Book Intro – Jachin and Boaz (1762)

Thirty two years after Samuel Prichard’s Masonry Dissected (1730) a second detailed exposure was published Jachin and Boaz (1762) attributed to the same author, and met with equal distain by Freemasons of the time. However, these exposures offer the masonic historian an invaluable view in to how freemasonry was conducted during its early formation

Jachin and Boaz; or, An authentic key to the door of free-masonry [microform]: calculated not only for the instruction of every new-made mason; but also for the information of all who intend to become brethren … illustrated with an accurate plan of the drawing on the floor of a lodge, and interspersed with variety of notes and remarks, necessary to explain and render the whole clear to the meanest capacity.

left: Title page of the 1797 edition, printed for E. Newbery
right: Frontispiece of Jachin and Boaz, 1797 edition.

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TO ALL
FREE-MASONS

The Author of the following Pages has the Honour of being well respected in most of the Lodges of Reputation in this Metropolis, and is a frequent visitor at the Queen’s Arms, St. Paul’s Church-yard; the Globe, in Fleet-street; the Jerusalem, at Clerkenwell; Half-moon, Cheapside; Crown and Anchor, in the Strand; Salutation, Grey-Friars; and several others of less note.

An earnest desire of becoming a perfect Master of Masonry, and the Success he met with in his first attempt, has rendered him capable of revealing those mysteries to the World, which, till now, have been kept secret as the Grave.

He acquired his knowledge at first from some loose papers belonging to a merchant to whom he was nearly related, who had been a Member of the Queen’s Arms, St. Paul’s Church-yard.

This relation dying, about ten years ago, the Editor became possessed of his effects; and on looking over his papers, among others he found some Memorandums or remarks on Masonry, which excited his curiosity so far, that he resolved on accomplishing his scheme, without going through the ceremonies required by the Society.

The remarks of his friend above mentioned furnished hints sufficient to make a trial on an intimate acquaintance, a Free Mason, who readily gave him the sign in the manner he expected.

After a more narrow Inspection on the part of his friend, such as, where he was made, and when, etc. et. (to all which he answered with great Readiness) he received an invitation to spend an evening at a Tavern in the Strand with several acquaintances.

Elated by this Success, he boldly advanced with his company; all of whom belonged to the Lodge, and were well known by the Tyler at the Door. After the usual ceremony, in which he gave full satisfaction, he was admitted, and took his Seat. That Night he saw two makings, [1] and came off full of Spirits.

Soon after he went to another Lodge, where he distinguished himself greatly in answering the questions proposed by the Master, which he acquired from his friend’s Manuscripts of the Entered Apprentice and Fellowcraft’s Lectures.

His Regard to the Society, and Respect to the Public, is the only inducement to this publication, which is intended not only to assist those who have been lately made, and fill remain ignorant of the true foundation of the art, but also to give all that have an inclination to become Masons an opportunity of considering the advantages and disadvantages of the engagements and oaths by which they are bound. –

Such is the Intention of this undertaking: and the Editor flatters himself the Brotherhood will not condemn his officiousness in this respect, as it will rather strengthen than hurt the interest of the Society; the fear of going through the ceremony, which hitherto has been represented in such frightful shapes, being the greatest obstacle to its future welfare and increase.

The Editor’s ambition is to please; and the work is submitted to the only proper Judges, viz. his Brethren the Free Masons; to whom he begs leave to declare, that no private or public quarrel, the view of gain, nor any other motive than the public good, could ever have induced him to write on this subject; and he declares to the World, that the following is the whole of true Masonry in all Its branches.

[1] Making, the term used in the circular letters to the members of the Lodge, acquainting them that new Members are to be admitted the next Lodge-Night.

Since the former edition of thin pamphlet was put to press, [Masonry Dissected 1730] the Author has received from his Publisher several anonymous letters, containing the lowest abuse and scurrilous Invasive; nay. some have proceeded so far as to threaten his person.

He requests the favour of all enraged Brethren, who shall cause to display their talents for the future, that they will be so kind as to pay the potage of their Letters, for there can be no reason why he should put up with their ill treatment, and pay the piper into the bargain.-

Surely there must be something in this book very extraordinary, a something they cannot digest, thus to excite the wrath and Ire of those hot brained Mason bit Gentry!

But however unwilling the Editor may be to publish all the letters and messages he has received on this occasion, yet he cannot be so deficient in returning the compliment, as to conceal one, which, notwithstanding the threatening’s contained in it, appears to be wrote with very little meanings and he has (fans ceremonie) ventured to publish it verbatim.

