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The Royal Arch.
the principles of morality wero inculcated and enforced by tho most terrific scenical representations of the torments of the wicked on one hand , and of the most pleasing spectacles of the happiness to be found in the future life on the other ; he cannot by any process disguise the faot , or ignore it ; that we as Masons to some extent copy them in tho Masonry we practise in the symbolic degrees , as well as in tho Holy
Royal Arch , as we know it under the American system . Many suppose , nay entertain the belief , that tho Ancient Mysteries of Egypt wero merely pagan rites , containing nought within them than the profit to the priesta , and the enslavement of the minds of those initiated by them . All writers agree on tho subject , and to the one faot , viz .: that the Mysteries—the greater one—those of Isis ,
taught the doctrine of ono supremo Being , the ever existing and Eternal I A M , and that polytheism was an error , although the doctrine that the Sun , Moon and Stars were minor divinities under the superintendence of the One Supreme was used . It is nevertheless most true that tho belief in Hero-Gods became nltimately so engrafted on the minds of the people—the ignorant
multitude—that had an open promulgation of a doctrine in opposition to that faith been attempted , it probably would have led to violent disturbances in the state , produced anarchy and great evil , and possibly brought about revolution . The consequence , therefore , becamo inevitable , viz .: to confide only to a few of tho most intelligent , the higher mysteries I have referred to , after they had been
fully tried and proved under severe probation , and found worthy by their initiation in the lesser . Symbols and allegories were the chief devices resorted to in order that not only the initates but also the multitude might be instructed thereby , and while the true intent aud meaniug were easily understood by those from whose eyes the veil had been removed , tho
masses comprehended them not , bnt believed all in which they were instructed . To this day the same line of procedure prevails , and we have not far to go to perceive the realization and frnits thereof ; I refer to the Catholio and Greek chuohes . All eastern nations , in fact , followed the self-same method of showing one thing to imitate others , and they
styled it allegory . Some writers believe that when Abram went down into Egypt no idols were there . In the book of Exodus , as written by Moses , we find that Pharaoh used the name of the one GOD as if the sum of all tho Egyptian religion was the reverence paid this acknowled ged divinity . To corroborate the fact that in Moses ' time , probably , only the belief in the one GOD existed in Egypt , all
explanations seem to verify the same , and the earliest temples had not upon them the likeness of anything on earth or in heaven . Neither bad they figures of gods , goddesses , nor worship of kings . The revelation which GOD had given to Ham , the alleged founder of Egypt , np to that time was apparently nndisturbed . It was , probably , only when the nation became depraved , and the
desire for a visible deity manifested itself , that the idol-worship , or lesser mysteries , was instituted . The creature became more than the Creator , and as these forms of GOD ' energy were innumerable , men gradually and imperceptibly lost the sense of UNITY . The Sun , tho glorious orb of day became to them a servant of GOD ( good ) , and tho visible God of thoheavens . At high noon ho was Ra ,
at night Atnm , or as producer and frnctifier of all life , he was Kleper . And so throughout tho whole system of later Egyptian cosmogony , theogony and theology , do wo find the systoms imbued with the selfsamo and other multitudinous allegories . There are writers , however who think the contrary , as to the epoch when this dual or triune
theory was inaugurated . Time will not permit me to discuss the question in a short article . Baron Von Humboldt , in one of his profound works , uses the following language : "Knowledge of tho natural characters of different regions of tho world is an essential part of the history of the human race and of its culture . "
Mopes , who as the Bible informs us was " educated in all the learning of the Egyptians , " conveys to us tho idea that he not only was a priest of Heliopolis , and had been initiated in the then higher mysteries , but that he also was well and thoroughly aquainted with all the routine of civil as well as ecclesiastical Egyptian government . We see throughout his whole career , from the night when he went
forth out of Egypt as the leader of the Hebrews and the mixed multitude which accompanied them , that his thereafter government was a close imitation of the system which he had been educated and roared in . Had even bis followers been all Hebrews , they in tho many years which had effluxed from the time Jacob went down to Egypt to reside while Joseph was ruler , had necessarily lost much if not all tho
traditions and faith of tho house of Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob , and had to a great extent , if not fully so , become imbued with those of the land of Goshen . The condition of slavery to which thoy had been reduced by the rulers who had forgotten Joseph would naturally , in that long period , produce tho result . Moses , as a leader desirous of establishing a now nation who should
worship GOD in His unity , made that form of faith as the primary of his laws , embodying therein the original faith of tho Egyptians , as founded by their alleged first priest , Ham , and as followed by Enoch and accepted by Abram . There is not in the Decaloge ono idea but is the counterpart—a paraphraso of the dogmas and ethics among the Egyptians long anterior to the time of Moses and Aaron .
