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Article ON FREEMASONRY. ← Page 9 of 10 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry.
the moon , and in his hand a ring with the twelve signs of the zodiac . Before the coffin an olive tree sprouted forth , under the branches of which different kinds of animals were collected . On the left , and a little further back , a high mountain was seen , with seven golden towers supporting the sky . A hand stretched forth from this sky , pourecf out light , and pointed with his fingers to the olive tree . Here was also the figure of a man whose head was in the sky , and whose feet were on the earth . His hands and feet were
bound . Before the deity stood seven censers , two pots , a vase filled with perfumes , spices , and a bottle with a long neck , ( retort ) containing storax . The hieroglyphic representing day was under his ri ght foot , and the hieroglyphic representing night under his left . Before the divinity was laid , on a high desk , the book of universal nature , whereon a representation and names of the planets , the constellations , the stations , and every thing that is found in the highest heaven , was painted . There was also an urn filled half with
earth ancl half with sand , ( viz . the hieroglyphics of earth and sand being represented therein . ) A suspended everburning lamp , dates , and olives , in a vase of emerald . A . table of black basalt with seven lines , the four elements , the figure of a man carrying away a dead body , and a cW upon a lion . « These , O brother , " says the author , « are the mysterious
keys to the treasures of secrets of ancient and modern knowledge . The wise may guess the whole from a part . " Now though we deny that Freemasonry was derived from the mysteries of heathen nations ; yet I see no reason to reject the theory that , at its restoration by the Essenes and their successors , nay , probably at the building of king Solomon ' s temple , an arrangement , corresponding in some its
or component parts with the symbolic system of Egyptian hieroglyphics , might probably ( for it is impossible to speak decisivel y on so intricate a point , ) be incorporated into the original science ; and be retained as a most convenient mode ot embodying and transmitting solemn truths ; not only to secure their preservation , but also to produce a striking and permanent effect
upon the mind . The conjecture appears exceedingly plausible , because tins mode of instruction possesses the sanction of a high ' antiquity . Not to insist on its use amongst the Jewish prophets , the Brahmins of India , the Magi of Persia , and VOL ™ ° Britain and Gaul ' was a ' favourite method 15
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry.
the moon , and in his hand a ring with the twelve signs of the zodiac . Before the coffin an olive tree sprouted forth , under the branches of which different kinds of animals were collected . On the left , and a little further back , a high mountain was seen , with seven golden towers supporting the sky . A hand stretched forth from this sky , pourecf out light , and pointed with his fingers to the olive tree . Here was also the figure of a man whose head was in the sky , and whose feet were on the earth . His hands and feet were
bound . Before the deity stood seven censers , two pots , a vase filled with perfumes , spices , and a bottle with a long neck , ( retort ) containing storax . The hieroglyphic representing day was under his ri ght foot , and the hieroglyphic representing night under his left . Before the divinity was laid , on a high desk , the book of universal nature , whereon a representation and names of the planets , the constellations , the stations , and every thing that is found in the highest heaven , was painted . There was also an urn filled half with
earth ancl half with sand , ( viz . the hieroglyphics of earth and sand being represented therein . ) A suspended everburning lamp , dates , and olives , in a vase of emerald . A . table of black basalt with seven lines , the four elements , the figure of a man carrying away a dead body , and a cW upon a lion . « These , O brother , " says the author , « are the mysterious
keys to the treasures of secrets of ancient and modern knowledge . The wise may guess the whole from a part . " Now though we deny that Freemasonry was derived from the mysteries of heathen nations ; yet I see no reason to reject the theory that , at its restoration by the Essenes and their successors , nay , probably at the building of king Solomon ' s temple , an arrangement , corresponding in some its
or component parts with the symbolic system of Egyptian hieroglyphics , might probably ( for it is impossible to speak decisivel y on so intricate a point , ) be incorporated into the original science ; and be retained as a most convenient mode ot embodying and transmitting solemn truths ; not only to secure their preservation , but also to produce a striking and permanent effect
upon the mind . The conjecture appears exceedingly plausible , because tins mode of instruction possesses the sanction of a high ' antiquity . Not to insist on its use amongst the Jewish prophets , the Brahmins of India , the Magi of Persia , and VOL ™ ° Britain and Gaul ' was a ' favourite method 15