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Article EGYPT, THE ANCIENT MYSTERIES AND FREEMASONRY. ← Page 3 of 3 Article EGYPT, THE ANCIENT MYSTERIES AND FREEMASONRY. Page 3 of 3 Article MASONRY BENEFICENT WITHOUT OSTENTATION. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Egypt, The Ancient Mysteries And Freemasonry.
in such a lucid manner that I cannot do better than quote from him . He says , the aspirants were required to be men of the strictest morality and virtue , of spotless reputation , and eminent for their piety and devotion to the gods . As a preparation for some of these mysteries , a probation of
seven years was enjoined , the last fifty days of which period were employed in acts of austerity , in fasting and prayer , amidst the most rigorous extremes of heat and cold , hunger and nakedness , and not unfrequently the severe nse of •whi ps and scourges . Previous to initiation they were
habited in new garments , and after some trifling ceremonies they were admitted into the hallowed precincts of the cavern where the ceremonies were celebrated at dead of night . The hierophant , habited like the Creator , then pronounced the tremendous sentence of exclusion to the
uninitiated , exas « KO . S eorc [ iefir )\ oi , synonymous with the Horatian procul o procul este profani , on which the doors were closed , and the rites commenced . A sacred hymn was chanted , and the wanderings of Isis , with her lamentations for the loss of Osiris , were represented in mimic
show . Burning brands were waved round the candidate , whilst the representation of a corpse , laid in an ark hollowed out of a log , was placed in view , and the death was lamented with loud wailings . An awful pause succeeded this clamour , during which the Mystagogue , or
Conductor , gave a lecture on the origin and symbols of idolatry , after which the pageants of their gods , surrounded by beams of light , were exhibited in the style of our modern magic lantern . All this was performed in the utmost gloom , in allusion to the darkness of the Ark ,
which had but one small window , and also emblematical of the darkness of the grave in the intermediate state between death and the resurrection . Tremendous thunderings and vibrations occasionally broke the solemn silence , and every object was introduced which could
possibly inspire terror and dismay . Their gods were represented as living in Elysium , enjoying eternal youth and never-ending pleasures , whilst the wicked offspring of Typhon were exhibited in Tartarus , tormented by fire . These scenes were relieved and diversified with plaintive
music , and the burning of rich perfumes to soothe the senses . The candidate was not long , however , allowed to enjoy these agreeable sensations . The apparatus of terror was again -unfolded in all its appalling forms . Hideous spectres flitted before him , rending the air with dreadful
screams . Tbe Euries , their heads covered witb coils of hissing serpents , rushed forward in wild disorder , followed by Cerberus with his three heads , whose fearful barkings and bowlings struck the candidate ' s heart cold with astonishment and horror . Scenes of Elysium and Tartarus were
rapidly exhibited . Darkness was succeeded by the most brilliant glare of light , which was as suddenly extinguished to make room for the blackest darkness . Pompons processions , accompanied by the elevation of the Phallus , passed in review before the eyes of the aspirant , who was
invested with an olive branch as a mark of protection amidst the dangers . Beautiful and enchanting views were now introduced , enlivened by exquisite strains of music at a distance , and finally , the body being restored , grief was turned to joy , and the return of Osiris to life was celebrated with every demonstration of pleasure .
In the lesser mysteries the secrets consisted chiefly in abstruse disquisitions on the origin of the universe and theories of religion , but after the long probation the mystics were admitted to a participation in the atropprjra , which consisted of the Noachic legend , the explanation of the
symbolism of the system of Polytheism , the true doctrine of the Unity of the Godhead , and the plan of future rewards and punishments . Then the candidates were called Epoptce , and termed Regenerate , and the words K <> y £ and o / Lwru-j were entrusted to them .
