Pythagorean Freemasonry.

PYTHAGOREAN FREEMASONRY .

AS this celebrated society singularly confirms lhe theory of secret association which we have ventured to propose , and as the philosophical Mystagogue , Pythagoras , is frequently mentioned in Masonic traditions , wo are confident the reader will not complain if we give a somewhat extended account of the society , and of its founder and of his teachings .

Pythagoras was a Samian by birth , and lived somewhere abont the sixth century before Christ . He received his first instruction from Creophilus in his native city . Thence he went to the island of Cyros , and studied with Phereoides till the death of the latter . He was also for a time the

scholar of Thales . He possessed an inquiring mind , a philosophical spirit , aud an unquenchable thirst for wisdom . In the pursuit of science he spent considerable time in Phoenicia , in communion with the successors of Mosohus and other priests of that country , by whom ho was initiated

into the Cabman Mysteries . Continuing his journey , he visited various parts of Syria , in order to become acquainted with the most important religions doctrines and usages . Ho also visited Judah , aud a Pythagorean society—the Essseana—existed there aa early as the time of the

Maccabees , and down to tho time of Christ . Recommended by Polycraics , King of Samos , to Amasis , the Egyptian king , he visited Egypt , nnd was initiated into the Mysteries of Isis , and became acquainted with all the learning of that remarkable people . From Egypt he

journeyed to India , to acquaint himself with the wisdom of the Gymnosophisfcs , visiting the Magi and tho Chaldean sages on his way . He also visited Crete , where tho priests of Cybele took him to the caverns of Ida , where Jnpiter had been cradelled , and whore , it was pretended , his grave

could be seen . There he met Epimenides , whom ho initiated into the sacred mysteries of the Greeks . From Crete he went to Sparta and Elis , and thence to Phlius ,

where , being asked by King Leon what his profession was , he replied that "ho was a philosopher , friend of wisdom , declaring that the name of sage , or of the wise , belonged solely to the divinity . "

Having thus acquired all the wisdom of his age , and master of the science of all countries , he returned home and established a school at Samos , whore , in imitation of the Egyptians , he taught his doctrines in a symbolical form . His teachings seemed divine oracles , and the sacred

obscurity in which he veiled them attracted great numbers of disciples . Bnt as his ideas embraced politics , the structure of society , and tho science of government , as well as religion and philosophy , and desiring probably to apply his theories to a practical result , he left Saraos and

established himself at Crotona , in Magna Graecia . Here he established his secret brotherhood , which was organized after the Ideal , and in harmony with those political principles which he wished to see realized in all civilized

institutions . It was an aristocratic republic , although all who became members united their property in one common stock for the good of the whole . The most influential citizens of Crotona were numbered among its members .

Candidates for initiation were subjected to a severe discipline and examination before they were admitted to all the Mysteries . They were required to practice the greatest simplicity of manners . A silence of two to five years was imposed upon them . Ho alone who had passed through

the appointed series of severe trials was allowed to hear the word of the master , in his immediate presence . Whoever was terrified by the difficulties of initiation , might

withdraw without opposition , and his contributions to the common stock were repaid , a tomb was erected to his memory as if he were dead , and he was no more thought of . To the illuminated the doctrines were not delivered as to

others , under the veil of images and symbols . As soon as they had made sufficient progress in geometry , they were introduced to the study of Nature , to the investigation of fundamental principles , and to the knowledge of God and

religious ideas . They were instructed in morals , economics or politics , and afterward employed either in managing the affairs of the Order , or sent abroad to inculcate and bring into practice these principles of philosophy and government in the other Grecian States .

It appears , therefore , that the secret fraternity of Pythagoras was intended as a propaganda of new ideas and social relations , as a means of fashioning society after a higher and better idea of justice and right . The

Pythagorean Freemasonry.

members lived together , with their wives and children , in buildings , in perfect harmony , as one family . Each morning it was decided how the day should be spent , and every evening a review was made of all that had been done . They rose before the sun , for religious worship ; verses

from Homer and other poets were then recited , or music was introduced , to arouse the mental powers and fit them for the duties of the day . Several hours were then spent in serious study . A pause for recreation followed , iu whioh a solitary walk was usually taken , to indulge in

contemplation ; a conversation then took place . Before dinner , various gymnastic exorcises were performed . The common meal consisted principally of bread , honey and water . The remainder of the day waa devoted to public and domestic affairs , conversation , and religious

performances . Such was the character of this famous confrerie , which was to achieve the social regeneration of Magna Gneoia . Previous to , and at the time of its establishment there , the inhabitants were notorious for the looseness of their

manners . They were licentious and vicious to the last degree . Lawlessness , disorder and crime prevailed on one hand and despotism on the other . But the influence of the Pythagorean Brotherhood was not long in showing

itself . Sobriety , temperance , justice and virtue soon predominated over the prevailing dissoluteness . Justice and equity appeared in the administration of the laws , and society rapidly advanced to a high degree of prosperity .

Unfortunately , the social ideal of the Order did not reach far enough . The society was republican , but it retained the aristocratic element . The fault of the society was , that it did not provide for the unlimited development of social ideas , nor for their application to life . It did

not yield readily to the progress of the democratic principle , and as nobles and princes were active members of the Order , it was suspected of too great a leaning in that direction . The rejection of one Cylon , an influential citizen , who had made application for initiation , was made

the occasion of an attack on the institution , which ended in the breaking np of the establishment at Crotona . But this turned to the advantage of the Order at large , for

tho membera dispersing carried the ideas of the societ y into all binds , and Pythagorean lodges or clubs—to use modern appellations , for want of better—were established in all quarters of the globe , and flourished through many ages .

MATHEMATICS . The objects of the associations were mutual aid , social communion , intellectual cultivation , and social and personal progress . The scope of the Pythagorean Mysteries was therefore as wide as tho circle of human wants aud human science . By an admirable system of education

they led the neophyte gradually , step by step , through tho mazes of sience , up to the sublimest secrets of philosophy . In this progress of the human mind , the first step was the study of the mathematics . The doctrine of numbers was considered the foundation of the mathematics ,

according to Pythagoras . Tbey are , as it were , the model by which the world is formed in all its parts . The odd numbers are limited and perfect ; the even unlimited and imperfect . The monad , or unity , is the source of all numbers . The dyad is imperfect and passive , aud the

cause of increase and division . The triad , compounded of the monad and dyad , partakes of the nature of both . The tetras , or number four , is , in the highest degree , perfect . The decad , which contains the sum of the four prime numbers , and is therefore called the tetraetys ,

comprehends all musical and arithmetical proportions , and denotes the system of the world . The real meaning . of this Pythagorean doctrine of numbers is not well understood . It is probable , however , that numbers were considered the symbolical or allegorical representations of the

first principles or forms of nature . As Pythagoras could not express abstract ideas in simple language , he seems to have made use of numbers , as geometers do of a diagram , to assist the comprehension of bis scholars . He perceived some analogies between numbers and the attributes of tho

Divine understanding , and made the former the symbols of the latter . As the numbers proceed from tho monad , or unity , undergo various combinations , and , with progress , assume new properties , so he regarded the pure and

simple essence of the DEITY as the common source of all the forms of nature , which , according to their varions modifications , possess different properties . Here , ; as in all the philosophical systems of antiquity ^ G is-presented