The Light And Truth
  of Masonry Explained

Brethren,

Light and Truth being the great essentials of the Royal Craft, I shall begin this discourse (prepared for the opening of this Room) with that awful message which St. John delivered to the world, That God is Light, and in him is no darkness at all; and that we are not worthy of the true Fellowship, unless we walk in the Light, and do the Truth. O! sacred Light! whose orient beams make manifest that Truth which unites all good and faithful Masons in a heavenly Fellowship!

This sublime part of Masonry is that firm base on which is raised the shaft of Faith, that supports a beautiful entablature of good works: it is the foundation of a superstructure unbounded as the universe, and durable as eternity. To attempt a description of this stupendous fabrick may seem presumptuous in me, who have been so few years a Mason: but as you, my Brethren, were pleased to request something of this kind, give me leave to assure you that I am truly sensible of the honour; and though there are several among you, who by knowledge and long experience are well qualified for such an undertaking, yet as it is my duty to execute your commands, I shall cheerfully begin the work; and humbly hope by patience and industry to make some amends for the little time I have served.

The Light and Truth which St. John takes notice of in his message to the World, being a principal part of sublime Masonry, I have, as I observed before, taken it for the subject of my discourse, on this solemn occasion. I intreat you to hear me with attention; and whatever deficiencies you may discover in this Essay impute it to inexperience, and admonish me with Brotherly Love, that while I am pleading the cause of Truth I may be free from error.

God said let there be Light; and there was Light. Without it the rude matter of Chaos, though brought into form, would still have been to little purpose. Let your Light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, was the advice of him that was a Light to Lighten the Gentiles. Our Lights are not hid, but placed on Candlesticks; and these are silent monitors continually intimating to us, that as the ancient and honourable badge we wear has placed us above the rest of mankind, so all our duties to our Heavenly Master, our fellow creatures, and ourselves, should be formed and contrived by the wisdom of God's word: strengthened and supported by Love, Truth, and Charity; and beautified and adorned by Honesty, Temperance, and true Politeness. All Masons that are, or ever have been, were shewn the Light: and though they cannot forget it, yet alas! how faintly does it shine in the hearts of too many ! How is its lustre sullied, and splendor diminished, by the folly, stupidity and madness of irreligion and impiety ! These are the persons of whom St. John says, they went out from us: but they were not of us: for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. And thus it is that those who depart from the Light bring an evil report on the Craft.

Truth, as it is a divine attribute, so is it the foundation of all Masonic Virtues. It is one of our grand Principles; for to be good men and true, is part of the first great lesson we are taught: and at the commencement of our Freedom we are exhorted to be fervent and zealous in the pursuit of Truth and Goodness. It is not sufficient that we walk in the Light, unless we do the Truth also. All hypocrisy and deceit must be banished from among us: they are sincerity and plain-dealing that complete the harmony of a Lodge, and render us acceptable in the sight of Him unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid. There is a charm in Truth that draws and attracts the mind continually toward it. The more we discover, the more we desire; and the great reward is Wisdom, Virtue, and Happiness. This is an edifice founded on a rock, which malice cannot shake or time destroy.

What a secret satisfaction is it to Masons, when in searching for Truth, they find the rudiments of all useful knowledge still preserved among us, as it has descended by oral tradition from the earliest ages: and to find likewise this Truth corroborated by the testimonies of the best and greatest men the world has produced. But this is not all; the Sacred Writings confirm what I assert, the sublime part of our Antient Mystery being there to be found; nor can any Christian Brother be a perfect Mason that does not make the word of God his study. Indeed we own all Masons as Brothers be they Christians, Jews or Mahometans (for Masonry is universal, and not strictly confined to any particular faith, sect, or mode of worship): all Masons I say, of whatever religious denomination, who rule their passions and affections, and square their actions accordingly are acknowledged by us as Brothers, but, for our parts, the Holy Scripture is to be studied by us, and occasionally read and consulted.

Since without Light we cannot perceive the beauty and excellency of Truth and since we are certain that no man can be a worthy Brother who is wanting in either; it may not be improper at this Time to draw the character of him Who walks in Light and does the Truth; and who, according to St. John's Account, is worthy of the true fellowship.

