University of Virginia Library

15. CHAPTER XV.

For several of the following weeks, our hero devoted
himself almost wholly to masonry. And considering the
great natural aptitude of his genius for this noble study,
and considering the unwearied pains taken for his instruction
by the brotherhood since his late important services
for the craft, and the lively interest they now manifested
for his advancement, it is, perhaps, scarcely to be wondered
at, that his progress was unrivalled. He attended all
the frequent meetings of the Chapter, many of which were
holden on his own account, and proceeded with rapid advances
through the most prominent degrees of knighthood.
We regret that the limits assigned to this work will not permit
us to follow him further in his brilliant career in the
lodge-room, describing, as we have so far attempted to
do, the peculiar excellencies and leading features of each
of these important and splendid degrees. But this not being
the case, we can only say, that new beauties and wonders,

new fountains of light and wisdom, were continually
unfolding themselves to his enraptured mind, as he proceeded,
step by step, through the august mazes of this stupendous
system.

Thus passed the time of our hero till about the middle
of winter, when the Grand Chapter of the State of New
York assembled at Albany for their annual session. At
this session, which lasted about a week, nearly all the
great, the high and illustrious of the order in the state, embracing
most of its highest civil officers, were present.
What a golden opportunity for the young aspirant of masonic
honors! Here was the great Clinton—here the Van
Rensselaers, the Van Derheighdens, and scores of other
proud Vans,

Not a little proud was our hero to be admitted into the
company, to set beside, and be placed upon an equal with
these high titled dignitaries of masonry. And, as he walked
in their gorgeous processions, often arm in arm with the
most distinguished, and glanced at his own fine form, his
elegant dress and the splendid ensignia with which it was
surmounted, betokening his own elevated rank in masonry,
his heart swelled and expanded with exulting delight, and,
in the repletion of his happiness, he sighed, “this it is to
be great!”

But the splendor of parade that marked this brilliant assemblage
of the wealth, rank and talent of the land, as
magnificent and imposing as it was, still yielded in comparison
to the richness of the intellectual repast which was
here afforded. The wise, the learned and the eloquent,
all brought their rich offerings to the mystic shrine. But
among all those who contributed to this glorious feast of
the mind, the celebrated Salem Town, Grand Chaplain,
took, by far, the most conspicuous part on this important
occasion. Besides the performance of the customary clerical
duties of his station, this profound masonic philosopher
favored the Chapter with the fruits of his prodigious

researches, in the shape of lectures, or addresses, delivered
each day during the session, on the origin, history and
principles of Freemasonry. Our hero was an eager and
delighted recipient of his learned instruction,and he thought,
as he daily sat under the pure droppings of this masonic
sanctuary, that he had never heard such wisdom.

In his first lecture, this great and good man gave a suscinct
and lucid history of the origin of Freemasonry. After
a few general prefatory remarks, and after stating what
were the secrets of masonry, such as the signs, pass-words,
&c. which might not be told, he proceeded to discuss that
which might be told, introducing the main subject of the
lecture with the following bold and beautiful antithesis:
“But it is no secret that masonry is of divine origin.”[1] With
this triumphant assertion, he proceeded to consider the
proofs of the proposition, with all that logical accuracy
and conclusiveness which so eminently characterize his
published productions. He said “the earth was created
to unfold the great councils of eternity.” That man was
created a social being, and it was therefore necessary to
form associations for the purpose of carrying into effect
the views of heaven, which the energies of civil government
were too feeble to accomplish. And that as masonry
was the oldest and the most noble of all these associations,
it was hence intended to become the repository of
the will of heaven, and hence the medium by which that
will was to be promulgated to the world. Thus leading
the hearer to the irresistible conclusion, not only that masonry
was of divine origin, but that the earth itself was in
fact created for the use of masonry. It would be just like
many pragmatical professors of whys, ergos and wherefores,
to carp here and say that the premises in this masterly
argument were all assumed. But the out-breakings
of spleen and ignorance! who heeds them? The argument,
in substance, is here, and will speak for itself,—I have no
fears that my intelligent readers will not justly appreciate
it. But should any still entertain the least doubts on this

