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  • April 1, 1876
  • Page 10
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The Masonic Magazine, April 1, 1876: Page 10

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    Article AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF MASTER AND FREE MASONS. ← Page 4 of 5 →
Page 10

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

An Historical Account Of Master And Free Masons.

free and accepted masons . But it is certain that such a papal rescript or document has been industriously sought for in the Vatican library , and Avithout success . If this indulgence took place in the first half of the thirteenth century , as it is said to have donethere Avere three popes before

, 1250 . Some writers on the subject have claimed for these fraternities a close connexion with the Kni ghts Templars , from the similarity which is presumed to have subsisted Avith respect to both of their

mysterious rites of initiation . Be that as it may , it is allowed that they came into England nearly at one and the same time . Nor is there decided proof of their alliance , but a great resemblance in their mysterious pretensions . Exclusion

Avas imperatively ordained by both , as the sure guardian of mystery . They adopted the anathema of Eleusis , " Procul 1 0 procid este prophani ! "

Yet , in candour , we may alloAv the assertion , that these secret meetings of the master-masons , Avithin any particular district , did not foster political objects , but Avere , in fact , confined to consultations with each other , which mainly tended to the

communication of science , and of improvement in their art . An evident result Avas seen in the general uniformity of their designs in architecture , with respect both to plan and ornament , yet not Avithout deviations .

We . may conclude that the craft or mystery of architects and operative masons Avas involved in secrecy , by which a knowledge of their practice Avas carefully excluded

from the acquirement of all Avho were not enrolled in their fraternity . Still it was absolutely necessary that Avhen they engaged in contracts with bishops , or patrons of the great ecclesiastical buildings , a specification should be made of the component

parts , and of the terms by which either contracting party should be rendered conversant with them . A certain nomenclature was then divulged by the mastermasons for such a purpose , and became in general acceptation in the middle ages .

After these preliminary observations , I will attempt an investigation of the three leading points Avhich I have had in view in this discourse : —I . The various designations of master-masons and their associates

or operatives , Avhich may be authenticated either from their epitaphs in the magnificent structures Avhere they had sepultures or from the contracts Avith their patron , and supervisors . —II . An inquiry into the true claims of ecclesiastics , with respect to

their having been the sole designers , or architects , of cathedrals and their parts , exclusively of the master-masons Avhom they employed , and Avho were required only to execute plans already alloAved them . — III . Of architects who practised in England , daring the middle ages , concerning whom documentary evidence is adduced , in a

series . I . In the course of research , I have observed so many memorials of mastermasons , Avith a certain variation in the designation of individuals in their sepulchral inscriptions , that the more remarkable only require to be noticed . * Where their effigies are engraven in inlaid brass , as in

“The Masonic Magazine: 1876-04-01, Page 10” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 10 June 2025, django:8000/periodicals/mmg/issues/mmg_01041876/page/10/.
  • List
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Title Category Page
Monthly Masonic Summary. Article 1
SONNET. Article 1
THE WILSON MANUSCRIPT CONSTITUTION. Article 2
AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF MASTER AND FREE MASONS. Article 7
AIMEE. Article 11
LIGHTS AND SHADOWS OF SCOTTISH FREEMASONRY. Article 11
LINES Article 14
THE ANTI-MASONIC VICAR Article 15
TO A SNOWDROP Article 17
"MILKLAT "—THE CITY OF REFUGE. Article 18
ODDS AND ENDS OF WIT AND HUMOUR. Article 19
CONTEMPORARY LETTERS ON THE FRENCH REVOLUTION. Article 24
ORATION Article 26
THE OLD FOLKS' PARTY. Article 28
BENEFIT MANKIND. Article 32
CURIOSITIES OF THE POST OFFICE. Article 32
THE WOMEN OF OUR TIME. Article 34
BRO. DANIEL COXE—THE FATHER OF FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA. Article 36
THE ORIGIN AND REFERENCES OF THE HERMESIAN SPURIOUS FREEMASONRY. Article 39
HALF-WAY DOIN'S. Article 42
GODFREY HIGGINS ON FREEMASONRY. Article 43
THE SITE OF SOLOMON'S TEMPLE DISCOVERED. Article 44
NOTES ON LITERATURE, SCIENCE AND ART. Article 46
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

An Historical Account Of Master And Free Masons.

free and accepted masons . But it is certain that such a papal rescript or document has been industriously sought for in the Vatican library , and Avithout success . If this indulgence took place in the first half of the thirteenth century , as it is said to have donethere Avere three popes before

, 1250 . Some writers on the subject have claimed for these fraternities a close connexion with the Kni ghts Templars , from the similarity which is presumed to have subsisted Avith respect to both of their

mysterious rites of initiation . Be that as it may , it is allowed that they came into England nearly at one and the same time . Nor is there decided proof of their alliance , but a great resemblance in their mysterious pretensions . Exclusion

Avas imperatively ordained by both , as the sure guardian of mystery . They adopted the anathema of Eleusis , " Procul 1 0 procid este prophani ! "

Yet , in candour , we may alloAv the assertion , that these secret meetings of the master-masons , Avithin any particular district , did not foster political objects , but Avere , in fact , confined to consultations with each other , which mainly tended to the

communication of science , and of improvement in their art . An evident result Avas seen in the general uniformity of their designs in architecture , with respect both to plan and ornament , yet not Avithout deviations .

We . may conclude that the craft or mystery of architects and operative masons Avas involved in secrecy , by which a knowledge of their practice Avas carefully excluded

from the acquirement of all Avho were not enrolled in their fraternity . Still it was absolutely necessary that Avhen they engaged in contracts with bishops , or patrons of the great ecclesiastical buildings , a specification should be made of the component

parts , and of the terms by which either contracting party should be rendered conversant with them . A certain nomenclature was then divulged by the mastermasons for such a purpose , and became in general acceptation in the middle ages .

After these preliminary observations , I will attempt an investigation of the three leading points Avhich I have had in view in this discourse : —I . The various designations of master-masons and their associates

or operatives , Avhich may be authenticated either from their epitaphs in the magnificent structures Avhere they had sepultures or from the contracts Avith their patron , and supervisors . —II . An inquiry into the true claims of ecclesiastics , with respect to

their having been the sole designers , or architects , of cathedrals and their parts , exclusively of the master-masons Avhom they employed , and Avho were required only to execute plans already alloAved them . — III . Of architects who practised in England , daring the middle ages , concerning whom documentary evidence is adduced , in a

series . I . In the course of research , I have observed so many memorials of mastermasons , Avith a certain variation in the designation of individuals in their sepulchral inscriptions , that the more remarkable only require to be noticed . * Where their effigies are engraven in inlaid brass , as in

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