Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Lexicon.
Freiheit . Freedom . —A word that is often heard among us , but which is circumscribed by the same bounds as the freedom of social life . Iij our assemblies we have nothing resembling the freedom to act every one according to the dictates of his own caprice ; but we are free , or at least , each of us ought to be free , from the dominion of pride , of prejudice , of passion , and of other follies of human nature . Free from the madness of refusing obedience either to the law of tlie land or the
Craft . Freimauerer . Freemason . —The explanations of this word , which say the same thing in nearl y every living language , are very various . Originally tiie name was onl y Mason , but the privileges which were granted unto certain real architects and artists , induced them to adopt the title of Freemasons , to distinguish themselves from those who were merely operative masons . Others again say that Masons should labour free
and unconstrained . He who is free from prejudice , ancl understands how to regulate his life and actions by the working tools of an operative Mason , can well explain the meaning of the word Freemason . In the English language , the Freimauruen are called Freemasons ; and iu translating this word , every member ofthe Fraternity can understand it . We may also reasonably suppose that many distinguished persons , who were neither architects nor artistshave been admitted into the
Frater-, nity , and that those persons were afterwards exclusively called Free and Accepted Masons ; which title they have propagated . Freimaurer Schriften gedructe . Masonic Writings printed , or printed Works on Freemasonry . —The Mason promises at his initiation , that he will not betray the secrets of the Order by writing , and notwithstanding the great number of the so-called printed works upon
Freemasonry which we have , there is not an author of one of those works who has been a traitor to the real secrets of tbe Craft . When'it . is maintained by the world that the books which are said to have been written by oppressed Freemasons down unto Sarsena , contain tbe secrets of Freemasonry , it is a very great error . To publish an account of the ceremonies of the Lodge , however wrong that may be , does not communicate the secrets of Freemasonry , no more than that the Liturgy of the Church contains true religion . Neither are any of the printed
Rituals correct , they are printed from memory , and not from a Lodge copy . I n Europe there are at least eleven different Rituals , ancl if even one of them was printed correctly , it could contain only a small portion of the forms of Freemasonry . Neither has any one , who has been admitted into the higher degree , published the secrets of those degrees . Inquiries into the history of tbe Order , and the true meaning of its hieroglyphics ancl ceremonies by learned Brethren cannot be considered
treason , for the Order itself recommends the study of its history , and that every Brother should instruct his fellows as much as possible . It is the same with the printed explanation of tbe moral principles and the symbols of the Order , we are recommended to study them incessantly , until ive have made ourselves masters of the valuable information they contain ; and when our learned and cautious Brethren publish the result of their inquiriesthey ought to be most welcome to tbe Craft . It is . the
, duty of every one to go forward in the path of knowledge , more especially of a Free and Accepted Mason , who is bound to receive information arid communicate instruction at all times and in all places where it is practicable , and it is with this simple motive tbat the greatest part of Masonic works have been published , and up to this hour there is not one voi ,. in . . " J .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Lexicon.
Freiheit . Freedom . —A word that is often heard among us , but which is circumscribed by the same bounds as the freedom of social life . Iij our assemblies we have nothing resembling the freedom to act every one according to the dictates of his own caprice ; but we are free , or at least , each of us ought to be free , from the dominion of pride , of prejudice , of passion , and of other follies of human nature . Free from the madness of refusing obedience either to the law of tlie land or the
Craft . Freimauerer . Freemason . —The explanations of this word , which say the same thing in nearl y every living language , are very various . Originally tiie name was onl y Mason , but the privileges which were granted unto certain real architects and artists , induced them to adopt the title of Freemasons , to distinguish themselves from those who were merely operative masons . Others again say that Masons should labour free
and unconstrained . He who is free from prejudice , ancl understands how to regulate his life and actions by the working tools of an operative Mason , can well explain the meaning of the word Freemason . In the English language , the Freimauruen are called Freemasons ; and iu translating this word , every member ofthe Fraternity can understand it . We may also reasonably suppose that many distinguished persons , who were neither architects nor artistshave been admitted into the
Frater-, nity , and that those persons were afterwards exclusively called Free and Accepted Masons ; which title they have propagated . Freimaurer Schriften gedructe . Masonic Writings printed , or printed Works on Freemasonry . —The Mason promises at his initiation , that he will not betray the secrets of the Order by writing , and notwithstanding the great number of the so-called printed works upon
Freemasonry which we have , there is not an author of one of those works who has been a traitor to the real secrets of tbe Craft . When'it . is maintained by the world that the books which are said to have been written by oppressed Freemasons down unto Sarsena , contain tbe secrets of Freemasonry , it is a very great error . To publish an account of the ceremonies of the Lodge , however wrong that may be , does not communicate the secrets of Freemasonry , no more than that the Liturgy of the Church contains true religion . Neither are any of the printed
Rituals correct , they are printed from memory , and not from a Lodge copy . I n Europe there are at least eleven different Rituals , ancl if even one of them was printed correctly , it could contain only a small portion of the forms of Freemasonry . Neither has any one , who has been admitted into the higher degree , published the secrets of those degrees . Inquiries into the history of tbe Order , and the true meaning of its hieroglyphics ancl ceremonies by learned Brethren cannot be considered
treason , for the Order itself recommends the study of its history , and that every Brother should instruct his fellows as much as possible . It is the same with the printed explanation of tbe moral principles and the symbols of the Order , we are recommended to study them incessantly , until ive have made ourselves masters of the valuable information they contain ; and when our learned and cautious Brethren publish the result of their inquiriesthey ought to be most welcome to tbe Craft . It is . the
, duty of every one to go forward in the path of knowledge , more especially of a Free and Accepted Mason , who is bound to receive information arid communicate instruction at all times and in all places where it is practicable , and it is with this simple motive tbat the greatest part of Masonic works have been published , and up to this hour there is not one voi ,. in . . " J .