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  • The Masonic Magazine
  • April 1, 1876
  • Page 7
  • AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF MASTER AND FREE MASONS.
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The Masonic Magazine, April 1, 1876: Page 7

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Page 7

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

An Historical Account Of Master And Free Masons.

AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF MASTER AND FREE MASONS .

BY THE EEV . JAMES DALLAAVAY . Cough , and ery hem ! if anybody come—A mystery—a mystery ! Othello . I APPROACH this investigation Avith much diffidence , confining it entirely to historical

facts : and it would have g iven me satisfaction if I had gained more than to be referred to a modern Avork of high estimation . * The mysteries of the masonic oracle are there darkly shadoAved forth , and hid from my comprehension . A very

superficial vieAv is given of the history Avhich was the sole object of my research . A justly-esteemed modern author t has

sensibly observed— " that the curious subject of Freemasonry has unfortunately been treated of only by panegyrists or calumniators , both equally mendacious . I clo not Avish to pry into the mysteries of the craft , but it Avoidd be interesting to know more of their history during the period in

Avhich they Avere literally architects . " Concerning the extremely remote origin of the fraternities , I shall waive any inquiry , by excluding legendary tradition , or conjecture formed upon it , confining my research to evidence alone , which will be succinctl y given . That the sumptuous temples in Avhich Ancient Greece abounded , were the works

of architects in combination with a fraternity of masons ( xoiviavia , ) no reasonable doubt can be entertained . ;] : That Avith the Romans , such fraternities ( Collegia ) , including the ( Fabri ) Avorkmen Avho Avere employed in any kind of construction , Avere

subject to the laws of Numa Pompilius , is an apparent fact . Need the modern Freemasons require a better authenticated antiquity , and not prefer a Roman origin to the mystified traditions of Jachin and Boaz 1 | 1

To particularise even a few of the architects during the progress of the Roman empire , and the stupendous edifices which Avere designed and completed by them , is beyond the scope of this attempt . The first notice that occurs of an associated body of artificers , Romans , who

had established themselves in Britain , is a votive inscription , in Avhich the College of Masons dedicate a temple to Neptune and Minerva , and the safety of the family of Claudius Csesar . § It Avas discovered at Chichester in 1725 , in a fragmented state ,

and having been placed together , is now preserved at Goodwood , near that city , the seat of the Duke of Richmond . Pliny , the author of the Avell-known epistles , Avhen pro-consul of Asia Minor , in one which he addressed to the

Emperor-Trajan , informs him of a most destructive fire at Nicomedia , and requests him to establish a Collegium Fabrorum for the rebuilding of the city . f

“The Masonic Magazine: 1876-04-01, Page 7” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 10 June 2025, django:8000/periodicals/mmg/issues/mmg_01041876/page/7/.
  • List
  • Grid
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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Page 7

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

An Historical Account Of Master And Free Masons.

AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF MASTER AND FREE MASONS .

BY THE EEV . JAMES DALLAAVAY . Cough , and ery hem ! if anybody come—A mystery—a mystery ! Othello . I APPROACH this investigation Avith much diffidence , confining it entirely to historical

facts : and it would have g iven me satisfaction if I had gained more than to be referred to a modern Avork of high estimation . * The mysteries of the masonic oracle are there darkly shadoAved forth , and hid from my comprehension . A very

superficial vieAv is given of the history Avhich was the sole object of my research . A justly-esteemed modern author t has

sensibly observed— " that the curious subject of Freemasonry has unfortunately been treated of only by panegyrists or calumniators , both equally mendacious . I clo not Avish to pry into the mysteries of the craft , but it Avoidd be interesting to know more of their history during the period in

Avhich they Avere literally architects . " Concerning the extremely remote origin of the fraternities , I shall waive any inquiry , by excluding legendary tradition , or conjecture formed upon it , confining my research to evidence alone , which will be succinctl y given . That the sumptuous temples in Avhich Ancient Greece abounded , were the works

of architects in combination with a fraternity of masons ( xoiviavia , ) no reasonable doubt can be entertained . ;] : That Avith the Romans , such fraternities ( Collegia ) , including the ( Fabri ) Avorkmen Avho Avere employed in any kind of construction , Avere

subject to the laws of Numa Pompilius , is an apparent fact . Need the modern Freemasons require a better authenticated antiquity , and not prefer a Roman origin to the mystified traditions of Jachin and Boaz 1 | 1

To particularise even a few of the architects during the progress of the Roman empire , and the stupendous edifices which Avere designed and completed by them , is beyond the scope of this attempt . The first notice that occurs of an associated body of artificers , Romans , who

had established themselves in Britain , is a votive inscription , in Avhich the College of Masons dedicate a temple to Neptune and Minerva , and the safety of the family of Claudius Csesar . § It Avas discovered at Chichester in 1725 , in a fragmented state ,

and having been placed together , is now preserved at Goodwood , near that city , the seat of the Duke of Richmond . Pliny , the author of the Avell-known epistles , Avhen pro-consul of Asia Minor , in one which he addressed to the

Emperor-Trajan , informs him of a most destructive fire at Nicomedia , and requests him to establish a Collegium Fabrorum for the rebuilding of the city . f

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