For R. S. at Mr. Wm. Nicholls at the Paper Mill St. Paul Church Yard London.

R. S. London.

“Try thee prove thee [2] I shall find thee a scandalous stinking poweatt. thou pretends to have declared the truth of Masonry to the world, and as Imposed a lie on the public not in one part but in all parts thou mentions, I shall meet thee in a few days and will give thee satisfaction such a Pike thonk Scandalous Villain Deserves.”

[2] Alluding to the motto in the title page, taken from the Fellow-Craft’s Lecture.

The original of this pirated letter, with the post-mark to authenticate it, is left in the hands of Mr. Nicoll, Bookseller, in St. Paul’s Church-yard, who has the Editor’s leave to show it to any gentleman desirous of perusing so pretty an epistle; and strict orders are given the Publisher to receive none, for the future, that are not post-paid.

* Those Gentlemen who so often fend for Jachin and Boaz, and desire the publisher to tie it up, and seal it carefully, to hide it from the messenger, may safely continue those commissions, and the publisher will carefully observe their Order.

R. S.

DESCRIPTION of the REGALIA and EMBLEMATICAL FIGURES used in MASONRY, represented in the FRONTISPIECE.

Frontispiece of Jachin and Boaz, 1797 edition

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• 1. THE two Pillars called JACHIN and BOAZ, the first signifying strength, the second to establish in the Lord.
• 2. The Holy Bible opened, as an emblem that it should be the rule of our faith.
• 3. The Compass and Square, to square our actions, and keep them within bounds, the Master’s emblem or jewel, which is suspended with a ribbon round the neck, and always worn when the Lodge is opened, and on public days of meeting, funerals, &c.
• 4. The Level, the Senior Warden’s emblem or jewel.
• 5. The 24 Inch Gauge, to measure Mason’s work.
• 6. The Key, the Treasurer’s emblem.
• 7. The Sword, presented to the naked left breast of the Apprentice.
• 8. The Cable, or Rope, put round the neck of every new-made Mason at the time of making.
• 9. The Trowel, an instrument of great use among Masons.
• 10. The Gavel, or setting Maul, used in building Solomon’s Temple, the first grand work of Masonry.
• 11. The Plumb, Level, Compass, and Plumb Rule, the Junior Warden’s emblem.
• 12. The small Hammer, to knock off superfluous pieces.
• 13. The Cross Pens, the Secretary’s emblem.
• 14. A Coffin, with a figure of the maimed body of Hiram (the first Grand Master) painted on it. He was murdered by three Fellow-Crafts, for refusing to reveal the Secret. See. p. 31.
• 15. The Hand Plummet, for taking perpendiculars.
• 16. The Sun rising in the east, emblematical of the Master-Mason, standing in the east, and setting the men to work.
• 17. The Seven Stars, an astronomical emblem, frequently engraved on the medals worn by Masons.
• 18. The Moon, that rules the night. See p. 14.
• 19. The Candlesticks, placed in a triangular form.
• 20. The Columns, used by the Senior and Junior Wardens in the Lodge. See p. 37.
• 21. Two black Rods, carried by the Senior and Junior Deacons.
• 22. The Three Steps and Pavement.
• 23. Entrance or Porch to Solomon’s Temple.
• 24. The Terrestrial and Celestial Globes, representing the works of creation.
• 25. A Machine used by Masons for forming Triangles.
• 26. The large Rule for measuring the work.
• 27. The three Step Ladder used in Masonry.
• 28. Hiram’s Tent.
• 29. The White Aprons and Gloves, emblems of innocence.
• 30. Eye of Providence, the great superintendent of all the works of the Universe, and Masonry represented as under its immediate influence.

The Frontispiece is a Medallion, in imitation of those medals, or plates that are common among the brotherhood. These medals are usually of silver, and some of them highly finished and ornamented, so as to be worth ten or twenty guineas.

They are suspended round the neck with Ribbons of various colours, and worn on their public days of meeting, at funeral processions, &c. in honour of the Craft.

On the reverse of these medals it is usual to put the owner’s coat of arms, or cypher, or any other device that the owner fancies, and some even add to the emblems other fancy things that bear some analogy to Masonry.

The Candlesticks, &c. in many Lodges are curiously wrought, the Chair in which the Grand Master sits, as well as those of the Masters of inferior Lodges, are richly carved with emblematical figures; their aprons are bound with ribbons of various colours; and, in short, every thing belonging to them is finished in the most elegant taste.

Introduction Pages – [scans in old English]