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Article ON THE STUDY OF MASONIC ANTIQUITIES. ← Page 11 of 15 →
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On The Study Of Masonic Antiquities.
the Theban and Memphitic mysteries , svhere the treasures of Egyptian svisdom svere concealed , to be unlocked only by the persevering efforts of the aspirant after knowledge . From svhat has been before observed , it svill be seen that this svisdom svas not alone confined to mythological lore , but comprised svithin its recondite archives a knosvledge of all the arts and sciences , of philosophy , lasvs , and government , and comprehended in fact every branch of human learning . Mosesfrom his station
, , svas in all probability the only person in his time of Hebresv extraction ssdio svas initiated into the Egyptian mysteries , for the other children of Israel being then in a state of bondage , svere not qualified for admission into those mysteries svhich svere imparted only to the free . St . Clement ( Bishop of Alexandria A . I > . 194 ) alluding to this subject , states , that the symbols of the Egyptians are similar to those of the Hebress s . Bishop Warburtonsvho maturely considered the question
, , found the resemblance so strong as to be forced to the conclusion either that the Jesvs borrosved from the Egyptians , or the Egyptians from the Jesvs ; but as the latter supposition svas contrary to all historical evidence and probability , he concluded that most of the emblems and rites of the Hebresvs had been modelled from Egyptian types , and that this had been expressly done for the purpose of guarding against the contagion of idolatry , by showing the true meaning of the symbols in
opposition to their perversion by Egyptian superstition ; and this svas the more essential , inasmuch as the Israelites svere a people manifestly prone to idolatry . The subject is by no means nesv , though hitherto involved in doubt , and it is not here intended to enter into the theological questions resulting from it ; but it is necessary to observe , that among the important facts arising from the tiesvly-found art of decyphering the hieroglyphics , it is now clearly demonstrated that the symbols of the Hebrews were modelled from those of the Egyptians ; and it seems more
in accordance svith the mission of Moses , that sacred things in danger of perversion , and connected , as has been shown , ss'ith the elements of a pure and primitive faith , should be rescued from popular profanation , cleansed from the impurities they had contracted during the lapse of ages , and restored to a use consistent svith their pristine purity . Upon this interesting point numerous illustrations might readily be given , but this the limits of my present observations svill not admit .
I shall hosvever for the sake of example allude to one or tsvo . And first , as to the ARK OF THE COVENANT , the most sacred object among the Israelites . The light nosv throsvn upon the rites and mysteries of the ancient Egyptians shosv that the design and form of the ark svas derived from the ark , or sacred boat , carried in the " procession of shrines , " one of the most important ceremonies of the ancient Egyptians . The shrines svere of tsvo kinds ; one , a description of canopy , and the other , or great
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Study Of Masonic Antiquities.
the Theban and Memphitic mysteries , svhere the treasures of Egyptian svisdom svere concealed , to be unlocked only by the persevering efforts of the aspirant after knowledge . From svhat has been before observed , it svill be seen that this svisdom svas not alone confined to mythological lore , but comprised svithin its recondite archives a knosvledge of all the arts and sciences , of philosophy , lasvs , and government , and comprehended in fact every branch of human learning . Mosesfrom his station
, , svas in all probability the only person in his time of Hebresv extraction ssdio svas initiated into the Egyptian mysteries , for the other children of Israel being then in a state of bondage , svere not qualified for admission into those mysteries svhich svere imparted only to the free . St . Clement ( Bishop of Alexandria A . I > . 194 ) alluding to this subject , states , that the symbols of the Egyptians are similar to those of the Hebress s . Bishop Warburtonsvho maturely considered the question
, , found the resemblance so strong as to be forced to the conclusion either that the Jesvs borrosved from the Egyptians , or the Egyptians from the Jesvs ; but as the latter supposition svas contrary to all historical evidence and probability , he concluded that most of the emblems and rites of the Hebresvs had been modelled from Egyptian types , and that this had been expressly done for the purpose of guarding against the contagion of idolatry , by showing the true meaning of the symbols in
opposition to their perversion by Egyptian superstition ; and this svas the more essential , inasmuch as the Israelites svere a people manifestly prone to idolatry . The subject is by no means nesv , though hitherto involved in doubt , and it is not here intended to enter into the theological questions resulting from it ; but it is necessary to observe , that among the important facts arising from the tiesvly-found art of decyphering the hieroglyphics , it is now clearly demonstrated that the symbols of the Hebrews were modelled from those of the Egyptians ; and it seems more
in accordance svith the mission of Moses , that sacred things in danger of perversion , and connected , as has been shown , ss'ith the elements of a pure and primitive faith , should be rescued from popular profanation , cleansed from the impurities they had contracted during the lapse of ages , and restored to a use consistent svith their pristine purity . Upon this interesting point numerous illustrations might readily be given , but this the limits of my present observations svill not admit .
I shall hosvever for the sake of example allude to one or tsvo . And first , as to the ARK OF THE COVENANT , the most sacred object among the Israelites . The light nosv throsvn upon the rites and mysteries of the ancient Egyptians shosv that the design and form of the ark svas derived from the ark , or sacred boat , carried in the " procession of shrines , " one of the most important ceremonies of the ancient Egyptians . The shrines svere of tsvo kinds ; one , a description of canopy , and the other , or great