CHAPTER XIV. LEGENDS.-REV. JETHRO INWOOD. 1800-1803. "To Heaven's high Architect all praise, By mystic secrets sprung from Heaven." "There is no violation of truth in affirming that, in London especially, propositions for initiation into Masonry are often too easily, if not eagerly received, on the bare general recommendation of the proposer, and payment of the customary fees. But if character and circumstances were cautiously weighed in the qualification of candidates, though the society might not be quite so numerous, the members of it would, in proportion, be more respectable, both as men, and as Masons."-NOORTHOUCK. "Masonry has no principle but what might still more ornament the purest mind; nor any appendage but what might give additional lustre to the brightest character. By the exercise of the duties of Masonry, the rich may add abundantly to the fund of their eternal inheritance. The wise may increase their knowledge of the nature of God, in all his best perfections, and thereby daily grow still more wise unto eternal salvation. The pure in heart may be always advancing in the divine likeness; and they who walk in this path of the just, with zeal and activity, will find it as the shining LIGHT, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day."-INWOOD. "I AM about to exceed the limits of our covenant," said the Square, swinging scientifically round on its dexter limb, with a slow and even motion, as if trying to describe some imaginary circle in the air, "in which, on certain conditions, I promised to reveal some of the peculiar practices of our Brethren in the eighteenth century; and as you have adhered so faithfully to the preliminary contract, by suffering me to proceed without interruption, I shall reward your constancy by continuing my Revelations for a few years longer, that I may have an opportunity of describing the causes which produced the extinction of the schism that divided the Fraternity into two hostile sections for three quarters of a century; and it is probable that I may be able to furnish a few new facts which may prove interesting to you." I replied to my gossiping companion by a nod, and the sign of silence; for, to say the truth, I had become so accustomed to his lively conversation, that I shall regret its termination, whenever it may happen to cease. "Aye," said he, "you are at liberty to employ our universal language, but not to speak; and I am glad to find that you have learned your lesson so perfectly. "I have already told you," he continued, "that our present Master was the Rev. Jethro Inwood, curate of St. Paul's, at Deptford; and his opening address, delivered after his installation, was directed at a very prevalent objection of the anti-Masons that the institution is deistical. He began thus: "When the Almighty found it expedient to promulgate a code of laws for the especial government of the Israelites, after their deliverance from Egyptian bondage, to preserve them as a nation distinct from the idolatrous people amongst whom they were placed, he gave them a religious institution, formed upon exclusive principles, which was intended to be the cement of his ordinances, himself being the chief Ruler and Governor both of the civil and religious polity; and he constituted Aaron his authorized deputy over the one, and Moses over the other. On this model Freemasonry has been formed, but at an unapproachable distance. To render the parallel as complete as circumstances would admit, our ancient Brethren made the degrees of Masonry to correspond with the permanent and strongly-marked divisions of the Tabernacle, where the system was enunciated by a regular series of symbolical machinery. In a word, everything connected with the Tabernacle and . its services, was typical of a better dispensation, whose builder and maker is God. "It is not my intention, however, to detain you on the present occasion with an explanation of all the emblems which were embodied in this primitive temple; and, indeed, the attempt would exceed the limits of a single oration, confined, as it must necessarily be, within a very circumscribed space of time I shall merely allude to a few brief particulars which appear to be apposite in their application equally to Freemasonry and Christianity. The Tabernacle was built due east and west, in commemoration of that great and mighty wind which first blew east and then west, to divide the Red Sea for their safe transit, and the total destruction of the Egyptian army. For the same reason our Lodges are placed due east and west, in common with all Christian places of worship, for Wisdom sprang out of the east, and thence spread over the western parts of the world. "Our Lectures refer to Christianity in the same manner as the Jewish dispensation did, viz., by types and significant references. The First Great Light is the very basis and pillar of Christianity. The Theological Ladder is invested with a Christian reference; the Two, Parallels in our system of Masonry are Christians. Those who aim at neutralizing these and other similar references, or, in other words, of preserving the universality of Masonry by depriving it of its allusions to our holy religion, little think that by such arguments they deny the truth of God's dispensation to Moses, and refuse to acknowledge with the Apostle, that it was intended as a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. If the Jewish religion was truly a type of Christianity, so is Freemasonry. The conclusion is inevitable, because the Lectures of Masonry embody many of the historical facts, ordinances, and types of that ancient religion which was communicated to man by the Deity himself.' "These orthodox sentiments," said the Square, "proceeding from the mouth of a reverend divine. who had distinguished himself as a zealous and learned Mason, were highly applauded, and anticipations of an edifying year were indulged by all the members of the Lodge without exception. Their hopes were amply realized; and the popularity of his government formed a theme of congratulation, which extended beyond the four walls of the Lodge. His quiet and gentlemanly manners, and his method of imparting instruction to newly-initiated candidates by a free conversation with other members who proposed such questions for elucidation as they themselves might be inclined to ask, brought a host of visitors every Lodge night, and a marked increase of initiations. "One evening, I remember it well," the Square continued, "after the business of the Lodge had been disposed of, a candidate, recently initiated, whose name was Lambert, rose and said- R. W. Sir, if I am not taking too great a liberty—and as I have had very little experience, I am, of course, unable to determine whether I am in order or not-I should be glad if you would inform me by what process you acquired such a perfect insight into the mysteries of Masonry, that I may steer my course by your example, for I confess to the soft impeachment of an ambition to become a good practical Mason.' "And a laudable ambition it is,' replied the R. W. M.; nor can I have the slightest objection to gratify your curiosity by delineating the pursuits of my early Masonic career. When I was but a boy, having been made a Mason, as a Lewis, at eighteen years of age, I determined to fathom the very lowest depths of Masonry; and for that purpose I commenced a regular course of study in the principles of the Order, under the instructions of my father; and as it was a labour of love, I made a rapid progress. In fact, I am not ashamed to say that I entered on the pursuit with an alacrity, equal, at least, if not |