subject, let them follow this great reasoner into the succeeding
lectures, where the same argument is resumed,
with such accumulations of testimony as to convince the
most skeptical. I allude more particularly to that masterly
parallel which he drew between Masonry and revelation,
and which subsequently appeared in his great work on
speculative masonry. In this parallel, after enumerating a
long array of coincidences, to prove that Masonry and revelation
must have been one and the same, co-existent, and
of common origin, and reserving, like a skillful logician,
the strongest and most striking for the last, he puts all
doubts at defiance, and caps the climax with the following:—“And
finally, the Scriptures teach us in general
terms, all the duties of charity, to feed the hungry and
clothe the naked, to visit the widow and fatherless,—masonry
dwells upon these subjects in every degree, and lays
her members under solemn obligations to exercise christian
charity and benevolence. The word of God teaches
us to love our enemies, and render good for evil. Masonry
will feed a brother, though a personal enemy, even at the
point of a sword, should his necessities absolutely require
it!”

Having thus conclusively settled the question of the divine
origin of Masonry, the learned lecturer proceeded to
show the existence and continuance of the institution from
the creation down to the present time; and, taking the
simple, single fact, that Masonry and geometry are synonymous
terms for the basis of his argument, he was here
again triumphantly successful in establishing this important
point. For, as the principles of geometry were involved
in the creation of the world, in the construction of
Noah's ark, and the ark of the Tabernacles, built by Moses,
nothing could be clearer than the conclusion that God,
Noah and Moses, were eminent Freemasons. In a manner
equally learned and ingenious did he trace the footsteps of
Masonry from Moses to Solomon, the well-known Grand
Master, and thence to Alexander the Great, Pythagoras,
Hypocrates, the Roman Generals, and lastly the Druids and

the princes of civilized Europe. After he had thus completed
his masterly history of ancient Freemasonry, he
then passed on to consider the general tenets and character
of the institution. And here the soundness of his moral
and political principies, and the powers of his eloquence
were no less conspicuous than the learned research and
logical acumen which he had displayed in the historical
part of his subject. One of his addresses at this
stage of his lectures particularly arrested our hero's attention.
While treating on the unity and fellowship of
Masons in all parts of the world, however they might differ
in “things unessential” or indifferent to the order, such
as Christianity, Paganism, Mahometanism, piracy and the
like, he set forth, with the most glowing eloquence, the
privileges and advantages of masonry. “Here is a privilege,”
said he, “no where else to be found: Do you fall
into the merciless hands of the unrelenting Turk? even
there the shackles of slavery are broken from your hands
through the intercession of a brother: Do you meet an enemy
in battle array? the token of a Mason instantly converts
him into a guardian angel. Even the bloody flag of
a pirate is changed for the olive branch of peace by the
mysterious token of a Mason.” He then related several
interesting anecdotes illustrative of these remarks: One,
where an American was captured and imprisoned in Egypt,
and escaped by the aid of a Turkish Mason: Another,
where an American, imprisoned in Edinburgh, among other
prisoners, was liberated by the craft in that city, on his
being recognized as a Mason, while all the rest of the prisoners,
not being Masons, had to submit to their fate. And
yet another, where a whole crew falling into the hands of
a pirate, were preserved from death by one of their number
being a Mason and giving the token to the piratical
leader, who, proving a worthy brother, graciously spared
the lives of all his prisoners.

Timothy could scarcely keep his seat for the liveliness
of his emotions while these anecdotes were relating. The
escape of himself and his friend Jenks from arrest, in the

affair of the counterfeit bill, in the Highlands, occurred instantly
to his mind in confirmation of the lecturer's remarks.
The late recent affair too, of the arrest and escape of his
exalted companion from a disgraceful punishment, rushed
forcibly to his mind. Never before had he perceived the
advantages of Masonry in so strong a light as set forth in
these anecdotes. For he at once saw that the lecturer had
told but half the story—having left the most important inferences
yet to be drawn by the hearer—common sense
told him that if a Mason could thus escape the operation
of the rigid rules of war, or the despotic laws of a Turkish
despot, how easily he might put all other laws at complete
defiance. And in the case of the pirate, it was no less
manifest that the same sacred token, which saved the innocent
crew, must be reciprocally obeyed by snatching
that piratical leader from the gallows should he unfortunately
fall into the hands of his enemies, those unfeeling
ministers of the law, and undergo condemnation. Our
hero was lost in admiration of the institution which vouchsafed
all these precious immunities to its members; and
again and again did he bless the day that enrolled him
among that favored number, and made him a recipient of
those saving virtues and invaluable privileges.

