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Article THE CUP OF OBLIVION. ← Page 3 of 3
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The Cup Of Oblivion.
Encouraged by the fraternal tone of the speaker , I was about to inform him of the extraordinary circumstances which had brought us together when , with a serious smile , he interrupted me— " I know them but too well , " he said , " the fraternal tie which binds us to the Craft ends not with life , still is it permitted us to watch over our Brethren , and feel interested in their welfare ; but come , " he continued , " let me introduce you to our Lodge , there wilt thou learn the secret thou hast
sought ; may those for whose advantage thou art permitted to visit it profit by the lesson . " Following the steps of my guide , I entered a stately temple , over whose marble portico I saw traced , " The Lodge of Peace . " The shade of Robert Miller guarded the mysterious portal with the same vigilant fidelity he had exercised on earth . As I approached he took his sword of office from the hands of Brother Meyrick , who , with Brother White ,
had been busily occupied in examining its blade ; ivith a smile of recognition he threw wide the door , and I stootl before my disembodied Brothers in the Lodge of Peace . Vainly should I endeavour to describe the scene that burst upon my enraptured sight ; the form of the Lodge was perfect , for it had been traced by Truth . Among the many illustrious characters who pressed with ilieir sandalled feet the marble floor , I recognised the noble Durhamwith his pale lofty browrich in intellectual
, , thought ; the venerable Zetland , the gallant Moira , the benevolent Ruspini , the manly Forrest , the upright Prescott , the honest Lythgoe , and many others ; there were also countless shadows passing and repassing , among which I traced Preston , Dunkerly , and others , several even of regal character ; and a host of those who had closed their career of usefulness ; but what struck me as most remarkable , was to see the number of Brethren , who while on earth had
Pursued unmark'd the tenor of their way , elevated to distinguished offices in august assembly , in the midst of which many who , while on earth had ruled the Craft , stood undistinguished . IJi-illiant as was the scene , a shade of sadness hung , like a veil , over the countenances of all . The presiding Master , whose name I was informed by my instructor and companion Gilkes , was Concord , alone seemed free from its chilling influence . At this moment there was an
alarm from without , and the arrival of some shades from earth were announced . " Let them await our next Lodge , " said Concord , with graceful dignity . Then , in a voice whose tone was music , he proceeded to address me , — " Brother of earth approach the altar , and there behold the means by which harmony may be restored to the Craft . " I obeyed , and beheld upon the sacred stone a golden vase , on which was inscribed in characters of adamant" The Cup of Oblivion" two majestic beings
, , guarded it , one ou either side . I approached to seize the inestimable treasure , when one of the spirits brandished in my view a flaming sword , the other grasped the cup with an iron hand , — " You strive in vain , " said the spirit of Concord , " much as we wish that cup to pass to earth , it cannot be accomplished till its guardians are first propitiated , their names are "JUSTICE AND ATONEMENT . "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Cup Of Oblivion.
Encouraged by the fraternal tone of the speaker , I was about to inform him of the extraordinary circumstances which had brought us together when , with a serious smile , he interrupted me— " I know them but too well , " he said , " the fraternal tie which binds us to the Craft ends not with life , still is it permitted us to watch over our Brethren , and feel interested in their welfare ; but come , " he continued , " let me introduce you to our Lodge , there wilt thou learn the secret thou hast
sought ; may those for whose advantage thou art permitted to visit it profit by the lesson . " Following the steps of my guide , I entered a stately temple , over whose marble portico I saw traced , " The Lodge of Peace . " The shade of Robert Miller guarded the mysterious portal with the same vigilant fidelity he had exercised on earth . As I approached he took his sword of office from the hands of Brother Meyrick , who , with Brother White ,
had been busily occupied in examining its blade ; ivith a smile of recognition he threw wide the door , and I stootl before my disembodied Brothers in the Lodge of Peace . Vainly should I endeavour to describe the scene that burst upon my enraptured sight ; the form of the Lodge was perfect , for it had been traced by Truth . Among the many illustrious characters who pressed with ilieir sandalled feet the marble floor , I recognised the noble Durhamwith his pale lofty browrich in intellectual
, , thought ; the venerable Zetland , the gallant Moira , the benevolent Ruspini , the manly Forrest , the upright Prescott , the honest Lythgoe , and many others ; there were also countless shadows passing and repassing , among which I traced Preston , Dunkerly , and others , several even of regal character ; and a host of those who had closed their career of usefulness ; but what struck me as most remarkable , was to see the number of Brethren , who while on earth had
Pursued unmark'd the tenor of their way , elevated to distinguished offices in august assembly , in the midst of which many who , while on earth had ruled the Craft , stood undistinguished . IJi-illiant as was the scene , a shade of sadness hung , like a veil , over the countenances of all . The presiding Master , whose name I was informed by my instructor and companion Gilkes , was Concord , alone seemed free from its chilling influence . At this moment there was an
alarm from without , and the arrival of some shades from earth were announced . " Let them await our next Lodge , " said Concord , with graceful dignity . Then , in a voice whose tone was music , he proceeded to address me , — " Brother of earth approach the altar , and there behold the means by which harmony may be restored to the Craft . " I obeyed , and beheld upon the sacred stone a golden vase , on which was inscribed in characters of adamant" The Cup of Oblivion" two majestic beings
, , guarded it , one ou either side . I approached to seize the inestimable treasure , when one of the spirits brandished in my view a flaming sword , the other grasped the cup with an iron hand , — " You strive in vain , " said the spirit of Concord , " much as we wish that cup to pass to earth , it cannot be accomplished till its guardians are first propitiated , their names are "JUSTICE AND ATONEMENT . "