Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The First Point In The Pythagorean Triangle Explained.
secret virtue in particular numbers , amongst whom Pythagoras occupies the principal rank . He was followed by all the philosophers of the Italic school , and Plato transmitted it , with many improvements , to his successors , until the superstition became so firmly grafted in the human animal , that time and education have failed entirely to extinguish it . An examination into the mysterious properties of numbers has constituted the serious occupation of many a man of real talent in
comparatively modern times . But the old philosophers embodied in their numeral system such excellent doctrines , and beautiful lessons of morality , as have been deemed worthy of introduction into the system of Freemasonry for the edification of the brethren ; and the absurd superstitions in which they were originally embodied may be forgiven , as being incidental to their imperfect and spurious religion , for the sake of the gems with which they were decorated and enriched .
Amongst these the monad represented the throne of the Omnipotent Deity , placed in the centre of the empyreum , to indicate T . G . A . O . T . IT . by whom all things were made and are preserved . This disposition was symbolized by the hierogram of a point within a circle or triangle , to exemplify equally the unity of the divine essence and His eternity ; having neither beginning of years nor end of days . And this deduction appears perfectly reasonable , because the monad is the origin and cause
of the entire numeral system , as God is the cause of all things , being the only and Great Creator , on whom every thing depends . The universal symbol by which this great Being was designated , namely , the POINT within a circle , it may be necessary to explain with some degree of minuteness , because it constitutes one of the most important emblems of Masonry . One of the earliest heathen philosophers of whom history gives any account , was Hermes Trismegistus ,
and he describes the Maker of the universe as " an intelligible sphere , whose centre is everywhere , and whose circumference cannot be defined , " because the universe is boundless , and He existed from all eternity . David expressed a similar sentiment when he said " Thou art the same , and thy years will have no end . " * We are told that the Persians , when they wished to pay a high respect to the Deity , ascended to the top of a high mountain , and expanding both hands , they prayed to Him in the name of " the Circle of heaven . " In like manner the Jews
entertained a belief that the heaven of heavens could not contain Him . The Romans placed a circular target as a symbol of the Deity ; because , as in the circumference , there is but one point at its centre , and can be no more , so in the whole circumference of the universe there can be onl y one perfect and powerful God , nor is it possible there should be another . I have received a suggestion from a very intelligent brother respecting this symbol , which merits consideration . He says— "When the \ V . M . elect enters into the obligation of an installed Master , the brethren form
a circle round him , he being in the centre ; and in this situation he is said to be the lepresentative of Solomon , the son of David . Now , as this is unquestionably a Christian degree , I understand this son of David to be a figurative expression for the Redeemer of mankind . The W . M . is then specially entrusted with the Holy Scriptures , and invested with a jewel which is emblematical thereof , and it then becomes his duty to exhort his brethren to search those Scriptures , because they contain the words of eternal life , and testify to the divinity of Christ . Searching
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The First Point In The Pythagorean Triangle Explained.
secret virtue in particular numbers , amongst whom Pythagoras occupies the principal rank . He was followed by all the philosophers of the Italic school , and Plato transmitted it , with many improvements , to his successors , until the superstition became so firmly grafted in the human animal , that time and education have failed entirely to extinguish it . An examination into the mysterious properties of numbers has constituted the serious occupation of many a man of real talent in
comparatively modern times . But the old philosophers embodied in their numeral system such excellent doctrines , and beautiful lessons of morality , as have been deemed worthy of introduction into the system of Freemasonry for the edification of the brethren ; and the absurd superstitions in which they were originally embodied may be forgiven , as being incidental to their imperfect and spurious religion , for the sake of the gems with which they were decorated and enriched .
Amongst these the monad represented the throne of the Omnipotent Deity , placed in the centre of the empyreum , to indicate T . G . A . O . T . IT . by whom all things were made and are preserved . This disposition was symbolized by the hierogram of a point within a circle or triangle , to exemplify equally the unity of the divine essence and His eternity ; having neither beginning of years nor end of days . And this deduction appears perfectly reasonable , because the monad is the origin and cause
of the entire numeral system , as God is the cause of all things , being the only and Great Creator , on whom every thing depends . The universal symbol by which this great Being was designated , namely , the POINT within a circle , it may be necessary to explain with some degree of minuteness , because it constitutes one of the most important emblems of Masonry . One of the earliest heathen philosophers of whom history gives any account , was Hermes Trismegistus ,
and he describes the Maker of the universe as " an intelligible sphere , whose centre is everywhere , and whose circumference cannot be defined , " because the universe is boundless , and He existed from all eternity . David expressed a similar sentiment when he said " Thou art the same , and thy years will have no end . " * We are told that the Persians , when they wished to pay a high respect to the Deity , ascended to the top of a high mountain , and expanding both hands , they prayed to Him in the name of " the Circle of heaven . " In like manner the Jews
entertained a belief that the heaven of heavens could not contain Him . The Romans placed a circular target as a symbol of the Deity ; because , as in the circumference , there is but one point at its centre , and can be no more , so in the whole circumference of the universe there can be onl y one perfect and powerful God , nor is it possible there should be another . I have received a suggestion from a very intelligent brother respecting this symbol , which merits consideration . He says— "When the \ V . M . elect enters into the obligation of an installed Master , the brethren form
a circle round him , he being in the centre ; and in this situation he is said to be the lepresentative of Solomon , the son of David . Now , as this is unquestionably a Christian degree , I understand this son of David to be a figurative expression for the Redeemer of mankind . The W . M . is then specially entrusted with the Holy Scriptures , and invested with a jewel which is emblematical thereof , and it then becomes his duty to exhort his brethren to search those Scriptures , because they contain the words of eternal life , and testify to the divinity of Christ . Searching