If the language used and set forth bo not the same , it is tho essence of tho laws of the early sacres of tho East with but slight modifications . The Book of Leviticus is an almost imitation of the laws used by the Egyptian priesthood . The Book of Deuteronomy is supposed to be an almost transcript of tho laws of the land from which he , Moses , had departed . Tho Ark ; Vail of the Sanctuary
Cherubim ; Slaying of tho Ram ; New Year at the Autumnal Equinox ; the various feasts , except that of the Paschal Lninb , unless Moses indeed ordained it in imitation of its uso at Heliopolis , whoro the sacred Iamb was sacrificed as tho symbol of Aries ( the Ram)—then tlio sign of tho Vernal Equinox—whoso flesh was eaten as the Israelites did at their nowly instituted Passover as ordained by
The Royal Arch.
Moses , differing only from tho Egyptians , who touched hi 3 head and feet to theirs and knelt upon the fleece . Then the burnt offerings ; sin offerings ; scape-goat ; Thummira and Urim ; priest's robes ; mitre ; incense ; pouring of wine and oil on tho altar ; examining tho entrails of the victim , giving it the death blow and repeating the prayer , " May auy evil hanging over us rest on this head : " tho altars of incense and of burnt sacrifices ; table of shew
bread ; were all used in Egypt , centuries anterior to the birth of Moses , or tho time when he was initiated into the mysteries , and educated as a priest at Heliopolis . The temple of Neith at Sais was the greatest there , and like tho Druid temples in after centuries was open to the sky . It boro tho inscription , "I am , that was , and is to be . " " No man hath lifted my vail . " "Tho first I brought forth ia the Snn . "
Such an immense impression was made on the descendants of Jacob while sojourning in Egypt , by tho instructions they received and what they daily saw thero , that they even carried therefrom some of the songs used for a victorious king , and which was not nnlike tho " Lift up your heads , 0 ye Gates ! The King of Glory shall come in . " "Who is the King of Glory ? " demanded the priests ; " The
Lord of Hosts , He is the King of Gloi'y . " " Moses , closely copying from the Egyptians , also ordained that all days of rest should be holydays . " The new religion which he tanght , copying anil imitating that of the priesthood in which he had been educated , s-.-t forth to the very fullest extent the theory of exclusiveness , and he appears to have borrowed in all their varied ramifications , the many theories
pre-existing anterior to his mission , and to have solidified them into one common rule of government . While he admixed therewith the moat valuable of the principles known to him therein , as well as to Jethro , his priest father-in-law , he as a wise and astnte leader was no doubt constrained to place around his ecclesiastical laws such a mystification as would for tho then time , the forty years in the wilderness , lead his
people by gradual degrees to the worship of tho one Eternal GOD , and at tho same time restrain them from exercising tho dual or triune worship known to them before the exodns . Yet , we find that said adoration was never entirel y eradicated , even at the time of the Essenes , in whose pure theories and practices St . John the Baptist and the Evangelist , the aids and helps of the
Saviour , seem to have been educated . Josephus informs ns that in constructing the tabernacle in the wilderness , which possibly gave the model for Solomon ' s Temple , Moses applied his knowledge oi symbolism to its various parts . Following and closely imitating the Triune theory of Egypt , he divided the tabernacle into three parts , thereby representing the three great divisions of the Universe , land
sea , and air . The two exterior parts were accessible both to the priests and the people , and symbolized the land and sea , and were open to all people alike , while the interior or third division was the Holy of Holies , over or across whose threshold no mortal except the High Priest dare pass , as it was especially dedicated to GOD , and symbolized heaven . This very
plan of the said t ibernacle was to a really groat extent a close mitation or counterpart of an Egyptian temple , more especially tho third division , tho holy of holies or sanctum sanctorum , into which the Hi gh Priest entered only once a year , amidst loud noises and a donse cloud of incense which possibly rendered him invisible to the congregation , and which duty , according to tradition , was to enable
him to hold commnnicatioii with GOD , and prevent the Omnific Word from being heard . Tho Egyptian High Priest did the same , under the same rule , and for the samo purpose . He , and ho alone , was anthorized to pass behind the vail . The very vails of the tabernacle as first constructed by Moses , copied by Solomon , and used in Royal Arch Masonry , represented , as I will presently show , the four
elements , but Moses transposed , as Josephus informs us , the Egyptian allegory . But it is not to tho priesthood forms , rules or system , which have been handed down to us , that the parallel must alone be drawn . We owe to the Egyptians some of our symbols in the Holy Royal Arch , and are indebted to them for all the tools we
use , viz ., the point within the circle ; the tnple-tau ; the square ; the level ; the pentalpha or five pointed star ; the triangle ; tho ladder ; the trowel ; and in fact many others . Neither were the Egyptians deficient in those claims on humanity which we as Masons teach , even if the lauguage be not precisely the same . ( To be continued . )
The Theatres, &C
THE THEATRES , & c
DRTJRY LA . NE .-On Boxing Day , ROBINSON CRUSOE . COVENT G-ARDBN .-On Boxing Dav , LITTLE BO PEEP , LITTLE BOY BLUE , AND THE LITTLE OLD WOMAN THAT LIVED IN A SHOE . STANDARD . —At 7 . 30 , BETSY . ADBLP HI . —At 7 . 15 , A LAD FROM THE COUNTRY . At 8 , IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO MEND .
