DEDICATION. [ FROM THE THIRD LONDON EDITION.] To the most noble JOHN, (the 3d) Duke, Marquis, and Earl of Atholl; Marquis and Earl of Tullibardine; Earl of Srathtay and Strathardle, Viscount of Ballguider, Glenalmond, and Glenlyon; Lord Murray, Belveny, and Gask; Heritable Captain and Constable of the Castle and Constabulary of Kindeaven; Hereditary keeper of the Palace of Falkland; and in that part of Great Britain called England and Masonical jurisdiction thereunto belonging; GRAND MASTER, of ancient masons, and GRAND MASTER, elect, of Scotland, &c. This book of the Constitution of the most ancient and honorable fraternity of free and accepted masons, Is most humbly dedicated, By his Grace's Most obliged, Most obedient And faithful JAMES JONES, EXPLANATION OF THE FRONTISPIECE. THE design is a prostyle temple of the doric order, and is an historical view of ancient masonry, I mean that kind of history which is universally received and acknowleged in ancient lodges. The three figures upon the dome represents the three great masters of the tabernacle in the wilderness. The two crowned figures with that on their right hand, represents the three great masters of the holy temple at Jerusalem. The three figures on the left hand represents the three great masters of the second temple at Jerusalem. The three columns bearing masons aprons, with the arms of England, Ireland, and Scotland, and supporting the whole fabric, represents the three grand masters of England, Ireland, and Scotland, whose names are on the front pedestal, and who wisely and nobly have formed a triple union to support the honour and dignity of the ancient craft, for which their Lordship's names will be honoured and revered whilst free-masonry exists: in those kingdoms. In the pediment under the figure of Moses, is the coat armour of the most ancient and honourable fraternity of free and accepted masons according to the old institution, and is thus emblazon'd, Quarterly per squares, counter-changed vert. In the first quarter azure a lion rampant or. In the second quarter or, an ox passant sable. In the third quarter or, a man with hands erect proper, robed crimson and ermine. In the fourth quarter azure, an eagle displayed or. Crest, the holy ark of the covenant proper, supported by cherubims. Motto, Kodes la Adonai, that is ho liness to the Lord. ON pretended histories of free-masonry, Page 13 Modern masons (by their grand secretary) disclaim all right or knowledge of ancient The moderns censure one of their own lod- ges for practising ancient masonry The operative or stone-masons company in London, the only society in the kingdom A letter from the famous philosopher Locke, &c. 47 |