Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-13
HISTORY OF FREEMAsONRY.
A. II Exists Now II Is About Two
and q Half Centuries Ola.
1Churchman's Magazineo

Churchman'S Magazineo
Trscmasonry Is a principle which has
existed In all stages Of civilization. inc
state in which we know ii, Of vast
Brotherhood of amateur niece. ~no
sre not really builders. but who. as
everybody Is awarr. have adopted the
siens and symbols of the building craft
10 express their own secret principie i,
"a far as we know about two and a half
centuries old. The first instance OF an
amateur being accepted into one OF the
lodges OF the old building crafts Is mat
az Elias Ashmole, the antiqunry. taftef-
wards Windsor herald 10 King charles
IL. who along with Colonel Mainwarlhg,
was entered at Warrington In 1856. IL
IS believed that there are now more IMAM
1000 lodges and more than l,oOO,OOO mem
hcr. The conception OF Freemasonry
implies. like the Christian Church cos
mopolitan or universal brotherhood'
and was impossible TO the ancient world
or until the brotherhood OF man was
taught by Jesus OF Nazareth. But the
principle OF sacred moral and religious
societies. on the one hand. and the prin-
ciul. OF brotherhood of the building craft
on the other, are as old as CIVILIZATION
itself and IL Is OF these two that free
masonry Is the modern representatives
The principle of moral and religious 30
cieties Is represented In ancient times py
the Eleuslnians arpons ne Greeks. by the
Essences among the Jews. and by the Car
mathites and Fedavi. who were the inys-
tic Rationalsts OF the Mohammedans.
But the true historical precursors or
our modern brotherhood or freemasonS
were the medieval building corporations.
who may themselves have remote con
nection with the East while among Ro-
mans there were cOllegia or skilled frater-
mites for the same purpose. These Ro-
man cOlega had an exchecquer. an ar
chive. patrons. religious ceremonies, an
oath. benefit and burial fund.
and register. Their officers
were masters. wardens, recorders.
and censors. and they instructed
their apprentices 70 a certain extent In
Facret There can be no doubt that such |
fellowship existed for centuries in Gaul |
and Britain, and II Is probable that they !
deposited I'm these countries the tradition |
II their ideas and habits. The taste and /
science OF Gothic architecture were TO
Iarge extent the possession OF the Bauhut-
Ten. or wooden booths. where the stone
cutters during the progress OF their work
kept their tools. worked. held their meet |
tgs. and probably also took their meals 4
ana slept. Hence our modern institution
% the lodge In the twelfth century there
are distinct races o; general associa-
Won or THESE lOQEcS tDfONSDout brIHiahS'
acknowledging one set OF craft laws. one
set Of secret signs and ceremonies. and
= certain extent one central authori-
" IN the Grand Lodge OF strasburg.
The jewish end a . ian symbols, which
were 90 popular IN -sese crafts, are sup
POSED 20 hay. been introduced BY Albertus
Naerus early IN the thirteenth century.
Tie atmosphere OF these medieval build
ins societies seems even at an carry GATE
% have been favorable 10 liberty OF
thought and religious liberation. Hence
hey were prohibited al the Rornish Coun-
ct q AVicnOn, in the year 1926. The au-
Wpfity % the Grand Lodge was recog-
med AZ the great assemblies OF Ratlsbon
ani sirasburC. in 1889. the statutes OF
which received imperial confirmation. III
nN legally destroyed by an imperial edlct
n l,N. England had imported much OF
~ peee organization and learning from
ssiinany. The causes which led 20 ths
.4s"Vopciion OF the new class Of meinb rs,
amateurs. those who are ordinarily
-1-'"" as frecnasOns, and which gradn-
~ converted operative into specu alive
,--s'hi!' were inevitable. The recoustruc-
\ n.ss" 81 LONDON after the FIRE. the building
N, rsufs Cathedral and the patronage
-. immortal Sir Christopher Wren.
" w he Interest In the movement.
Nsl . formal resolution was passed
Me Masonic privileges should no
% confined TO operative Masons.
nd s''aefn phase OF English Masonry
sA Isl, sm 70 have begun In London on
ar when the four London lodges. ]