Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reviews.
REVIEWS .
All Books intended for Keview should be addressed to the Editor of The Freemason ' s Chronicle , 67 Barbican , E . C . Notes on the Scientific and lleligious Mysteries of Antiquity ; the Gnosis and Secret S ' cJtoots 0 / f he Middle Ages ; Modern llosicrucianism , and the various Kites and Degrees of Free and Accepted Masonry . By Johu Yarker jun ., P . M ., P . M . K . M ., P . Z ., P . G . C ., and M . W . S . K . T . and R . C ., K . T . P ., & c , & c . London : John Hogg , 15 A Paternoster Row , and Richard Spencer .
WE have read this volume with tho utmost care , and with all tho patieucc wc could command , yet the result , AVC fear is , in a certain sense , unsatisfactory . We confess , with shame bo it said , that wo are but littlo nearer a comprehension of the author ' s object or uieauing than wo were at tho outset , when wc had not yet scanned a single line of his most elaborate essay . We regret this exceedingly .
Whether it proceeds from a natural incapacity on our part to receive enlightenment , or whether the author's power of explaining himself is less considerable than so vast a subject demands , it would ill become us to say . We are for the moment lost in tho profbundest depths of Mysticism and Gnosticism aud llosicrucianism , and whether it be possible for us to recover ourselves is , thus far at least , a
mystery . Tho old familiar " Facilis descensus Averm , & c , naturally occurs to us in such a dilemma . At all events AVO are in the position , somewhat irreverently described by one or more persons of unknown merit , of a newly wed couple at the end of tho marriage service . We are " in amazement" at the course of study AVO have just gone through .
In justice to tho author wo should state that , iu his preface , ho Avarns his readers against accepting this as a complete work upon tho subject , it is but" the avant garde to pioneer the way for a larger corps of facts . " This , so far as the small volume before us is concerned , is eminently satisfactoiy . Had it been meant to servo as a complete and exhaustive treatment of " Speculative Freemasonry , "
we imagino that speculative Masonry would have fared somewhat ill as regards any clear exposition of its mysteries . Many of our readers no doubt aro familar with tho appearance , if not with tho contents , of the old Dolphin editions of the Classics . Take our old friend Horace or Virgil , as a case iu point . The text is so surrounded on all sides by a Latin paraphrase and annotations—all in Latin—that it is almost
a matter of impossibility to read a single verso ot the author . A line or two of the original in a page filled otherwise Avith " Interpretationes , " " Annotationes , " " Emendationos , " " Varia ) lectiones , " aud tho like . The mere aspect of Horace thus bosmothered was enough to frighten our young wits away . As to getting at his meaning , or appreciating his beauties , that was entirely out of the poAver of the youthful student . And thus it is , we fear , with this
work on Speculative Masonry . Till we come to chapter IV ., we find here and there , as it were , a line or two of text , Avith a mass of notes , extracts from authors , Masonic and unmasonic , eminent or otherwise , by way of illustration . Verily—to repeat ourselves—we are lost in utter amazement at this mode of unravelling a mystery . Let us extract a specimen of tho author's treatment . The passage ( seo pages 52 and 53 ) is somewhat long , but it Avill explain tho better the remarks we have made .
