Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry. The History And Antiquities Of Freemasonry.
The symbol of the cherubim was also consecrated by the Essenes as a vehicle for the conveyance of a high degree of mysterious knowledge , and was perpetuated by illustrations similar to those practised in the third degree of Masonry . It served to remind them of the transgression of their great progenitor , and incited them by genial recollections , to acts of
penance and mortification , by which they hoped to subdue the unruly and sinful appetites , which the " sin of Adam had introduced into their numbers . This glorious symbol was first inscribed on the eastern gate of Paradise , and remained there during the life of Adam , as an object of reverence to him and his posterity . The accumulated sins of men effaced THE MARK ; the symbol of the Deity was withdrawn , and men were left without the visible communication of an eternal God . It was restored to Moses when he constructed
the Tabernacle ; and it remained a protection to the Jewish nation until the destruction of the Temple by Nebuchadnezzar , when God inflicted a signal punishment on the Jews for their disobedience and obstinacy . They taught the practice of virtue from the incentive , not only of happiness in this world , but of an expected
recompense in a future state . From this hope proceeded a practical ri ghteousness , which , according to Josephus , was " worth y of admiration above all others that pretend to virtue ; for they were , in their manners and course of life , the very best of men . " Their chief study was to learn to rule and govern their passions , to keep a tongue of good report , and
to practise secresy united with universal charity and benevolence . Hence , the deadly passions of anger , malice , and revenge , did not find a place within their ' bosoms ; for the subjection to which their passions were reduced by constant and habitual temperance and self-denial , gave them leisure for cool deliberation and unbiassed inquiryand this always
; prevented disputes , which usually originate during ' the prevalence of first impressions , and subside by mutual forbearance and explanation . Thus their deviations from moral rectitude were not common . But if an instance did
occur in which one of their society had committed a crime worthy of expulsion , they formally proceeded to exclude him from all social intercourse with his former Brethren , whom he had openly disgraced by violated vows and intemperate conduct ; and this punishment was considered so dreadful , that Josephus says it was commonly followed by a lamentable death . They practised the rites of friendship and hospitality
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry. The History And Antiquities Of Freemasonry.
The symbol of the cherubim was also consecrated by the Essenes as a vehicle for the conveyance of a high degree of mysterious knowledge , and was perpetuated by illustrations similar to those practised in the third degree of Masonry . It served to remind them of the transgression of their great progenitor , and incited them by genial recollections , to acts of
penance and mortification , by which they hoped to subdue the unruly and sinful appetites , which the " sin of Adam had introduced into their numbers . This glorious symbol was first inscribed on the eastern gate of Paradise , and remained there during the life of Adam , as an object of reverence to him and his posterity . The accumulated sins of men effaced THE MARK ; the symbol of the Deity was withdrawn , and men were left without the visible communication of an eternal God . It was restored to Moses when he constructed
the Tabernacle ; and it remained a protection to the Jewish nation until the destruction of the Temple by Nebuchadnezzar , when God inflicted a signal punishment on the Jews for their disobedience and obstinacy . They taught the practice of virtue from the incentive , not only of happiness in this world , but of an expected
recompense in a future state . From this hope proceeded a practical ri ghteousness , which , according to Josephus , was " worth y of admiration above all others that pretend to virtue ; for they were , in their manners and course of life , the very best of men . " Their chief study was to learn to rule and govern their passions , to keep a tongue of good report , and
to practise secresy united with universal charity and benevolence . Hence , the deadly passions of anger , malice , and revenge , did not find a place within their ' bosoms ; for the subjection to which their passions were reduced by constant and habitual temperance and self-denial , gave them leisure for cool deliberation and unbiassed inquiryand this always
; prevented disputes , which usually originate during ' the prevalence of first impressions , and subside by mutual forbearance and explanation . Thus their deviations from moral rectitude were not common . But if an instance did
occur in which one of their society had committed a crime worthy of expulsion , they formally proceeded to exclude him from all social intercourse with his former Brethren , whom he had openly disgraced by violated vows and intemperate conduct ; and this punishment was considered so dreadful , that Josephus says it was commonly followed by a lamentable death . They practised the rites of friendship and hospitality