Fraternity of Scotch Masons were thus employed in the ' east , under the protection of the Knihts of St . John of Jerusalem He found
g . some facts which were thought sufficient grounds for such an opinion , such ^ s the building of the college of these Kni ghts in London , called the Temple , which was actuall y done by the public Fraternity of Masons who had been in the holy wars . It is chiefly to him that we are indebted for that rage for Masonic chivalry which distinguishes the French Freemasonry . Ramsay was as eminent for his piety as
he was for his enthusiasm , but his opinions were singular . " His eminent learning , his elegant talents , his amiable character , and particularl y his estimation at court , gave great influence to every thing he said on a subject which was merely a matter of fashion and amusement . Whoever has attended much to human affairs , knows the eagerness with which men propagate all singular opinions , and the deliht which attends their
g favourable reception . None are more zealous than the apostles of infidelity and atheism . It is in human nature to catch with greediness any opportunity of doing what lies under general restraint . And if our apprehensions are not completel y quieted , in a case where our wishes lead us strongly to some favourite but hazardous object , we are conscious of a kind of self bullying . This naturall into discourse '
y gels our , and in our eagerness to geuhe encouragement of joint adventurers , we enforce our tenets with an eneray and even a violence , that is very inconsistent with the subiect in whfch We are engaged . If I am an Atheist , and my neighbour a Theist there is surely nothing that should make me violent in my endeavours to rid him of his error . Yet how violent were the people of this Party in France . '
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Repository.
Minor were undoubtedl y an association of architects and engineers , who had the exclusive privilege of building temples , stadia , and theatres , under the mysterious tutelage of Bacchus , and distinguished from the uninitiated or proplune inhabitants by the science which they possessed , and by many private ' signs and tokens , by which they recognized each other . This association came into Ionia from Syria , into which it had
country come from Persia , along with that style of architecture that we call Grecian . We are also certain that there was a similar trading association , during the dark ages , in Christian Europe , which monopolized the building of great churches and castles , working under the patronage and protection of the : Sovereigns and Princes of Europe , and possessing many privileges . Circumstances , which it would be tedious to enumerate and discuss , continued this association later in Britain than on the Continent . '
OBSERVATIONS UPON THE CELKBRATF . D CHEVALIER RAMSAY . 'The celebrated Chevalier Ramsay , affectionatel y attached to the family of Stuart , and to his native country , had co-operated heartily with those who endeavoured to employ Masonry in the service ofthe Pretender , and , availing himself of the pre-eminence given ( at first courtl
perhaps as a y compliment ) to Scotch Masonry , he laboured to shew that it existed , and indeed arose , during the Crusades , and that there really was either an order of chivalry whose business it was to rebuild the Christian churches destroyed by tlie Saracens , or that a Fraternity of Scotch Masons were thus employed in the ' east , under the protection of the Knihts of St . John of Jerusalem He found
g . some facts which were thought sufficient grounds for such an opinion , such ^ s the building of the college of these Kni ghts in London , called the Temple , which was actuall y done by the public Fraternity of Masons who had been in the holy wars . It is chiefly to him that we are indebted for that rage for Masonic chivalry which distinguishes the French Freemasonry . Ramsay was as eminent for his piety as
he was for his enthusiasm , but his opinions were singular . " His eminent learning , his elegant talents , his amiable character , and particularl y his estimation at court , gave great influence to every thing he said on a subject which was merely a matter of fashion and amusement . Whoever has attended much to human affairs , knows the eagerness with which men propagate all singular opinions , and the deliht which attends their
g favourable reception . None are more zealous than the apostles of infidelity and atheism . It is in human nature to catch with greediness any opportunity of doing what lies under general restraint . And if our apprehensions are not completel y quieted , in a case where our wishes lead us strongly to some favourite but hazardous object , we are conscious of a kind of self bullying . This naturall into discourse '
y gels our , and in our eagerness to geuhe encouragement of joint adventurers , we enforce our tenets with an eneray and even a violence , that is very inconsistent with the subiect in whfch We are engaged . If I am an Atheist , and my neighbour a Theist there is surely nothing that should make me violent in my endeavours to rid him of his error . Yet how violent were the people of this Party in France . '