Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry. Evidences , Doctrines, And Traditions.
civil and religious rites according to the institutes of their Order ; and of preserving , unstained , the peaceful and benevolent duties of their system of morality . Here we have a legitimate specimen of Masonic tradition , transmitted with fidelity as to the naked fact , and the first and evident reference
more . But on a deliberate view of the case , exposed hills or valleys appear to be rather improbable situations for meetings which are intended to be secret ; for it is said from authority , that " a city set upon a hill , cannot be hid ; " neither could public meetings have remained unknownor their proceedings kept secretif held the
, , on highest of hills or in the lowest of valleys , amongst a people jealous of rites ancl observances which had been proscribed , or which were simply unpopular , unless the assembly were sheltered by a grove of trees , or some other equally efficient that
screen ; or intrusion was effectually prevented by the terrors of superstition . Both these sources of security were doubtless in operation at certain periods in the history of the true as well as the spurious Freemasonry ; but the origin or type of the landmark must be sought in very different observances . The veneration lor hills secret
or caverns ( the origin of which will be hereafter explained ) , induced the construction of temples lor divine worship in such situations . Hill and cavern temples were common in every nation of the ancient world , and these were the primitive places where the rites of divine worship were performed . The custom was imitated in the earl of
y ages Christianity , for our ancient churches are usually erected on hills , either natural or artificial ; and beneath the foundations of those which are cathedral or collegiate , crypts were usually constructed for private devotion , and other secret purposes . * Before the flood informed b
, as we are y tradition , mountains and hills were held in very high estimation . The posterity of Seth—those sons of Light who practised our sublime ait in its infan cy—are reputed to have conversed with angels ? vhl ! if ! K mmit ° ° Iy mo ^ teins , t in secret conclaves , from wnicn the apostate race were carefully excluded ; until the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry. Evidences , Doctrines, And Traditions.
civil and religious rites according to the institutes of their Order ; and of preserving , unstained , the peaceful and benevolent duties of their system of morality . Here we have a legitimate specimen of Masonic tradition , transmitted with fidelity as to the naked fact , and the first and evident reference
more . But on a deliberate view of the case , exposed hills or valleys appear to be rather improbable situations for meetings which are intended to be secret ; for it is said from authority , that " a city set upon a hill , cannot be hid ; " neither could public meetings have remained unknownor their proceedings kept secretif held the
, , on highest of hills or in the lowest of valleys , amongst a people jealous of rites ancl observances which had been proscribed , or which were simply unpopular , unless the assembly were sheltered by a grove of trees , or some other equally efficient that
screen ; or intrusion was effectually prevented by the terrors of superstition . Both these sources of security were doubtless in operation at certain periods in the history of the true as well as the spurious Freemasonry ; but the origin or type of the landmark must be sought in very different observances . The veneration lor hills secret
or caverns ( the origin of which will be hereafter explained ) , induced the construction of temples lor divine worship in such situations . Hill and cavern temples were common in every nation of the ancient world , and these were the primitive places where the rites of divine worship were performed . The custom was imitated in the earl of
y ages Christianity , for our ancient churches are usually erected on hills , either natural or artificial ; and beneath the foundations of those which are cathedral or collegiate , crypts were usually constructed for private devotion , and other secret purposes . * Before the flood informed b
, as we are y tradition , mountains and hills were held in very high estimation . The posterity of Seth—those sons of Light who practised our sublime ait in its infan cy—are reputed to have conversed with angels ? vhl ! if ! K mmit ° ° Iy mo ^ teins , t in secret conclaves , from wnicn the apostate race were carefully excluded ; until the