grossly erroneous; not only that the order was not organized by Solomon and patronized by St. John, but that it had no existence even in the days of Edward III., and of Henry VI. of England. The question becomes interesting, whence did it originate? and who first promulgated its falsehoods?

The Rosicrusian mania sprung up in Germany, A. D. 1610, nearly; and overspread Christendom. This puff of indefinable extravagance originated from the writings of John Valentine Andrea, a celebrated Theologian of Wirtemberg; (see London Mag. 1824, Vol. 9, p. 143,)—who amused himself with tales of spiritual wonder and mystical glory, as a literary hoax, in the style of Munchausen's wonderful adventures in his memoirs. The visionary minds of that day took his work in earnest. They claimed, in general, for the rosy cross philosophy, whatever is now particularly claimed for Freemasonry, a heavenly origin, a magic influence, a wonderful secret, and unbounded excellence. The universal medicine and the philosopher's stone, were gravely professed for the glory of its mystical laboratory; and to so great a pitch of extravagance did its, vain professors run, that modern Freemasons are sober men in the comparison. This folly was greatly admired in England by some men of a strange fancy, and of great learning; and by others publicly professing the black art. Among the former, the name of Elias Ashmole, the antiquary, stands conspicuous; and among the latter, Wm. Lilly, the astrologer; and somewhere between them, is Robert Fludd.

This Ashmole, is greatly accounted of as a brother by masonic historians, and is the first accepted Freemason claimed by professor Robison. Ashmole says he was "elected" in Mason's Hall, Basing Hall-street, A. D. 1646. (See Biog. Brit.) This is the Hall of the London Company of Stone Masons, chartered 1677, 31 years after Ashmole's admission into its livery, and remaining to this day, as it ever has been, in the possession of the Stone Masons; a society distinct from, and independent of the modern Freemasons. And it is evident that Ashmole was only made free of the Mason's Company as his friend Lilly was made free of the Salters Company, and as the Lord Mayor is usually made free of some one of the

12 principal Companies of tradesmen or mechanics in the city of London; and that Ashmole was not initiated, passed, and raised to the Sublime degree of Master Mason, as in a modern Lodge of Freemasons. Therefore we think the record must be wrong, which makes Ashmole a Freemason of the modern type.

It is an undeniable fact that the conceited mystery of the Rosicrusians, and their vainglorious pretences to every thing good and great and magical, or holy, are united with the emblems and working tools of a handicraft mason, the compasses and level and square and leather apron, to form that lying wonder of the 19th century which is commonly called Freemasonry. This union did not take place in one day; nor until the false philosophy of the Rosicrusians fell into merited disgrace, and the sect ran out. Ashmole died A. D. 1692, and with him the last of the rosy cross philosophers; but the spirit of this order, after lingering a few years among men of less note, passed by a species of metempsychosis, into a new body, the company of masons, with whom it first appears in the early part of the 18th century.

When Ashmole died, 1692, Sir Christopher Wren was at the head of the English architects, holding the office of Deputy Surveyor of the king's buildings: in 1698 he was made by William III. Surveyor General of the public works; and in 1714 to 1718, for political considerations, he was removed from office by George I. All masonic historians call Sir Christopher Wren Deputy Grand Master, at the time when he was Deputy Surveyor, and Grand Master of the Freemasons, at the time when he was Surveyor General to the throne. But in doing this they make a very short rope to hang themselves; for by their own showing the first Grand Lodge was formed in 1717 ;* then, how could Sir Christopher Wren be Grand Master in 1698, nineteen years before there was a Grand Lodge ? During this period the Rosicrusian pretensions were seeking, like a troubled spirit, for some resting place.— The age is one of the most extravagant speculation: and moved with a strange desire of fame and money and conviviality, four companies of STONE MASONS, who were left

* See any masonic history of that year: Preston, Dermott, Lawrie, et alias.

PREFACE.

THE several documents comprised in the following work have been published at various times, and in different sections of our country. They have principally appeared in the pamphlet form; and wherever circulated have been read with avidity, and have exerted a powerful influence. Those which have been presented to the public only through the medium of newspapers have not received that general circulation and perusal which their value and importance demand, owing to the fact, that those organs of communication are for the most part subjected to masonic influence, and that but few papers are enlisted in the Antimasonic cause.

They are here republished, with the hope that they may receive from the public that attention which they merit; and that the influence which they are calculated to exert may be felt, and be widely extended.

Collectively, they form a volume which may be of some service to those who have given to the subject on which they treat but little attention, and who have not informed themselves in relation to the principles of the Masonic Institution, as they have been developed by recent investigations.

The nature and tendency of the institution are here clearly exhibited, and its principles and practices fully illustrated and exposed. From the fact that most of the writers of the pieces herein contained have been members of the institution, and consequently acquainted with its secret principles and designs; and also from the uniformity of their testimony, we may rely on their statements as correct, and consider their representation of its character as in accordance with truth.

The increasing demands of the public for information on the subject of Masonry, and the persuasion that a work which should present at one view the opinions of the most distinguished writers respecting it, would be useful, and well adapted for distribution, were the causes which led to the publication of the present volume. The compiler indulges the hope that it may subserve the cause of truth, by diffusing light on the subject of Masonry, and by exciting a more general inquiry into the nature of its claims.

Boston, Feb. 22, 1830.