Sketches Of Notable Masonic Works.

SKETCHES OF NOTABLE MASONIC WORKS .

LONDON , SATURDAY , FJ 3 BRVAEY 20 , 18 G 9 .

By t Bro . f W ILLIAM JAMES PIUGTIAX , 18 ' , W . M . 131 Truro , Ron . Member , 75 , Falmouth , < $ 'c , author of History of "Freemasonry in Cornwall , " § 'c , < $ •< :. ' No . 5 . ff THE FREEMASONS' MONITOR OK ILLUSTRATIONS OF MASONRY . "

By THOMAS SMITH WEBB . We have selected the " oldest and only handbook in general use in the American lodges / ' for our next sketch , in the belief that a few facts relative to that famous work will not only prove

an interesting communication to British Freemasons , but be at the same time a not unacceptable contribution to Masonic Bibliography , from the fact of early editions being both rare and valuable . The first edition was printed at Albany ,

for Spencer and Webb , and was entitled " The Freemasons Monitor or Illustrations ot Masonry , in two parts , by a Eoyal Arch Mason , K . T ., K . of M . etc ., etc ., A . D . 1797 , " ( 12 mo . XII—28-1 ) . The following is a copy of the certificate granted to

the publishers by Edward Dunscornb , clerk of the district of New York . " Be it remembered , that on the 12 th day of SejDtember , in the

twentysecond year of the Independence of the United States of America , Spencer and Webb , of said District , have deposited in this office the title of a book the right of which they claim as proprietors , in the words , viz . : — 'The Freemasons Monitor ,

or Illustrations of Masonry in two parts , in conformity to an Act of Congress of the United States of America , entitled " An act for the encouragement of learning , by securing the copies of maps , charts , and books , to the authors and

proprietors of such copies , during the time therein mentioned . 55 In January 1798 , Thomas Spencer gave notice that he had sold and relinquished his proprietorship in the Freemasons ' Monitor . Dr . Kloss in " Bibliographic der

Freimaurerei evidently was unacquainted with any editions of the " Monitor 55 before A . D . 1816 , as that is the earliest he notices ( No . 1994 ) . The Grand Chapter of the State of Rhode Island recommended the work "to the attention and

study of all the members of the fraternit y because the committee appointed to examine the publication reported that they were of opinion , " that it was replete with useful Masonic Information , and so

fully entitled to the sanction of the Grand Chapter . " ' This resolution was dated July 7 th , A . D . 1802 , since which date , the American Preston ( Bro . T . S . Webb ) has been universally received throughout the States , as the recognized instructor of Pure

aud Ancient Free and Accepted Masonry . Having the second edition in our library ( New York 1802 8 vo . XII—300 ) we propose taking it as a fair sample of the rest . The preface bearing date September 26 th 1797 , commences by stating that

the work , " although chiefly intended for the use of the ancient and honourable society of free and accepted Masons , is also calculated to explain the nature and design of the Masonic Institution , to those who may be desirous of becoming accquainted with its principles , whether for the purpose of

initiation into the society , or merely iov the gratification of their curiosity . 55 A monitor of this character is a useful compilation , inasmuch as it contains most of the charges , prayers and scripture passages , made use of at the meetings , which are

not otherwise to be found , without recourse to several volumes , thus often occasioning much delay , besides producing many irregularities in their distribution , and sometimes even causing omissions of much importance . The aim of the

author ( as with his predeeessoi' , and companion Bro . Preston ) was that by a due attention to the several divisions of jthe lectures of Masonry , the mode of working may become everywhere the same , thereby adding much to the happiness and satisfaction of all good Masons , as also to the honour of the fraternity .

The observations upon the first three degrees , though in the main taken from Preston s Illustrations required alteration , owing to the distribution of the first lecture into six , the second into four , and the third into twelve sections , not being in accordance with the working in the United States ,

They were arranged iuto three sections for the first degree , two for the second , and three for the third . In the first lecture " Virtue is painted in the most beautiful colours , and the duties of morality are enforced . In it we are taught such

useful lessons as prepare the mind for a regular advancement in the principles of kuowledge aud philosophy . These are imprinted on the mind by lively and sensible images , to influence our conduct in the proper discharge of the

duties of social life . ( page 36 ) . The four Cardinal Virtues are well explained under tin ' s division . In the second degree practice and theory join , in