Such are a few, among a thousand others that might be
cited, of the bright specimens of the logic and learning,
and wisdom and eloquence, which the illustrious Grand
Chaplain displayed in the course of these celebrated lectures.
Well may the fraternity be proud of the man whose
genius has not only shed such lustre on their institution,
but irradiated its kindly light into the minds of the purblind
uninitiated, till thousands have been brought to the
fold of Masonry. Such minds do not appear in every age,
but, like comets, at intervals of centuries, come blazing
along, shedding abroad their glorious effulgence, and dispersing
the gloom around them. Seven cities, it is said,
contended for the honor of the birth-place of Homer. Of
the birth-place of the great lecturer, we are not apprised.
Should not the public be put in possession of information on

this point, without further delay, to prevent such unhappy
contests hereafter, as those which vexed the Grecian cities
in disputing for the distinguished honor of giving birth to
their favorite bard? The literary birth-place of the Grand
Chaplain, however, is fortunately established. That high
distincton falls to the envied lot of his doating Alma Mater,
the Otter-Creek Minerva, who would not long sit demure
and unnoticed in her Green-Mountain bower, had
she a few more such hopeful sons to brighten her into
fame by the light of their reflected honors.

For the remainder of the winter, and most of the spring
following, our hero unremittedly devoted himself to the
great object he had chosen, on which to concentrate the
energies of his mighty genius. And the progress he still
continued to make, plainly evinced, that these golden opportunities
had fallen to the lot of one who was highly capable
of improving them. Besides perfecting himself in
the lectures of all the subordinate degrees, he paused not
in his onward career till he had taken all the ineffable degrees,
and all the degrees of knighthood which the Chapters,
Councils or Encampments, to which he could have
access, were capable of conferring. And so thoroughly
did he study the lessons or lectures of each, that he soon
acquired the reputation, even among the expert and accomplished
Masons of the cipatal, of being a proficient of
no ordinary promise.

Having now arrived at a proud summit in the path of
masonic advancement, he began to bethink him of leaving
the city, in order to avail himself of his acquirements in
some way, to replenish his purse, which his winter's living
in the capital, together with expenses incidental to the
many degrees he had taken in Masonry, had now reduced
to rather alarming dimensions. While revolving these
things in his mind, he received a most welcome letter from
his old friend, Jenks, giving him an urgent invitation to revisit
the Green-Mountains, and deliver an oration before
the lodge, which had the honor of making him a Mason,
at the approaching anniversary of the birth day of St. John,

which they had concluded to celebrate. Highly flattered
at the complimentary nature of this invitation, he immediately
resolved to accept it, being gratified at the thought of
so fine an opportunity of showing his former masonic associates,
a specimen of the improvement he had made since
he left them. Accordingly he wrote a long letter to
Jenks, in which, after detailing his personal adventures
since they parted, he announced his willingness to undertake
the proposed task of preparing an address for their
approaching celebration, and promised to be on the spot in
season to deliver it in person. Having done this, and come
to the conclusion of remaining several weeks longer in the
city, that he might have access to masonic books, while
engaged in preparing his oration, he now diligently betook
himself to the pleasing task. Night and day, did he
labor in this grateful employment, till he had brought his
performance to a most satisfactory conclusion. After this
he spent several days in committing his oration to memory,
speaking it over in his room, and practicing before a large
mirror, after the manner of Demosthenes, to get the action,
which consisted, in his opinion, in gesticulation and
commanding attitudes. Not, however, that he meant to
copy the manner of the great Grecian orator, for he had
another prototype in view, of a far superior kind, as he believed,
in the Grand Chaplain, and him he endeavored to
imitate with the most sedulous care, in catching his graceful
attitudes and melodious modulations of voice. While
engaged in this interesting employment, and in making
preparations for his departure, he accidentally one day
happened at the post-office, where he most unexpectedly
found two letters for him. Hurrying back to his room, he
proceeded to examine them. Percieving the superscription
of one to be in his father's hand, he tore it open and
read it as follows:—