The influence which these mysteries obtained and retained over the earlier societies of nations , was most remarkable , and from that clay to this they have been represented by every imaginable variety of mysterious ceremonial , all however agreeing in the chief points of
instruction—Unity of God—purity of life—and a future existence , and thus resembling in the most material points our system of Freemasonry . Thero is a school of Freemasons now existing who wonld teach that wc are the
lineal descendants of the mystngognes of old , and that outceremonies are merely a modification of tho ancient mysteries . To this theory I am not prepared to concede , but it may be quite possible , and is even probable , that portions of ancient ceremonials and legends have been
Egypt, The Ancient Mysteries And Freemasonry.
transmitted by our ancestors , and embalmed by onr founders , in our ceremonies . However this may be , the investigation of the history of the ancient mysteries must ,
at all times , be of the greatest interest to members of a society which stands alone to represent the various systems of symbolic teaching which have from time to time attracted the minds of the most learned sections of the various races of mankind .
Masonry Beneficent Without Ostentation.
MASONRY BENEFICENT WITHOUT OSTENTATION .
WHOEVE R becomes a Mason with a view to tho material benefit he wiU directly derire from tha Craft , reckons without his host . Freemasonry is not a benefit society . The gift seeker should avoid it . The pnrcbaser of life insurance will not find it dispensed by the Fraternity— it has no loaves and fishes for sale . There are mammoth corporations , and more modest , but no less efficient , mutual aid societies , and Odd Fellowships , and like organizations , which will
trade with yon , but Freemasonry is not in trade . There is nothing mercenary about it . The initiate gives so much for itself , not for any moneyed perquisites to be derived from it . As a man who marries a woman for her money deserves to get none , so he who "joins tho Masons " with an eye single to " benefits " finds himself wofnlly mistaken . And he deserves to be . Our Mysteries are not
" for sale , or to let" —they are conferred as a boon , not as a bargain for merit , not for money . The money-changers have no place in our Temple . There is sometimes found , in certain circles in the world , an exuberance of philanthropy , a bacchanalia of benevolence . Everything is lovely in speech , * they are all brothers in seeming j but very
often the extended right hand of fellowship is a very left-handed compliment . Men are often benevolent , but rarely beneficent—it ia so easy to wish well , and so hard to do well . Cicero was right— " men resembled the gods in nothing so much as in doing good to their fellow-creatures ; " and St . Chrysostom voiced a kindred thought when he said , " Charity is the scope of all God ' s commands "—charity ,
mark you , not benevolence , not simply even gifts to the poor , but words of love and deeds of love combined . The asperities of existence need to be smoothed by pouring upon them the oil of joy . Freemasonry is the foe of false sentimentality . It has no sham philanthropy , no sympathy with Mrs . Jellyby , in Bleak House , who neglected her own home , and had a habit of looking a long way off ;
who was overwhelmed with correspondence concerning the distresses of Borrioboola Gba , bnt conld see nothing to her nearer than Africa . Nor is the Craft like those who need to be stimulated ^ to deeds of charity by tho romance of tho situation—to whom a thief in fustian is a vulgar character , while a brigand in velvet and high-crowned hat is a marvel of poetry and renown . The Craft is no respecter of
persons , provided they are Masons . The only question it asks is , is he a worthy Brother , in distress ? Some years ago there was discovered in Germany an alleged Masonic document , which excited much interest and inquiry , and has been commonly styled tho " Charter of Cologne . " It is , we believe , still preserved in one of the Lodges at Namar , bat is termed by Bro .
