Alleged Discovery Of Masonic Emblems.

ALLEGED DISCOVERY OF MASONIC EMBLEMS .

IT would be impossible to como to any definite opinion on the subject of the Masonic emblems , which Commander Gorringo of the United States Navy is announced to have discovered in the foundation of the Obelisk which Egypt has presented to America , at least , without

further opportunity of judging of their real value . Some there are who delight in connecting all mysterious symbols with Freemasonry , while others , with equal fervour , denounce all such Associations . We aro not inclined to

father on Freemasonry whatever is discovered of incomprehensible , simply because it is incomprehensible , nor have we any desiro to resent such connection because it is well nigh impossible to explain positively tho justification . Wo are content with knowing and saying that the exact age of

what is now known as Freemasonry is a question which is difficult , if not impossible , of solution . We are believers in its antiquity for well nigh the same reasons as those given by Bro . R . Vaux Past Grand Master of Pennsylvania . We believe in a direct connection between the early mysteries

of Egypt , Greece , and other countries of ancient times and the Science of Masonry as now taught in our Lodges . We do not think it desirable to connect the philosophers of old with our Order in tho capacity of Grand Masters , but undoubtedly much of the philosophy they taught their

disciples had the true Masonic ring about it . This philosophy was gradually spread among the nations , and has been handed down from age to age in a form which has been fairly well understood and appreciated by the repositories of this occult science , who have jealously guarded

its secrets from the profane , at the same time they have expounded them lucidly to the initiated . The architects may be regarded as the connecting link between the modern Freemasons and the ancient philosophers . They stand to the arts and sciences in exactly the same relation as do the monks to literature . When in all around was visible the

darkness of ignorance , they held the secrets of knowledge . These secrets they imparted to those only who were worthy to be entrusted with them , and then only gradually as the latter showed themselves more and more zealous and proficient . Their mode of teaching was the symbolic—that is ,

they gave to certain things in common use certain occult meanings , and these things in common use were mostly the implements which were necessary in order to properly fulfil their duties . Oftentimes this mysterious teaching was made still more so by the introduction or association of

real historic personages , but in a confused way , and without any regard for the time when , the place where , or the manner in which . Supposing , therefore , it possible for us to make public through the medium of these columns what is heard in our Lodges , it is more than probable it would

excite amusement among the uninitiated , just as would anything else that was incomprehensible by them . But no well informed Mason , according to the degree of enlightenment that had been vouchsafed to him , would experience any great difficulty in extracting the kernel of truth from the

shell of apparently incongruous verbiage in which it was incased . At the same time , as we have said already , there are many who fancy they see a mystery in whatever is strange or unfamiliar , and one mnst be on one ' s guard against too readily accepting the alleged discovery of every new mystery .

It is enough for our purpose to state that as there was a river in Macedon and a river in Monmouth , so was there a mystic cult in ancient Egypt as there is a mystic cult in England and other countries of the present day . We believe in a connection between these two , and on stronger

grounds than Fluellyn did in the case of Macedon and Monmouth . When , therefore , we hear of Masonic emblems having recently been discovered in E gypt , we naturally

take an interest in them , but we reserve our opinion till we are in a better position to judge of their value . Meanwhile , the following are the emblems which Commander Gorringe has discovered , namely : —

firstly . —A Mason's square of red syenite granite , tho long section being eight feet six inches long , 17 inches broad , 25 inches thick , and the short section measuring from the outer angle four feet three inches by 20 . The Mason's square is near the north-easterly corner of the foundation , parallel with the easterly side of the foundations .

Secondly . —A pure whito stone , representing an apron , and situated under the end of tho short section . Thirdly . —Under the apron a perfect altar of red granite . Fourthly . —TowardB the corner of the foundations opposite tho

Alleged Discovery Of Masonic Emblems.

angle of tho Mason ' s square , that is , towards the south-easterly corner of the foundations , is a red granite rough altar . Fifthly . —Between these two altars a Mason ' s spoon-shaped , iron

trowel of ordinary size , totally oxidised ; in all , five emblems , each in . its proper position . They rest on a foundation of yellowish-drab limestone . Surrounding tho foundation on all sides and forming part of it are three steps , all of stone .

