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Article ON THE STUDY OF MASONIC ANTIQUITIES. ← Page 5 of 6 →
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On The Study Of Masonic Antiquities.
will be found that certain peculiar and striking rites and ceremonies were adopted , which may be generalized under the description of due preparation , both mentally and bodily—confinement within an ark or paslos—processions having astronomical reference—an emblematical wandering in darkness , and the revelation of li ght or knowledge—a figurative resurrection from the grave—the final reception into a select assembly—and the investiture with a white garmentas an emblem of a
, renewed life of purity and innocence . The particular end in view being to purify the mind , teach a knowledge of sublime things , and impart personal holiness . Now , if we attentively consider these objects and the means by which they were obtained , and compare them with the principles inculcated , and the peculiar forms adopted in Freemasonry , the initiated Brother who has been exalted to the Royal Arch degree , will clearly perceive
the nature of the relation subsisting between Freemasonry and the mysteries , and will at once see that our institution is not a bare continuation of those mysteries as they appeared at their suppression , but rather an illustration of that superior and comprehensive scheme of primitive purity , which the mysteries were originally intended to perpetuate . The true source from whence the mysteries were derived—having
been thus ascertained—and the relation which they bore to our system correctly manifested , it will next be necessary to trace their gradual declension . We shall here see how the restraints imposed hy a pure system were gradually superseded by ceremonies of human invention , and find that the mysteries in every instance degenerated into superstition and error .
It will throw further light upon the subject , if we examine somewhat more minutely the principal causes of their decline . Being , as they unquestionably became , the depositories of all human knowledge , and containing all the elements of government and power—the mysteries were gradually profaned for selfish purposes—their ori ginal purity was sullied by almost imperceptible degrees—fable was substituted for truth , and idolatrous practices superseded the true worship . The first departure from oriinal purity was in deviating from spiritual mattersand
reng , dering institutions intended for the benefit of the human race , subservient to the mere purposes of human ambition , aggrandisement , and dominion . Keys of knowledge and depositories of power , the mysteries acquired so great a celebrity , as to wield for centuries the destinies of the worldtheir influence was so great , as to hold the masses in awe , whilst the most powerful monarchs trembled beneath their sway . But this very power so unduly exercised , so different in spirit from the simplicity of
the original institution , contained in itself the elements of decay . And thus the mysteries eventually were banished from the earth ; but let us remember whilst tracing this result , that in all human institutions we can plainly perceive the tendency to corruption : constant reformation is necessary in order to preserve their pristine purity , and prevent them from degenerating from their original intention . This is one of the inscrutable laws of natureand every institutionunless purified and
, , reformed from time to time , will unquestionably become corrupt and eventually fall . Passing over merely political topics , the history of thc Christian Church alone affords abundant evidence of that tendency to decay , particularly when an institution pure and simple in its origin becomes perverted to purposes foreign to its original institution .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Study Of Masonic Antiquities.
will be found that certain peculiar and striking rites and ceremonies were adopted , which may be generalized under the description of due preparation , both mentally and bodily—confinement within an ark or paslos—processions having astronomical reference—an emblematical wandering in darkness , and the revelation of li ght or knowledge—a figurative resurrection from the grave—the final reception into a select assembly—and the investiture with a white garmentas an emblem of a
, renewed life of purity and innocence . The particular end in view being to purify the mind , teach a knowledge of sublime things , and impart personal holiness . Now , if we attentively consider these objects and the means by which they were obtained , and compare them with the principles inculcated , and the peculiar forms adopted in Freemasonry , the initiated Brother who has been exalted to the Royal Arch degree , will clearly perceive
the nature of the relation subsisting between Freemasonry and the mysteries , and will at once see that our institution is not a bare continuation of those mysteries as they appeared at their suppression , but rather an illustration of that superior and comprehensive scheme of primitive purity , which the mysteries were originally intended to perpetuate . The true source from whence the mysteries were derived—having
been thus ascertained—and the relation which they bore to our system correctly manifested , it will next be necessary to trace their gradual declension . We shall here see how the restraints imposed hy a pure system were gradually superseded by ceremonies of human invention , and find that the mysteries in every instance degenerated into superstition and error .
It will throw further light upon the subject , if we examine somewhat more minutely the principal causes of their decline . Being , as they unquestionably became , the depositories of all human knowledge , and containing all the elements of government and power—the mysteries were gradually profaned for selfish purposes—their ori ginal purity was sullied by almost imperceptible degrees—fable was substituted for truth , and idolatrous practices superseded the true worship . The first departure from oriinal purity was in deviating from spiritual mattersand
reng , dering institutions intended for the benefit of the human race , subservient to the mere purposes of human ambition , aggrandisement , and dominion . Keys of knowledge and depositories of power , the mysteries acquired so great a celebrity , as to wield for centuries the destinies of the worldtheir influence was so great , as to hold the masses in awe , whilst the most powerful monarchs trembled beneath their sway . But this very power so unduly exercised , so different in spirit from the simplicity of
the original institution , contained in itself the elements of decay . And thus the mysteries eventually were banished from the earth ; but let us remember whilst tracing this result , that in all human institutions we can plainly perceive the tendency to corruption : constant reformation is necessary in order to preserve their pristine purity , and prevent them from degenerating from their original intention . This is one of the inscrutable laws of natureand every institutionunless purified and
, , reformed from time to time , will unquestionably become corrupt and eventually fall . Passing over merely political topics , the history of thc Christian Church alone affords abundant evidence of that tendency to decay , particularly when an institution pure and simple in its origin becomes perverted to purposes foreign to its original institution .