GRANVILLE, March

1817. I have examined companion SALEM TOWN's Addresses to the Grand Chapter of New-York, and for extent of Masonic research, purity of moral, correctness of Masonic principle, and fervency of piety, I consider them unequalled, and therefore most cordially recommend them to the perusal and patronage of the lovers of Masonry and human happiness. They develope the origin, principles and use of the institution, and redeem the sacred order at once from the ignorance, spleen and mistaken dread of a too censorious world. They enlighten the dark, teach the novice, confirm the weak, and add grace and beauty to what the discerning eye has ever deemed beautiful.

Z. R. SHIPHERD, Past Dep. Grand H. Priest. Recommendation of the Honorable and Most Excellent Companion DE WITT CLINTON, General Grand High Priest of the General Grand Chapter of the United States of America, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of New-York, &c. &c.

Having perused some chapters of a manuscript, entitled "A System of Speculative Masonry," by companion SALEM Tows, of Washington County, highly approving the general outlines of this work, and being satisfied of its accurate and able illustrations of the benign principles of FreeMasonry, I have no hesitation in recommending it to the patronage of the fraternity. Dated at Albany, 20th March, 5817. DE WITT CLINTON.

A SYSTEM

OF

SPECULATIVE MASONRY.

A

SYEM

OF

Speculative Masonry,

IN ITS

ORIGIN, PATRONAGE, DISSEMINATION, PRINCIPLES, DUTIES,
AND ULTIMATE DESIGNS, LAID OPEN FOR THE
EXAMINATION OF THE SERIOUS AND
CANDID: BEING A

COURSE OF LECTURES,

EXHIBITED BEFORE THE

GRAND CHAPTER OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK,

AT THEIR

ANNUAL MEETINGS,

HELD IN TEMPLE CHAPTER ROOM, IN THE
CITY OF ALBANY.

BY SALEM TOWN, A. M. GRAND CHAPLAIN,
PRINCIPAL OF GRANVILLE ACADEMY.

"To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden man-
na, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name
written, which no man knoweth, saving he that receiveth it."

ST. JOHN.

According to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept
secret since the world began."

ST. PAUL.

SALEM, MY.

PRINTED BY DODD AND STEVENSON.

1818.
CB

Southern District of New-York, ss.

BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the twenty-seventh day of November, in the forty second year of the Inde(L. s.) pendence of the United States of America, SALEM Tows, of the said District, hath deposited in this

office the title of a Book the right whereof he claims as Author, in the words following, to wit: "A System of Speculative Masonry, in its Origin, Patronage, Dissemination, Principles, Duties, and Ultimate Designs, laid open for the Examination of the Serious and Candid: Being a Course of Lectures, exhibited before the Grand Chapter of the State of New-York, at their Annual Meetings, held in Temple Chapter Room, in the City of Albany.-By SALEM TOWN, A. M. Grand Chaplain, Principal of Granville Academy."

"To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

ST. JOHN.

According to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began.”

ST. PAUL.

In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, "An Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the time therein mentioned." And also to an Act, entitled "An Act, supplementary to an Act, entitled an Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned, and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical and other prints."

JAMES DILL,

Clerk of the Southern District of New-York.