Our transatlantic brethren will soon have an opportunity of seeing and judging for themselves of the value of the discovery . Dr . Fanton has already expressed his belief that they are Masonio emblems , and Bro . Vaux Past G . M . of Pennsylvania considers this view is a just

one , though he does not hold with it entirely . So , at least , we gather from the following excerpt from a conversation that brother recently had , according to intelligence

from the United States , with the correspondent of the New York Herald . This opinion and the exposition accompanying it , coming as they do from so prominent a member of the Craft , are worth reproducing .

Until we know exactly what thoy represent it is in vain to indicate our notion of what they aro . Fanton and Gorringo have given their opinion that they are Masonic . I rather incline to agree with Dr . Fanton that his opinion is tho correct one , although I think he baa confounded what are known as the symbolic with what are known as

the higher degrees . Now , in my view , Freemasonry , as we understand it to-day , is the representation of what was in ancient times occult . It is impossible to tell the profane in what this similarity consists , bnt tho intelligent world knows that the Masonry of this age is a symbolic teaching , and that its signs are but the representation of certain

indestructible , oternal truths . The snbjeotive truth , from the creation of the world , has been taught by signs . The creation of Adam waa but the presentation of the eternal subjective truth of the Trinity , for Adam was composed of threo separate and distinct constitutionsthe mental , tho moral , and the physical . So all subjective truths

have been thus taught from then until now . If you go to Egypt , and take the cult of Osiris and Isis , you . will find in their teachings the same subjective truth . You find that this symbolization was taught to the initiates . They were taught in secret for reasons which can be comprehended . There is large authority for this teaching by symbols

of subjective truth ; Lord Bacon , Pococke , and Max Muller I will only cite just now . This Egyptian cult was taught in Egypt over 2 , 000 years before Christ . We know that it was brought to Greece 1 , 970 yeara before Christ . "Wo know that 1 , 500 years before Christ the mysteries of Osiris , or tho Egyptian Isis , were established at Elensis in honour

of Ceres . So that the Eleusinian mysteries were taught in Greece , derived from Egypt , 1 , 500 years before Christ . And we know the subjective truth of both these cults was life , death , and immortality . We know further that the Dionysian mysteries in honour of Bacchus , and the arts and sciences were carried on a thousand years before

Christ . We know that Moses died 1 , 451 years before Chris ^ 100 years after the Eleusinian mysteries were known in Greece . We know that tho Dionysian architects and the Essenian fraternity , to which Pythagoras belonged , existed 560 years before Christ . We know that Solomon dedicated the Temple 340 years after the

Eleusinian mysteries were known . Now these facts history tella ua . Those who read earnestly and anxiously will not be in the least astonished at the hypothesis that what waa the secret mysteries taught in theso schools to initiates , and which these Dionysian architects evidently were acquainted with , brings this idea of Masonry as a cult down to the range of known history . We shall revert to the subject when we are further posted in the matter .

Review.

REVIEW .

All Books intended for Beview should be addressed to thd Editor of The Freemason's Chronicle , 23 Gt . Queen St ., W . C . The Atholl Lodges : their Authentic History . Being a Memorial of the Grand Lodge of England " according to the old Institutions . " Compiled from official sources . By Eobert Freko Gould , author of "the Four Old Lodges . " London : Spencer ' s Masonio Depdfc , opposite Freemasons' Hall . 1879 .

WE remember once to have heard of a brother who , on being asked if the Lodgo he belonged to was an " ancient" or a " modern " one , indignantly replied that it must be an " ancient" one , as its warrant was dated 173— . The worthy Mason was in blissful ignorance of there having been a great Secession subsequent to the date of hia Lodgo Warrant , and that the seceders styled themselves , or caused

themselves to bo styled , " Ancients , " in contradistinction from the body which they seceded from , whom they scoffingly regarded aa " Moderns , " from , as they said , having destroyed certain landmarksand made innovations upon free and ancient Masonry . So in taking -up this work of Bro . Gould ' s , there are doubtless brethren who , if they shonld be asked what are or were tho " Atholl" Lodges , may sug . gest that they are or were Lodges named aftor a certain nobleman

who bore the title of Atholl , though it is equally on the cards they might imagine they aro or were Lodges held in a certain district in Scotland , while some may confound their members with the celebrated " Atholl Brose , " the final c being a Masonic eccentricity in the way of spelling . To speak with becoming seriousness , however , we , who are so justly proud of our good old Craft , aro very careless about her history . We are improving , it is true , but former generationa of Masona wero bad hand 3 at keeping Lodge records ia order . Some