Use and Abuse of Freemasonry

 

By George Smith. Distributor: Lulu. $19.99. 268 pages. Paperback UT. 2016 (1783).

According to G. Oliver, Captain Smith was a man “plain in speech and manners, but honourable and upright in his dealings, and an active and zealous Mason”. In the late 18th century, G. Smith’s work was both necessary and useful although not sanctioned by the Grand Lodge. It informs on various aspects of Freemasonry, from history to philosophy. Two of its chapters are of particular interest, that of masonic charity, and that of a discussion on women and masonry. Finally, this book is of interest as it is one of the publications for which written documentation exist in terms of the mechanism of Grand Lodge sanction of masonic literature.[1]

This new edition is augmented by the list of works by G. Smith, the list of works referenced in the text or suggested as complement to the text. All additions are placed within brackets.

 

Contents

 

  • The use and benefit of society in general
  • Antiquity of Free-Masonry in general
  • Antiquity of Free-masonry in Great Britain
  • Ceremony observed at laying the foundation stone of Free-masons' Hall
  • Inscription deposited within the foundation stone, both in Latin and English
  • Anthem sung at laying the foundation stone, composed by Henry Dagge, Esq
  • Mr. Bottomley's oration at laying the foundation stone
  • Ceremony observed at the dedication of Free-masons' Hall
  • Grand-architect's speech at the dedication of Free-masons' Hall
  • Grand-chaplain's oration at the dedication of Free-masons' Hall
  • New Ode, by a member of the Royal Alfred Lodge at Oxford, as performed at the dedication of Free-masons' Hall
  • Explanation of the Oxford Ode, by the author
  • Rev. Daniel Turner's Ode, intended for the same occasion
  • The author's letter that accompanied the Ode
  • Mr. Williamson's Ode, intended for the same occasion
  • Description of Free-masons’ Hall in London
  • History and Antiquity of Free-masonry in foreign countries. First in France
  • Description of Free-masons’ Hall at Marseilles
  • Count T* * *'s Speech at the initiation of his son into masonry
  • History and Antiquity of Free-masonry in Germany
  • Compact with the grand-lodge of Germany
  • History and Antiquity of Free-masonry in Holland
  • History and Antiquity of Free-masonry in Denmark and Sweden
  • The Runic inscriptions on rocks in Denmark, supposed to be masonic hieroglyphics
  • History and Antiquity of Free-masonry in Russia
  • History and Antiquity of Free-masonry in Spain, Portugal, and Italy
  • The case of Brothers Mouton and Coustos, sent prisoners to the inquisition at Lisbon for being Free-masons
  • The case of Brothers Alincourt and Pracao, sent to prison in the island of Madeira for being Free-masons
  • The Pope's Bull against the Society of Free-masons
  • An edict of Rome against the Free-masons
  • A decree of Rome, condemning to the fames a book in French, in-titled, The History of; and as Apology for, the Society of Free-masons
  • History and Antiquity of Free-masons in Switzerland, Hungary, and Poland
  • The Ordinance of the city of Berne, abolishing the society of Free-masons from the republic
  • History and Antiquity of Free-masonry in Bohemia
  • History and Antiquity of Free-masonry in Flanders and Brabant
  • History and Antiquity of Free-masonry in Asia
  • Sir John Day's letter to the Nabob of the Carnatic accompanying an apron and book of constitutions, as a present from the grand-lodge of England
  • The Nabob's answer to the Grand-master
  • History and Antiquity of Free-masonry in Africa
  • History and Antiquity of Free-masonry in America and the West Indies
  • Number of lodges and masons in the world
  • Defence of masonry in general
  • Vindication of Free-masonry from all general aspersions
  • Members expelled the society for insufferable crimes
  • On masonic Secrecy
  • On masonic Oaths
  • On Free-masons' lodges; their furniture, apparel, jewels, &c
  • A Prayer used at opening the lodge
  • A Prayer used at the reception of a new brother
  • A Prayer used at closing the lodge
  • The furniture of the lodge
  • On the apparel and jewels of Masons
  • On masonic hieroglyphics
  • Ancient and modern reasons why the Ladies have never been admitted into the society of Free-masons
  • On masonic charity
  • Charity fund constituted
  • The case of a foreign Nobleman who applied for charity
  • The brethren of Oporto relieve a distressed master of a ship
  • The brethren in Lisbon relieve a distressed family
  • The lodge at Marseilles relieve two officers
  • The lodges at the Hague relieve an English cabinet-maker
  • The brethren of France assist all masonic prisoners of war
  • The lodges in Germany grant pensions to reduced masonic families
  • The lodges in Germany, Denmark, and Sweden establish schools for the education of poor Free-masons' children
  • A lodge at Eisenach has established a school for poor children in the country, where upwards of 700 have already been educated
  • The brethren in Courland have established a public library at Mietau
  • The lodge at Cassel has erected a school for the education of poor Masons' children
  • A lodge at Emden, in East Friesland, celebrate the festival of St. John in a public manner
  • The lodges of Dresden, Leipzig, and Gorlitz have founded a school for children of every denomination in the electorate of Saxony
  • An address to the subscribers of the above school, by a brother, on its opening
  • The lodge of Fortitude, at Maidstone, give additional premiums to those offered by the Humane Society, to increase that laudable institution in Kent
  • The author's address to the Lodge of Fortitude on so commendable an undertaking
  • Mr. Shipley's inventions
  • Other benevolent acts performed by the Lodge of Fortitude
  • [References]

 

[1] See for example Masonic Review, 1856, 15:90 citing G. Oliver’s ‘Fire!—Captain G. Smith’ in The revolution of a square, 1855.