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Article LECTURES ON FREEMASONRY , ← Page 5 of 8 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Lectures On Freemasonry ,
it certainly came from a different source than the first , for the ten commandments , and more especially the Talmutic explanation of the same , were a bar to the higher studies of the Jews . Nothing sculptured , or otherwise made ivith hands , whereby the Deity , or eternity , were represented , was permitted ; and the Rabbinical law , saying , that the sciences were not necessary , operated so powerfully upon the conscientious part of that peoplethat they followed the humble loyment of a pastoral
, emp life . This accounts for the scanty documents we have of Israelitic Freemasonry , until the great King Solomon was , by divine inspiration , induced to erect that splendid temple to God , which proved the wonder of the world , and the origin of the third degree of our present Freemasonry .
The Tyrians , as already observed , were celebrated artists . Solomon , therefore , unable to find builders of superior skill for the execution of hisgreat plans in his own dominions , engaged Tyrians , who , with the assistance of the zealous Jews , who contented themselves in performing the inferior labours , finished that stupendous Edifi ce . Here our present S . T . and W . had probably their origin , and the Fraternity of the builders was classified according to their merit and skill in the art of architecture .
The S . T . and W . of the first class allude to the Masonic or architectural employment , and to the situation where that class were stationed ; the next class , ivith higher pretentions , were to be found in a more exalted part of the rising edifice , and had the immediate care of employing the first class , in the inferior occupations of the plans , in which they were instructed by the Brethren of a third , and more effectual class of artists . These excellent orders and rules were necessary to conduct so great an
undertaking : and the whole of the management devolving upon an excellent architect , of Israelitic descent , but a Tyrian by birth and education , he carefully amalgamated the interests of both the Jews , and the Tyrians , employed in various situations in the building , so far , that , according to the traditions handed down to us , unanimity was not disturbed , until the labours of the building were nearly finished . Here the new order of Masonic universality appears to consign its labours , and even its name to the tomb , not to rise again , except from a Persian Order , to gain a little more information about the lost and ultimately discovered treasures .
Although the Jewish code of divinity was inimical to the cultivation of the sciences—and although their chief occupation consisted in agriculture , from ivhich , according to the 27 th chapter , and 17 th verse , of Ezekiel , they supplied the Tyrians and others with balm , honey , corn , oil and rosin , we must not suppose that they had no native artists amongst their people . The great opulence and treasures of the Jews at the time of Solomon were knoivn ; and even centuries after that
celebrated king , when the money changers had carried their thirst for riches so far , as to convert the house of God to usurious practices , and were driven from it in disgrace . This splendour and great opulence produced luxury , and consequently ingenious men to serve their luxuries ; for we read in Holy Scripture , that Nebuchadnezzar carried away with him one thousand artists celebrated for their inlaid or veneered workmanship from Jerusalem . Some writers , unwilling to allow the Israelites the
least deviation from their Mosaic and rabbinical adoptions , give the credit of the art of indented and veneered work to the descendants ofthe Tyrians , and to other foreigners employed by the Jews in the decoration of their splendid mansions in Jerusalem , which city , like to our modern
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Lectures On Freemasonry ,
it certainly came from a different source than the first , for the ten commandments , and more especially the Talmutic explanation of the same , were a bar to the higher studies of the Jews . Nothing sculptured , or otherwise made ivith hands , whereby the Deity , or eternity , were represented , was permitted ; and the Rabbinical law , saying , that the sciences were not necessary , operated so powerfully upon the conscientious part of that peoplethat they followed the humble loyment of a pastoral
, emp life . This accounts for the scanty documents we have of Israelitic Freemasonry , until the great King Solomon was , by divine inspiration , induced to erect that splendid temple to God , which proved the wonder of the world , and the origin of the third degree of our present Freemasonry .
The Tyrians , as already observed , were celebrated artists . Solomon , therefore , unable to find builders of superior skill for the execution of hisgreat plans in his own dominions , engaged Tyrians , who , with the assistance of the zealous Jews , who contented themselves in performing the inferior labours , finished that stupendous Edifi ce . Here our present S . T . and W . had probably their origin , and the Fraternity of the builders was classified according to their merit and skill in the art of architecture .
The S . T . and W . of the first class allude to the Masonic or architectural employment , and to the situation where that class were stationed ; the next class , ivith higher pretentions , were to be found in a more exalted part of the rising edifice , and had the immediate care of employing the first class , in the inferior occupations of the plans , in which they were instructed by the Brethren of a third , and more effectual class of artists . These excellent orders and rules were necessary to conduct so great an
undertaking : and the whole of the management devolving upon an excellent architect , of Israelitic descent , but a Tyrian by birth and education , he carefully amalgamated the interests of both the Jews , and the Tyrians , employed in various situations in the building , so far , that , according to the traditions handed down to us , unanimity was not disturbed , until the labours of the building were nearly finished . Here the new order of Masonic universality appears to consign its labours , and even its name to the tomb , not to rise again , except from a Persian Order , to gain a little more information about the lost and ultimately discovered treasures .
Although the Jewish code of divinity was inimical to the cultivation of the sciences—and although their chief occupation consisted in agriculture , from ivhich , according to the 27 th chapter , and 17 th verse , of Ezekiel , they supplied the Tyrians and others with balm , honey , corn , oil and rosin , we must not suppose that they had no native artists amongst their people . The great opulence and treasures of the Jews at the time of Solomon were knoivn ; and even centuries after that
celebrated king , when the money changers had carried their thirst for riches so far , as to convert the house of God to usurious practices , and were driven from it in disgrace . This splendour and great opulence produced luxury , and consequently ingenious men to serve their luxuries ; for we read in Holy Scripture , that Nebuchadnezzar carried away with him one thousand artists celebrated for their inlaid or veneered workmanship from Jerusalem . Some writers , unwilling to allow the Israelites the
least deviation from their Mosaic and rabbinical adoptions , give the credit of the art of indented and veneered work to the descendants ofthe Tyrians , and to other foreigners employed by the Jews in the decoration of their splendid mansions in Jerusalem , which city , like to our modern