Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine: Or, General And Complete Library.
subtle attention , and is a necessary accomplishment for the chair , properly understood ; when adorned with other more essential requisites , which I shall endeavour to explain . As Geometry is , beyond all doubt , the basis of Masonry , 1 roust make it the fundamental topic of what I-am going upon ,-and therefore take the liberty to define it , though , I dare say , unnecessarily
to most ol you . „ , Geometry , so denominated , is classically derived from theGreeK , y * 5 s the earth , and u . ^ to measure . It originally signmed theart of measuring the earth , or any distance on , or within it ; but was since extended to quantity and magnitude , to demonstrate the properties of lines , surfaces , solids , and figures , such as Euclid s Elementsand ' SectionsUmler this science are
con-, Apolloniuss . tained the liberal arts ; arts , that consist more in speculation than operation , and depend more on the head and mind , than the hand . These are chiefly the province or study of gentlemen and scholars ; such as grammar , rhetoric , optics , logic , fortifications , and military arts , astronomy , music , and so forth . It is immaterialwhether from supposition
antivery , we may , , quate our mystery , or make it coeval with mankind , by insisting that the first man , Adam , had some knowledge of geometry : yet I think I may venture to assert , that Adam , from his expulsion from paradise , must have employed himself in some preservative invention , as coincident with his existence , and contnvecl for his dear associate , the fair delicate Eve , some covering , with from the inclemency ot
curtains of safety around her mossy sofa , the weather , as well as from the danger of being devoured by the brute creation . Whatever those curtains or covering might be , they must admit of some intentional form , therefore may be considered as a faint lig ht or beginning of Masonry , under an indigested ' comprehension . From hence we may derive the innate affecattachment that ( whose
tions , peculiar regard , and social Masons , tenets in this respect are highly commendable ) independent of nature and improved politeness , have ever preserved for the fair sex . We may , however , safely lay indisputable stress , so far back , on the reference in Scripture which Moses , Grand Master of the lodge in Israel , transmitted to us , that Tubai-Cain , so called by the had improved himselt
Hebrews , the eig hth man from Adam , so in Geometry , that he became the first inventor , as well as instructor , of curious smith work . The most learned expositors agree , that the Egyptians and Grecians called him by the name of Hephaistos , and held him to be the first inventor of metallic operations fireThe ascribed to him the same artby the name
by . Romans , of Vulcan . This Tubal-Cain is the same we commemorate , as the first who made instruments for hewing ofstor . es , and contrived the ingenious and very material use of the square , level , and plumb , without which no uprig ht building could , nor can be constructed , even to this day . , As profane history makes Tubal-Cain , otherwise Vulcan , tfig
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine: Or, General And Complete Library.
subtle attention , and is a necessary accomplishment for the chair , properly understood ; when adorned with other more essential requisites , which I shall endeavour to explain . As Geometry is , beyond all doubt , the basis of Masonry , 1 roust make it the fundamental topic of what I-am going upon ,-and therefore take the liberty to define it , though , I dare say , unnecessarily
to most ol you . „ , Geometry , so denominated , is classically derived from theGreeK , y * 5 s the earth , and u . ^ to measure . It originally signmed theart of measuring the earth , or any distance on , or within it ; but was since extended to quantity and magnitude , to demonstrate the properties of lines , surfaces , solids , and figures , such as Euclid s Elementsand ' SectionsUmler this science are
con-, Apolloniuss . tained the liberal arts ; arts , that consist more in speculation than operation , and depend more on the head and mind , than the hand . These are chiefly the province or study of gentlemen and scholars ; such as grammar , rhetoric , optics , logic , fortifications , and military arts , astronomy , music , and so forth . It is immaterialwhether from supposition
antivery , we may , , quate our mystery , or make it coeval with mankind , by insisting that the first man , Adam , had some knowledge of geometry : yet I think I may venture to assert , that Adam , from his expulsion from paradise , must have employed himself in some preservative invention , as coincident with his existence , and contnvecl for his dear associate , the fair delicate Eve , some covering , with from the inclemency ot
curtains of safety around her mossy sofa , the weather , as well as from the danger of being devoured by the brute creation . Whatever those curtains or covering might be , they must admit of some intentional form , therefore may be considered as a faint lig ht or beginning of Masonry , under an indigested ' comprehension . From hence we may derive the innate affecattachment that ( whose
tions , peculiar regard , and social Masons , tenets in this respect are highly commendable ) independent of nature and improved politeness , have ever preserved for the fair sex . We may , however , safely lay indisputable stress , so far back , on the reference in Scripture which Moses , Grand Master of the lodge in Israel , transmitted to us , that Tubai-Cain , so called by the had improved himselt
Hebrews , the eig hth man from Adam , so in Geometry , that he became the first inventor , as well as instructor , of curious smith work . The most learned expositors agree , that the Egyptians and Grecians called him by the name of Hephaistos , and held him to be the first inventor of metallic operations fireThe ascribed to him the same artby the name
by . Romans , of Vulcan . This Tubal-Cain is the same we commemorate , as the first who made instruments for hewing ofstor . es , and contrived the ingenious and very material use of the square , level , and plumb , without which no uprig ht building could , nor can be constructed , even to this day . , As profane history makes Tubal-Cain , otherwise Vulcan , tfig