Originally posted by LUXUS
If I could edit my original post I would remove "Scottish rite" freemasonry and simply put it as Scottish masonry to stop you boys picking at minor points, oh I'm sure you knew exactly what I was referring to. Maybe I should be more exact and put Scottish operative masonry because I know how you like to distinguish between the two (even though one must have developed from the other).
John Holbrook Estill wrote:
Undoubtably Masons were employed at the creation of the Tower of Babel, where, as we are informed in some of our rituals, language was confounded and masonry lost."
Before you question John Holbrook Estills authority to make such a statement perhaps you would like to read his qualifications below, I'm sure you will all find him suitably qualified!
"He is a member of the Georgia Historical Society, the Savannah Yacht Club, and a number of social organizations. He is a prominent Mason, a Past Master of Solomon's
Lodge No. i; life member of Georgia Chapter No. 3, Royal Arch Masons; member of Palestine Commandery No. 7, Knights Templar, and a Shriner, and is Past Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of
Georgia. He is a member of St. John's Episcopal Church and is one of its Vestrymen."
So we have a statement here saying that masonry (the secrets of) were lost at the building of the tower and we have master fenius sending 72 of his best scholars to the tower to recover the knowledge which was subsequently brought back to Ireland!
Don't let my words or Augustus' get to you. Neither of us were trying to quibble at "minor points." You connected Scottish Rite to Scotland directly and we pointed out the error. I'm always happy to have my errors pointed out as it makes me better.
Interesting Estill quote. It would be a fascinating and romantic notion if masonry were to actually date back that far, but I remain doubtful. While I was a mason I was always frustrated by the cloudy past of the fraternity. It doesn't bother me much anymore but I still think about it from time to time (though my thoughts are occupied elsewhere these days, especially since I'm no longer a mason).


The first time I said it it scared the crap out of me!