ADDRESS BY THE EDITOR.

ALL writers on Freemasonry appear to have been influenced by a desire to impress on the fraternity a love for its science and philosophy; and although their works usually include much practical instruction in Masonry, it is so blended with other useful matter, that an anxious brother, who is desirous of becoming acquainted with our secret mysteries, may be deterred from the task of analyzation by its apparent difficulty. He may be in doubt where to begin-he may be at a loss how to arrange the materials before him; and thus, incapable of any certain classification, may give up the attempt in despair.

I admit that the beneficial use of such publications pre-supposes some knowledge of our general Lectures; and as this knowledge can only be attained in tyled lodges, it may, in many instances, be difficult of access in the Provinces; because, unfortunately, the practice of lecturing is not

very prevalent. This is the more to be regretted, because, when scientific men are induced to enrol their names amongst us, from a desire to become acquainted with the abstruse knowledge which the Order undoubtedly contains, they retire, after a long period of anxious attendance on our Lodgemeetings, very much disappointed at the meagre and unsatisfactory character of proceedings, which a little attention to a judicious system of lecturing would have invested with dignity and effect.

To obviate this evil, the brethren should resort to such published works as the volume before us,* as well as others which profess to furnish an analysis of the Lodge Lectures; and by using them with diligence and industry, they will soon discover a mine of information which will enrich their minds with a knowledge of the great and valuable truths furnished by the science and philosophy of the Order.

THE EDITOR.

SCOPWICK VICARAGE,
JUNE, 13, 1843.

* See list of works on Freemasonry.

CONTENTS

OF

HUTCHINSON'S SPIRIT OF MASONRY.

INTRODUCTORY DISSERTATION ON THE STATE OF FREEMASONRY
IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY, BY THE EDITOR
THE DESIGN

ON THE RITES, CEREMONIES, AND INSTITUTIONS OF THE

A. A CHARGE FOR THE FESTIVAL OF ST. JOHN

B. AN ADDRESS FOR A VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION
C. AN ADDRESS TO A BODY OF FREEMASONS

D. AN ADDRESS AFTER THE EXPULSION OF A MEMBER
E. A CHARGE BY THE W.M. ON LEAVING THE CHAIR
F. A CHARGE DELIVERED ON THE INSTALLATION OF A W.M.
G. AN ADDRESS TO THE NEWLY-INSTALLED OFFICERS
H. AN ORATION AT THE DEDICATION OF A NEW MASONIC HALL
I. AN ORATION ON MASONRY

K. AN ORATION AT THE DEDICATION OF FREEMASONS'

HALL, IN SUNDERLAND, JULY 15, 1778

L. LETTER FROM MR. LOCKE TO THE EARL OF PEMBROKE

M. AN OLD MANUSCRIPT ON FREEMASONRY

N. REMARKS ON THE OLD MANUSCRIPT

O. A VINDICATION OF FREEMASONRY

P. A LESSON FOR FREEMASONS

PAGE

1

45

255

257

265

BY

THE REV. G. OLIVER, D.D.

LATELY

PUBLISHED BY BROTHER RICHARD SPENCER,

314, HIGH HOLBORN, LONDON.

In demy 8vo. 10s. 6d., royal 8vo. 16s., Handsomely bound in blue cloth, and decorated with gilt Masonic Tooling,

A NEW AND REVISED EDITION OF

THE HISTORY OF INITIATION,

In Twelve Lectures; comprising a detailed account of the Rites and Ceremonies, Doctrines and Discipline, of all the Secret and Mysterious Institutions of the Ancient world.

BY THE REV. GEORGE OLIVER, D.D.,

Late D.P.G.M. for Lincoln, &c. &c.

CONTENTS.

Dedication-To the Right Hon. Charles Tennyson D'Eyncourt, M.P., P.G.M. for Lincolnshire.

Preface-Explaining the indispensable qualification of the Master of a Lodge. Lecture 1-General Introduction-Antiquity of Initiation, &c.

Lecture 2-History of Initiation in Hindostan.

Lecture 3-Philosophy of the Eastern Mysteries.

Lecture 4-Initiation in Persia.

Lecture 5-History of Initiation in Greece.

Lecture 6-Ceremonies of Initiation into the Mysteries of Bacchus.

Lecture 7-Places of Initiation into the Celtic Mysteries.

Lecture 8-Ceremonies of Initiation in Britain.

Lecture 9-Symbols and Doctrines of the Druids.

Lecture 10-History of Initiation into the Gothic Mysteries.

