The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-29

1
turesque pageant ever offered to the public
gaze in the United States by an Order which
is known TO the general public only by Its
imposing scenic displays. Every part of its
ceremonials is claimed to have a mystic sig
nicance ineligible to the initiated and as
meaningless to the "profane" as a gorgeous
dramatic performance in language not un-
derstood by the spectators. An occasion OF
so much parade is fitted to enlist curiosity
respecting the ancient Order which furnishes
this evidence of its prosperity; and we are
happily able to crafty that natural curiosity
by expositions Of Masonry from persons who
have title to speak in its behalf and are
willing to communicate everything relating
to its external history. The interesting letter
of Mr.. Albert G. Mackey, the Secretary Gen
eral Of the Supreme Council, which we print
to-day, is production which sets forth
the nature of the Order with remark
able clearness, intelligence and literary
skill 1t will, perhaps, be found better worth
reading than anything likely to be written in
connection with this occasion. Mr.. Mackey
is evidently no bigot to the traditions of the
Order and no believer in the extravagant
myths which have been accepted as part of
its history. Thoroughly conversant with the
critical researches which have thrown so
much new light on the subject within the last
few decades. he frankly accepts the results of
the recent historical inquiries and presents
the institution in costume which gives 1t
better CLAIM to the attention of intellectual,
scholarly men. He renders valuable SER
vice in clearing away the mythical rubbish
which has so long been q severe tax on the
credulity Of supplemented Masons. He
abandons the grotesque claim that Adam was
the first Mason, and has quite as little respect
for the myth that Solomon's Temple was
built by the brethren OF the Order. The
Temple of Solomon makes, indeed, o great
figure in the Masonic ritual, but Mr.. Mackey
explains that that was founded on esoteric
and not historical reasons. The intellectual
part of Masonry, as he defines it, is the
science of symbols" and when this science
had been carried to q certain stage of perfec-
ton it was found convenient to dra W its sym
bols from the parts Of the more elaborate jew
ish Temple instead of from the Gothic cathe-
drals Of the Middle Ages, great part Of which
were actually built by the Order of Free
masons- Its symbols are means OF illustrat-
ing great truths, but the only distinctive relig-
ious tenet of the Order is theism, funda-
mental truth represented under the idea that
the universe is the work Of an Architect.
Masonry, as this expounder interprets it, is
an elaborate system of symbols adjusted to
one another with a sort Of architectural SYM
metry which assists the intellect in compre-
hending as a connected whole, the great
moral truths signifed by the symbols. Aside
from the theism which is the common ioun-
dation of all religions it binds its members to
no specific theological belief. In Mr..
Mackey's striking language, in Protestant
England, in Catholic Italy, in Mohammedan
Turkey or in Brahmlnic India-under the
shadow of St Paups or the Basllica Of st.
Peters, or the Mosque OF st. Sophia, or the
thousand temples of Benares, Freemasonry is,
for all practical purposes, one and the same
institution"
We also print communication (being
always willing to give fair hearing to both
sides) assailing Masonry with something Of
the asperity which prevailed during the anti
Masonic controversy which formed remark
able episode in our politics more than fifty
years ago. Our correspondent borrows his
weapons from that controversy and employs
them with as little restraint as was exercised
in the heat OF fierce contention which is o
very old and familiar story to people CONVEX
SAINT with the history Of New York politics. 1t
brought some of our most remarkable men
into public life, including Thurlow Weed, his
lifelong friend Mr.. Seward, Mr.. Fillmore
who was aiterward President and others Of
equal prominence in their time, but who did
not run so long a career in politics There
is no reason 10 doubt that Morgan was not
only abducted, but murdered, by the Free
masons because he had threatened to print
the secrets Of their Order. The indignation
aroused by that outrage was legitimate; but
the horse was somewhat overridden by
the politicians who mounted it Everybody
is familiar with the story SO often told of
Thurlow Weed, that he got possession of
corpse, shaved it, had it put in a nice coffin
and passed it of for the dead body Of Morgan,
saying, when its identity was questioned,
that it was "a good enough Morgan until
after election" We should be glad to hear
the present views of the venerable journalist
and tactician on the subject Of Masonry. With
a mind mellowed by time and ripened and
liberalized by wide and varied intercourse
with men he would speak with candor, and
nothing could be moro interesting than his
mature judgment Of tho event which brought
him and 50 many Of his associates into public
life. II is not probable that he would speak
on the subject with the violent impetuosity Of
younger years. Our correspondent seems to
exhibit virulence which does not quite be
fit question which so long ago passed out Of
politics IN saying that Benedict Arnold was a
Mason SO also Judas Iscariot was