$8 LIFE AND CORRESrONDEXCE OF THE [1781 



an armed force to break up the annual Grand Lodge at York, on St. 

 John's Day, December 27th, 1561. Sir Thomas Sackville, then Grand 

 Master, instead of being dismayed at such an unexpected visit, gallantly 

 told the officers that nothing could give hnn greater pleasure than see- 

 ing them in the Grand Lodge, as it would give him an opportunity of 

 convincing them that Free Masonry was the most honourable institution 

 that ever was founded, and truly consonant to Laws both divine and 

 moral. The consequence was that he made the chief men Free Masons; 

 who, on their return, made an honourable report to the Queen, so that 

 she never more attempted to dislodge or disturb them, but esteemed 

 them as a peculiar sort of men, that cultivated peace and friendship, 

 arts and sciences, without meddling in the affairs of Church or State. 



Thus hath Masonry flourished through different ages in the old world, 

 and hath obtained a very noble and solid foundation in this new or 

 American world. Were it necessary, we might proceed to shew that 

 from this ancient Fraternity, "the Societies or Orders of Warlike 

 Knights, and even some religious Orders and Societies, have borrowed 

 many of their wisest institutions and most solemn usages. For none of 

 them were better instituted, more decently installed, or did more sa- 

 credly observe their Laws and Charges, than the Free and Accepted 

 Masons have done; and therefore their whole body, thus cemented, re- 

 sembles a strong and well-built Arch, having as its members and parts, 

 for time immemorial. Princes and Nobles, Gentlemen, Clergymen, 

 learned Scholars and Artists of the first rank, in all countries."* 



Three dozen of the books of the Constitutions were presented 

 to Dr. Smith " for the great care and attention which he has had 

 in revising the same." This "Ahiman Rezon" is still known as 

 "Smith's." It has a beautifully engraved frontispiece, and is a 

 book much valued by collectors. The preface to it has been the 

 subject of eulogy in my hearing by the accomplished chair- 

 man of the Library Committee of the Grand Lodge of Pennsyl- 

 vania, Mr. C. E. Meyer, for the skill with which it states matters 

 long the subject of difference between certain Grand Lodges. 



* The title page is thus : "Ahiman Rezon | abridged and digested : | as a | Help to 

 all that are, or would be | Free and Accepted Masons. | To which is added | A SER- 

 MON, I Preached in Christ-Church, Philadelphia, | At a General Communication, | 

 Celebrated, agreeable to the Constitutions, on | Monday, December 28, 1778, | as the 

 Anniversary of .St. John the Evangelist. | Published by order of | the Grand Lodge of 

 Pennsylvania, ] By William Smith, D. D. | Philadelphia : | Printed by Hall and 

 Sellers. | m,dcc,lxxxui." 