"Amongst the Physicians , Cabalists and Alchemical adepts , whose order and doctrines were brought from Egypt , chiefly by learned Jews , as early as the eighth century , may be mentioued Roger Bacon ( born 1214 , died 1291 ) , Albertns Magnus ( born 1231 , died 131-1 ) , Nicholas Flame ) , Basil Valentine ( born 1114 ) , Theophrastus Paracelsns Bombast Von Hohenheim ( born 1493 , died 1541 ) , " Monarch of Philosophers , Prince of Spagyrists , Chief of Astronomers ,
Paradoxical Physician , and Grand Master of Mechamcal Secrets . This association of learned men , afterwards called Fire-Philosophers , or Rosicrncians , as will be shown , had much iu common with Speculative Masonry , aud was itself both speculative aud operative , or concealed Theosophy under Alchemical jargon . The actual key to their art and operative symbolism seems to lie in tho Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismogistus , as a sort of universal key to all the secrets
of nature , " They seem to have taught that all matter consists of three principles—Body ( sulphur or mere earth ) , Soul ( lire or mercury ) , Spirit ( the essential salt ) . The first matter of all metals and substances is one fixed something , altered only by the diversities of place warmth and sulphurs . This something is styled mercury , or the green lion , the serpent , and is the seed . Seminal impressions bcin "
lodged in the mechanism of the earth , the fire acts thereon , and by the watery fermentations brings everything forth , whence originally proceeded the animal , vegetable , and mineral kingdoms ; even man himself , agreeably to the account of Moses . The alchemical operative art seems to have consisted in the separation of this Mercurysoul or Avater of life—from the spirit , salt , or sperm contained in the
ore , and the purification and alteration of the earthly part . Hence the first Avas the Woman , Wife , Queen or Moon ( Lnnar ) , the second the Man , Husband , King , Sun ( Sol ) . This conjunction Avas indicated by the point within a circle , as a fixed centre from which everythin » radiates . From these principles sprang fire , air , earth , water . By the proportionate addition of metal in the heated alembic at the
, proper degree of process , arose a nobler offspring , styled the Quintessence , or & fifth element , also named Salamander , I'luenix and Son of the Sun , & c , & e . " This passago occurs in tho second chapter on " Gnosticism in the Middle Ages , " and if it conveys a clear idea of that strange mysterious
creed , all Ave have to say is , we deeply sympathise with the Gnostics . Ono sentence—or clause of a sentence—in the foregoing extract we certainly admire , and what is more to the purpose , if we are not mistakenwe seem to understand it—Avith a proviso , however . Wo mean " Tin first matter of all metals and substances is one fixed something . " This is certainly definite as far as it goes , aud hud the passage ended tkre .
Reviews.
wo should have fully grasped its signification . Bat wo are told , in the very next sentenco , " This something is styled Morcury , or the green lion , the serpent , and is the seed , " the consequence being that our ideas are forthwith uusettled , or rathor utterly befogged . We thought we had grasped a "fixed something" and it turns out to be " Mercury , or the green lion , the serpent , and is the seed . " If we are
to judge from the mass of notes—of Avhich the above extract is only a part of one—which the author has collected for the purpose of illustrating the doctrine of the Gnostics ; wo should say tho Gnostics had no defined idea of anything . They must have gone out of their way to mystify everything—or why called this " something" " Mercury , or the green lion , the serpent . " Well may the author caution us
against receiving tho notes as a complete work . Chapter III . deals with " Modern Rosicrucianism" much in the same fashion , the result of our studies being somewhat similar . Ono brief passage , however , caused us more than tho usual amount of wonder . It is this : " Our French brethren state that one of tho Templar-Kadosh degrees was invented about this time by Oliver
Cromwell , and it is believed that the Protector , desiring to be known as the founder of Christ ' s kingdom upon earth , constituted himself the head of one of the sects Avhich was acting throughout all Europe in the veiled language . " That the idiot , " Praise God Barebones , " might have committed himself by some rash act of folly is credible . That sensible , practical old Noll , who trusted in God and kept his
powder dry , should have done so , certainly passeth all understanding . Oliver could bo mysterious enough , no doubt , for a pnrpose ; bnt there was nothing mysterious about his general conduct , his acts of government , and the like . Chapter IV . however , makes ample amends for the mysticism of the earlier chapters . Herein the author deals clearly and
consecutively Avith " Free and Accepted Masonry . " This portion of his work is certainly to be commended , and we hope our readers will find or make au opportunity for perusing it . Those , especially , who are not " up " in the geueral history of the Craft and its various branches and offshoots , Avill find herein plenty of good material , collated from different sources , and strung together so as to form a very agreeable narrative .
Wo wish Ave could have extended our approval to the Avhole volume , for tho author's researches must have beon very laborious . He is not , perhaps , to blame that the earlier chapters are dull and heavy . His business Avas to collect information , and he has done so . Ho nfust not , then , be deemed responsible if the matter thus accumulated ia somewhat less attractive than a work by Sir W . Scott , W . M . Thackeray , or Charles Dickens .
Text Booh of the Geography of Palestine , by John Bowes , Head Master of the Bluecoat Hospital , Warrington . Manchester : John Hey wood , 111 and 143 Deansgate ; and London : Simpkin , Marshall and Co .
THIS will be found of great service to the student . The information is very carefully selected and arranged , and tho author appears to have consulted all the most trustworthy authorities for his facts . There is also a neatly-drawn map of the Holy Land in the time of our Saviour .
