The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-07-19
FEeEEi-.M.ASGNRY.
A Relic Of Tie Late Josiah BigclOo.


We take the following extracts from
a Masonic address. delivered BY the
late Josiah Bisclow previous to the
war: The N S S. Of several other pro-
ductions, which indicate not only The
tnalty of the author to the institution
Of Masonry. but his ability as polish.
cd writer and poet, will shortly be
handed us for publication
"* 4 s. IN view Of the numcr-
Gus accessions that have been made to
its membership within the last few
years, l suppose it to be entirely true
that there are many among our young
or brethren who entertain. at best, but
very general and inde!im;c idea Of
the antiquity, extent and magnitude Of
our Institution. And yet there is
nothing more certain, than that with,
out some better knowledge Of its histo.
ry and philosophy than is to be ac-
quirod in the mere working Of its rilu-
oil, no Mason can arrive at any just APP
probation Of the Importance Of the ms
iitution, as one Of the great balancing
agents in the machinery Of society, nor
form any just conception Of its eapa,,
Lilitics and advantages in its individual
relations. Hence, i, too often happens
that many Of our most intelligent and
active young brethren, not having
their attention drawn to the subject,
overlook its history and the extent Of
its influence, and naturally come to re-
gard it in much tho same light that
they do the ordinary associations ofthc
day; and this, as naturally, leads to
indifference.
Masonry, like every other science,
whether moral or physical. to be right.
ly estimated, must be understood in all
its relations and conditions. The in.
tclligent Mason values it in the exact
ratio that he has investigated its history
and studied its philosophy But my
immediate purpose is not an essay on
the importance Of the study of Mason
ry as u science, but TO show its univcr-
salty as q fraternity. This will ne
ccssarily involve, to some extent, the
history ori,s rise and progress.
In the beginning of the 10Th ccntu.
rp, Henry the Sixth Of England ASKED
Of our brethren Of that day, "Whcre
did Masonry begin y and being told
that it began in the East. his next in
quiry was, "Who did bring it wcster.
ly?" and be received for an answer
that at was brought westerly by the
Phpniciaus." These answers were
prcdicatcd, not on archaeological inves-
LEGATIONS, for tho archaeology Of Ma
sonry had not then been opened but
on the traditions Of the Order, as they
had been had been transmitted from
generation to generation, and from n
period running SO far back along the
stream Of time, that it had been lost III
the uists and obscurity Of the MYTH.
logical ages. And recent inrestisa-
tons, guided by more certain lights.
and more extensive and clearer devel.
opments Of historical truth, have shown
that these brethren were not materially
mislcd by their traditions, aud that
their answers indicated, with rcmnrka.
bio precision, what the most learned Of
our brethren, in this country and in
Europe, at the present time believe to
be the true origin of our Institution.
Free Masonry was originally fra
tcrnity Of practical buillCrs-archI-
tccts md ariiliccrs. This is conceded
by all who are to any extent acquaint-
cd with its history or traditions. The
Phpuiciuns, whose capital cities were
Tyre and Sidon, were the early patrons
of that semi'religiOus mystic iraterni'
,y or society Of builders, known i'll his.
tory us the "DIouysian Architects. "
That this fraternity were employed by
the Tyriuus AMI Sidonlans in the erec-
ton Of costly temples to unknown DEL
tics, in the building of rich and gorge.
Gus palaces, and in Strengthening and
identifying their cities, is universally
admitted. Ard that they were the
,"cunning worEmcn sent by ttlram'