Woodford , a " pious fraud . " To this we agree . We set no store by it as a Masonic document , bnt believe it to have been a deliberate forgery . Bnt while it has no force as a unit , and by authority , it recites some undoubted facts , and one of these is a principle which has ever actuated the Fraternity . As Oliver paraphrases it , " the design of Freemasonry is no other than to be benevolent without ostentation •"
or , as Bro . D . Murray Lyon , in his edition of Findel , moro fully aud literally renders it , "The secrets and mysteries which conceal our purposes , are only with this one view—to do good unostentatiously , and to carry out onr resolutions to the very minutest detail . " Granted that tho Charter of Cologne is a forgery ancl a fraud , still this principle that it enunciates must stand true for ever of
Freemasonry . Masonic charity is genuine love—gently to hear , kindly to judge , freely and unostentatiously to give . In enjoying the luxury of doing good , Freemasonry , iu tho language of Beaumont and Fletcher , in one of their old plays , " ever finds in the act reward , and needs no trumpet in the receiver . " Many are the recitals we have heard , in the Lodge Room , of the
fruitful deeds of Masonry . Theso recitals do not get in the public prints , are not proclaimed in the streets , are not boasted of anywhere , —and herein consists their glory to the Craft . Freemasonry is not a benefit society , promises no measured aid to an initiate , and in the eyes of the world receives moro than it gives ; but to the Craft universal it is known as the most tender and loving of guardians and friends . We have liearrl brethren tell how , in the face of prejudice ,
they were won to the Fraternity by their accidental discovery of tho good it was doing . The naked aro clothed , the hungry fed , the homeleaa sheltered , and often none bufc fcho brotherhood know whose beneficent hand has been employed . Freemasonry is beneficent without ostentation . It Wnshes to have its charities known . Its office is nofc that of a dispenser of gifts , and yet it scatters them more freely than " professionals . " Ever may it be so . Ever may our time-hononrcd Fraternity" Do good by stealth , aud blush to find it fame . " The Keystone .
HOLT . OWW ' OiST . wF . Kt AS !) Pn . i . s . —As the seasons change , tho climate ' s ¦ . •aviations warn us all to lie careful ; most especially is it incumbent , on the aged , ¦ irono to bronchial attacks , outward ulcerations , and similiar clubiUtat ' m-r disorders , to have them removed , or worse consequences will follow . Theso remedies are their sheet anchors ; on their powers all may confidently rely .
The Ointment not simply puts their sores out of sight , but extirpates the source of mischief , extracts the corroding poison , and stimulates nature to fill up tho ulcer with sound , healthy granulation , that will abide through life . Under this treatment bad legs soon ' bocome sound , scorbutic skins oust off their scales , and scrofulous sores cease to annoy . Such hope for the diseased was unknown in former days .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Egypt, The Ancient Mysteries And Freemasonry.
in such a lucid manner that I cannot do better than quote from him . He says , the aspirants were required to be men of the strictest morality and virtue , of spotless reputation , and eminent for their piety and devotion to the gods . As a preparation for some of these mysteries , a probation of
seven years was enjoined , the last fifty days of which period were employed in acts of austerity , in fasting and prayer , amidst the most rigorous extremes of heat and cold , hunger and nakedness , and not unfrequently the severe nse of •whi ps and scourges . Previous to initiation they were
habited in new garments , and after some trifling ceremonies they were admitted into the hallowed precincts of the cavern where the ceremonies were celebrated at dead of night . The hierophant , habited like the Creator , then pronounced the tremendous sentence of exclusion to the
uninitiated , exas « KO . S eorc [ iefir )\ oi , synonymous with the Horatian procul o procul este profani , on which the doors were closed , and the rites commenced . A sacred hymn was chanted , and the wanderings of Isis , with her lamentations for the loss of Osiris , were represented in mimic
show . Burning brands were waved round the candidate , whilst the representation of a corpse , laid in an ark hollowed out of a log , was placed in view , and the death was lamented with loud wailings . An awful pause succeeded this clamour , during which the Mystagogue , or
Conductor , gave a lecture on the origin and symbols of idolatry , after which the pageants of their gods , surrounded by beams of light , were exhibited in the style of our modern magic lantern . All this was performed in the utmost gloom , in allusion to the darkness of the Ark ,
which had but one small window , and also emblematical of the darkness of the grave in the intermediate state between death and the resurrection . Tremendous thunderings and vibrations occasionally broke the solemn silence , and every object was introduced which could
possibly inspire terror and dismay . Their gods were represented as living in Elysium , enjoying eternal youth and never-ending pleasures , whilst the wicked offspring of Typhon were exhibited in Tartarus , tormented by fire . These scenes were relieved and diversified with plaintive
music , and the burning of rich perfumes to soothe the senses . The candidate was not long , however , allowed to enjoy these agreeable sensations . The apparatus of terror was again -unfolded in all its appalling forms . Hideous spectres flitted before him , rending the air with dreadful
screams . Tbe Euries , their heads covered witb coils of hissing serpents , rushed forward in wild disorder , followed by Cerberus with his three heads , whose fearful barkings and bowlings struck the candidate ' s heart cold with astonishment and horror . Scenes of Elysium and Tartarus were
rapidly exhibited . Darkness was succeeded by the most brilliant glare of light , which was as suddenly extinguished to make room for the blackest darkness . Pompons processions , accompanied by the elevation of the Phallus , passed in review before the eyes of the aspirant , who was
invested with an olive branch as a mark of protection amidst the dangers . Beautiful and enchanting views were now introduced , enlivened by exquisite strains of music at a distance , and finally , the body being restored , grief was turned to joy , and the return of Osiris to life was celebrated with every demonstration of pleasure .
