FREEMA'SONRY, a term applied to the organization of a society calling themselves free and accepted masons, and all the mysteries therewith connected. This society, if we can reckon as one a number of societies, many of which are unconnected with each other, though they have the sonic origin, and a great simi larity in their constitution, extends over almost all the countries of Europe, many parts of America, and some other ports of the globe. According to its own pecu• liar language, it is founded on the prat. ti=e of social and moral virtue. It claims the character of charity, in the most extended sense; and brotherly love, relief, and truth are inculcated in it The first societies of antiquity with free masonry appears to stand in histori cal connection, are the corporations of architects, which, with the Heinous, ex isted under the names of Collegia and Corpora, first established in the time of Sumo. Our distinct historical informa tion on the subject merely amounts to this, that the fraternity of architects or builders in the middle ages extended over all Catholic countries, and was especially patronized by the see of Rome. It is to this craft that we owe the magnificent Gothic edifices dedicated to religion, which contrast so strongly with the bar barous efforts of those ages in most other departments of art. It is said that this association was introduced into Scotland in the 13th century, and about the same time into England, it being ascertained that the Abbey of Kilwinning in tho former country was raised by this frater nity; and it is believed to have continued to exist, although small in number, in these two countries after it had disap peared from the Continent. The Kilwin
ning and York lodges are respectively the most ancient in either country. But the mode and period in which the association heemne changed from a mere professional fraternity to a society of persons of n11 descriptions connected by secret symbols, is unknown. It certainly excited great attention, and numbered individuals of high rank as honorary members, as early as the 15th century. The Scottish masons appointed St. Clair of Roslin as their hereditary grand-master in 1630; and the office was resigned by his descendant in 1736, when the grand ledge of Scot land was institnted. In 1725, the first French lodge was established ; in 1730, the first American ; in 1735, the first German. Pepe Clement XII. excommu nicated the freemasons in Spain and Por tngal until recent events, their name was synonymous with that of deists and revolutionists. Rut the most singular chapter iu the history of the society re lates to its fortunes in America ; where it has given origin to two political par ties. The story of the abduction end murder of William Morgan, suspected of having revealed the secrets of the frater nity, made a great sensation in the Union, ant is not cleared up at this day.