Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry. Evidences , Doctrines, And Traditions.
fernal and sub-marine deities , than the level country ; and that therefore the prayers of mortals were more likely to be heard from such situations . * St . Cyril informs us , in his Fourth Book against Julian the Apostate , that the phrases avn TOO v ^ ovs , the highest of hills , or that which is exceedingly lofty ; and « s ovpavov to heavenare synonymous
, in the sacred writings . These places also enjoyed the advantage of privacy , and an exemption from the intrusion of profane and unholy persons . The Deity appeared in a flame of fire on mount Horeb;—again , amidst thunderings and lightnings , and noises at Sinai;—and also in communion with Abraham on the high peak of Moriah—all of which
mountains were declared holy by God himself . But after the custom had been carried to an idolatrous excess by heathen nations , and was used as a snare to seduce Israel to sin by copying their example , the Deity issued fearful denunciations against the practice of assembling on hills , or high places for sacrifice or worship . In the face of His
displeasure , thus publicly notified , the Israelites still persisted in the practice of this abomination , even to the moment when the divine threatenings , frequently rehearsed , and as frequently disregarded , were finally inflicted on them , in the destruction of their city and temple by Nebuchadnezzar , and the captivity of their tribes .
In imitation of the primitive practice , but with a much more innocent purpose than the worship of idols , before Freemasons possessed the convenience of well-formed Lodges , our ancient Brethren used to assemble on the highest of hills , or in the lowest of valleys ; because such situations afforded the means of security from unlawful intrusion . The practice
was adopted in order that the Tyler might be prepared , if on a hill , to note and report the ascent of a cowan ; and if the Lodge were opened in a valley , he might , in like manner , have an early intimation of such unauthorized approach , by observing him on his descent . In either case , he would , in the punctual discharge of his dutygive immediate notice to
, the Master , through the proper officer , that the Lodge might be closed , the jewels put by , and all vestiges of Masonic business obliterated . In these situations the Kasideans are said to have held
their Lodges during the persecutions of Antiochus Epiphanes , when they were obliged to flee to secret hiding-places , that they might enjoy in peace the privilege of practising their
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry. Evidences , Doctrines, And Traditions.
fernal and sub-marine deities , than the level country ; and that therefore the prayers of mortals were more likely to be heard from such situations . * St . Cyril informs us , in his Fourth Book against Julian the Apostate , that the phrases avn TOO v ^ ovs , the highest of hills , or that which is exceedingly lofty ; and « s ovpavov to heavenare synonymous
, in the sacred writings . These places also enjoyed the advantage of privacy , and an exemption from the intrusion of profane and unholy persons . The Deity appeared in a flame of fire on mount Horeb;—again , amidst thunderings and lightnings , and noises at Sinai;—and also in communion with Abraham on the high peak of Moriah—all of which
mountains were declared holy by God himself . But after the custom had been carried to an idolatrous excess by heathen nations , and was used as a snare to seduce Israel to sin by copying their example , the Deity issued fearful denunciations against the practice of assembling on hills , or high places for sacrifice or worship . In the face of His
displeasure , thus publicly notified , the Israelites still persisted in the practice of this abomination , even to the moment when the divine threatenings , frequently rehearsed , and as frequently disregarded , were finally inflicted on them , in the destruction of their city and temple by Nebuchadnezzar , and the captivity of their tribes .
In imitation of the primitive practice , but with a much more innocent purpose than the worship of idols , before Freemasons possessed the convenience of well-formed Lodges , our ancient Brethren used to assemble on the highest of hills , or in the lowest of valleys ; because such situations afforded the means of security from unlawful intrusion . The practice
was adopted in order that the Tyler might be prepared , if on a hill , to note and report the ascent of a cowan ; and if the Lodge were opened in a valley , he might , in like manner , have an early intimation of such unauthorized approach , by observing him on his descent . In either case , he would , in the punctual discharge of his dutygive immediate notice to
, the Master , through the proper officer , that the Lodge might be closed , the jewels put by , and all vestiges of Masonic business obliterated . In these situations the Kasideans are said to have held
their Lodges during the persecutions of Antiochus Epiphanes , when they were obliged to flee to secret hiding-places , that they might enjoy in peace the privilege of practising their