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Article ON THE STUDY OF MASONIC ANTIQUITIES. ← Page 3 of 6 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Study Of Masonic Antiquities.
lo he part of the great aud eternal system of UNIVERSAL CHARITY , * it is apparent to our reason that the love of God to his creatures must be coeval with the universe , and that the love of our brethren must have originated with the earliest necessities of society . In illustration of this part of the subject I use the argument in reference to universal charity , that the love of God to his creatures from their creation is a fact apparent to our reason—but though so self-evident ,
the operation of this beneficent influence is nevertheless one of those mysterious energies whicli our imperfect intelligence cannot fully understand . The mysteries of space and eternity are in like manner veiled from our comprehension , and yet it is equally manifest even to our unaided reason , that space can have no limits , eternity no end . We know that the Great Architect of the Universe is both omnipotent and omnipresentbut yet these divine attributes are to our limited faculties
, dark and incomprehensible . The operations of that active , all-pervading , and eternal power , which alike suspends the stars in space , renews the seasons , and causes the blade of grass to grow , are equally hidden from our finite understanding . These are mysterious secrets , " which the eye of human reason cannot penetrate , " and into whicli vve can only be initiated by passing through the valley of the shadow of death , when
the genuine truths shall be revealed , and when , in the sublime language of our Lecture , we may hope that eternity shall burst upon us in " full effulgence , and all the glories of absolute perfection encircle us for ever . " But to return more immediately to our subject—having thus considered the spiritual origin of Freemasonry , it may be as well to observe that its exalted character should be constantly borne in mind whilst pursuing our subsequent investigations , as a sure guide will thereby be
afforded for tracing our way through devious and intricate paths—dim and obscure—and which without such light would be enveloped in thick mists and impenetrable darkness . In the next stage of our researches the ancient mysteries will more particularly claim attention , and here again it is important we should clearly understand that Freemasonry is not a mere relic of the mysteries , but a renovation of that system of purity and truth upon which the
mysteries themselves were originally founded . In investigating the antiquities of Freemasonry , we find most unquestionably that the system was in some manner connected with the mysteries ; and , regarding it as we do , in a character so highly exalted , but which could not fail to be contaminated by such communion , this is a part of our subject which demands especial notice , and requires much patient investigation . The solution of the question , however , serves to dissipate much misappre-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Study Of Masonic Antiquities.
lo he part of the great aud eternal system of UNIVERSAL CHARITY , * it is apparent to our reason that the love of God to his creatures must be coeval with the universe , and that the love of our brethren must have originated with the earliest necessities of society . In illustration of this part of the subject I use the argument in reference to universal charity , that the love of God to his creatures from their creation is a fact apparent to our reason—but though so self-evident ,
the operation of this beneficent influence is nevertheless one of those mysterious energies whicli our imperfect intelligence cannot fully understand . The mysteries of space and eternity are in like manner veiled from our comprehension , and yet it is equally manifest even to our unaided reason , that space can have no limits , eternity no end . We know that the Great Architect of the Universe is both omnipotent and omnipresentbut yet these divine attributes are to our limited faculties
, dark and incomprehensible . The operations of that active , all-pervading , and eternal power , which alike suspends the stars in space , renews the seasons , and causes the blade of grass to grow , are equally hidden from our finite understanding . These are mysterious secrets , " which the eye of human reason cannot penetrate , " and into whicli vve can only be initiated by passing through the valley of the shadow of death , when
the genuine truths shall be revealed , and when , in the sublime language of our Lecture , we may hope that eternity shall burst upon us in " full effulgence , and all the glories of absolute perfection encircle us for ever . " But to return more immediately to our subject—having thus considered the spiritual origin of Freemasonry , it may be as well to observe that its exalted character should be constantly borne in mind whilst pursuing our subsequent investigations , as a sure guide will thereby be
afforded for tracing our way through devious and intricate paths—dim and obscure—and which without such light would be enveloped in thick mists and impenetrable darkness . In the next stage of our researches the ancient mysteries will more particularly claim attention , and here again it is important we should clearly understand that Freemasonry is not a mere relic of the mysteries , but a renovation of that system of purity and truth upon which the
mysteries themselves were originally founded . In investigating the antiquities of Freemasonry , we find most unquestionably that the system was in some manner connected with the mysteries ; and , regarding it as we do , in a character so highly exalted , but which could not fail to be contaminated by such communion , this is a part of our subject which demands especial notice , and requires much patient investigation . The solution of the question , however , serves to dissipate much misappre-