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Origin of Masonry and
its General Advantages
CHAPTER I
FREEMASON'S MONITOR
Thomas Smith Webb
From the commencement of the world we may trace the foundation of
Masonry. *) Ever since symmetry began, and harmony displayed her charms,
our Order has had a being. During many ages, and in many different
countries, it has flourished. In the dark periods of antiquity, when
literature was in a low state, and the rude manners of our forefathers
withheld from them that knowledge we now so amply share, Masonry diffused
its influence. This science unvailed, arts arose, civilization took place,
and the progress of knowledge and philosophy gradually dispelled the gloom
of ignorance and barbarism. Government being settled, authority was given
to laws, and the assemblies of the Fraternity acquired the patronage of
the great and the good, while the tenets of the profession were attended with unbounded utility.
Masonry is a science confined to no particular country, but diffused
over the whole terrestrial globe. Wherever arts flourish, there it
flourishes too. Add to this, that, by secret and inviolable signs,
carefully preserved among the Fraternity throughout the world, Masonry
becomes an universal language. Hence many advantages are gained: the
distant Chinese, the wild Arab, and the American savage will embrace a
brother Briton, Frank, or German; and will know, that, besides the common
ties of humanity, there is still a stronger obligation to induce him to
kind and friendly offices. The spirit of the fulminating priest will be
tamed; and a moral brother, though of a different persuasion, engage his
esteem. Thus, through the influence of Masonry, which is reconcilable to
the best policy, all those disputes which embitter life, and sour the
tempers of men, are avoided; while the common good, the general design of
the Craft, is zealously pursued.
From this view of the system, its utility must be sufficiently obvious.
The universal principles of the art unite men of the most opposite tenets,
of the most distant countries, and of the most contradictory opinions in
one indissoluble bond of affection, so that in every nation a Mason finds
a friend, and in every climate a
home. *) Masonry
and Geometry are sometimes used as synonymous terms
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