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Article PROVINCIAL. ← Page 7 of 49 →
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Provincial.
and in wandering through the darkness of distant and unrecorded agcs > in search of a ray of light to guide my progress , in anxious inquiries after the original of those rites and practices which in this age have excited the curiosity of mankind ; and whether my researches have been successful or not , I have still the satisfaction of liaving received a testimony of your approbation . Do you ask what induced me to enter on these unusual studies?—1 will tell . When I was first initiated
you into Freemasonry , I found an opinion prevalent that its origin must be ascribed to the heathen mysteries , because their internal construction , their external ceremonies , and their legend of invitation , resembled each other in so many particulars , that it was impossible for any candid inquirer to call in question their identity . " The Rev . Doctor then went at large into this interesting question , attributing the origin of this opinion to Professor Robison , Volney , and
others ; and he gave a series of strong and satisfactory reasons for rejecting it , concluding , that " speculative Masonry was an institution totally distinct from , and never connected ivith , the idolatrous mysteries . Nor could it be ; because they embrace two objects ivhich could never assimilate ; speculative Masonry being founded on the knowledge and acknowledgment of one true God , while the mysteries were established to perpetuate the worship of many false gods ; for , though the heathen nations generally esteemed one of their deities as superior to the rest , yet it cannot be denied but they practised the grossest polytheism .
" Speculative Masonry was derived from a source of much greater purity , and existed before these mysteries were invented . Besides , an admission of the above principle would lead to the most alarming consequences ; for Volney actually uses it to substantiate his position that the entire system of Christianity was derived from the Mithratic and Eleusinian mysteries . And , " he added , emphatically , " under these circumstances , how is it possible to prove that pure and speculative Masonry , as it is now practisedwas derived from the corruptions of
, heathen mythology ?—the former being a system of spotless morality ; while the latter gave an open sanction to obscenity , and every uncleanness ; and even enthroned vice upon its altars , and offered solemn sacrifices to the polluted idol . Can such a stem produce wholesome fruit ?—Doth a fountain send forth at the same place siveet water and bitter ?—Can the fig-tree bear olive-berries ?—Either a vine figs ? So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh . This is morally and
physically impossible . And if I could entertain the idea for a single moment , that our holy science derived its existence from this unworthy source , I would at once have it reduced to its primitive elements , and scattered to the four winds of heaven . "
The speech was received throughout with loud and repeated cheering . Sir E . F . Bromhead , Bart ., rose , and in a speech replete with sound information on the subject of Masonry , which we regret our limits will not allow us to insert , as it was extended to a considerable length , proving that the true principles ofthe Craft were engraven on his mind , along with the stores of knowledge which have distinguished the worthy baronet as a profound scholar and antiquary , proposed the health of the AV . M ., a toast that was responded to with loud acclamations . Glee— " Glorious Apollo . " Toast— " The S . W . Sir E . F . Bromhead , Bart ., with thanks to him for the entertainment . " Song— " Hark , I hear the Warden call . "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
and in wandering through the darkness of distant and unrecorded agcs > in search of a ray of light to guide my progress , in anxious inquiries after the original of those rites and practices which in this age have excited the curiosity of mankind ; and whether my researches have been successful or not , I have still the satisfaction of liaving received a testimony of your approbation . Do you ask what induced me to enter on these unusual studies?—1 will tell . When I was first initiated
you into Freemasonry , I found an opinion prevalent that its origin must be ascribed to the heathen mysteries , because their internal construction , their external ceremonies , and their legend of invitation , resembled each other in so many particulars , that it was impossible for any candid inquirer to call in question their identity . " The Rev . Doctor then went at large into this interesting question , attributing the origin of this opinion to Professor Robison , Volney , and
others ; and he gave a series of strong and satisfactory reasons for rejecting it , concluding , that " speculative Masonry was an institution totally distinct from , and never connected ivith , the idolatrous mysteries . Nor could it be ; because they embrace two objects ivhich could never assimilate ; speculative Masonry being founded on the knowledge and acknowledgment of one true God , while the mysteries were established to perpetuate the worship of many false gods ; for , though the heathen nations generally esteemed one of their deities as superior to the rest , yet it cannot be denied but they practised the grossest polytheism .
" Speculative Masonry was derived from a source of much greater purity , and existed before these mysteries were invented . Besides , an admission of the above principle would lead to the most alarming consequences ; for Volney actually uses it to substantiate his position that the entire system of Christianity was derived from the Mithratic and Eleusinian mysteries . And , " he added , emphatically , " under these circumstances , how is it possible to prove that pure and speculative Masonry , as it is now practisedwas derived from the corruptions of
, heathen mythology ?—the former being a system of spotless morality ; while the latter gave an open sanction to obscenity , and every uncleanness ; and even enthroned vice upon its altars , and offered solemn sacrifices to the polluted idol . Can such a stem produce wholesome fruit ?—Doth a fountain send forth at the same place siveet water and bitter ?—Can the fig-tree bear olive-berries ?—Either a vine figs ? So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh . This is morally and
physically impossible . And if I could entertain the idea for a single moment , that our holy science derived its existence from this unworthy source , I would at once have it reduced to its primitive elements , and scattered to the four winds of heaven . "
The speech was received throughout with loud and repeated cheering . Sir E . F . Bromhead , Bart ., rose , and in a speech replete with sound information on the subject of Masonry , which we regret our limits will not allow us to insert , as it was extended to a considerable length , proving that the true principles ofthe Craft were engraven on his mind , along with the stores of knowledge which have distinguished the worthy baronet as a profound scholar and antiquary , proposed the health of the AV . M ., a toast that was responded to with loud acclamations . Glee— " Glorious Apollo . " Toast— " The S . W . Sir E . F . Bromhead , Bart ., with thanks to him for the entertainment . " Song— " Hark , I hear the Warden call . "