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Article THE ANACALYPSIS OF GODFREY HIGGINS. Page 1 of 3 Article THE ANACALYPSIS OF GODFREY HIGGINS. Page 1 of 3 →
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The Anacalypsis Of Godfrey Higgins.
THE ANACALYPSIS OF GODFREY HIGGINS .
( Concluded from page 99 . )
BRO . HUGHAN begins his second part of the Review of this work by quoting the following exposition of Freemasonry by the Author : — " Freemasonry is known to bo founded on principles of universal benevolence , and not to bo confined to one class , or to ono religion .
I think I may venture to say , it is so constituted , that , although it would not refuse to receive a single Deist , no test being required , yet all its forms , ceremonies , and doctrines , are so constituted as , in a very peculiar manner , to bo applicable at the same time to the doctrines of Judaism , Christianity , and Mohammedanism . "
This view , thinks Bro . Hughan , is far too liberal for some Grand Lodges of the present day , and directly at variance with the regulations of those Grand Lodges which require that candidates within their several jurisdictions shall hold the Christian faith . Tho opinion , he owns , is
correct as regards British Freemasonry , but doubts if it would commend itself to all the Grand Lodges in the United States and in Europe , though the majority of them are liberal and in harmony " with the width and breadth , ancl heighth and depth of universal Freemasonry . "
Ho thon quotes , in a modernised form , the first of the Old Sectarian Charges of Dr . Anderson , who , " early as it was then to recognise the neutral platform which Freemasonry of the future was to occupy , " he says , " appears to have
had a glimpse of the subsequent career of the Fraternity , and of the unsectarian basis on which the permanent Freemasonic Institution was to rest . " This charge distinctly lays ifc down
that" Though in ancient times , Masons wero charged in every country to be of the religion of that country or nation , whatever it was , yet it is now thought more expedient only to oblige them to that religion in which all men agree , leaving their particular opinions to themselves —that is , to be good men and true , or men of Honour and Honesty . "
Thus , says Bro . Hughan , "the Christian character of the Society under the operative regime of former centuries , was exchanged for the unsectarian regulations which were to include under its wing the votaries of all sects—without
respect to their differences , or colour , or clime , provided , the simple conditions were observed of morality , mature age , and an approved ballot . " He then quotes Bro . Higgins as to the ancient mysteries in relation to Freemasonry : —
" I believe , " writes the latter , " that a certain class of persons , initiated into tho higher mysteries of the ancients , were what are called Carmelites Therapeutic and Essemens , " or that they constituted a part of , or were formed out of these sects , and wero what we now call Freemasons . They wero also called Chaldffii and Mathematici
( p . 301 , vol 1 . ) * * * * I think tho mysteries were like Masonry ; indeed , we shall soon see , it is highly probable , that the Masons were a branch of the initiated—Masonry , a branch of the art . ( p . 590 ) . * * * * I think I have stated enough to raise or justify what the Jesuits call a probable opinion , that tho Masonic
ceremonies or secrets are descendants of the Eleusinian mysteries . Everybody knows the now ridiculous traditionary fancy that a Mason is , in some way , marked or branded or mutilated before he can bo admitted into the Order . I believe this , liko most other traditions , had not its origin from nothing . I believe the higher classes of
Masons were originally persons who were admitted into the mysteries of Elensis and Egypt , aud that they were Chaldaeans and Mathematici , and I believe that what the above tradition of tho branding alluded to , was circumcision , and that they were circumcised .
Origen and Clemens Alexandrinus both affirm , that tho secret learning of the Egyptians was only taught to such persons as had undergone the operation of circumcision ; for which reason , it was submitted to by Pythagoras . The same word in Hebrew means both initiated and circumcised , " ( p . 724 . )
The Anacalypsis Of Godfrey Higgins.
A remark by Schiller , in connection with the initiation of Moses by the Egyptian priests , is also given : — " These ceremonies were connected with tho mysterious images and hieroglyphics . And the hidden truths so carefully concealed under
them , and used in their rites , were all comprised under tho name of mysteries , such as had been used in tho temples of Isis and Serapis , which were the models of the mysteries of Elousis , and Samothrace and , in more modern times , gave rise to the Order of Freemasonry . "
And then is given an opinion of Bro . Higgins to the effect that " the mysteries were not the origin of Masonry : they were Masonry itself ; for Masonry was a part of them . " But , though , as we have seen , Bro . Hughan has quoted freely , with a view to make apparent the nature of Bro .
