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Article THE FREEMASON'S LEXICON. ← Page 4 of 5 →
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The Freemason's Lexicon.
first step towards improving the mind . How astonishingly has the science of Architecture improved , and how honoured and how respected is an experienced Architect . The science commenced with miserable huts ; the next step was to erect altars , on which to offer sacrifices to the gods ; of their own imaginations regular dwellings followed next in rotation , after which , in rapid succession , came palaces for their princes , bridges over the most rapid streams to facilitate their commune with
each other ; pyramids and towers , proudly pointing to the heavens ; catacombs of nearly immeasurable dimensions for the interment of their dead , and the most gorgeous temples in honour of the Great Architect of heaven and earth . The rugged rock is selected by the Architect for the foundation of his work . He forms himself passages through the bowels of the earth , and under the bed of the rapid river he builds himself a path . His works are proportioned with the strictest mathematical
precision ; and the Compasses , the Square , the Level and the Plumbrule are constantly in his hands ; various artizans are employed in beautifying and adorning the buildings his skill has erected . Thus we have adopted the title of Masons from one of the most ancient and most honorable occupations of mankind , in allusion to the antiquity of our Order . The working tools of an Operative Mason have become our symbolsbecause we can find no better or more expressive ones . No
, occupation is so widely extended , and in close connexion with others as that of a Mason ; and the various paths by which mankind strive to gain an entrance into the imperishable temple are innumerable . Baumeister , der grosse oder Gott . The Great Architect , or God . — This most high Being ought to be duly revered by every Brother as the
Great Architect of heaven and of earth , and his name ought never to be spoken but with the greatest humility and reverence . It is not improper , when we are always speaking of Masonry , to call God the Great Architect of heaven and earth , as we also call him the Lord of lords ancl King of kings . Every one , even those who are not Freemasons , call him the Creator of heaven and of earth . He has created every thing that we can see ; and it is certain that he has created many things
which we have not power to see . It is written in Holy Scripture that we should strive to be like unto God ; and when the Brethren strive to adorn his greatest work—when they assist in carrying on the spiritual temple in the manner he has ordained—they most assuredly fill his holy law . Baiern , Bavaria . — In speaking of Freemasonry in Bavaria , we must make a due distinction between Old Bavaria ancl " those countries which
have been united with it , and are now known by the common name of Bavaria under the government of the present King Maximilian Joseph ( 1831 . ) In the Old country no Lodges were allowed to be held ; but the Lodges which were in existence in the countries which have been annexed to it , were still permitted to assemble : although their privileges have been much circumscribed ; no one who holds a situation of any description under the government , being allowed to be initiated , or to
continue a Member of the Order : this affects the Lodges in those countries which have been united to Bavaria , viz . Regensburg , Nuremberg , Erlangen , Anspach , Hayreuth , Hoff , & c . & c . In Old Bavaria there were formerly several Lodges , particularly one in Munches ; but they were all closed b y a decree of the previous government , published on the 22 nd June , 1784 , and renewed on the 2 nd March , 17 85 . In the year 1785 , on the 16 th August , the Electoral Prince VOL . II . K
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemason's Lexicon.
first step towards improving the mind . How astonishingly has the science of Architecture improved , and how honoured and how respected is an experienced Architect . The science commenced with miserable huts ; the next step was to erect altars , on which to offer sacrifices to the gods ; of their own imaginations regular dwellings followed next in rotation , after which , in rapid succession , came palaces for their princes , bridges over the most rapid streams to facilitate their commune with
each other ; pyramids and towers , proudly pointing to the heavens ; catacombs of nearly immeasurable dimensions for the interment of their dead , and the most gorgeous temples in honour of the Great Architect of heaven and earth . The rugged rock is selected by the Architect for the foundation of his work . He forms himself passages through the bowels of the earth , and under the bed of the rapid river he builds himself a path . His works are proportioned with the strictest mathematical
precision ; and the Compasses , the Square , the Level and the Plumbrule are constantly in his hands ; various artizans are employed in beautifying and adorning the buildings his skill has erected . Thus we have adopted the title of Masons from one of the most ancient and most honorable occupations of mankind , in allusion to the antiquity of our Order . The working tools of an Operative Mason have become our symbolsbecause we can find no better or more expressive ones . No
, occupation is so widely extended , and in close connexion with others as that of a Mason ; and the various paths by which mankind strive to gain an entrance into the imperishable temple are innumerable . Baumeister , der grosse oder Gott . The Great Architect , or God . — This most high Being ought to be duly revered by every Brother as the
Great Architect of heaven and of earth , and his name ought never to be spoken but with the greatest humility and reverence . It is not improper , when we are always speaking of Masonry , to call God the Great Architect of heaven and earth , as we also call him the Lord of lords ancl King of kings . Every one , even those who are not Freemasons , call him the Creator of heaven and of earth . He has created every thing that we can see ; and it is certain that he has created many things
which we have not power to see . It is written in Holy Scripture that we should strive to be like unto God ; and when the Brethren strive to adorn his greatest work—when they assist in carrying on the spiritual temple in the manner he has ordained—they most assuredly fill his holy law . Baiern , Bavaria . — In speaking of Freemasonry in Bavaria , we must make a due distinction between Old Bavaria ancl " those countries which
have been united with it , and are now known by the common name of Bavaria under the government of the present King Maximilian Joseph ( 1831 . ) In the Old country no Lodges were allowed to be held ; but the Lodges which were in existence in the countries which have been annexed to it , were still permitted to assemble : although their privileges have been much circumscribed ; no one who holds a situation of any description under the government , being allowed to be initiated , or to
continue a Member of the Order : this affects the Lodges in those countries which have been united to Bavaria , viz . Regensburg , Nuremberg , Erlangen , Anspach , Hayreuth , Hoff , & c . & c . In Old Bavaria there were formerly several Lodges , particularly one in Munches ; but they were all closed b y a decree of the previous government , published on the 22 nd June , 1784 , and renewed on the 2 nd March , 17 85 . In the year 1785 , on the 16 th August , the Electoral Prince VOL . II . K