Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1853-12-02
Ancient Mn sonry.

The following beautiful extract from
Moore's Outlines Of The Temple, refers to
the time when Masons held their meet
ings on the SUBMITS of high mountains
or in deep wales:
We have no RECORD of this fact, but nell
ther have we any 10 the contraryi and when
tradition has come down uncontradicted by
written evidence or collateral circumstances,
we are authorized TO give her credit for truth
and veracity. And more especially when, as
in the latter case, the state Of society at large
was Of that rude aud simple character as to
Justify The procedure of resorting to such
places for such a purpose. The practice was
in character with the state of the tunes.
One has said
"The groves were Gods first temples"
and hence, before the erection of the "holy
and beautiful house" on Mount Moriah, Il
was betting that among the magnificent ce-
dars that crowned the submits Of Lebanon,
or 10 the deep rocky glens, the mystic broth
erhoOd should hold their solemn convocations.
The labofs OF the ancient Craft were usu-
ally In the forests and quarries, procuring
and preparing materials for the erection OF
mighty structures; and consequently, their
Ireetinl during such times, must have been
usually held out OF doors. There were no
buildings la the forests that grew on the
mountain sides aud crowned the submits oil
ancient Lebanon, In which the numerous
workmen could assemble. The plains OF
Succoth and Zeredalha were equally destitute,
| for the inhabitants Of the country dwslt
mostly In tents. On the hills or IA the val.
| leys then, we're the only places where they
could hold their meetings with any degree OF
security. The cities OF the land were "iew
and far between" and could not conveniently
be visited by the workmen for the purpose
Of holding their private assemblies; Tor thes'
meethgs were important aud OF frequent oc
currence. Thoy therefore had recourse 10
those silent aud Isolated places, easy OF acc esa
aud every where found In such spots al
intruder might be discovered at a great dit :
lauce, his approach made known Ia propel
season, aud the labota aud secrets Of the Graf
preserved from the prying eyes Of the unin
/ tiAted, Indeed there Was moro need IA
those days, when Masonry was an art almos
eXclusiyiy operative la Its character, Of aeelu
sion and entire secrecy. than at presently
aud greater care was accordingly taken 10
guard tho mystic tfeisures from the knowl.
edge Of the stranger aud the grasp Of the
Unworthy.
The following from the same work re
iers TO the authority Of the Bible amoni
Masons:
II is not necessary TO moot the question
nor shall |, ~ 10 what character aud author.
" the Chrislirn world awards 10 tho Bible
bat ~ WHAT LIour DOES MASONRY REGARD 1T
The abstract question Of lis divine authen
ITCHY | shall not particularly enquire into
but leave that TO other and ADLER hands, Bn
as the Bible IL fouad In every Lodge ms al
essential part OF It's furniture, and withou
which II cannot be organized or opened, !
i we'll TO understand Ia what aspect Mason
~ views II. Is IL truel Is IL the word q
Godl Does Masonry bow in howags TO Il
claims of divine Inspiration, -conesding u
divine auths ntiaity and its heavenly san cilons
Ils authority must be- either human or oil
vine,-its origin must be traced either {
earth or to heaven. Ii II be earth born Ia
offspring Of human genius, and claiming bn
the wisdom of man for It's source, and Oh
authority of man for its sanctions, then
has been mis- called "the Great Light In Ma
sonry" II It's origin be divine, lis truth
unques u enable, its sanctions from HEAVIER
, and It's authority bear the awful impress I
Jehovah's hand, then IL may in deed and
truth be called the "Greal Light" In whic
Of these characters do we as Masons, recels
aud regard that Book The writer Of th
has no hesitation In saying that Masonry T,
I CARDS the Bible as the Word Of God-cor
! tanning, In reference TO the moral governmei
of man, his Law and his Will:-thatlts moi
al teachings are divinely authentic, aud l
sanctions eternal And this conclusion
reached, First, from the manner of our usin
4 Il, and the authority of our early Craftsmen
/ Second, from The language Of our rituals az
4 charges. and, Thirdly, from the express,
opinions Of the Graft In oil ayes aud countr'
80 far as wo have been able 10 ascertain then