In the lesser mysteries the secrets consisted chiefly in abstruse disquisitions on the origin of the universe and theories of religion , but after the long probation the mystics were admitted to a participation in the atropprjra , which consisted of the Noachic legend , the explanation of the
symbolism of the system of Polytheism , the true doctrine of the Unity of the Godhead , and the plan of future rewards and punishments . Then the candidates were called Epoptce , and termed Regenerate , and the words K <> y £ and o / Lwru-j were entrusted to them .
The influence which these mysteries obtained and retained over the earlier societies of nations , was most remarkable , and from that clay to this they have been represented by every imaginable variety of mysterious ceremonial , all however agreeing in the chief points of
instruction—Unity of God—purity of life—and a future existence , and thus resembling in the most material points our system of Freemasonry . Thero is a school of Freemasons now existing who wonld teach that wc are the
lineal descendants of the mystngognes of old , and that outceremonies are merely a modification of tho ancient mysteries . To this theory I am not prepared to concede , but it may be quite possible , and is even probable , that portions of ancient ceremonials and legends have been
Egypt, The Ancient Mysteries And Freemasonry.
transmitted by our ancestors , and embalmed by onr founders , in our ceremonies . However this may be , the investigation of the history of the ancient mysteries must ,
at all times , be of the greatest interest to members of a society which stands alone to represent the various systems of symbolic teaching which have from time to time attracted the minds of the most learned sections of the various races of mankind .
Masonry Beneficent Without Ostentation.
MASONRY BENEFICENT WITHOUT OSTENTATION .
WHOEVE R becomes a Mason with a view to tho material benefit he wiU directly derire from tha Craft , reckons without his host . Freemasonry is not a benefit society . The gift seeker should avoid it . The pnrcbaser of life insurance will not find it dispensed by the Fraternity— it has no loaves and fishes for sale . There are mammoth corporations , and more modest , but no less efficient , mutual aid societies , and Odd Fellowships , and like organizations , which will
trade with yon , but Freemasonry is not in trade . There is nothing mercenary about it . The initiate gives so much for itself , not for any moneyed perquisites to be derived from it . As a man who marries a woman for her money deserves to get none , so he who "joins tho Masons " with an eye single to " benefits " finds himself wofnlly mistaken . And he deserves to be . Our Mysteries are not
" for sale , or to let" —they are conferred as a boon , not as a bargain for merit , not for money . The money-changers have no place in our Temple . There is sometimes found , in certain circles in the world , an exuberance of philanthropy , a bacchanalia of benevolence . Everything is lovely in speech , * they are all brothers in seeming j but very
often the extended right hand of fellowship is a very left-handed compliment . Men are often benevolent , but rarely beneficent—it ia so easy to wish well , and so hard to do well . Cicero was right— " men resembled the gods in nothing so much as in doing good to their fellow-creatures ; " and St . Chrysostom voiced a kindred thought when he said , " Charity is the scope of all God ' s commands "—charity ,
mark you , not benevolence , not simply even gifts to the poor , but words of love and deeds of love combined . The asperities of existence need to be smoothed by pouring upon them the oil of joy . Freemasonry is the foe of false sentimentality . It has no sham philanthropy , no sympathy with Mrs . Jellyby , in Bleak House , who neglected her own home , and had a habit of looking a long way off ;
who was overwhelmed with correspondence concerning the distresses of Borrioboola Gba , bnt conld see nothing to her nearer than Africa . Nor is the Craft like those who need to be stimulated ^ to deeds of charity by tho romance of tho situation—to whom a thief in fustian is a vulgar character , while a brigand in velvet and high-crowned hat is a marvel of poetry and renown . The Craft is no respecter of
persons , provided they are Masons . The only question it asks is , is he a worthy Brother , in distress ? Some years ago there was discovered in Germany an alleged Masonic document , which excited much interest and inquiry , and has been commonly styled tho " Charter of Cologne . " It is , we believe , still preserved in one of the Lodges at Namar , bat is termed by Bro .
