Reprint of the original, first published in 1873.

Excerpt from Freemasonry Its Symbolism, Religious Nature, and Law of Perfection Worthy of translation into French, German, or any other language - no modification whatever would be needed. I have written as a Christian, and perhaps, therefore, the work may be deemed more suitable to Freemasons who are Christians than to those of other religions. It would have been wrong, and contrary to the laws of Christianity and of Freemasonry, for me to disguise or conceal my religious sentiments. And whilst Freemasonry delights in opening its portals to all - whatever their religious creed - who hold the great fundamental principles of religion already mentioned, yet, as it has for many ages prevailed chiefly amongst Christian nations, its teachings have been very largely imbued with Christianity, and very many symbols are in general use which admit of no explanation apart, from that religion and from the Holy Bible, which in Christian countries is placed upon the altar of every Lodge, read at every meeting, carried in every Masonic procession, and acknowledged as the Great Light of Freemasonry. If the present work, therefore, should be found more entirely suited to the views of Christian Freemasons than of others, I entertain a perfect confidence that it contains nothing which any Brother - Jew, Mahommedan, or Parsee - can deem offensive. In conclusion, I beg leave to state that I have bestowed much study on the subjects treated of in this work. I do not lay before my readers hastily formed opinions; and I hope, therefore, that many may derive pleasure, and that many may derive instruction from these pages. It would be most gratifying to know, and a sufficient reward for much labour, that the work was generally found acceptable by my Brethren, and that it was extensively useful but I would feel much satisfaction in the thought that I had been able to contribute to the gratification, or the more substantial benefit, even of a single Brother. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Freemasonry Its Symbolism, Religious Nature, and Law of Perfection

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1873 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER CII. The Masonic Law Of Perfection.--The Ineligibility Of Slaves And Persons Born In Slavery. We have already seen that in the ancient Landmarks, in the Charges of 1588, and in the charges contained in the Book of Constitutions put forth by those eminent Masons, Bros. Desaguliers and Anderson, with approbation of their brethren who took part with them in the great revival of Freemasonry in the beginning of last century, it is distinctly laid down as one of the laws of Freemasonry that every person admitted into the Order must be "freeborn." Of this law no modification can be made, nor can it in any case be dispensed with, without subversion of the most essential principles of Freemasonry. A reference to its place in the Landmarks is enough to prove this to all who know anything of Freemasonry. Nor, in fact, has any attempt been made in the whole history of Freemasonry to set it aside or dispense with it. It has not even been opposed in argument, like the laws prohibiting the admission of the maimed or deformed and of bastards. The reason of this probably is that persons not free-born have never been apt to seek, because they are not generally in circumstances to make them desirous of seeking, nor possessed of qualifications to make them capable of enjoying, the privileges of Freemasonry. It would not be difficult to point out that some of the arguments which have been urged in favour of a relaxation of the laws which prevent the admission of the maimed or of bastards, if they were of any real value, would be equally appropriate in the case of persons born in slavery; but this belongs to the former part of our subject rather than to the present. The masonic law, derived from ancient times and unchanged to the present day, is...

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