American Indian Freemasonry
by Arthur C. Parker, 32nd degree
1919

In the beginning God created heaven and earth. Genesis. Remove not the ancient landmark which thy fathers have set. Solomon. Speculative masonry is so far interwoven with religion as to lay us under the strongest obligations to pay that rational homage to theD eity, which at once constitutes our duty and our happiness. It leads the contemplative to view with reverence and admiration the glorious works of creation and inspires them with the most exalted ideas of the perfection of the divine Creator. Samuel Cole. We also have a religion which was given to our forefathers and has been handed down from father to sou. We worship in that way. It teaches us to be thankful for all the favors we receive, to love one another and be united. Red Jacket. It is more than probable that the diversified customs, institutions and religions of the several nations of the world are less dissimilar in their origin than is often imagined. The differences arose in the progress of time, the shifting scenes of climate, condition and event. But the orfginal ideas of existence and the laws that pertain to all created things are pretty much the same among all the tribes of mankind. Westropp, Ancient Symbol Worship. To THE Iroquois Beautiful thy meditations In thy consecrated forests, Fraigrant in their odorous incense When, though groping in the darkness, Thou wert lifted up and strengthened, In thy earnest firm endeavor. Nearer drawn to one Great Spirit In thy ardor of devotion! Converse.
(Typographical errors above are due to OCR software and don't occur in the book.)