“O, Tim,—I have lately found out a most Jo-fired discovery!
You know Tim, about the time you was born, I
joined the Masons—at least I thought I did. Now I have
lately found out that business was but little better than a

damn'd hoe-axe. Bill Botherem, the scamp of tophet,
damn him! Well, yer see, he made me believe he could
take me in, and so he did, and be damn'd to him! but he
had no right to, besides more than half of his jigerations
there, initials, I think they call them, were no Masonry at
all amost. And all the scorching and drenching, and all
that flumydiddle about tin pans and pistols and number
ones and number twos—and all that botheration about
going over with it again, cause a fellow could'nt help
swearing a little, to let off the steam, was nothing but
some of Bill's divlish cheatery and whimsification. For I
have found out there is nothing in Masonry against swearing
in a natural way at all amost. Well, yer see, Bill has
at last got found out in his diviltrees. A little while after
you went away, one of the fellows who helped Bill in that
scurvy business, joined the true lodge, and told on't after
he'd kept the secret in his clam shells more than twenty
years. So neighbor Gibson, who is a Mason, came to me,
and told me all as how I had been Tom fooled, and advised
me to join the true lodge, and so I did, and have now
got the bony fide Masonry—and by the Lord Harry, how
easy 'tis! Bill's Masory could not hold a candle to it!
Well, yer see, we now considered what was to be done with
Bill. But some thought he did'nt fairly break his oaths,
and some said it was so long agone that we'd better let it
drop, and so we did, only concluding to let all the brethren
and other trusty folks know in a kinder private way,
that Bill was a villain. But Bill, yer see, did'nt know as
how we'd found him out, and so he lately tried another
trick, and really made a young fellow a Mason privately,
and told all the true secrets, they say. But what is the
drollest is, he's got found out in that too. The fellow,
yer see, was courting a gall, and told her all—and you
know how things drop through wimen. She told it to a
Mason's wife, and so it got to the lodge. We have taken
the young fellow in, but they all say something must be
done with Bill this time, or he will ruin the whole tote of
us. And sure enough. Thunder! must all the world
know all the didos we cut up in the lodge-room—wimen
and all? A pretty kettle of fish that! I am clear for
bringing the perjured scoundrel up to the bull-ring. But
we are in a bother how to come at it in a legal kind of a way,
as yer may say—and so we want you should come home
and insult on the business. So you'd as well ax those
great bug-Masons there in York State, their advice, and
then pull up stakes for Mug-Wump, in no time. Brother
Gibson, says he is agoing to write you too. Your mother
has got the extatics to see you, and so I remain your honorable
father.

The other letter was in Royal Arch cypher, and from
the person mentioned in Mr. Peacock's letter, which,
being translated for the benefit of the uninitiated, reads as
follows:—

“Dear Brother,—Botherworth has perjured himself.
Vengeance must be had—but the manner—come and assist
us.

Timothy could scarcely restrain his indignation sufficiently
to read these letters through. The insult here
practiced upon his father alone, called loudly for punishment,
but this, despisable as it was, seemed as nothing to
the awful guilt of Botherworth, in breaking his obligations
and turning the sacred rights of Masonry into mockery!
Shuddering at the very thought of the deep damnation
that the wretch had brought upon himself, our hero lost
no time in laying the case before some of the most experienced
and learned of the craft in the city, and finding
them unanimous in their opinion on this subject, he took
their advice as to the best manner of proceedure when he
arrived at the scene of action, and proceeded to make
preparations for an immediate departure for the spot to
which he felt that a high duty now called him, and to
which he was determined to hasten with no other delay
than that which might be required on his way to meet his
engagement with his Vermont brethren, at their approaching
festival.

Accordingly, the next day after a tender parting from

his city brethren—one of whom, I scarce need say which,
presented him with an elegant gold headed cane on the
occasion,—our hero took stage and bid a reluctant farewell
to the city, where every thing had conspired to contribute
to his happiness and to advance him in the path of
mystic greatness.

Nothing worthy of relation occurred on the two first
days of his journey—and on the second night, he had the
pleasure of grasping the trusty hand of his old friend
Jenks, at his home in the Green-Mountains.