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Article THE REVELATIONS OF A SQUARE. ← Page 13 of 19 →
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The Revelations Of A Square.
Franco , that the Order originated long before the Christian era . Although a question of great importance , I considered it of too exclusive a nature for discussion in a pulpit discourse , which is more particularly intended for general edification . But , as we have a little spare time , if Bro . Franco will state his objections in detailI will endeavouras far as my
, , abilities extend , to satisfy his inquiries , and give him the advantage of my own researches on this momentous subject . ' " Bro . Franco expressed his gratification at the courtesy of the R . W . M ., and added , that nothing would afford him greater pleasure than to be enlightened on such an intricate inquiry . He was mistrustful of his own ability to contend
with such a learned man and excellent Mason as Dr . Dodd , and should content himself with simply naming an argument which appeared to militate against the Christian hypothesis . He confessed he had not thought very deeply on the subject , but he would suggest , for the consideration of the Brethren , whether Masonrybeing coeval with the building ofthe Temple
, at Jerusalem , which was erected by the Jews , must not of necessity be a Jewish institution ; and , if this be admitted , it cannot possibly have any connection with Christianity , although practised by Christians in common with the twelve tribes of Israel . If it be indebted to the latter for its
existence , and its landmarks be unalterable , its fundamental principles must he exclusively Jewish . " Bro . Dodd replied , that he conceived the argument to be based on a fallacy arising out of an erroneous view of the facts . ' A very slight insight into the design of Freemasonry will show , ' he said , 'that , although its morality is more
particularly adapted to the genius of Christianity than to any other religion , it is , in reality , neither exclusively Jewish , patriarchal , nor Christian , but cosmopolite ; and , amongst all peoples where it ever flourished , it inculcated the morality of their peculiar religion , and selected its patrons , or parallels , from eminent men of their own tribe and kindred . Thus ,
for example , amongst the Noachidas , the parallels of Masonry were Noah and Abraham ; subsequently , Moses and Solomon were substituted ; and the Christians chose the two St . Johns . " ' This , ' he continued , ' was , beyond all doubt , the doctrine promulgated by Grand Masters Sayer ancl Payne , and their associates Desaguliers and Anderson , at the revival , and established as a permanent and unalterable landmark of the Order . Freemasonry would sink into disrepute if it were
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Revelations Of A Square.
Franco , that the Order originated long before the Christian era . Although a question of great importance , I considered it of too exclusive a nature for discussion in a pulpit discourse , which is more particularly intended for general edification . But , as we have a little spare time , if Bro . Franco will state his objections in detailI will endeavouras far as my
, , abilities extend , to satisfy his inquiries , and give him the advantage of my own researches on this momentous subject . ' " Bro . Franco expressed his gratification at the courtesy of the R . W . M ., and added , that nothing would afford him greater pleasure than to be enlightened on such an intricate inquiry . He was mistrustful of his own ability to contend
with such a learned man and excellent Mason as Dr . Dodd , and should content himself with simply naming an argument which appeared to militate against the Christian hypothesis . He confessed he had not thought very deeply on the subject , but he would suggest , for the consideration of the Brethren , whether Masonrybeing coeval with the building ofthe Temple
, at Jerusalem , which was erected by the Jews , must not of necessity be a Jewish institution ; and , if this be admitted , it cannot possibly have any connection with Christianity , although practised by Christians in common with the twelve tribes of Israel . If it be indebted to the latter for its
existence , and its landmarks be unalterable , its fundamental principles must he exclusively Jewish . " Bro . Dodd replied , that he conceived the argument to be based on a fallacy arising out of an erroneous view of the facts . ' A very slight insight into the design of Freemasonry will show , ' he said , 'that , although its morality is more
particularly adapted to the genius of Christianity than to any other religion , it is , in reality , neither exclusively Jewish , patriarchal , nor Christian , but cosmopolite ; and , amongst all peoples where it ever flourished , it inculcated the morality of their peculiar religion , and selected its patrons , or parallels , from eminent men of their own tribe and kindred . Thus ,
for example , amongst the Noachidas , the parallels of Masonry were Noah and Abraham ; subsequently , Moses and Solomon were substituted ; and the Christians chose the two St . Johns . " ' This , ' he continued , ' was , beyond all doubt , the doctrine promulgated by Grand Masters Sayer ancl Payne , and their associates Desaguliers and Anderson , at the revival , and established as a permanent and unalterable landmark of the Order . Freemasonry would sink into disrepute if it were