PRINCESS'S . —At 7 , A PHOTOGRAPHIC FRIGHT . At 7 . 15 , THE LIGHTS OP LONDON . GLOBE . —At 7 . 30 , CUT OFF WITH A SHILLING . At 8 . 10 , IMPRUDENCE , Sc . GAIETY .-At 7 .. ' .. OPERETTA . At 7 . 30 , BUBBLES . At 8 . 30 , WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT .
STRAND .-At 7 . 15 , PARADISE VILLA . At 8 , OLIVETTE . VAUDEVILLE . —At 7 . 30 , MARRIAGE BELLS . At S . 15 , THE HALFWAY HOUSE , & c . HAYMARKET .-At 7-t > , PLOT AND PASSION . At 10 , A LESSON . PRINCE OP 'WALES'S . -At 7 . 50 , A HAPPY PAIR . At S . to , THE COLONEL . NEW SADLER'S WELLS .-At 7-15 . PEEP O' DAY BOYS .
COMEDY . —At 7 . 30 , SEEING FROU-FROU . At S . lo , THE MASCOTTE . SAVOY . —At S , MOCK TURTLE , ami PATIENCE . ST . JAMES'S— At S , THE CAPE MAIL . At 8 . 1-5 , HOME . OPERA COMIQ , TJE .-At 7 . 15 , QUID PRO QUO . At 8 . 30 , PRINCESS TOTO . CRITERION—At 8 , WITHERED LEAVES . At 8 . 15 . BRIGHTON .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Royal Arch.
the principles of morality wero inculcated and enforced by tho most terrific scenical representations of the torments of the wicked on one hand , and of the most pleasing spectacles of the happiness to be found in the future life on the other ; he cannot by any process disguise the faot , or ignore it ; that we as Masons to some extent copy them in tho Masonry we practise in the symbolic degrees , as well as in tho Holy
Royal Arch , as we know it under the American system . Many suppose , nay entertain the belief , that tho Ancient Mysteries of Egypt wero merely pagan rites , containing nought within them than the profit to the priesta , and the enslavement of the minds of those initiated by them . All writers agree on tho subject , and to the one faot , viz .: that the Mysteries—the greater one—those of Isis ,
taught the doctrine of ono supremo Being , the ever existing and Eternal I A M , and that polytheism was an error , although the doctrine that the Sun , Moon and Stars were minor divinities under the superintendence of the One Supreme was used . It is nevertheless most true that tho belief in Hero-Gods became nltimately so engrafted on the minds of the people—the ignorant
multitude—that had an open promulgation of a doctrine in opposition to that faith been attempted , it probably would have led to violent disturbances in the state , produced anarchy and great evil , and possibly brought about revolution . The consequence , therefore , becamo inevitable , viz .: to confide only to a few of tho most intelligent , the higher mysteries I have referred to , after they had been
fully tried and proved under severe probation , and found worthy by their initiation in the lesser . Symbols and allegories were the chief devices resorted to in order that not only the initates but also the multitude might be instructed thereby , and while the true intent aud meaniug were easily understood by those from whose eyes the veil had been removed , tho
masses comprehended them not , bnt believed all in which they were instructed . To this day the same line of procedure prevails , and we have not far to go to perceive the realization and frnits thereof ; I refer to the Catholio and Greek chuohes . All eastern nations , in fact , followed the self-same method of showing one thing to imitate others , and they
styled it allegory . Some writers believe that when Abram went down into Egypt no idols were there . In the book of Exodus , as written by Moses , we find that Pharaoh used the name of the one GOD as if the sum of all tho Egyptian religion was the reverence paid this acknowled ged divinity . To corroborate the fact that in Moses ' time , probably , only the belief in the one GOD existed in Egypt , all
explanations seem to verify the same , and the earliest temples had not upon them the likeness of anything on earth or in heaven . Neither bad they figures of gods , goddesses , nor worship of kings . The revelation which GOD had given to Ham , the alleged founder of Egypt , np to that time was apparently nndisturbed . It was , probably , only when the nation became depraved , and the
desire for a visible deity manifested itself , that the idol-worship , or lesser mysteries , was instituted . The creature became more than the Creator , and as these forms of GOD ' energy were innumerable , men gradually and imperceptibly lost the sense of UNITY . The Sun , tho glorious orb of day became to them a servant of GOD ( good ) , and tho visible God of thoheavens . At high noon ho was Ra ,