Notes on the Colonial Empire of Great Britain , by John Bowes , Third Editon , revised and corrected . London : John Kempster and Co ., 9 and 10 St . Bride's Avenue , Fleet Street .
THE student who is anxious to make himself acquainted with tho leading facts connected Avith tho British Empire will find this textbook of great use to him . Our colonies and dependencies arc formed into various groups , according to the division of the world to which they belong geographically , and in each case the extent , population , resources , imports , and expenditure , aud mode of acquisition aro stated .
Christian Knowledge for Sunday and Day Schools , by John Bowes . London : Educational Trading Company Limited , 9 and 10 St . Bride's Avenue , Fleet Street . A VEKY simple , and , therefore , very useful explanation of the Church Catechism , with illustrations of its scope and meaning , taken from the Bible , Prayer Book , Early Christian Writers , and other sources .
Answers To Correspondents.
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS .
All Letters and communications must be addressed to the EdAtor of THE FKEEMASOX ' S CHRONICLE , 67 Barbican , London , E . C . Q . —The idea has already been suggested to us , and a series of articles will shortly be commenced . S . W . —Many thanks for your kind interest in our labours .
HIGH DEGKEES . —You arc thinking of the Rite of Memphis , introduced into NCAV York in 185 G . W . L . D . — " Ahiman Rezon , " according to Mackcy's Lexicon of Freemasonry ( London : Charles Griffin aud Co ., Stationers Hall Court , Edition 1867 ) , " is the name of the book of Constitutions , " which
was used by the Ancient Division of Freemasons , which separated in 1739 from the Grand Lodge of England .... The title is derived from three Hebrew words : ahim , brothei-3 , manah , to choose or appoint , and rabzon , the will or law , so that it literally the law of
signifies " chosen brothers . " The late Dr . Oliver , iu his Itevelati' jiis of a Square ( London : R . Spencer , Edition 1855 ) , says , " Ahiman Rezon , Help to a Brother , & c ., itc , was also published for the use of the seceders , aud was adopted by tho jthjfluwticul Grant ! Ludge as ita Book of Constitutions . "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reviews.
REVIEWS .
All Books intended for Keview should be addressed to the Editor of The Freemason ' s Chronicle , 67 Barbican , E . C . Notes on the Scientific and lleligious Mysteries of Antiquity ; the Gnosis and Secret S ' cJtoots 0 / f he Middle Ages ; Modern llosicrucianism , and the various Kites and Degrees of Free and Accepted Masonry . By Johu Yarker jun ., P . M ., P . M . K . M ., P . Z ., P . G . C ., and M . W . S . K . T . and R . C ., K . T . P ., & c , & c . London : John Hogg , 15 A Paternoster Row , and Richard Spencer .
WE have read this volume with tho utmost care , and with all tho patieucc wc could command , yet the result , AVC fear is , in a certain sense , unsatisfactory . We confess , with shame bo it said , that wo are but littlo nearer a comprehension of the author ' s object or uieauing than wo were at tho outset , when wc had not yet scanned a single line of his most elaborate essay . We regret this exceedingly .
Whether it proceeds from a natural incapacity on our part to receive enlightenment , or whether the author's power of explaining himself is less considerable than so vast a subject demands , it would ill become us to say . We are for the moment lost in tho profbundest depths of Mysticism and Gnosticism aud llosicrucianism , and whether it be possible for us to recover ourselves is , thus far at least , a
mystery . Tho old familiar " Facilis descensus Averm , & c , naturally occurs to us in such a dilemma . At all events AVO are in the position , somewhat irreverently described by one or more persons of unknown merit , of a newly wed couple at the end of tho marriage service . We are " in amazement" at the course of study AVO have just gone through .
