Observations on the Real Rights of Women and Other Writings

Antiquarian Researches, Pleasant and Easy

27 Antiquarian Researches, Pleasant and Easy By an Original Antiquarian Search the Scriptures, Search all nature, Up to Nature’s God. Bring out of your treasury hidden mysteries as Antiquarians: [it] is a duty with diligence to perform. Having often been asked the question: what utility an Antiquarian society can be of to mankind, or what can influence a Lady to take any interest in promoting such an institution, with a desire of gratifying many friends, I now take my pen with the most fervent wish that I may be ever able and ready to give a reason for the hope that sustains me. Though I acknowledge myself singular in being an advocate for Masonry and a warm enthusiast in the cause of antiquarian researches, but as I was admitted from a child, I may say, to sit at the feet of Gamaliel,1 I was soon charmed with hearing the tongue of the wise and learned. I heard them talk of ancient days, and learning, and what great advantage might be obtained by resorting to the original languages. I then imbibed the sentiment that if we wish to obtain knowledge, we must press on to the extent of this short life that we may treasure up a fund 28 of learning and knowledge that shall fit us for some important station in a future state, as no rational being can suppose the wise governor of the universe has created and placed us in this world to perform only the common duties of this life. If we do no more, in what do we excel the animal creation, for they perform all the duties required of them by Man. There is a line of difference must be drawn. Man has a reasoning power or faculty of mind, and as my respected Watts says, we must be measured by the soul: The mind’s the standard of the man.2 And that mind should be always improving in something valuable for the benefit of society and dignity of human nature, for the activity of the human mind is such that if it is not engaged in some valuable pursuit, it will resort to some evil habit for want [of] a regular employment. The best means to prevent the evil will be to engage the mind in historical, literary, and scientific improvement. To those who possess an inquiring disposition, antiquarian researches will afford a large field for the expanded mind. In these researches may be found the authenticity of ancient history: by the establishment of such a society much good may arise to you, America. By their exertion, many hidden treasures may be restored to light, for your resources are almost inexhaustible. And there is some reason to suppose the original inhabitants of this country sprang from one of the tribes of ancient Israel, as the Indians now retain the same customs, manners, symbols, and traditions of the ancient Jews: they number, name, and go forth by tribes; they continue the phylacteries engraven on them the memorable feats of their departed sires which they still hold sacred; they continue the earrings and nose jewels with an humble imitation of all the gaudy trappings that adorned the ancient Jewish Ladies as far as they can obtain in their present state of obscurity.3 But it must be left for the antiquarian to prove the authenticity of prophecy; antiquarian researches 29 by their researches and care shall be developed all ancient literature and scientific knowledge which shall be handed down to the latest posterity. And future generations shall bless the memory of the antiquarian who has preserved from oblivion the accounts of the rise and progress of the arts and sciences as well as many valuable articles that the corroding hand of time must have entirely destroyed had they not been renovated by their softening care. Some of the first Characters that were ever drawn are still preserved and may be seen at this very day. And from them came the art of writing, and in time arose the still greater art of printing. And that is one of the greatest blessings ever bestowed on man. What a privilege may be enjoyed by this art through the channel of Books, that when recluse from society we may in a manner converse with the whole expanded globe. We can privately discuss every point in Theology, Law, Physick, Astronomy, Geography, and cultivate the pleasant...