" The origin and source whence first sprang the institution of Freemasonry,
such as we now have it, has given rise to more difference of opinion and discussions among Masonic scholars
than any other topic in the literature of the institution."
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Historical
Achieves
The true origin(s) of Freemasonry is unknown, lost in time.
There are a good number of historians with diverse
opinions, each vehemently supporting his or her own belief. We
are making history every day, but its effects will mostly be
evident years from now; maybe when we are not even alive to
see it. "The truth" will be colored by each
perceiver. So, we can talk of some events in our history but
never really know the underlying current that for years worked
to precipitate the moment. We have to trust that there is a Plan of
Evolution, a Tracing Board, for Humanity and that we are but a
speck within the current of life, evolving and
cooperating with the big scheme.
In Albert G. Mackey's 33o, Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, he
states: " The origin and source whence first sprang the
institution of Freemasonry, such as we now have it, has given
rise to more difference of opinion and discussions among
Masonic scholars than any other topic in the literature of the
institution." Though American Co-Masonry does not endorse the conclusions of Albert Mackey,
his writing are considered the most scholarly and detailed. The following are his views on the various
origins of Freemasonry:
The only valid source of historical knowledge of Freemasonry are contained
within manuscripts that date back hundreds of years. The following are their contents:
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