Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine: Or, General And Complete Library.
first king and founder of E gypt , and of its famous capital Memphis , he consequentl y was the first practical builder , and master of work , and the first that carried into operation the speculative use of Ge' ometry . From his time , Geometry and Masonry were so incorporated , as to become necessary dependents on one another . 1 he learned Egyptian priests were so tenacious of their new mysterythatunder similar
, , cautions , I may instance , viz . the parole in the military science , whereby the officers and soldiers are to know their friends from their enemies , and which it is by the martial taw , at least m time of danger , death to'discover : — -the secrets of the mint , particularly the milling of money : —the Ponty-pool japanwhich ( though elegantlimitated at Birmingham and other
, y places ) still remains a sscret , and is known there but to one family * : —the royal glass manufactory in France , where they have the art of running plate-glass to any size ; a science unknown to any other part of the kingdom , and all the world . —I miVfit mention many other liberal as well as mechanical sciences and
foundries , where the persons concerned are under the most solema ties ¦ of obiigation to conceal ; but what I have mentioned will undoubtedly convey the idea of solemn restraint , with its necessary appendages . I say the Egyptian priests , with most circumspect and assiduous care , kept the secrets of Masonry from all strangers * and I have met with a very remarkable story incident thereto ' which I shall relate ¦
: y- The great Pythagoras , who took a journey to E gypt , to study the Egyptian learning , notwithstanding he had a letter of recommendation from Polycrates , the tyrant of Samos , to king Amasis his particular friend , found such difficulties to be introduced to the priests of Memphisas he could get b other
, over y no means than by his submission to be circumcised : —so cautious were these -sage liberal students likewise , that they wrapped up their mysteries in all disguises , allusions , enigmas , fables , and allegories , calculated from their most intricate literature , which required the ° reatest sagacity , knowledge , study and . penetration to understand and were then , as they are much more so now , above the reach of
common capacities . From thence arose ori ginally the signs , tokens , obscure questions and answers among . Masons , which have been imperfectly handed dtiwn to us by oral tradition onl y ; the true sense and meanino- of which , though practised by thousands , are understood but " by few . These were kept undiscovered and to
unexplained the craftsmen , apprentices , and labourers of those times ' till they oecame , after long service and attendance , proficients , and dualized for masters or undertakers of work , by discoverino- some extraordinary genius and excellencies . Were we so prudenfiv cautious of raising Master Masons , ( except in particular instances " - )
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine: Or, General And Complete Library.
first king and founder of E gypt , and of its famous capital Memphis , he consequentl y was the first practical builder , and master of work , and the first that carried into operation the speculative use of Ge' ometry . From his time , Geometry and Masonry were so incorporated , as to become necessary dependents on one another . 1 he learned Egyptian priests were so tenacious of their new mysterythatunder similar
, , cautions , I may instance , viz . the parole in the military science , whereby the officers and soldiers are to know their friends from their enemies , and which it is by the martial taw , at least m time of danger , death to'discover : — -the secrets of the mint , particularly the milling of money : —the Ponty-pool japanwhich ( though elegantlimitated at Birmingham and other
, y places ) still remains a sscret , and is known there but to one family * : —the royal glass manufactory in France , where they have the art of running plate-glass to any size ; a science unknown to any other part of the kingdom , and all the world . —I miVfit mention many other liberal as well as mechanical sciences and
foundries , where the persons concerned are under the most solema ties ¦ of obiigation to conceal ; but what I have mentioned will undoubtedly convey the idea of solemn restraint , with its necessary appendages . I say the Egyptian priests , with most circumspect and assiduous care , kept the secrets of Masonry from all strangers * and I have met with a very remarkable story incident thereto ' which I shall relate ¦
: y- The great Pythagoras , who took a journey to E gypt , to study the Egyptian learning , notwithstanding he had a letter of recommendation from Polycrates , the tyrant of Samos , to king Amasis his particular friend , found such difficulties to be introduced to the priests of Memphisas he could get b other
, over y no means than by his submission to be circumcised : —so cautious were these -sage liberal students likewise , that they wrapped up their mysteries in all disguises , allusions , enigmas , fables , and allegories , calculated from their most intricate literature , which required the ° reatest sagacity , knowledge , study and . penetration to understand and were then , as they are much more so now , above the reach of
common capacities . From thence arose ori ginally the signs , tokens , obscure questions and answers among . Masons , which have been imperfectly handed dtiwn to us by oral tradition onl y ; the true sense and meanino- of which , though practised by thousands , are understood but " by few . These were kept undiscovered and to
unexplained the craftsmen , apprentices , and labourers of those times ' till they oecame , after long service and attendance , proficients , and dualized for masters or undertakers of work , by discoverino- some extraordinary genius and excellencies . Were we so prudenfiv cautious of raising Master Masons , ( except in particular instances " - )