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Article SIGNS AND SYMBOLS.' ← Page 2 of 8 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Signs And Symbols.'
idolatrous worship , and Nimrod , the first open apostate , instituted a series of divine honours to Noah and his triple offspring , who were identified with the Sabian worship , and gave the original impulse to the helioarkite superstition . Hence , the Sun and Noah were worshipped in conjunction with the Moon and the Ark ; which latter subsequently represented the female principle , and was acknowledged in different nations under the various appellations of IsisA ^ enusAstarteCeresProserpine
, , , , , Rhea , Sita , Ceridwin , Frea , & c , while the former , or male principle , assumed the names of Osiris , Saturn , Jupiter , Neptune , Bacchus , Adonis , Hu , Bramha , Odin , & c , which by degrees introduced the abominations of the phallic worship ; while A ^ esta represented the Ark itself , Minerva the divine wisdom and justice which produced the deluge and preserved the Ark upon its waters , Iris was the rainbow , and Juno the arkite dove . On these rude beginnings the whole complicated machinery of the
Mysteries was formed , which completely banished from the political horizon of idolatry the true knowledge of God , and of a superintending providence . Each of these deities had legitimate and appropriate symbols , which ultimately became substituted for the antitype , and introduced amongst mankind the worship of animals , and the inanimate objects of the creation . "
In contemplating the numerous ramifications into which the abstruse mysteries of paganism diverged , we are struck with astonishment how so much mythological absurdity could have found its way into an institution professedly based on the pure system of truth which preceded it ; whose peaceable pursuits included the most artless principles ; inculcated the adoration of the Deity hy a few simple rites ; and promoted universal good will to man by the practice of moral and social virtue .
An investigation of the subject will show to what an extent of infatuation the human mind is capable of being led hy gradual and imperceptible steps , as it strays wider from the truth , and plunges more deeply into the _ mazes of error . The heresy was commenced with a few bright rays of light , hut being mixed with base alloy , they were soon perverted , and buried under a mass of abomination . When the worship of the Creator is renounced , and the creature becomes an object of devotional reverence ,
there is no end to the wild and fabulous theories which the pride of man ' s heart may not induce him to invent and propagate ; each diverging farther from probability , until the mind becomes enveloped in a mantle of darkness so impervious as to be penetrable by any human process ,
and only to be dispelled by the aid of a divine communication . Hence arose those evil practices , by which the priests and hierophants claimed distinction amongst their fellows ; and hence proceeded the obscenities and revolting rites which attended the mysterious celebrations of heathenism , accompanied hy astrological abominations and magical delusions . To render the system more imposing , these sleights were invested with a character which appeared to arrest the course of nature , and reduce the elements to subjectionbthe practice of cabilistic ceremonieswhich
, y , were feigned to proceed from the oracular privileges conveyed by initiation ; but they were in reality derived from the wretched being to whom their frantic incantations were addressed—even the father of evil , the parent of their ha : eful superstitions . Signs and Symbols are not peculiar to Freemasonry , but have formed a part of every system which the pride or piety of man was considered worthy of being elevated to the first rank in human estimation ; and we
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Signs And Symbols.'
idolatrous worship , and Nimrod , the first open apostate , instituted a series of divine honours to Noah and his triple offspring , who were identified with the Sabian worship , and gave the original impulse to the helioarkite superstition . Hence , the Sun and Noah were worshipped in conjunction with the Moon and the Ark ; which latter subsequently represented the female principle , and was acknowledged in different nations under the various appellations of IsisA ^ enusAstarteCeresProserpine
, , , , , Rhea , Sita , Ceridwin , Frea , & c , while the former , or male principle , assumed the names of Osiris , Saturn , Jupiter , Neptune , Bacchus , Adonis , Hu , Bramha , Odin , & c , which by degrees introduced the abominations of the phallic worship ; while A ^ esta represented the Ark itself , Minerva the divine wisdom and justice which produced the deluge and preserved the Ark upon its waters , Iris was the rainbow , and Juno the arkite dove . On these rude beginnings the whole complicated machinery of the
Mysteries was formed , which completely banished from the political horizon of idolatry the true knowledge of God , and of a superintending providence . Each of these deities had legitimate and appropriate symbols , which ultimately became substituted for the antitype , and introduced amongst mankind the worship of animals , and the inanimate objects of the creation . "
In contemplating the numerous ramifications into which the abstruse mysteries of paganism diverged , we are struck with astonishment how so much mythological absurdity could have found its way into an institution professedly based on the pure system of truth which preceded it ; whose peaceable pursuits included the most artless principles ; inculcated the adoration of the Deity hy a few simple rites ; and promoted universal good will to man by the practice of moral and social virtue .
An investigation of the subject will show to what an extent of infatuation the human mind is capable of being led hy gradual and imperceptible steps , as it strays wider from the truth , and plunges more deeply into the _ mazes of error . The heresy was commenced with a few bright rays of light , hut being mixed with base alloy , they were soon perverted , and buried under a mass of abomination . When the worship of the Creator is renounced , and the creature becomes an object of devotional reverence ,
there is no end to the wild and fabulous theories which the pride of man ' s heart may not induce him to invent and propagate ; each diverging farther from probability , until the mind becomes enveloped in a mantle of darkness so impervious as to be penetrable by any human process ,
and only to be dispelled by the aid of a divine communication . Hence arose those evil practices , by which the priests and hierophants claimed distinction amongst their fellows ; and hence proceeded the obscenities and revolting rites which attended the mysterious celebrations of heathenism , accompanied hy astrological abominations and magical delusions . To render the system more imposing , these sleights were invested with a character which appeared to arrest the course of nature , and reduce the elements to subjectionbthe practice of cabilistic ceremonieswhich
, y , were feigned to proceed from the oracular privileges conveyed by initiation ; but they were in reality derived from the wretched being to whom their frantic incantations were addressed—even the father of evil , the parent of their ha : eful superstitions . Signs and Symbols are not peculiar to Freemasonry , but have formed a part of every system which the pride or piety of man was considered worthy of being elevated to the first rank in human estimation ; and we