Woodford , a " pious fraud . " To this we agree . We set no store by it as a Masonic document , bnt believe it to have been a deliberate forgery . Bnt while it has no force as a unit , and by authority , it recites some undoubted facts , and one of these is a principle which has ever actuated the Fraternity . As Oliver paraphrases it , " the design of Freemasonry is no other than to be benevolent without ostentation •"
or , as Bro . D . Murray Lyon , in his edition of Findel , moro fully aud literally renders it , "The secrets and mysteries which conceal our purposes , are only with this one view—to do good unostentatiously , and to carry out onr resolutions to the very minutest detail . " Granted that tho Charter of Cologne is a forgery ancl a fraud , still this principle that it enunciates must stand true for ever of
Freemasonry . Masonic charity is genuine love—gently to hear , kindly to judge , freely and unostentatiously to give . In enjoying the luxury of doing good , Freemasonry , iu tho language of Beaumont and Fletcher , in one of their old plays , " ever finds in the act reward , and needs no trumpet in the receiver . " Many are the recitals we have heard , in the Lodge Room , of the
fruitful deeds of Masonry . Theso recitals do not get in the public prints , are not proclaimed in the streets , are not boasted of anywhere , —and herein consists their glory to the Craft . Freemasonry is not a benefit society , promises no measured aid to an initiate , and in the eyes of the world receives moro than it gives ; but to the Craft universal it is known as the most tender and loving of guardians and friends . We have liearrl brethren tell how , in the face of prejudice ,
they were won to the Fraternity by their accidental discovery of tho good it was doing . The naked aro clothed , the hungry fed , the homeleaa sheltered , and often none bufc fcho brotherhood know whose beneficent hand has been employed . Freemasonry is beneficent without ostentation . It Wnshes to have its charities known . Its office is nofc that of a dispenser of gifts , and yet it scatters them more freely than " professionals . " Ever may it be so . Ever may our time-hononrcd Fraternity" Do good by stealth , aud blush to find it fame . " The Keystone .
HOLT . OWW ' OiST . wF . Kt AS !) Pn . i . s . —As the seasons change , tho climate ' s ¦ . •aviations warn us all to lie careful ; most especially is it incumbent , on the aged , ¦ irono to bronchial attacks , outward ulcerations , and similiar clubiUtat ' m-r disorders , to have them removed , or worse consequences will follow . Theso remedies are their sheet anchors ; on their powers all may confidently rely .
The Ointment not simply puts their sores out of sight , but extirpates the source of mischief , extracts the corroding poison , and stimulates nature to fill up tho ulcer with sound , healthy granulation , that will abide through life . Under this treatment bad legs soon ' bocome sound , scorbutic skins oust off their scales , and scrofulous sores cease to annoy . Such hope for the diseased was unknown in former days .