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Article TO THE EDITOR. ← Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
It becomes a question to which nation the origin of mysteries can be ascribed ; and how the actual practice of Masonry , customs , signs , the holy words , & c , agree with the discovery . I must here quote the authorities of the celebrated historian , Josephus , and Cetlren , an old Grecian historian ; they make it appear known long before the Flood , that Anusch ancl Enoch erected two pillars , one of stone , the other of brickariille cuittewhich represented fire and wateron
, g , , which were inscribed in Hebrew , with Hebrew characters , respecting the Divinity , of Heaven ancl stars , ( the celestial sphere , ) of arts ancl sciences , as far as at that period were known . Josephus saw one of these in a perfect state , remaining in Syria in his time ; and I shall not , perhaps , be in error in asserting , that Solomon erected these two known pillars in the great temple of Jerusalem , in honour of the before-mentioned ; and to the same emblems to which 1 shall presently venture to unite Masonry
, without being guilty of an untruth . The actual use of the Masonic calenders are indisputable ; their origin appear to be true , antl antiquity shows that Anusch ancl Enoch belonged neither to the Egyptians nor to the Indians . The remaining customs to follow , that I publish in my supplementary explanations , cannot be disputed that the same assimilate with the Jewish . The assertion of illustrious Brother T . that Masonic symbols are to be
found on the oldest monuments , are truths that I cannot attack ; it is merely a question , although they may appear so in form ; if in reality they be the same , I ivill only exemplify the double triad , of which our respected Brother makes mention as appearing on the windows of the Lichfield cathedral , ancl how with a slight deviation this same sign has been used in olden , and even in the present times , for profane purposes . Their views were these . It was known to them that the chronical sign for fire was
a triad , with the apex upwards , thus , Z __ and for water the reverse , ' v ' thus . A wealthy man , whose property consisted of goods in cases , & c . & c . & c , and who was anxious they should be assured , or protected against fire and water , for facility marked them with the above-mentioned two signs , one over the other , thus , X . J placed the letter G in the centre , by which was understood " God protect the goods from fire and water . "
This occurs frequently still with goods that are sent away , and the conclusion is these signs , though in form unquestionably Masonic , are not really so . It is very probable , and almost natural , that these signs on the windows of the before-named cathedral represent this self-same meaning , namely , " God protect the building from fire and water . " In conclusion , the Book Jezira and Reziel , from whose sources I derive my knowledge , although of a more modern date , teach of the
constellation , of parts of the spiritual spheres , their disguise in cabalistic costume , of the Creator ; in one word , upon that in which we incorporeally , eternally and perpetually think ; whose truths can never be controverted , and certainly lead us back to the highest antiquity , with which the eager desires of our ancestors were satisfied , ancl left such behind for the benefit of posterity . The heathens , for the most part , have suffered destruction . That Judaism and Masonry have overspread all portions of the globe , and have existed from time immemorial , and despite all the frightful consequences that Israelites and Masons have had to contend against , they have ever been protected b y
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
It becomes a question to which nation the origin of mysteries can be ascribed ; and how the actual practice of Masonry , customs , signs , the holy words , & c , agree with the discovery . I must here quote the authorities of the celebrated historian , Josephus , and Cetlren , an old Grecian historian ; they make it appear known long before the Flood , that Anusch ancl Enoch erected two pillars , one of stone , the other of brickariille cuittewhich represented fire and wateron
, g , , which were inscribed in Hebrew , with Hebrew characters , respecting the Divinity , of Heaven ancl stars , ( the celestial sphere , ) of arts ancl sciences , as far as at that period were known . Josephus saw one of these in a perfect state , remaining in Syria in his time ; and I shall not , perhaps , be in error in asserting , that Solomon erected these two known pillars in the great temple of Jerusalem , in honour of the before-mentioned ; and to the same emblems to which 1 shall presently venture to unite Masonry
, without being guilty of an untruth . The actual use of the Masonic calenders are indisputable ; their origin appear to be true , antl antiquity shows that Anusch ancl Enoch belonged neither to the Egyptians nor to the Indians . The remaining customs to follow , that I publish in my supplementary explanations , cannot be disputed that the same assimilate with the Jewish . The assertion of illustrious Brother T . that Masonic symbols are to be
found on the oldest monuments , are truths that I cannot attack ; it is merely a question , although they may appear so in form ; if in reality they be the same , I ivill only exemplify the double triad , of which our respected Brother makes mention as appearing on the windows of the Lichfield cathedral , ancl how with a slight deviation this same sign has been used in olden , and even in the present times , for profane purposes . Their views were these . It was known to them that the chronical sign for fire was
a triad , with the apex upwards , thus , Z __ and for water the reverse , ' v ' thus . A wealthy man , whose property consisted of goods in cases , & c . & c . & c , and who was anxious they should be assured , or protected against fire and water , for facility marked them with the above-mentioned two signs , one over the other , thus , X . J placed the letter G in the centre , by which was understood " God protect the goods from fire and water . "
This occurs frequently still with goods that are sent away , and the conclusion is these signs , though in form unquestionably Masonic , are not really so . It is very probable , and almost natural , that these signs on the windows of the before-named cathedral represent this self-same meaning , namely , " God protect the building from fire and water . " In conclusion , the Book Jezira and Reziel , from whose sources I derive my knowledge , although of a more modern date , teach of the
constellation , of parts of the spiritual spheres , their disguise in cabalistic costume , of the Creator ; in one word , upon that in which we incorporeally , eternally and perpetually think ; whose truths can never be controverted , and certainly lead us back to the highest antiquity , with which the eager desires of our ancestors were satisfied , ancl left such behind for the benefit of posterity . The heathens , for the most part , have suffered destruction . That Judaism and Masonry have overspread all portions of the globe , and have existed from time immemorial , and despite all the frightful consequences that Israelites and Masons have had to contend against , they have ever been protected b y