Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry. Evidences, Doctrines, And Traditions.
universal menstruum which was to transmute their dross into gold , and furnish them with the means of gratifying a cupidity which practically contradicted all their gravest professions . When we consider the importance which was attached to
charms of every description by the most learned and eminent men in the middle ages , —when we reflect on the virtues reputed to be inherent in holy relics—we need be at no loss to conceive why these occult practices were supposed to form a part of the investigations of Freemasonry . Amongst the philosophers who advocated their efficacy ,
I may mention Albert us Magnus , Wainwright , Bellini , and Baptista Porta , celebrated names , who employed much plausible argument to demonstrate the sympathetic efficacy of charms in the prevention and cure of diseases . The latter , who had been initiated into the Fraternity of Masons , calls a knowledge of these virtues " natural magic , " ancl says that " all excellent wise men do admit and embrace it
with worship and great applause . " He describes a great number of charms . " If , " says he , " we cut our hair , or pare our nails before the new moon , they will grow again quickly . If you would have a man become bold ancl impudent , let him carry about him the skin or eyes of a lion or a cockancl he will be fearless of his enemies he will
, ; nay , be very terrible unto them . If you would have a man talkative , give him tongues , ancl seek out for him waterfrogs , wild geese and clucks , and other such creatures , notorious for their continual noise-makinsr . "
Hollerms , another great scholar , professed to cure the headache by the virtues of an " adamant stone ritually prepared . " Levinus Lemnius , a learned professor , says , with great gravity , " There is no presenter remedy to ease the torment of the gout , both in the hands ancl in the feet , than a young whelp , especially of one colour , if the same be put
to the grief . But the whelp ought to be cut out or cloven into two parts , whilst alive , through the midst of the back ; and the one half , with the inner side hot , to be laid to the grieved place . And this I know to he an excellent thing . " Mizaldus affirms that , on Midsummer-eve , there is found under the root of the herbs mugwort and lantaina stone
p , , which being worn about the person , preserves men from the attacks of plague , lightning , the quartan ague , and fire . It is quite clear that these philosophers themselves yielded implicit faith to the efficacy of such charms ; for Mizaldus
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry. Evidences, Doctrines, And Traditions.
universal menstruum which was to transmute their dross into gold , and furnish them with the means of gratifying a cupidity which practically contradicted all their gravest professions . When we consider the importance which was attached to
charms of every description by the most learned and eminent men in the middle ages , —when we reflect on the virtues reputed to be inherent in holy relics—we need be at no loss to conceive why these occult practices were supposed to form a part of the investigations of Freemasonry . Amongst the philosophers who advocated their efficacy ,
I may mention Albert us Magnus , Wainwright , Bellini , and Baptista Porta , celebrated names , who employed much plausible argument to demonstrate the sympathetic efficacy of charms in the prevention and cure of diseases . The latter , who had been initiated into the Fraternity of Masons , calls a knowledge of these virtues " natural magic , " ancl says that " all excellent wise men do admit and embrace it
with worship and great applause . " He describes a great number of charms . " If , " says he , " we cut our hair , or pare our nails before the new moon , they will grow again quickly . If you would have a man become bold ancl impudent , let him carry about him the skin or eyes of a lion or a cockancl he will be fearless of his enemies he will
, ; nay , be very terrible unto them . If you would have a man talkative , give him tongues , ancl seek out for him waterfrogs , wild geese and clucks , and other such creatures , notorious for their continual noise-makinsr . "
Hollerms , another great scholar , professed to cure the headache by the virtues of an " adamant stone ritually prepared . " Levinus Lemnius , a learned professor , says , with great gravity , " There is no presenter remedy to ease the torment of the gout , both in the hands ancl in the feet , than a young whelp , especially of one colour , if the same be put
to the grief . But the whelp ought to be cut out or cloven into two parts , whilst alive , through the midst of the back ; and the one half , with the inner side hot , to be laid to the grieved place . And this I know to he an excellent thing . " Mizaldus affirms that , on Midsummer-eve , there is found under the root of the herbs mugwort and lantaina stone
p , , which being worn about the person , preserves men from the attacks of plague , lightning , the quartan ague , and fire . It is quite clear that these philosophers themselves yielded implicit faith to the efficacy of such charms ; for Mizaldus