As we call any building or piece of architecture perfect which hath all its parts, and is finished and completed according to the nicest rules of art; a Brother is in like manner said to be a good Mason who has studied and knows himself, and has learnt and practises that first and great lesson of subduing his Passions and Will, and tries to the utmost of his power to free himself from all vices, errors, and imperfections; not only those that proceed from the heart, but likewise all other defects of the understanding which are caused by custom, opinion, prejudice, or superstition; He who asserts the native freedom of his mind, and stands fast in the liberty that makes him free, whose soul is (if one may so express it), universal, and well contracted, and who despises no man on account of his Country or Religion, but is ready at all times to convince the world that Truth, Brotherly Love, and affording relief, are the grand principles on which he acts.

His whole life will be conformable and agreeable to that true light, the Law of God, which shines clear to his heart, and is the model by which he squares his judgement. In his outward behaviour he will be very careful not to give private or public offence, and (as far as appears to him right) will strictly comply with the laws, the customs, and religious institutions of the country in which he resides. To all mankind he will act upon the square; and do to others as he would have them do unto him. He will be firm and consistent with himself, and continually in expectation and on his guard against all accidents to which this life is exposed, and in particular he will by a well spent life be daily preparing for death, that final period of human action, which sooner or later will take us hence, to give a strict account of our stewardship and the improvement of our talents.

In fine, all good Masons should be pious, prudent, just, and temperate, and resolutely virtuous.

From what I have advanced, and from these our ancient charges, I hope it is evident to everyone at the present, that it is the duty of every Mason to live soberly, righteously, and godly; or, according to the words of the Evangelist, He should walk in the Light, and do the Truth. Continue, My Brethren, to persevere in principles that are disinterested, and I doubt not but you will find this room, which we have now opened and dedicated to Masonry constantly resorted to by the wise, the faithful, and the good.

Let us consider the intention of our Meetings; let submission to your Officers, and Brotherly Love to each other be shown by your diligent attendance in the Lodge and be very careful to enquire into the characters and capacities of those who are desirous to be admitted among you.

Study your Constitutions and Charges, and improve in the Fifth Science as far as your abilities and several avocations will permit. Have universal Benevolence and Charity for all mankind, and wherever you meet your necessitous Brethren dispersed, relieve them to the utmost of your ability, remembering, notwithstanding, not to do things that may really prejudice yourselves or families.

Let us by well-doing put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.

As free, but not using our liberty for a cloke of Maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all Men, Love the Brotherhood, Fear God, Honour the King.

Detail of Dunckerley's portrait showing the 47^th proposition of Euclid's first book of Geometry, with the proportions 3:4:5.

Dunckerley's Poetry

These two odes appear in Illustrations of Masonry by William Preston (1792 edition):

ODE VI.
[By Brother DUNCKERLEY.]

ALMIGHTY Sire! our heavenly king,
Before whose sacred name we bend,
Accept the praises which we sing,
And to our humble prayer attend!
All hail, great architect divine!
This universal frame is thine.

Thou who did'st Persia's king command,
A proclamation to extend,
That Israel's sons might quit his land,
Their holy temple to attend.

That sacred place where three in one,
Compris'd thy comprehensive Name;
And where the bright meridian sun
Was soon thy glory to proclaim.

Thy watchful eye, a length, of time,
The wond'rous circle did attend:
The glory and the power be thine,
Which shall from age to age descend.

On thy omnipotence we rest,
Secure of thy protection here;
And hope hereafter to be blest,
When we have left this world of care.

Grant us, great God, thy powerful aid,
To guide us through this vale of tears;
For where thy goodness is display'd,
Peace sooths the mind, and pleasure cheers.

Inspire us with thy grace divine,
Thy sacred law our guide shall be:
To every good our hearts incline,
From every evil keep us free.
All hail! &c.

ODE VII.
[By the Same.]
HAIL, universal Lord!
By heaven and earth ador'd;
All hail! great God!
Before thy Name we bend,
To us thy grace extend,
And to our prayer attend.
All hail! great God!

Dedication binding of Thomas Dunckerley's gift edition
of the 1767 edition of Anderson's Constitutions
(photo: Henry W. Coil Library & Museum)