1783 – Use & Abuse of Freemasonry | Masonic Secrets and Oaths! | First Edition

The Use and Abuse of Free-Masonry by George Smith is a late 18^th-century history of Freemasonry in Europe. Smith, a grand chaplain, published this work in response to the public curiosity of Masonic secrets and orders. This book addresses those curiosities focusing heavily on secrecy, oaths, lodge structures and design, ceremony formats, and even the importance of charity. He describes the physical lodges in London, Dresden, and Leipzig, as well as those in Poland and Swizterland. It seems that no details are left out – specific prayers and orations for ceremonies, as well as types of furniture used in these lodges.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Use and Abuse of Free-Masonry: A Work of the Greatest Utility to the Brethren of the Society, to Mankind in General, and to the Ladies in Particular
• Author(s): George Smith
• Publisher: London, Printed for the Author
• Edition: First Edition, 1783
• Binding: Leather
• Format: (8vo), single volume
• Size:  8.5 in x 5.5 in (21.6 cm x 14 cm)
• Collation: xxvii, [1], 399, [1] pp
• Contents Include:
  • Benefit of secret society
  • Importance of secrecy and oaths
  • Lodge prayers and ceremonial orations
  • Furniture and layout of Masonic lodges
  • Lodges in Dresden, Leipzig, Gorlitz
  • History of lodges in Poland and Switzerland

Condition:

Good. Leather worn at edges and corners with surface scuffing. Hinges solid. Boards rubbed. Text block intact and tight. Pages generally clean with light scattered foxing.

Why Collect This?

• Rare work by a Grand Chaplain with attention given to Masonic secrets
• Covers multiple European Freemasonry lodges

Item Number: # 29817