Higgins ' s belief as to the ancient mysteries and ancient Freemasonry , he does not endorse them , save when it is distinctly so stated . Bro . Hughan thinks it well the character of the work should be known , but he will not constitute himself the judge of its merits . We " only
retain , " he says , " what we may adopt , and exclude from these pages what seems to us entirely fabulous , " leaving it to the reader to form his own opinion from the passages
quoted , passages " all the more valuable as they have been quoted direct from the originals . " Proceeding in his commentary , he then gives the following declaration by the author : —•
" I have no doubt that the cabalistic ceconomy was similar to that of a Lodge of Freemasons , and proceeded to the top by gradation , and that Masonry , which was a part of it , existed long before the time of the Exod from Egypt . * * * * Tho ancient Jews maintained that their cabala was revealed by God to Moses , and was
transmitted verbally ; it being too sacred to be written . ( This is very like Freemasonry ) , ( p . 817 , vol . I . ) * * * * If a person reflect deeply upon the circumstances in which the first priests must have been placed when tho earliest attempt at building atemple was made ,
he will perceive that it was quite natural for them to become Masons . * # * # The Christian religion was divided by the early fathers , in its secret and mysterious character , into three degrees , the same as that of Elensis , viz .: Purification , Initiation , and Perfection , " ( p . 822 ) .
To this Bro . Hughan takes exception . He " cannot see that similar customs , in early religious systems , and modern Masonic societies , should be taken as proof of the latter having been the creation of the former , or , indeed , that Masonry ever had intimate or partial connection with them .
The simple fact of the introduction of grades into Freemasonry , ought surel y not to be taken as indicative of the Masonic character of the ancient religions mentioned , because they also had grades , and so , of course , they were Masons ! The operative origin of Masonry is a much more
desirable foundation for our society to rest upon than the strange and most extraordinary beginning and early career sketched by Bro . Higgins , and which , when judged in the light of our late discoveries , certainly vanished into thin air . ' " He thinks , however , it would be a great
advantage if Bro . Dr . Mackey would examine the author ' s assertions , on all that refers to our history , so far as it may be involved in the study of the ancient mysteries . Such an
opinion would be exceedingly valuable , and we trust the learned editor of the Voice of Masonry will find the time to comply with Bro . Hughan ' s invitation . But to return to Bro . Higgins . The following statement by him is next
given : — " The monks of Tibet , at Eleusis , in Egypt , at Jerusalem or Camel , in our circular chapters , were the preservers of the secret Pythagorean
doctrines of numbers , of the Eas , or Mystery , or Masonry , or perhaps , more properly , the doctrines of the IE , the JAII , —the mesos or meson-ry , or the Saviour , or cross-borne—renewed io every cycle , as described in Virgil . I need scarcely remind my Masonic reader that all tho
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Anacalypsis Of Godfrey Higgins.
THE ANACALYPSIS OF GODFREY HIGGINS .
( Concluded from page 99 . )
BRO . HUGHAN begins his second part of the Review of this work by quoting the following exposition of Freemasonry by the Author : — " Freemasonry is known to bo founded on principles of universal benevolence , and not to bo confined to one class , or to ono religion .
I think I may venture to say , it is so constituted , that , although it would not refuse to receive a single Deist , no test being required , yet all its forms , ceremonies , and doctrines , are so constituted as , in a very peculiar manner , to bo applicable at the same time to the doctrines of Judaism , Christianity , and Mohammedanism . "
This view , thinks Bro . Hughan , is far too liberal for some Grand Lodges of the present day , and directly at variance with the regulations of those Grand Lodges which require that candidates within their several jurisdictions shall hold the Christian faith . Tho opinion , he owns , is
correct as regards British Freemasonry , but doubts if it would commend itself to all the Grand Lodges in the United States and in Europe , though the majority of them are liberal and in harmony " with the width and breadth , ancl heighth and depth of universal Freemasonry . "
Ho thon quotes , in a modernised form , the first of the Old Sectarian Charges of Dr . Anderson , who , " early as it was then to recognise the neutral platform which Freemasonry of the future was to occupy , " he says , " appears to have
had a glimpse of the subsequent career of the Fraternity , and of the unsectarian basis on which the permanent Freemasonic Institution was to rest . " This charge distinctly lays ifc down
that" Though in ancient times , Masons wero charged in every country to be of the religion of that country or nation , whatever it was , yet it is now thought more expedient only to oblige them to that religion in which all men agree , leaving their particular opinions to themselves —that is , to be good men and true , or men of Honour and Honesty . "
Thus , says Bro . Hughan , "the Christian character of the Society under the operative regime of former centuries , was exchanged for the unsectarian regulations which were to include under its wing the votaries of all sects—without
respect to their differences , or colour , or clime , provided , the simple conditions were observed of morality , mature age , and an approved ballot . " He then quotes Bro . Higgins as to the ancient mysteries in relation to Freemasonry : —
" I believe , " writes the latter , " that a certain class of persons , initiated into tho higher mysteries of the ancients , were what are called Carmelites Therapeutic and Essemens , " or that they constituted a part of , or were formed out of these sects , and wero what we now call Freemasons . They wero also called Chaldffii and Mathematici
( p . 301 , vol 1 . ) * * * * I think tho mysteries were like Masonry ; indeed , we shall soon see , it is highly probable , that the Masons were a branch of the initiated—Masonry , a branch of the art . ( p . 590 ) . * * * * I think I have stated enough to raise or justify what the Jesuits call a probable opinion , that tho Masonic
ceremonies or secrets are descendants of the Eleusinian mysteries . Everybody knows the now ridiculous traditionary fancy that a Mason is , in some way , marked or branded or mutilated before he can bo admitted into the Order . I believe this , liko most other traditions , had not its origin from nothing . I believe the higher classes of
Masons were originally persons who were admitted into the mysteries of Elensis and Egypt , aud that they were Chaldaeans and Mathematici , and I believe that what the above tradition of tho branding alluded to , was circumcision , and that they were circumcised .