In justice to tho author wo should state that , iu his preface , ho Avarns his readers against accepting this as a complete work upon tho subject , it is but" the avant garde to pioneer the way for a larger corps of facts . " This , so far as the small volume before us is concerned , is eminently satisfactoiy . Had it been meant to servo as a complete and exhaustive treatment of " Speculative Freemasonry , "
we imagino that speculative Masonry would have fared somewhat ill as regards any clear exposition of its mysteries . Many of our readers no doubt aro familar with tho appearance , if not with tho contents , of the old Dolphin editions of the Classics . Take our old friend Horace or Virgil , as a case iu point . The text is so surrounded on all sides by a Latin paraphrase and annotations—all in Latin—that it is almost
a matter of impossibility to read a single verso ot the author . A line or two of the original in a page filled otherwise Avith " Interpretationes , " " Annotationes , " " Emendationos , " " Varia ) lectiones , " aud tho like . The mere aspect of Horace thus bosmothered was enough to frighten our young wits away . As to getting at his meaning , or appreciating his beauties , that was entirely out of the poAver of the youthful student . And thus it is , we fear , with this
work on Speculative Masonry . Till we come to chapter IV ., we find here and there , as it were , a line or two of text , Avith a mass of notes , extracts from authors , Masonic and unmasonic , eminent or otherwise , by way of illustration . Verily—to repeat ourselves—we are lost in utter amazement at this mode of unravelling a mystery . Let us extract a specimen of tho author's treatment . The passage ( seo pages 52 and 53 ) is somewhat long , but it Avill explain tho better the remarks we have made .
"Amongst the Physicians , Cabalists and Alchemical adepts , whose order and doctrines were brought from Egypt , chiefly by learned Jews , as early as the eighth century , may be mentioued Roger Bacon ( born 1214 , died 1291 ) , Albertns Magnus ( born 1231 , died 131-1 ) , Nicholas Flame ) , Basil Valentine ( born 1114 ) , Theophrastus Paracelsns Bombast Von Hohenheim ( born 1493 , died 1541 ) , " Monarch of Philosophers , Prince of Spagyrists , Chief of Astronomers ,
Paradoxical Physician , and Grand Master of Mechamcal Secrets . This association of learned men , afterwards called Fire-Philosophers , or Rosicrncians , as will be shown , had much iu common with Speculative Masonry , aud was itself both speculative aud operative , or concealed Theosophy under Alchemical jargon . The actual key to their art and operative symbolism seems to lie in tho Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismogistus , as a sort of universal key to all the secrets
of nature , " They seem to have taught that all matter consists of three principles—Body ( sulphur or mere earth ) , Soul ( lire or mercury ) , Spirit ( the essential salt ) . The first matter of all metals and substances is one fixed something , altered only by the diversities of place warmth and sulphurs . This something is styled mercury , or the green lion , the serpent , and is the seed . Seminal impressions bcin "
lodged in the mechanism of the earth , the fire acts thereon , and by the watery fermentations brings everything forth , whence originally proceeded the animal , vegetable , and mineral kingdoms ; even man himself , agreeably to the account of Moses . The alchemical operative art seems to have consisted in the separation of this Mercurysoul or Avater of life—from the spirit , salt , or sperm contained in the
ore , and the purification and alteration of the earthly part . Hence the first Avas the Woman , Wife , Queen or Moon ( Lnnar ) , the second the Man , Husband , King , Sun ( Sol ) . This conjunction Avas indicated by the point within a circle , as a fixed centre from which everythin » radiates . From these principles sprang fire , air , earth , water . By the proportionate addition of metal in the heated alembic at the
, proper degree of process , arose a nobler offspring , styled the Quintessence , or & fifth element , also named Salamander , I'luenix and Son of the Sun , & c , & e . " This passago occurs in tho second chapter on " Gnosticism in the Middle Ages , " and if it conveys a clear idea of that strange mysterious
creed , all Ave have to say is , we deeply sympathise with the Gnostics . Ono sentence—or clause of a sentence—in the foregoing extract we certainly admire , and what is more to the purpose , if we are not mistakenwe seem to understand it—Avith a proviso , however . Wo mean " Tin first matter of all metals and substances is one fixed something . " This is certainly definite as far as it goes , aud hud the passage ended tkre .
