The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-28
The History of Ancient and
Modern Masonry.
Struggles and Successes Of the
Fraternity.
TRADITION AND FACT.
An Interesting Communication from Grand
Master ElWOOd E. ThOrne.
TRADITION AND FACT.
The Programme Of the Cele-
bration.


prepare an article consonant with the OCCASION
although should feel more satisfied with the task
fit were not performed amid the pressure or the
many oflciai duties incident TO the approaching
meeting OF our Grand Lodge and the dedication
OF the new Masonic Temple. or the
ORIGIN OF MASONRY
1t has been elequenty said by our eminent
brother, De Witt Clinton, alt Is lost In tine abyss
OF the past. No historic records, Evolutionary
accounts can with certainty point out
the precise time, the place, or the par
tlcular manner OF its commencement
There can be but little question, however
that at remote period, so distant as to have
eluded the search or the arcnaologIst the craft
was in vigorous existence, Illustrating then as
well as now the cardinal principles OF the order
and leaving Its impress upon society and the arts.
Many theories upon this subject have been ad-
yanced By distinguished Masonic scholars, out
they have penetrated only a field or vague con-
lecture. The archives ot jewish history, however,
furnish many data which enable us TO trace 10 the
age OF Solomon that higher knowledge OF the Ma
Bonic art which subsequently, was recognized as
its foundation ana TO the present time Is repre-
sented IN the sacred symbolism OF the Order 1
cannot do better IN this connection than quote
rom the address Of Grand Master General J. u.
Kersnaw, or South Carolina, az the laying OF the
corner stone OF the Masonic Temple IN Charleston
10 1871. Referring to early Masonic history, ne
says:-
about the year l44o, after the Deluge, or 1912
u. c., IN the fourth year o his reign, solomon,
King OF Israel, took measures TO erect
TEMPLE AT JERUSALEM
10 be devoted 10 the service OF the Coo OF his
fathers, as had been commanded 10 mis- inspired
and distinguished predecessor, David. He in
yoked thereto the assistance Of his friend and
that tue people OF ancient Tyre and Sdon excelled
in the knowledge OF the arts and all works OF ee-
waited taste ana skill. The term 'SidonIan' was
the synonym OF Whatever truly elegant.
Especially did they excel III their perfect knowl.
soge OF all that Vas sold and great III ornamental
architecture. For this knowledge they We're
PROBABLY lnuebtea to the Dtonysiacs VINO, at the
lonian dispersion entered The provinces OF Asia
Minor ana enclrc.ed It's cities with temples,
Bnrines aud palaces, the ruins OF which still con-
.Iltute the chief attraction OF Eastern travel
whence the lonlans derived this exquisite art We
Know not. They were the descendants OF Jayan,
sometimes called lon, the son OF Jspnst. who,
after the dispersion OF me Noachio9, settled
IN Greece. 1t may be that lie carried
with MIN from Babel higher knowledge
OF the Masonic art than did his companions, or
was more carefu! to transmit Ii. BE that as IL
may, 1t is certain that the DIonysac5 posse
this superior SKIN aud that the men Of Tyre III
vailed them in their attainment. To their SCI
ence and Architectural skill 10 attributable the
marvellous perIectIon OF SOlomon's Temple when
IL SAID TO nave resempled ratLer the work OF tue
Supreme Architect oil the Unlverse'tha the handl-
work Of man. 1t was tine wonder Of the ancient
nations, not Tor Its vast proportions and massive
strength, but Tor It's exceeding beauty aud ex
quislte perfection. 10 accomplish a work OF art
ana genius OF solomon as mucn 70 the skill and
efficiency OF the craft. with this assistance OF the
accomplished ana distinguished architect, Hiram
Abin. ne reorganized the body OF Masonry. Re-
tanning all mat was genuine In the system as he
then lound IL, he superadded thereto all the an
cient mysteries which his excellent wisdom was
able TO discover, infused INTO II the advanced
IDEAS oil morals and religion then existing among
the Jewish people and priesthood ana blended all
together mo one harmonious and complete sYs-
tem when stll remains living monument OF his
virtue, his wisdom and ms genius.
