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How could the Brethren prevent the impertinent intrusion of false worshippers , but by the institution of such tests and proofs , as should effectually exclude them ? Erom this intention , we trace the development of free and accepted ^ or speculative and symbolical Masonry . They connected of old the noble originators and possessors of the highest arts in stone-craft , and formed a holy guild or Brotherhood ,
which should impart only to proper candidates by a legitimate apprenticeship , the first rudiments of the Order , who should pass then , after due trial and probation , to the degree of a superior kind , yet inferior to the following grade , and after raising to the more sublime position of a Master or Journeyman , justly earning his daily bread , should exalt and place the most able and dignified , by talent , and genius , and inspiration , to the rank even of our G . M .
The ancient Greeks derived their arabesques from the Oriental tapestries of our first Masons . It is remarkable that the arabesques of the Alhambra have in them no animal representations nor imaginary monsters . Showy flowers , beautiful foliage , agreeably entwined , are examples of this decorative art ; and , notwithstanding the censures of Vitruvius and Pliny , it increased and multiplied in Rome . This was the extent of Masonic science . It led the mind to the
imitation of the noblest works of God , consistently with His command . Masonry began in arithmetic . The 24-inch gauge was the groundwork of mensuration and solidity . Geometry follows—a science beyond all calculation—a science laying down the first principles of construction and bearing , measuring points , angles , and solids .
Then follows Masonry , or constructive science ; the raising perpendiculars—the turning arches ; then surveying , levelling , hydrostatics —enabling the skilful workman to -comprehend valuable situations , to correct them when bad , to drain ground , and to bring to bear on his building all the effects of landscape , by the construction of basins , lakes , fountains , and cascades .
Next succeed mechanics—enabling the Mason to construct machines , which are "the geometry of motion , " and to connect genius , with common sense . The whole of these sciences qualify the skilful Mason to have in view design , composition , convenience , strength , and beauty , and to use advantageously , decoration , or the choice and distribution of ornament .
The venerable relics of such men as formed the grandest of all Temples to the honour of the Supreme Being , convey to us the notions we have of that mighty people now scattered over all nations . We learnt from them the art of geometry , of construction , the fusion
of metals , the flowing lines of the arabesque and sculpture , hydrostatics , and all grand sciences . Erom their labours , we trace the walls of Babylon , the pyramids of Egypt—and from symbolical Masonry , the obelisk of the piazza , the arrow characters , " and the wedge , of Nineveh . The screw , the lever , the plumb rule , the saw , all these came
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Untitled Article
How could the Brethren prevent the impertinent intrusion of false worshippers , but by the institution of such tests and proofs , as should effectually exclude them ? Erom this intention , we trace the development of free and accepted ^ or speculative and symbolical Masonry . They connected of old the noble originators and possessors of the highest arts in stone-craft , and formed a holy guild or Brotherhood ,
which should impart only to proper candidates by a legitimate apprenticeship , the first rudiments of the Order , who should pass then , after due trial and probation , to the degree of a superior kind , yet inferior to the following grade , and after raising to the more sublime position of a Master or Journeyman , justly earning his daily bread , should exalt and place the most able and dignified , by talent , and genius , and inspiration , to the rank even of our G . M .
The ancient Greeks derived their arabesques from the Oriental tapestries of our first Masons . It is remarkable that the arabesques of the Alhambra have in them no animal representations nor imaginary monsters . Showy flowers , beautiful foliage , agreeably entwined , are examples of this decorative art ; and , notwithstanding the censures of Vitruvius and Pliny , it increased and multiplied in Rome . This was the extent of Masonic science . It led the mind to the
imitation of the noblest works of God , consistently with His command . Masonry began in arithmetic . The 24-inch gauge was the groundwork of mensuration and solidity . Geometry follows—a science beyond all calculation—a science laying down the first principles of construction and bearing , measuring points , angles , and solids .
Then follows Masonry , or constructive science ; the raising perpendiculars—the turning arches ; then surveying , levelling , hydrostatics —enabling the skilful workman to -comprehend valuable situations , to correct them when bad , to drain ground , and to bring to bear on his building all the effects of landscape , by the construction of basins , lakes , fountains , and cascades .
Next succeed mechanics—enabling the Mason to construct machines , which are "the geometry of motion , " and to connect genius , with common sense . The whole of these sciences qualify the skilful Mason to have in view design , composition , convenience , strength , and beauty , and to use advantageously , decoration , or the choice and distribution of ornament .
The venerable relics of such men as formed the grandest of all Temples to the honour of the Supreme Being , convey to us the notions we have of that mighty people now scattered over all nations . We learnt from them the art of geometry , of construction , the fusion
of metals , the flowing lines of the arabesque and sculpture , hydrostatics , and all grand sciences . Erom their labours , we trace the walls of Babylon , the pyramids of Egypt—and from symbolical Masonry , the obelisk of the piazza , the arrow characters , " and the wedge , of Nineveh . The screw , the lever , the plumb rule , the saw , all these came