-
Articles/Ads
Article ON THE STUDY OF MASONIC ANTIQUITIES. ← Page 2 of 10 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Study Of Masonic Antiquities.
scarcely be disposed to believe that superstition so gross , and acts so revolting , could have sprung from the perversion of immutable truths , from the pollution of a primitive faith , and the misapplication of pure and simple rites . But such is nevertheless the case , and the further we withdraw the veil which shadows the esoteric secrets of the mysteries , the clearer we perceive the fact of their pristine innocence and beneficial tendencyas well as the stupendous truths which they envelopeIndeed
, . a vast variety of facts might be collected , from which might be compounded a pagan Bible , bearing corroborative testimony to the reality of the leading occurrences recorded in the early part of Holy AV ' rit . This is a most important question , deserving particular notice ; but it is one which could be more readily discussed at the conclusion of the present investigation , when the Masonic student has made himself acquainted with the leading points resulting from the examination of the
theogony , history , ritual , and recondite application of the mysteries practised in every principal nation of antiquity . The preceding remarks are applicable to nearly the whole of the ancient mysteries , but it will of course be understood that among the different systems , the perversion from original purity was greatly varied in degree , some ultimately running into the grossest idolatry , and practising the most abominable and sanguinary riteswhilst others retained
, to a late period much of the spirituality and simplicity of reference which characterized their early stages . In Egypt , a careful investigation leaves us but little reason to doubt , that at the time the earliest descriptions we have of the mysteries practised there were written , little was known of their origin and primitive
meaning—at least by the parties who wrote upon them—and , at the last , when shortly before their suppression , their celebrations became more splendid and gorgeous than ever—even the priests themselves were dazzled by the magnificence of the display—ignorance and gross idolatry had enchained their minds , and the sublime references concealed beneath their holiest symbols were completely forgotten and unknown . The glimmering of a primitive faith , now only traceable by means of hierol
gyphical analysis , had even then become obscured beneath the cloud of superincumbent darkness , that had settled upon the ancient sacerdotal colleges . In short , long before tbe downfal of the mysteries , the wisdom of the Egyptians was lost . The hierophants sought only to terrify , to dazzle , and bewilder the noviciate—to captivate his senses by scenes strange and unearthly , rather than to illuminate his mind by those lessons of truth , of practical wisdom , and personal holiness , which the mysteries were originally intended to inculcate , and which were at first taught within the closed recesses of their temples , or beneath the shadow of their sacred groves .
It is evident , therefore , that at this stage of the inquiry much labour will be required to separate the wheat from the chaff , and distinguish the genuine from the spurious Freemasonry . This , however , by perseverance can be accomplished , and in the results arrived at tbe patient Masonic investigator will meet with his due reward . In tracing the origin and progress of the mysteries , it will be necessary to keep some leading points in view , which , being of general application , will be found to render great assistance in the investigation . Thus , in the explanation given in the last chapter as to the nature of the Deity , and the three-fold distinctions of that nature , as symbolized by an equilateral triangle within a circle , we have a certain recognized .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Study Of Masonic Antiquities.
scarcely be disposed to believe that superstition so gross , and acts so revolting , could have sprung from the perversion of immutable truths , from the pollution of a primitive faith , and the misapplication of pure and simple rites . But such is nevertheless the case , and the further we withdraw the veil which shadows the esoteric secrets of the mysteries , the clearer we perceive the fact of their pristine innocence and beneficial tendencyas well as the stupendous truths which they envelopeIndeed
, . a vast variety of facts might be collected , from which might be compounded a pagan Bible , bearing corroborative testimony to the reality of the leading occurrences recorded in the early part of Holy AV ' rit . This is a most important question , deserving particular notice ; but it is one which could be more readily discussed at the conclusion of the present investigation , when the Masonic student has made himself acquainted with the leading points resulting from the examination of the
theogony , history , ritual , and recondite application of the mysteries practised in every principal nation of antiquity . The preceding remarks are applicable to nearly the whole of the ancient mysteries , but it will of course be understood that among the different systems , the perversion from original purity was greatly varied in degree , some ultimately running into the grossest idolatry , and practising the most abominable and sanguinary riteswhilst others retained
, to a late period much of the spirituality and simplicity of reference which characterized their early stages . In Egypt , a careful investigation leaves us but little reason to doubt , that at the time the earliest descriptions we have of the mysteries practised there were written , little was known of their origin and primitive
meaning—at least by the parties who wrote upon them—and , at the last , when shortly before their suppression , their celebrations became more splendid and gorgeous than ever—even the priests themselves were dazzled by the magnificence of the display—ignorance and gross idolatry had enchained their minds , and the sublime references concealed beneath their holiest symbols were completely forgotten and unknown . The glimmering of a primitive faith , now only traceable by means of hierol
gyphical analysis , had even then become obscured beneath the cloud of superincumbent darkness , that had settled upon the ancient sacerdotal colleges . In short , long before tbe downfal of the mysteries , the wisdom of the Egyptians was lost . The hierophants sought only to terrify , to dazzle , and bewilder the noviciate—to captivate his senses by scenes strange and unearthly , rather than to illuminate his mind by those lessons of truth , of practical wisdom , and personal holiness , which the mysteries were originally intended to inculcate , and which were at first taught within the closed recesses of their temples , or beneath the shadow of their sacred groves .
It is evident , therefore , that at this stage of the inquiry much labour will be required to separate the wheat from the chaff , and distinguish the genuine from the spurious Freemasonry . This , however , by perseverance can be accomplished , and in the results arrived at tbe patient Masonic investigator will meet with his due reward . In tracing the origin and progress of the mysteries , it will be necessary to keep some leading points in view , which , being of general application , will be found to render great assistance in the investigation . Thus , in the explanation given in the last chapter as to the nature of the Deity , and the three-fold distinctions of that nature , as symbolized by an equilateral triangle within a circle , we have a certain recognized .