at night Atnm , or as producer and frnctifier of all life , he was Kleper . And so throughout tho whole system of later Egyptian cosmogony , theogony and theology , do wo find the systoms imbued with the selfsamo and other multitudinous allegories . There are writers , however who think the contrary , as to the epoch when this dual or triune
theory was inaugurated . Time will not permit me to discuss the question in a short article . Baron Von Humboldt , in one of his profound works , uses the following language : "Knowledge of tho natural characters of different regions of tho world is an essential part of the history of the human race and of its culture . "
Mopes , who as the Bible informs us was " educated in all the learning of the Egyptians , " conveys to us tho idea that he not only was a priest of Heliopolis , and had been initiated in the then higher mysteries , but that he also was well and thoroughly aquainted with all the routine of civil as well as ecclesiastical Egyptian government . We see throughout his whole career , from the night when he went
forth out of Egypt as the leader of the Hebrews and the mixed multitude which accompanied them , that his thereafter government was a close imitation of the system which he had been educated and roared in . Had even bis followers been all Hebrews , they in tho many years which had effluxed from the time Jacob went down to Egypt to reside while Joseph was ruler , had necessarily lost much if not all tho
traditions and faith of tho house of Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob , and had to a great extent , if not fully so , become imbued with those of the land of Goshen . The condition of slavery to which thoy had been reduced by the rulers who had forgotten Joseph would naturally , in that long period , produce tho result . Moses , as a leader desirous of establishing a now nation who should
worship GOD in His unity , made that form of faith as the primary of his laws , embodying therein the original faith of tho Egyptians , as founded by their alleged first priest , Ham , and as followed by Enoch and accepted by Abram . There is not in the Decaloge ono idea but is the counterpart—a paraphraso of the dogmas and ethics among the Egyptians long anterior to the time of Moses and Aaron .
If the language used and set forth bo not the same , it is tho essence of tho laws of the early sacres of tho East with but slight modifications . The Book of Leviticus is an almost imitation of the laws used by the Egyptian priesthood . The Book of Deuteronomy is supposed to be an almost transcript of tho laws of the land from which he , Moses , had departed . Tho Ark ; Vail of the Sanctuary
Cherubim ; Slaying of tho Ram ; New Year at the Autumnal Equinox ; the various feasts , except that of the Paschal Lninb , unless Moses indeed ordained it in imitation of its uso at Heliopolis , whoro the sacred Iamb was sacrificed as tho symbol of Aries ( the Ram)—then tlio sign of tho Vernal Equinox—whoso flesh was eaten as the Israelites did at their nowly instituted Passover as ordained by
The Royal Arch.
Moses , differing only from tho Egyptians , who touched hi 3 head and feet to theirs and knelt upon the fleece . Then the burnt offerings ; sin offerings ; scape-goat ; Thummira and Urim ; priest's robes ; mitre ; incense ; pouring of wine and oil on tho altar ; examining tho entrails of the victim , giving it the death blow and repeating the prayer , " May auy evil hanging over us rest on this head : " tho altars of incense and of burnt sacrifices ; table of shew
bread ; were all used in Egypt , centuries anterior to the birth of Moses , or tho time when he was initiated into the mysteries , and educated as a priest at Heliopolis . The temple of Neith at Sais was the greatest there , and like tho Druid temples in after centuries was open to the sky . It boro tho inscription , "I am , that was , and is to be . " " No man hath lifted my vail . " "Tho first I brought forth ia the Snn . "
Such an immense impression was made on the descendants of Jacob while sojourning in Egypt , by tho instructions they received and what they daily saw thero , that they even carried therefrom some of the songs used for a victorious king , and which was not nnlike tho " Lift up your heads , 0 ye Gates ! The King of Glory shall come in . " "Who is the King of Glory ? " demanded the priests ; " The
Lord of Hosts , He is the King of Gloi'y . " " Moses , closely copying from the Egyptians , also ordained that all days of rest should be holydays . " The new religion which he tanght , copying anil imitating that of the priesthood in which he had been educated , s-.-t forth to the very fullest extent the theory of exclusiveness , and he appears to have borrowed in all their varied ramifications , the many theories
