Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry. The Spurious Freemasonry Of Ancient Times.
which he has been initiated , will be at no loss to discover , in the brief account which Moses has given of these early times , sufficient data for the foundation of a theory on this subject , which will approximate very nearly to the truth . That the legend was varied , and the points of morality extended by the Noachidse , there cannot exist the slightest
question ; for to record the course of events , and to justify the ways of God to man , historical recollections would be augmented ; and additional incitements to virtuous actions , springing from the love of God , would be embodied in the patriarchal lecture . Thus would the holy science hold onward its progressive course till the grand union of Speculative and
Operative Masonry at the building of King Solomon ' s temple ; the most remarkable epochs being the Creation ; the Deluge ; the offering of Isaac ; the Deliverance from Egyptian bondage ; and the erection of the Temple ; —and the most striking events which were deemed worth y of being incorporated into the science , were the appearance of the Cherubic forms at the gate of Eden ; the translation of Enoch ; the mechanical excellence of Jubal and Tubal
Cam ; the grand festival of Abraham at the weaning of Isaac ; the vision of Jacob ; the mission of Moses at Horeb ; the building of the Tabernacle ; the slaughter of the Ephraimites ; the offering of David on the threshing floor of Araunah , the Jebusite ; and the Dedication of the Temple . At this period Freemasonry underwent another modification
, not in the character of its morality , but in the construction of its legend , and the disposition of its symbols . And the position which it then assumed has continued , without any material change , down to the present time . It has been seen in a previous paper , that the Spurious Freemasonry was a decided imitation of this true system
; but in receding from the simplicity of its prototype to introduce imposing ceremonies , a florid ritual , and splendid pageantry , all which had a tendency to widen the distance between them , —it soon degenerated and became the depository of practices the most corrupt , and vices the most disgusting . Proud of their initiatory ritesas adapted to the
, prevailing systems of mythology ; and confident that the profane would not dare to institute enquiries into their ineffable character , or to call in question their moral and religious tendency ; the Egyptian hierophants , whose mythology was chiefly astronomical , boldly ventured to describe the process of initiation in ( ihwinri characters on the concave
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry. The Spurious Freemasonry Of Ancient Times.
which he has been initiated , will be at no loss to discover , in the brief account which Moses has given of these early times , sufficient data for the foundation of a theory on this subject , which will approximate very nearly to the truth . That the legend was varied , and the points of morality extended by the Noachidse , there cannot exist the slightest
question ; for to record the course of events , and to justify the ways of God to man , historical recollections would be augmented ; and additional incitements to virtuous actions , springing from the love of God , would be embodied in the patriarchal lecture . Thus would the holy science hold onward its progressive course till the grand union of Speculative and
Operative Masonry at the building of King Solomon ' s temple ; the most remarkable epochs being the Creation ; the Deluge ; the offering of Isaac ; the Deliverance from Egyptian bondage ; and the erection of the Temple ; —and the most striking events which were deemed worth y of being incorporated into the science , were the appearance of the Cherubic forms at the gate of Eden ; the translation of Enoch ; the mechanical excellence of Jubal and Tubal
Cam ; the grand festival of Abraham at the weaning of Isaac ; the vision of Jacob ; the mission of Moses at Horeb ; the building of the Tabernacle ; the slaughter of the Ephraimites ; the offering of David on the threshing floor of Araunah , the Jebusite ; and the Dedication of the Temple . At this period Freemasonry underwent another modification
, not in the character of its morality , but in the construction of its legend , and the disposition of its symbols . And the position which it then assumed has continued , without any material change , down to the present time . It has been seen in a previous paper , that the Spurious Freemasonry was a decided imitation of this true system
; but in receding from the simplicity of its prototype to introduce imposing ceremonies , a florid ritual , and splendid pageantry , all which had a tendency to widen the distance between them , —it soon degenerated and became the depository of practices the most corrupt , and vices the most disgusting . Proud of their initiatory ritesas adapted to the
, prevailing systems of mythology ; and confident that the profane would not dare to institute enquiries into their ineffable character , or to call in question their moral and religious tendency ; the Egyptian hierophants , whose mythology was chiefly astronomical , boldly ventured to describe the process of initiation in ( ihwinri characters on the concave