Page. Chapter 3. Order of procession at laying the founda- 308 310 325 Notes - List of lodges under the jurisdiction of the grand lodge of List, &c. of Rhode Island of New-Jersey of Vermont of Massachusetts of Maryland of Virginia of Kentucky - - of North Carolina - of South Carolina of Georgia of Ohio The places, and times of meeting of the different grand - 328 333 334 ib. ib. 335 336 337 338 ib. 339 340 ib. 341 ib. ib. Places of meeting of the different chapters of royal arch ib. Meetings of subordinate lodges in the city of New-York 344 = 345 THE NEW FREE-MASON'S MONITOR. CHAPTER I. Of the Origin and History of Free-Masonry. THE origin of this fraternity is very ancient; but we have no authentic account of the time when it was first instituted, or even of the reason of such an association under the title of masons, more than that of any other mechanical profession. In a work entitled "Illustrations of Masonry," published in the year 1792, by William Preston, Esq. master of the Lodge of Antiquity, in London, the origin of masonry is traced from the creation. "Ever," says he," since symmetry began, and harmony displayed her charms, our order has had a being. By other accounts, the antiquity of masonry is carried up no farther than the building of Solomon's temple. In Dr. Henry's History of Great Britain, we find the origin of the Free-Mason's society attributed to the difficulty found in former times, of procuring B workmen to build the vast number of churches, monasteries, and other edifices, which the religious opinions entertained in those ages, prompted the people to raise. Hence the masons were greatly favoured by the popes, who granted them many indulgences, with a view to augment their numbers. In those times, it may be well supposed, that such encouragement from the supreme pastors of the church must have been productive of the most beneficial effects to the fraternity, and in consequence of such patronage, the society rapidly increased. An ancient author, who was well acquainted with their history and constitution says, that the Italians, with some Greeks, and with them French, Germans, and Flemings, joined into a fraternity of architects, procuring papal bulls for their encouragement. They styled themselves Free-masons, and travelled from one country to another, whereever they found it was wanted, that churches should be built. Their government was regular, and they fixed themselves near the edifice, on which they were employed, in a camp of huts. A surveyor governed in chief, and every tenth man was called a warden, and superintended the other nine." Preston supposes, that the introduction of masonry into England was prior to the Roman invasion, and says, that there are remains yet existing of some stupendous works executed by the Britons, at a much earlier period than the time of the Romans, and that even these display no small share of ingenuity and invention; so that we can have no doubt of the existence of masonry in Britain, even in those early periods. The Druids are likewise said to have had many ceremonies amongst themselves, similar to those of the masons, which they most probably received from Pythagoras or his disciples.* Masonry is said to have been encouraged by Cæsar the Roman emperor, and by many of his generals, who were appointed governors of Britain; but whatever may have been recorded concerning their lodges and conventions is now lost. The civil wars, which, for a long time prevailed in that country, greatly obstructed the progress of masonry, and it did not revive till the time of Carausius. This general collected the best artificers he could bring over from different countries, particularly masons, whom he held in veneration, and appointed St. Alban his steward, as superintendent of their assemblies. Lodges were now regularly held, and the masons obtained a charter from Carausius to hold a general council, at which Albanus himself presided. This Albanus was the celebrated St. Alban, who suffered martyrdom for the Christian faith, A. D. 303. * Pythagoras died in the year 497, before Christ. He obtained his knowledge of masonry by travelling into Egypt, and other countries, where the art had been known long before his time. See ANTIQUITIES, |