Origen and Clemens Alexandrinus both affirm , that tho secret learning of the Egyptians was only taught to such persons as had undergone the operation of circumcision ; for which reason , it was submitted to by Pythagoras . The same word in Hebrew means both initiated and circumcised , " ( p . 724 . )
The Anacalypsis Of Godfrey Higgins.
A remark by Schiller , in connection with the initiation of Moses by the Egyptian priests , is also given : — " These ceremonies were connected with tho mysterious images and hieroglyphics . And the hidden truths so carefully concealed under
them , and used in their rites , were all comprised under tho name of mysteries , such as had been used in tho temples of Isis and Serapis , which were the models of the mysteries of Elousis , and Samothrace and , in more modern times , gave rise to the Order of Freemasonry . "
And then is given an opinion of Bro . Higgins to the effect that " the mysteries were not the origin of Masonry : they were Masonry itself ; for Masonry was a part of them . " But , though , as we have seen , Bro . Hughan has quoted freely , with a view to make apparent the nature of Bro .
Higgins ' s belief as to the ancient mysteries and ancient Freemasonry , he does not endorse them , save when it is distinctly so stated . Bro . Hughan thinks it well the character of the work should be known , but he will not constitute himself the judge of its merits . We " only
retain , " he says , " what we may adopt , and exclude from these pages what seems to us entirely fabulous , " leaving it to the reader to form his own opinion from the passages
quoted , passages " all the more valuable as they have been quoted direct from the originals . " Proceeding in his commentary , he then gives the following declaration by the author : —•
" I have no doubt that the cabalistic ceconomy was similar to that of a Lodge of Freemasons , and proceeded to the top by gradation , and that Masonry , which was a part of it , existed long before the time of the Exod from Egypt . * * * * Tho ancient Jews maintained that their cabala was revealed by God to Moses , and was
transmitted verbally ; it being too sacred to be written . ( This is very like Freemasonry ) , ( p . 817 , vol . I . ) * * * * If a person reflect deeply upon the circumstances in which the first priests must have been placed when tho earliest attempt at building atemple was made ,
he will perceive that it was quite natural for them to become Masons . * # * # The Christian religion was divided by the early fathers , in its secret and mysterious character , into three degrees , the same as that of Elensis , viz .: Purification , Initiation , and Perfection , " ( p . 822 ) .
To this Bro . Hughan takes exception . He " cannot see that similar customs , in early religious systems , and modern Masonic societies , should be taken as proof of the latter having been the creation of the former , or , indeed , that Masonry ever had intimate or partial connection with them .
The simple fact of the introduction of grades into Freemasonry , ought surel y not to be taken as indicative of the Masonic character of the ancient religions mentioned , because they also had grades , and so , of course , they were Masons ! The operative origin of Masonry is a much more
desirable foundation for our society to rest upon than the strange and most extraordinary beginning and early career sketched by Bro . Higgins , and which , when judged in the light of our late discoveries , certainly vanished into thin air . ' " He thinks , however , it would be a great
advantage if Bro . Dr . Mackey would examine the author ' s assertions , on all that refers to our history , so far as it may be involved in the study of the ancient mysteries . Such an
opinion would be exceedingly valuable , and we trust the learned editor of the Voice of Masonry will find the time to comply with Bro . Hughan ' s invitation . But to return to Bro . Higgins . The following statement by him is next
given : — " The monks of Tibet , at Eleusis , in Egypt , at Jerusalem or Camel , in our circular chapters , were the preservers of the secret Pythagorean
doctrines of numbers , of the Eas , or Mystery , or Masonry , or perhaps , more properly , the doctrines of the IE , the JAII , —the mesos or meson-ry , or the Saviour , or cross-borne—renewed io every cycle , as described in Virgil . I need scarcely remind my Masonic reader that all tho