Lecture 11-Doctrines and Morality - Splendour and Importance of the

Spurious Freemasonry, &c.

Lecture 12-History of Initiation in America.

Corollary-The Mysteries Funereal, &c.

Brother R. S. respectfully informs his Brethren the above may be had in a handsome blue calf binding, with the Masonic Tooling full gilt, price 15s. 6d. small, and 24s. large paper; the latter forming a splendid Lodge present.

The Publisher begs to call the attention of his Brethren to the following Testimonials of the public Press in favour of this work:

:

"The learned doctor, in the above work, has investigated the superstitions and idolatrous systems, notions, and observances, patent and occult, of ancient India, Persia, and Greece; of the Celts, Goths, and Mexicans; in the course of which his inquiries have penetrated into the abstruse contents of many learned works, seldom explored, we fear, in these degenerate days of superficial reading, whence he has extracted curious facts to elucidate the views developed in these Lectures."-Times.

"This book will be read with delight by every Mason who is really imbued with a love of the order."-Bristol Standard.

"The author has furnished a key by which the study of this subject may be successfully prosecuted."-Lincoln Standard.

"We can confidently recommend this interesting book to all persons who may have a taste for such investigations, assured that its contents will afford them a treat of no common order."-Nottingham Journal.

"The work is learned, curious, and ingenious."-Gentleman's Magazine. "This is a new edition of a previous work that has been already received with the highest gratification by the order; it has undergone much careful revision, and contains valuable and important additions. The expected revelations of those truths with which the author has stored his gifted mind have been fully realized. As a literary composition, the present volume is polished and elegant; as a Masonic illustration, it is plain yet vigorous. We observe, with much admiration, the vast number of learned authorities which have been consulted, not merely as proving the great extent of the author's research, but as comprising the value of a course of study which thereby saves the Masonic reader a vast deal of trouble-enables him, with less difficulty, to comprehend those mysteries which unite morality to science-deduces the origin of Freemasonry-conducts the examination through every system of philosophyexplains errors-and leaves no opportunity for the sceptic or the casuist to exercise his vocation. It is a work good for all men, and a text-book for Masonic Lodges."-Freemasons' Quarterly Review.

"A work from which we do not doubt but our readers will derive considerable amusement, and reap a proportionate degree of instruction.”—Imperial Magazine.

"This will be a great acquisition to those who take an interest in such studies. Even to the general reader, it offers new and striking evidences of the eccentricity of the human mind; but the library of the Brother must want one of its lights, until it possesses this volume."-Weekly Review.

"No Masonic Brother should be without this book in his library."-Lincoln Gazette.

"It is a work of extensive reading and erudite research."-Staffordshire Examiner.

"The mantle of the learned historian of Freemasonry, Mr. Preston, has fallen aptly upon the shoulders of Dr. Oliver, who holds a distinguished position amongst the members of the Craft in the province of Lincolnshire. But while to those in the secret of Masonry the present volume is one which possesses a peculiar charm, its contents are such as cannot fail to interest the general reader, as the learned author has embodied in its pages the result of multifarious but well-digested reading on the general subject of the mysteries of the nations of old, from the Egyptians and Chaldeans to the Druids and more modern inhabitants of Europe. There is an easy and graceful style pervading the book, which gives its contents an additional charm in the perusal." -Globe.

"The Rev. Dr. Oliver is a Freemason of repute, and an enthusiast in the Craft; considering pure or primitive Masonry was certainly derived from above. In his eyes the mysteries of Egyptian and classical antiquity, together with the religions of Persia and Hindostan, as well as the mysteries of the Celts, the Druids, the Goths, and the different American nations, were all branches of Freemasonry-pure in their fountain, but corrupted in the streams. The object of his book is to describe the ceremonies of initiation into all these brotherhoods of yore, and to unfold their philosophy or tenets. In the pursuit of this object he brings together a vast number of particulars from a vast number of sources." -Spectator.

"In this volume we have the substance of twelve lectures, comprising a detailed account of the rites and ceremonies, doctrines and discipline, of all the secret and mysterious institutions of the ancient world. The work is got up with evident care, and the arrangement being in a great measure new, and proportionably abstruse, I have,' observes the author, the Rev. Dr. Oliver, advanced with much caution, and have not ventured to introduce any single fact without its accompanying authority.' We may add, that the volume displays, in every page, marks of extensive research; that the materials are well digested, and the language of the lectures uniformly recommended by ease and perspicuity. Those who take an interest in Freemasonry, will read it with pleasure."-Sun.