pre-existing anterior to his mission , and to have solidified them into one common rule of government . While he admixed therewith the moat valuable of the principles known to him therein , as well as to Jethro , his priest father-in-law , he as a wise and astnte leader was no doubt constrained to place around his ecclesiastical laws such a mystification as would for tho then time , the forty years in the wilderness , lead his
people by gradual degrees to the worship of tho one Eternal GOD , and at tho same time restrain them from exercising tho dual or triune worship known to them before the exodns . Yet , we find that said adoration was never entirel y eradicated , even at the time of the Essenes , in whose pure theories and practices St . John the Baptist and the Evangelist , the aids and helps of the
Saviour , seem to have been educated . Josephus informs ns that in constructing the tabernacle in the wilderness , which possibly gave the model for Solomon ' s Temple , Moses applied his knowledge oi symbolism to its various parts . Following and closely imitating the Triune theory of Egypt , he divided the tabernacle into three parts , thereby representing the three great divisions of the Universe , land
sea , and air . The two exterior parts were accessible both to the priests and the people , and symbolized the land and sea , and were open to all people alike , while the interior or third division was the Holy of Holies , over or across whose threshold no mortal except the High Priest dare pass , as it was especially dedicated to GOD , and symbolized heaven . This very
plan of the said t ibernacle was to a really groat extent a close mitation or counterpart of an Egyptian temple , more especially tho third division , tho holy of holies or sanctum sanctorum , into which the Hi gh Priest entered only once a year , amidst loud noises and a donse cloud of incense which possibly rendered him invisible to the congregation , and which duty , according to tradition , was to enable
him to hold commnnicatioii with GOD , and prevent the Omnific Word from being heard . Tho Egyptian High Priest did the same , under the same rule , and for the samo purpose . He , and ho alone , was anthorized to pass behind the vail . The very vails of the tabernacle as first constructed by Moses , copied by Solomon , and used in Royal Arch Masonry , represented , as I will presently show , the four
elements , but Moses transposed , as Josephus informs us , the Egyptian allegory . But it is not to tho priesthood forms , rules or system , which have been handed down to us , that the parallel must alone be drawn . We owe to the Egyptians some of our symbols in the Holy Royal Arch , and are indebted to them for all the tools we
use , viz ., the point within the circle ; the tnple-tau ; the square ; the level ; the pentalpha or five pointed star ; the triangle ; tho ladder ; the trowel ; and in fact many others . Neither were the Egyptians deficient in those claims on humanity which we as Masons teach , even if the lauguage be not precisely the same . ( To be continued . )
The Theatres, &C
THE THEATRES , & c
DRTJRY LA . NE .-On Boxing Day , ROBINSON CRUSOE . COVENT G-ARDBN .-On Boxing Dav , LITTLE BO PEEP , LITTLE BOY BLUE , AND THE LITTLE OLD WOMAN THAT LIVED IN A SHOE . STANDARD . —At 7 . 30 , BETSY . ADBLP HI . —At 7 . 15 , A LAD FROM THE COUNTRY . At 8 , IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO MEND .
PRINCESS'S . —At 7 , A PHOTOGRAPHIC FRIGHT . At 7 . 15 , THE LIGHTS OP LONDON . GLOBE . —At 7 . 30 , CUT OFF WITH A SHILLING . At 8 . 10 , IMPRUDENCE , Sc . GAIETY .-At 7 .. ' .. OPERETTA . At 7 . 30 , BUBBLES . At 8 . 30 , WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT .
STRAND .-At 7 . 15 , PARADISE VILLA . At 8 , OLIVETTE . VAUDEVILLE . —At 7 . 30 , MARRIAGE BELLS . At S . 15 , THE HALFWAY HOUSE , & c . HAYMARKET .-At 7-t > , PLOT AND PASSION . At 10 , A LESSON . PRINCE OP 'WALES'S . -At 7 . 50 , A HAPPY PAIR . At S . to , THE COLONEL . NEW SADLER'S WELLS .-At 7-15 . PEEP O' DAY BOYS .
COMEDY . —At 7 . 30 , SEEING FROU-FROU . At S . lo , THE MASCOTTE . SAVOY . —At S , MOCK TURTLE , ami PATIENCE . ST . JAMES'S— At S , THE CAPE MAIL . At 8 . 1-5 , HOME . OPERA COMIQ , TJE .-At 7 . 15 , QUID PRO QUO . At 8 . 30 , PRINCESS TOTO . CRITERION—At 8 , WITHERED LEAVES . At 8 . 15 . BRIGHTON .