Adonhiramite Masonry.

pose , to square with certain preconcieved formularies and theories , and constitutes both a grave defect and an unhistorical usage of the name . Louis Guillemain de St . Victor , who wrote under the anagram of Gaminville about 1784 , seems to be the "father" of this interesting but unhealthy bantling . In an edition of 1809 now comparatively scarcethough not of much value ,

, , except for "bibliomaniacs , " there is an introduction , or " Precis Historiqne de la Maconnerie , " so very well written , though we need hardly point out that it is not correct in its premises , nor are we bound to accept either its assumptions or conclusions , yet deserves to be remembered , ( being probably long forgotten ) , and noted by the Masonic student to-day . I therefore have translated it for the benefit of otherslike myselfwho are seeking amid Masonic myths and

, , legends for reasonable explanations and lucid statements , for facts not fiction , for historical accuracy and actual completeness instead of hopeless " sheepwalking" and childish inconsistencies 1 " Allons , " as the French say , " a nos moutons . "

HISTORICAL PEECIS OP FREEMASONRY . IF ever a society existed in the world which has justly merited the protection of soveriegns , the esteem of philosophers , and the respect of peoples , it is , without doubt , that of Freemasonry . In fact , as all men find pleasure in whatever condition they be , with what satisfaction should kings and magistrates see introduced and hecome general in their states and governments that society

, above all , which maintains among men the knowledge of the Supreme Deity , respect for religion , the obedience of subjects to their rulers , restraint of our passions , love of our kind , and humanity towards the unfortunate . Here is the basis of Masonry ; ancl it is that which has sufficiently defended it for ages against calumny , ignorance , fanaticism , and tyranny . The splendour and support which this order has at this moment in France , * places it above

the attacks of the vulgar and the prejudiced ; and if the ridiculous and criminal compilations which some have dared to put together against it , have been able to degrade it amongst the commoner sort of men , time , religion , and above all the virtues , render it respectable in the eyes of the philosophers . And I may confess here , without indiscretion , that not only Freemasonry is honoured

m having as members and protectors august sovereigns ; it numbers upon its registers some of the greatest princes of Europe , ancl the most remarkable geniuses of the world , such as Frederick , Helvetius , Voltaire , Lalande , Franklin , Lacepecle , etc ., etc . What is astonishing is , that among an infinite number of men of letters , who form part of this society , not one as yet , so far as we know , has employed his powers in seeking out the true origin of this institution , in order to be assured as to its existenceand to destroy the errors which ignorance

, daily introduces respecting it among- Masons themselves . The efforts which I have made for that purpose during eight years have procured for me , it is true , materials more than sufficient to write the entire history of this Order , but it would have been pleasing to me to behold this ground gone over by some of those illustrious " savans " who possess so justly the esteem and confidence of all men . Again , I avow ingenuousl y that I have not published this work but

with the unanimous wish and consent of initiated Masons ; nevertheless , as the collection which I offer to-day to the newly-initiated , ancl to Masons in general , is a certain instruction concerning the mysteries and the true principles of the Order , I think that I am obliged to declare here , that all the researches I have made have convinced me that Masonry derives it origin from the Egyptians . The Magi , the priests , and the philosophers combined among themselves all the sciences , of that time , and especiality morality , physics , and astronomy , f