high priests, and held in possession the law written by Moses under the immediate inspiration of Jehovah himself. It follows, therefore, nearly as a matter of course, from the above considerations, that many individuals in most, if not all the surrounding nations, in some of these derived what of truth they had em ways braced. What then are the most natural inferences bence to be drawn? From the foregoing facts, there are four which seem most clearly to be deduced. First, that many of those ancients, whose names and words have been quoted, lived several hundred years before the introduction and promulgation of christianity. That they were not of the Jewish nation, but dwelt in countries where the Old Testament scriptures were unknown. And that they did travel in search of true wisdom. Secondly, that they held sentiments of the unity, eternity, superintendence, nature and character of God, which are found to accord with Divine revelation. That they held some opinions truly sublime, in relation to those interesting subjects. Thirdly, that most, if not all this know ledge, was obtained through the medium of that higher order of mysteries, which were known, only to individuals, yet existed in every country. And Fourthly, on the introduction of christianity, the eminent Justin Martyr, in conjunction with several other ancient fathers in the church, who had the prop er means of ascertaining those facts, labored to prove, that the ancient mysteries did embrace and inculcate some true knowledge of the character and attributes of God, as contained in, and taught by, the system of christianity. Why, it may be asked, should such men attempt to prove what they had no reason to believe? And why should they be inclined to believe without some evidence. They lived in such an age, and were situated in such a manner as to know for a certainty, whether the opinion was true or false. All were men eminent in science, most or all had been initiated into those mysteries to which they alluded, had afterwards embraced christianity, were teachers in the church, and of course competent in all respects to judge correctly. The learned Warburton, also, has clearly proved the same truth from the writings and testimony of those very men. If, therefore, we reject such evidence, as not conclusive in this case, we at once destroy the whole foundation of human belief, just as far as it is grounded on the experience and testimony of others.But this testimony cannot reasonably be rejected. Hence, brethren, as all true light first eminated from a divine source, and as some rays are found to have illuminated the understandings of wise men and philosophers, even amongst Pagan nations, must we not necessarily infer some connexion between individuals of different countries, forming a proper medium through which such light might have been perpetuated to succeeding generations. That this might have been the case cannot be denied. That it was the case there is much, very much reason to believe. However might have been the fact there is no evidence to contradict the above conclusion. If so, it appears more than probable, that all those persons, not only from Adam to Noah, but from Noah to Solomon, who held the true knowledge of God, were in some sense, according to ancient acceptation, Speculative Free-Masons. That those principles were systematized by Solo mon, and a regular Institution formed, both operative and speculative. That through this medium, ancient philosophers obtained their speculative principles. That, not only from Solomon to the advent of Christ, but down to the present day, certain fundamental truths have been preserved, even through those dark ages of the world, when a long night of barbarism seemed about to involve the human family in the thick shades of ignorance and superstition.The opinions of the most pious and learned of our brethren, during many ages past, are found to correspond with the above sentiments. In relation to modern Speculative Free-Masonry, it is abundantly evident to the world, that the great doctrines of morality and religion are summarily comprised in the lectures, and taught in the lodges. In travelling back the remote ages of antiquity, no period can be found when Masonic customs, ceremonies and tenets were not, in substance, the same as at present. If, therefore, no characteristic change for many hundred years can be proved, why may it not be true, that those fundamental and characteristic principles did actually originate in the earliest periods of time. In view of all that hath been exhibited under this head, it is earnestly recommended to every brother and companion, duly to examine the subject for himself. CHAPTER XIII. Masonic Word, or Divine Logos- BY tracing Masonic customs, and comparing certain ceremonies in the economy of the Institution, there appears to be an existing fact, indicative not only of the antiquity, but high object of ancient Masonry. From this fact it appears, that ancient Masons were in possession of the appropriate name of the promised Messias, termed in the NewTestament the LOGOS or WORD. The knowledge of this WORD was an object of great moment, and sought with all diligence by the members of the Institution. This divine wORD has, in every age of the world, been held sacred, and faithfully transmitted from one to another in ancient form to the present day. From that conscientious reserve in the use of the true name of God amongst |