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Article ON THE STUDY OF MASONIC ANTIQUITIES. Page 1 of 15 →
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On The Study Of Masonic Antiquities.
ON THE STUDY OF MASONIC ANTIQUITIES .
IIV BRO . THOMAS PI 1 VICR , SV . M . OK THE OAK LODGE , S . G . I . G . 3 H . CHAPTER III . TIIE SUBJECT DIVIDED INTO SPECULATIVE AND OPERATIVE— COMMENCEMENT OP TIIE SPECULATIVE PORTION—ANCIENT EGYPT—MODE OF REDUCING THE HIEROGLYPHICS ORIGIN OF IIEBRESV EMBLEMS .
IN the preceding chapter I offered some general remarks as to the nature and meaning of the ancient mysteries , their common origin , the relation svhich they bore to the universal system of Freemasonry , their original purity , and the causes svhich led to their subsequent perversion , and eventual decline . The various subjects embraced in those remarks are necessary to be carefully examinedand perfectly understoodbefore any profitable
in-, , vestigation into the history and progress ofthe mysteries in any particular nation of antiquity can be entered into . A correct general view must first be formed before the student can be qualified to exasnisse details . It is thus only he can be enabled to compare and understand the symbols and emblems , rites and usages , disclosed in each particular system , and comprehend the different forms under svhich the same elementary princiles are variously presented .
p It does not fall within the scope of my present intention to give a full explanation of the machinery of the mysteries , or the various rites observed by the different nations by svhom they svere practised . It svill , hosvever , be necessary to enter into such details relatis-e to this subject , as svill serve ( as before observed ) to direct the Masonic student in his
researches into the antiquities of our Order ; and for more minute particulars I svould refer to the very erudite svorks of our learned Brother , Dr . Oliver , and particularly his " History of Initiation . " As many of the mysteries svere practised cotemporaneously in different nations , a mere chronological account of them svould be somesvhat confused , and give but an indistinct idea of their entire meaning . I consider , therefore , that the object I have in viesv svill be best anssvered by dividing the future observations into two partscorresponding svith the
, general division of Freemasonry , viz ., SPECULATIVE and OPERATIVE . The propriety and convenience of this arrangement svill , it is apprehended , be sufficiently obvious . It seems calculated to avoid much of the apparent incongruity svhich , in the absence of such clear division ,. is frequently perceptible in our most learned treatises , and renders the svhole subject under consideration more perspicuous and intelligible . I proposethereforeunder the speculative portion of the subjectto
, , , give some account of those countries where the principal mysteries were celebrated , svith an outline or some general notice of the ceremonies observed by each , and such observations as may occasionally be deemed necessary for the more complete elucidation of the subject ; and under S'OL . v . c
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Study Of Masonic Antiquities.
ON THE STUDY OF MASONIC ANTIQUITIES .
IIV BRO . THOMAS PI 1 VICR , SV . M . OK THE OAK LODGE , S . G . I . G . 3 H . CHAPTER III . TIIE SUBJECT DIVIDED INTO SPECULATIVE AND OPERATIVE— COMMENCEMENT OP TIIE SPECULATIVE PORTION—ANCIENT EGYPT—MODE OF REDUCING THE HIEROGLYPHICS ORIGIN OF IIEBRESV EMBLEMS .
IN the preceding chapter I offered some general remarks as to the nature and meaning of the ancient mysteries , their common origin , the relation svhich they bore to the universal system of Freemasonry , their original purity , and the causes svhich led to their subsequent perversion , and eventual decline . The various subjects embraced in those remarks are necessary to be carefully examinedand perfectly understoodbefore any profitable
in-, , vestigation into the history and progress ofthe mysteries in any particular nation of antiquity can be entered into . A correct general view must first be formed before the student can be qualified to exasnisse details . It is thus only he can be enabled to compare and understand the symbols and emblems , rites and usages , disclosed in each particular system , and comprehend the different forms under svhich the same elementary princiles are variously presented .
p It does not fall within the scope of my present intention to give a full explanation of the machinery of the mysteries , or the various rites observed by the different nations by svhom they svere practised . It svill , hosvever , be necessary to enter into such details relatis-e to this subject , as svill serve ( as before observed ) to direct the Masonic student in his
researches into the antiquities of our Order ; and for more minute particulars I svould refer to the very erudite svorks of our learned Brother , Dr . Oliver , and particularly his " History of Initiation . " As many of the mysteries svere practised cotemporaneously in different nations , a mere chronological account of them svould be somesvhat confused , and give but an indistinct idea of their entire meaning . I consider , therefore , that the object I have in viesv svill be best anssvered by dividing the future observations into two partscorresponding svith the
, general division of Freemasonry , viz ., SPECULATIVE and OPERATIVE . The propriety and convenience of this arrangement svill , it is apprehended , be sufficiently obvious . It seems calculated to avoid much of the apparent incongruity svhich , in the absence of such clear division ,. is frequently perceptible in our most learned treatises , and renders the svhole subject under consideration more perspicuous and intelligible . I proposethereforeunder the speculative portion of the subjectto
, , , give some account of those countries where the principal mysteries were celebrated , svith an outline or some general notice of the ceremonies observed by each , and such observations as may occasionally be deemed necessary for the more complete elucidation of the subject ; and under S'OL . v . c