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Article SOME REFLECTIONS ON FREEMASONRY. ← Page 2 of 2 Article THE STATE OF MASONRY ON THE CONTINENT. Page 1 of 3 →
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Some Reflections On Freemasonry.
of British Architects , which , I presume , has not escaped your attention —the paper is important . All the ancient ecclesiastical buildings were built by Freemasons down to the time of Henry VIII ., but many of the ornaments , from the fastidious taste of modern times , have been broken off or removed by order of the incumbents . They bore the Buddist symbols of the Craft . The north-east window of Lichfield cathedral contains the double triangle ;
the same symbol forms part of several windows in various cathedrals and churches in England and on the continent . From all I have read , searched into , and know , I am firmly of opinion that the true esoteric mystery of the Craft has been lost ; I cannot find it explained in Judaism , or any other ism . The Jewish system is divided into Cabalists and Talmudists ; the Cabala contains the mysteries of the Crafthut not well understoodand the Talmud is a species of learned
, ; trifling by the Rabbis , to amuse and bewilder the intellect ; the monkish legends of the middle ages of the Christian era had a similar intent , to wean the mind from the mythology of the Romans , which had degenerated into vice and obscenity . R . T . G .
The State Of Masonry On The Continent.
THE STATE OF MASONRY ON THE CONTINENT .
HAVING been initiated on the Continent , acquired high rank , and spent many years in different countries in the practice of Masonry , 1 have thought some observations might not be uninteresting . Holding the rank of S . P . R . S ., the highest rank but one in French Masonry , and high rank among the Templars , I possessed many facilities for acquiring information as to the state of Masonry , and the rites connected with it . Masonry in France is practised according to several rites . The rite
of the Grand Orient , called the Modern or French rite , admits the three ancient degrees and four higher degrees , and is followed by all the Lodges in connection with it . The higher degrees are modified from those usually recognized , and the ritual for them was established under Napoleon . The highest of them is R +. This rite is practised by the majority of the Lodges in France , being all those in connection with the Grand Orient . The other principal rite is called the Scotch rite or
Ancient and Accepted rite , being the ancient rite introduced into France in the early part of the last century by the Jacobite emigrants ; but the whole number of degrees has been gradually increased to thirty-three . This rite was much liked by the French , and is adopted not only by the Lodges under the Supreme Council of the Scotch rite , but also by most of the Lodges under the Grand Orient , who practice both rites . Some few Lodges , also , practice symbolic Masonry according to the
English rite ; and the higher ranks according to the plan adopted in other countries , called in France the old Scotch rite . Some Lodges have a kind of female Masonry , which is limited to a few symbolical rites , and iu which the female members of Masonic families are initiated . There are some slight differences in the ritual of the three simple or symbolic degrees according to the several rites ; but very trifling , confining themselves to a difference in one of the passwords , and to a different arrangement of the touch as to time , but not as to number . There is great laxity in France as to correctness in working .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Some Reflections On Freemasonry.
of British Architects , which , I presume , has not escaped your attention —the paper is important . All the ancient ecclesiastical buildings were built by Freemasons down to the time of Henry VIII ., but many of the ornaments , from the fastidious taste of modern times , have been broken off or removed by order of the incumbents . They bore the Buddist symbols of the Craft . The north-east window of Lichfield cathedral contains the double triangle ;
the same symbol forms part of several windows in various cathedrals and churches in England and on the continent . From all I have read , searched into , and know , I am firmly of opinion that the true esoteric mystery of the Craft has been lost ; I cannot find it explained in Judaism , or any other ism . The Jewish system is divided into Cabalists and Talmudists ; the Cabala contains the mysteries of the Crafthut not well understoodand the Talmud is a species of learned
, ; trifling by the Rabbis , to amuse and bewilder the intellect ; the monkish legends of the middle ages of the Christian era had a similar intent , to wean the mind from the mythology of the Romans , which had degenerated into vice and obscenity . R . T . G .
The State Of Masonry On The Continent.
THE STATE OF MASONRY ON THE CONTINENT .
HAVING been initiated on the Continent , acquired high rank , and spent many years in different countries in the practice of Masonry , 1 have thought some observations might not be uninteresting . Holding the rank of S . P . R . S ., the highest rank but one in French Masonry , and high rank among the Templars , I possessed many facilities for acquiring information as to the state of Masonry , and the rites connected with it . Masonry in France is practised according to several rites . The rite
of the Grand Orient , called the Modern or French rite , admits the three ancient degrees and four higher degrees , and is followed by all the Lodges in connection with it . The higher degrees are modified from those usually recognized , and the ritual for them was established under Napoleon . The highest of them is R +. This rite is practised by the majority of the Lodges in France , being all those in connection with the Grand Orient . The other principal rite is called the Scotch rite or
Ancient and Accepted rite , being the ancient rite introduced into France in the early part of the last century by the Jacobite emigrants ; but the whole number of degrees has been gradually increased to thirty-three . This rite was much liked by the French , and is adopted not only by the Lodges under the Supreme Council of the Scotch rite , but also by most of the Lodges under the Grand Orient , who practice both rites . Some few Lodges , also , practice symbolic Masonry according to the
English rite ; and the higher ranks according to the plan adopted in other countries , called in France the old Scotch rite . Some Lodges have a kind of female Masonry , which is limited to a few symbolical rites , and iu which the female members of Masonic families are initiated . There are some slight differences in the ritual of the three simple or symbolic degrees according to the several rites ; but very trifling , confining themselves to a difference in one of the passwords , and to a different arrangement of the touch as to time , but not as to number . There is great laxity in France as to correctness in working .