THE DERIVATION OF THE TERMS MASON AND MASONRY,

MASONIC SCHOOL IN MISSISSIPPI,

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193

195

CAN A GRAND LODGE OF YORK MASONS GRANT CHARTERS TO WORK IN THE

MASONIC MELODIES.

This day published, and for sale by OLIVER DITSON, dealer in Music and Piano Fortes, 135 Washington Street," MASONIC MELODIES, Adapted to the Ceremo nies and Festivals of the Fraternity. By THOMAS POWER, Past Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts."

This book has received the approbation and sanction of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, and the Boston Encampment of Knights Templars, after having been examined by Committees from both bodies. One part of the vote of the Grand Lodge is as follows: "The interests of the Order will be promoted by the use of the work. These lyrics are of a very high character, both in regard to their excellence as poems, and their superior moral tone."

In the expectation that the book will be favorably received, the prices are put very low for the superiority of the type, paper and workmanship.

Orders received by the publisher. Book and Music sellers supplied on reasonable terms.

Any person inclosing one dollar to the publisher, and paying postage, will receive in return, by mail, two copies in paper covers.

All the Music named in the book can be had of the publisher.
Boston, May 1, 1844.

LETTERS

Received between the 21st March, and 22d April.

REMITTANCES.-P. M. Marietta, Geo.; M. Fishels, Dayton, Alab.; L. Bond, Tarborough, N. C.; P. M. Plymouth, N. C.; J. D. McCabe, Richmond, Va.; P. M. Danville, Va.; R. H. Harrison, Wetumpka, Ala.; John Ralls, N. London, Mo.; Charles Scott, Columbus, Ohio; W. P. Mellen, Natchez, Miss.; Charles Berczy, Toronto, U.-C.

BUSINESS-J. L. Starr, Halifax, N. S. 2; P. M. Gainesville, Ala. 2; L. C. Kerchua!, Chicago, Ill.; P. M. Milwaukee, Wis. Ter.; D. J. Goodlett, Moulton, Ala.; P. M. Florence, Ala.; J. H. Defrees, Piqua, Ohio; Alex. T. Douglass, New Orleans, Lou.; P. M. St. Louis, Mo.; W. A. Burr, Wilmington, N. C.; T. G. White, Jasper, Tenn.; L. S. Bancroft, Pepperill, Mass.; B. S. Tappan, Vicksburg, Miss.; J. Bigelow, University of Va.; W. R. Singleton, St. Louis, Mo.; B. D. Crookshanks, Maysville, Ky.; P. Mason, Connersville, Ind.; N. W. Fletcher, Mobile, Ala.; P. M. Palmyra, Mo.

THE derivation of these terms has often been a matter of discussion among the learned and curious of the Order. And it is probably true that there are not any two writers on the subject, who perfectly agree with each other in the conclusions at which their investigations have enabled them to arrive. We take the question up, not because we think our views in relation to it are more correct than those of others, but in the belief that there are many among our readers to whom a brief statement of the points involved in its discussion, will be new and interesting.

The late Rev. Dr. Ash, of England, a learned and philosophical Masonic writer, remarks, that "the name of Mason is not to be considered in the contracted implication of a builder of habitations, but figuratively, pursuant to the ancient society on which this (Masonic) institution is founded; and taken in this sense, a Mason is one who, by gradual advances in the sublime truths and various arts and sciences which the principles and precepts of Freemasonry tend to inculcate and establish, is raised by regular courses to such a degree of perfection as to be replete with happiness to himself, and extensively beneficial to others. As to the appendage 'Free,' that evidently owed its rise to the practice of the ancients, who never suffered the liberal arts and sciences to be taught to any but the free-born." And the no less erudite Hutchinson, in his well-known work entitled the "Spirit of Masonry," says, "it is not to be understood that the name Mason in this society denotes that the origin or rise of such society was solely from builders, architects, or mechanics. At the times in which Moses ordained the setting up of the Sanctuary, and when Soloman was about to build the Temple at Jerusalem, they selected from out the people those men who were enlightened with the true faith, and being full of wisdom and religious fervor were found proper to conduct these

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DERIVATION OF THE TERMS MASON AND MASONRY.

works of piety. It was on those occasions that our predecessors appeared to the world as architects, and were formed into a body, under salutary rules, for the government of those who were employed in these works : since which builders have adopted the name of Masons, as an honorary distinction and title to their profession, and I am induced to believe the name of Mason has its derivation from a language, in which it implies some strong indication or distinction of the nature of the society."

Some writers on the subject, entertaining similar views, have therefore endeavored to derive the word from the Persian term Magus, which, as adopted into the Latin, signifies a philosopher or priest among the Persians; and does, to some extent, indicate the nature of the Masonic society. But this is all it has to recommend itself to our consideration, or to sustain the hypothesis that the word Mason was so derived. The French Maison, signifies house, family, parentage, extraction, and, likewise, a particular race of people. But it by no means follows, as has been suggested, that the designating term of our Craft was derived from this source. It has also been contended that the name is compounded of the Greek words Maw, to seek, and Zoov, safe or perfect; making Mawooov, to seek something safe, useful or perfect, or to seek perfection and salvation; and that Masonry is a corruption of Meσovgaveo», esse in medio cæli, to be in the middle of the heavens; or to observe the heavenly bodies; or, perhaps, by seeking sublime and heavenly wisdom, to attain to happiThis conjecture is much strengthened by the symbols used by the Fraternity. It has moreover been maintained, and pretty widely conceded, that the word Mason originally implied a member of a religious sect, and a professed devotee of the Deity," who is seated in the centre of the heavens."

ness.

It is further contended that the terms in question had their origin in the Greek language, because that idiom is most adopted by Masons. The Druids, when they committed any thing to writing, used the Greek alphabet; and it is boldly claimed by Dr. Oliver, that the most perfect remains of their rites and ceremonies are preserved in the ceremonials of Masonry, that are to be found existing among mankind. The terms may have been derived from, or corrupted of, Mushoto, res arcana, mysteries, and Musns, sacris initiatus mysta, those initiated to sacred mysteries. But even this hypothesis, plausible as it is, is more applicable to some others of the ancient mystic associations than to the Masonic.

We come to our own conjecture. If the Masonic Institution did not originate at the building of the first Temple at Jerusalem, it beyond all question there received its consociated existence, and most probably its name, which we conjecture to be derived from the Greek word A10010μoσLapidarius, a cutter of stone,-Lapicida, a digger of stone in a quarry,