Reviews.
wo should have fully grasped its signification . Bat wo are told , in the very next sentenco , " This something is styled Morcury , or the green lion , the serpent , and is the seed , " the consequence being that our ideas are forthwith uusettled , or rathor utterly befogged . We thought we had grasped a "fixed something" and it turns out to be " Mercury , or the green lion , the serpent , and is the seed . " If we are
to judge from the mass of notes—of Avhich the above extract is only a part of one—which the author has collected for the purpose of illustrating the doctrine of the Gnostics ; wo should say tho Gnostics had no defined idea of anything . They must have gone out of their way to mystify everything—or why called this " something" " Mercury , or the green lion , the serpent . " Well may the author caution us
against receiving tho notes as a complete work . Chapter III . deals with " Modern Rosicrucianism" much in the same fashion , the result of our studies being somewhat similar . Ono brief passage , however , caused us more than tho usual amount of wonder . It is this : " Our French brethren state that one of tho Templar-Kadosh degrees was invented about this time by Oliver
Cromwell , and it is believed that the Protector , desiring to be known as the founder of Christ ' s kingdom upon earth , constituted himself the head of one of the sects Avhich was acting throughout all Europe in the veiled language . " That the idiot , " Praise God Barebones , " might have committed himself by some rash act of folly is credible . That sensible , practical old Noll , who trusted in God and kept his
powder dry , should have done so , certainly passeth all understanding . Oliver could bo mysterious enough , no doubt , for a pnrpose ; bnt there was nothing mysterious about his general conduct , his acts of government , and the like . Chapter IV . however , makes ample amends for the mysticism of the earlier chapters . Herein the author deals clearly and
consecutively Avith " Free and Accepted Masonry . " This portion of his work is certainly to be commended , and we hope our readers will find or make au opportunity for perusing it . Those , especially , who are not " up " in the geueral history of the Craft and its various branches and offshoots , Avill find herein plenty of good material , collated from different sources , and strung together so as to form a very agreeable narrative .
Wo wish Ave could have extended our approval to the Avhole volume , for tho author's researches must have beon very laborious . He is not , perhaps , to blame that the earlier chapters are dull and heavy . His business Avas to collect information , and he has done so . Ho nfust not , then , be deemed responsible if the matter thus accumulated ia somewhat less attractive than a work by Sir W . Scott , W . M . Thackeray , or Charles Dickens .
Text Booh of the Geography of Palestine , by John Bowes , Head Master of the Bluecoat Hospital , Warrington . Manchester : John Hey wood , 111 and 143 Deansgate ; and London : Simpkin , Marshall and Co .
THIS will be found of great service to the student . The information is very carefully selected and arranged , and tho author appears to have consulted all the most trustworthy authorities for his facts . There is also a neatly-drawn map of the Holy Land in the time of our Saviour .
Notes on the Colonial Empire of Great Britain , by John Bowes , Third Editon , revised and corrected . London : John Kempster and Co ., 9 and 10 St . Bride's Avenue , Fleet Street .
THE student who is anxious to make himself acquainted with tho leading facts connected Avith tho British Empire will find this textbook of great use to him . Our colonies and dependencies arc formed into various groups , according to the division of the world to which they belong geographically , and in each case the extent , population , resources , imports , and expenditure , aud mode of acquisition aro stated .
Christian Knowledge for Sunday and Day Schools , by John Bowes . London : Educational Trading Company Limited , 9 and 10 St . Bride's Avenue , Fleet Street . A VEKY simple , and , therefore , very useful explanation of the Church Catechism , with illustrations of its scope and meaning , taken from the Bible , Prayer Book , Early Christian Writers , and other sources .
Answers To Correspondents.
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS .
All Letters and communications must be addressed to the EdAtor of THE FKEEMASOX ' S CHRONICLE , 67 Barbican , London , E . C . Q . —The idea has already been suggested to us , and a series of articles will shortly be commenced . S . W . —Many thanks for your kind interest in our labours .
HIGH DEGKEES . —You arc thinking of the Rite of Memphis , introduced into NCAV York in 185 G . W . L . D . — " Ahiman Rezon , " according to Mackcy's Lexicon of Freemasonry ( London : Charles Griffin aud Co ., Stationers Hall Court , Edition 1867 ) , " is the name of the book of Constitutions , " which
was used by the Ancient Division of Freemasons , which separated in 1739 from the Grand Lodge of England .... The title is derived from three Hebrew words : ahim , brothei-3 , manah , to choose or appoint , and rabzon , the will or law , so that it literally the law of
signifies " chosen brothers . " The late Dr . Oliver , iu his Itevelati' jiis of a Square ( London : R . Spencer , Edition 1855 ) , says , " Ahiman Rezon , Help to a Brother , & c ., itc , was also published for the use of the seceders , aud was adopted by tho jthjfluwticul Grant ! Ludge as ita Book of Constitutions . "