The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-29
It's Origin, It's History and
It's Design.
An Instructive Description Of the Mystic
Art by the Secretary General Of
the Supreme Council.
MASONRY NOT A RELIGION.
The Greatest Charitable and Social Or
ganization il the Universe,
70 rHH EDITOR OF THE HERALD

rated during the ensuing week oy the Granu Lodge
OF Free and Accepted Masons OF New York VIII
very naturally attract the attention or what Free
masons cal, a technical and not offensive sense,
Athe prolane worldn to the history the character
ana the objects Or the Masonic institution But
there needs occasional event, however inter-
lsting may be the circumstances connected with
{. TO secure 10 the Masonic Order valid claim 10
public confederation. TO say nothing OF It's
aquItyor Il Is BY far the Oldest secret organiza-
non in existence-nor or the humanitarian objects
which 1t proiessedly seeks 20 accomplish Its uni
versatility alone clothes IL with a peculiar interest
mat does not appertan 20 associations more cir
subscribed their relations Computing as IL
Toes at this day IN the United states alone, a
population OF hall million or active members,
Freemasonry boasts. as did tue Emperor
Charles OF the extent or his Empire, that
there Is not a civilized country q the world
whether CHRISTIAN or not, IN which its lodges are
not 70 be found From frozen siberia 10 torrid
Africa, and across the wide continents or ooth
hemispneres. the institution is actively in opera
ton. Everywhere substantially the same in It's
organization, ts members governed oy the same
avs and inspired by the same principles IL pre-
tents the remarkable spectacle or an association
winch, under no contingency, has been subjected
20 a change or character ~ the influences OF the
isnguaqe the political government or the religious
belief OF the peoples among whom It has neen IN
italy in Mohammedan Turkey IN Brahmanic
[ndia-under the shadow or the Cathedral OF ST.
Paul or the Basiiica Or II. Peter oT the Mosque ~
Sc. Sophia or rbe thousand temples OF Benares-
Freemasonry is, for all practical purposes
oNE And THE SAME INSTITUTION.
No external pressure has ever succeeded IN
Affecting the Identity u it. form and organization.
In the most ulgoted hierrrcnies II has maintained
Its principle o liberation; ia the most despotic
2 a iucuicAtAu freedom thought
and speech and iii tile NEST liberal republics u
has preserved the dogma or obedience to consul
tuted authority.
This universally or its identity has authorized
that doctrine OF It's ritual which declares that in
every land Mason may md . home and ia every
chime brother" Ths Inks Or catholic brother
mood 90 indeed, form continuous chain that
girdles the whole earth. Hence, inc Rev. salem
Town. one or the most learned and dis
tinguished members or the fraternity II New
YORK, has said, IN reference ID this cOsmo-
poitau character, that "rere ne q travel into
iereign country he should consider his
Masonic relations the surest safeguard, aside from
Divine protection, tnat could Le thrown around
him. wnen such institntion becomes the
subject matter Or Investigation there are Two
prominent topics that arrest the attention o. the
lnquIrer-its history ana - deslgn-where and
when ala il arise, ana what are the objects for
which its existence has been continued. Zach
81 these topics We propose succiuctiy 70 discuss.
The question Of the origin Or Freemasonry as
MYSTICAL ASSOCIATION
tas for more tnan 4 century and . half attracted
ne attention q many scuoiars q Britain GER
many france ana America anu oous d 'restses
ana essays on the subject have been published,
the extent Or when would surprise any one not
familiar win Masonic literature. AT the present
say the historians Of Freemasonry who
- - ~. a,.enss,or - ,n,s cres,,on ma, y.
divided into two schools, which may be APP
nronr,ately distinguished a. the mythical
80 -. a,,sar,,. ~. formar ~ ,be.e Il the
ana the autlenLs. ias loInei ~ 49,, = w
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aAs OeSh au1lteu ~ -. ,sa 100 s.hoot. -.
lne differences between shese Two sceoos are
very sIonRiY oshhsu' ~ 80 80 solAs isapSes'
the mythical scaoo q Masonle history was IN
sLk..a ai -sa. a,1 f'a..s,,6lns f,esaguiters
ooth doctors u dYihiy, aAa Wno NJ oesn iasinJ
in1IuLIels ~ I, : @ ~ 1890 49, H.
ieI- ortbe Gra,d IoIge 81 England Dr AND r.
49, .,-'' 1ss man al ACKNOWLEDGEMENT learning. the
80 49, y, sroycr .angregat I'm n iondon ana
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me- ~ nnpiished 10 I71g IL order on the Grand
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