TIE DESIGN or SOLOMON
ana his associates was not only 20 organize EN-
GENTLY the vast uody OF workmen employed on the
Temple I'm number more than 150 0O0l, bur also to
BIND them together upon the principle OF Coop
erallye aud mutual aid societyAto make toe lodges
schools Tor instruction Ia philosophy, morals ana
religion, as well as IN science. lie Instituted de-
grees whereby tine meritorlous we're rewarded as
they improved Ia knowledge ana virtue. To
crown tue highest ambition Of the craftsmen he
promised to reward tue faithful by the communl-
cation OF some higher and more sacred truth, the
POSSESSION o winch was 20 confer upon the fortu-
nate recipient the highest possible claim to the
consideration and respect OF all good men and
Masons, wneresoever dispersed. What was mat
lnenable ana mysterious truth, to tho attainmenc
Of which the Temple craftsmen looked forward
as the ample reward OF seven yenrs prObatloa of
faithful and assduous serviceY To Understand this
IL VIII necessary 10 resort 10 the Grcnlves or
Jewish history. Among mat ancient and nignly-
favored people the omnl1c name OF Deity Was
never uttered save by the High Priest alone, once
aye r. when he entered Within the veil. on the
day OF eXpiatlon. Tue sacred Teuagrammaton OF
Pythagoras, the four-letiered name Of Jehovah,
was substituted 10y the Term Adonai The true
name was famliiarly spoken or as the uncommunl-
cable. Josephus tells US that this name was not
known until revealed 10 Moses IN the wilderness
and that dared not utter IL IN the nearing OF the
peopie; that the knowledge OF IL was lost through
ine wickedness OF man. Tnere has been
a question whether toe word itself was
lost, or It's meaning or the manner OF
ITS delivery. Certain It y that The
proved by any written record, Tor which reason *
IL termed by the Jews snem-Hamphoretn, the IN
ntterable name. 1t was common beef among
rnat people that this name was of such sovereign
efficacy as TO enable the pOssessor 10 cure diseases
work MIRACLES and ioretell future events. some
Of them supposed the power OF Jesus Christ to
work miracles attributable TO The know ledge OF
the Omnllc name. CHRISTIANS know that His 10 the
omninc name, 'that II above every name; tnat at
His name every knee should Dow, IN heaven, IA
eartn and under the earth We assume that In
some form the knowledge OF TINS name constituted
the ESSENTIAL POINT OF MASONRY.
ssThat IL was lost to the world by the tmpiety or
the Noachld@. Tnat this knowledge had been
quired by tue wisdom aud plety or Solomon, ana
Ihas ne determined to intrusL It's preservation
and transmission 70 that Masonic BODY winch be
organized AZ jerusalem. He hoped tnereDy to
Iurnnn the craft point aud principle OF unity
when would enable tue institution 10 survive the
wreck OF nations aud the reyo .utlons OF empires;
sne same IN all ages, under al systems and IN
every cline. At that day toe whole world, beyond
the narrow limits OF Judea sat IN the darkness or
heatnenlsm Vast nordes OF barparlans and idol
aters surrounded this favored land, where alone
the true light shed It's benign efnigencc. Already
the captivity and dispersion oil the Jews mad been
loreshadowed by divine revelation. As faithful
Worsnlpper or divine truth IL Oenooved Solomon 10
provide in MS wisdom some safe depository 70 pre-
serve anu trAlsLlls 10 tue TO COtues
ue knew that toe noble Temple which ne proposed
to erect and dedicate 10 the one true and only Cod
would, M the course OF ages crumble away and
perlsn In It's beauty ana Strength-tnas amid the
VicissItudes o. wars, invasons and revolutions
sven the sacred BOOK o the Law might ior time
pe lost 70 men. He also knew that ne could saieiy
sonnde the most sacred mysteries 70 the faithful
breasts OF mis- worthy craftsmen. Nearly twenty.
eight centuries nave rolled on to join the abyss Of
time past, and this faithful depository Of Inc truth
still stands, living witness o. US Vital power,
sustained by no human strength or NnRly preroRa.
tives, but IN the majesYand dignity OF ner hdelity
70 the trust reposed.
ave 40 not assert that we possess the knowl.
edge OF
Tx LoSo.LosT NAME OF DEITY.
eff such knowledge existed among US " would
pc az sacred ana lnvloaDle rust ever 70 oe eoh'
eealed anu never revealed uulawlully. II our IRA.
ditions DO not contain this knowledge they AZ
least account SATISFACTORILY Tor the mystery IN
which II 10 stu yelled, And holu out ~ the faithful
master, as areward Of dingent research, good
Dcpe OF lts ultimate attainment We do as
sert, however, the theological character OF Free.
masonry. That, whether or not religious ruth
constituted the essence Of speculative Masonry Ii
nj m CtfQn