Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry. The History And Antiquities Of Freemasonry.
mysteries which were celebrated in the old toAver of Bel us , the lower apartments of which were used for the purpose of initiation . Their steady adherence to the practice of primitive Masonry , drew down upon Daniel and his friends the vengeance of the priests and princes of Babylon , ancl brought upon the three Brethren the threatened and
actually attempted punishment of fire ; ancl upon the former that of being torn in pieces by Avild beasts . But in both these cases God gave a signal proof of his divine protection . The fire was divested of its consuming powers , the mouths of hungry lions were closed , ancl all the world saAV ancl acknoAA'ledged that these unusual effects must have been
brought about by a power infinitely superior to that of their OAVII national deities . The king himself AA'as so impressed with wonder and religious veneration at the appearance of a visible protecting power , extending safety over the three brethren in the midst of a furnace of fire heated " one
seven times more than it was Avont to be heated * " , that he publicly blessed the God of Israel , ancl issued a royal proclamation commanding this God to be worshipped throughout the extensive dominions of Chaldea , Arabia , Syria , Assyria , and Palestine . It does not appear that this edict produced any effect
towards the abolition of idolatry and the introduction of genuine religion into these extensive regions ; but it brought Masonry into very great repute , which , after these extraordinary interpositions of Providence in behalf of its professors , Avas extensively practised in Babylon ; ancl even many Chaldseans of high rank , renouncing their own
orgies , were initiated into its mysteries . And tins was of infinite service to Zerubabel when , at the expiration of their captivity , he applied for leave to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city and temple . Jehoiakim , king of Judea , Avas so dead to every virtuous feeling , as to be affected neither with humiliation nor
chastisement , nor restrained by menaces or oaths , fie heard with the most callous indifference the threatenings of God by the mouth of Jeremiah , and even , burnt the roll on which they had been recorded ; he continued to amuse himself with the celebration of idolatrous orgies , in which he was assisted by some Egyptian priests , who introduced the mysteries of Jsis into Jerusalem , and after three years
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry. The History And Antiquities Of Freemasonry.
mysteries which were celebrated in the old toAver of Bel us , the lower apartments of which were used for the purpose of initiation . Their steady adherence to the practice of primitive Masonry , drew down upon Daniel and his friends the vengeance of the priests and princes of Babylon , ancl brought upon the three Brethren the threatened and
actually attempted punishment of fire ; ancl upon the former that of being torn in pieces by Avild beasts . But in both these cases God gave a signal proof of his divine protection . The fire was divested of its consuming powers , the mouths of hungry lions were closed , ancl all the world saAV ancl acknoAA'ledged that these unusual effects must have been
brought about by a power infinitely superior to that of their OAVII national deities . The king himself AA'as so impressed with wonder and religious veneration at the appearance of a visible protecting power , extending safety over the three brethren in the midst of a furnace of fire heated " one
seven times more than it was Avont to be heated * " , that he publicly blessed the God of Israel , ancl issued a royal proclamation commanding this God to be worshipped throughout the extensive dominions of Chaldea , Arabia , Syria , Assyria , and Palestine . It does not appear that this edict produced any effect
towards the abolition of idolatry and the introduction of genuine religion into these extensive regions ; but it brought Masonry into very great repute , which , after these extraordinary interpositions of Providence in behalf of its professors , Avas extensively practised in Babylon ; ancl even many Chaldseans of high rank , renouncing their own
orgies , were initiated into its mysteries . And tins was of infinite service to Zerubabel when , at the expiration of their captivity , he applied for leave to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city and temple . Jehoiakim , king of Judea , Avas so dead to every virtuous feeling , as to be affected neither with humiliation nor
chastisement , nor restrained by menaces or oaths , fie heard with the most callous indifference the threatenings of God by the mouth of Jeremiah , and even , burnt the roll on which they had been recorded ; he continued to amuse himself with the celebration of idolatrous orgies , in which he was assisted by some Egyptian priests , who introduced the mysteries of Jsis into Jerusalem , and after three years