Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Footsteps Of Masonry, Or Freemasonry In Relation To Authentic History.
THE FOOTSTEPS OF MASONRY , OR FREEMASONRY IN RELATION TO AUTHENTIC HISTORY .
BY BRO . W . VINER BEDOLFE , M . D ., S . W . 132 , 9 . Formerl y Secretary to the Sphinx Lodge of Instruction . " Justly arc tlicy called Initiations , for by them we especially learn the grand principles of life , anil gain not only the art of living- agreeably , but even that lot ) of ( lying with a better hope . —Cicero .
In the papers I was privileged to contribute 111 18 / 1 and 1872 to the Freemason , 1 endeavoured to point out that Freemasonry being municipal in its constitution , was necessarily and essentiall y Roman in its origin : that institutions resembling it constituted the daily life of Roman society ,
even from its commencement ; that the Masonic signs and pass-words were , for the most part common expressions , or in dail y use amongst them ; that our so called working tools and mathematical emblems are , in reality , derived from the ancient teachings of Plato and Pythagoras ;
that our modes of initiation a .-e founded upon Roman forms ; that Cato , Cicero , and other great men , adorned by their lives or writings associations identical with our own ; and finally , that the Roman being its basic form , it is to Grecian teaching that it owes its philosophy .
Since the establishment of a regular Masonicpress , there has been a manifest modification of opinion as to the ideas formerly entertained ol " our mysterious origin , and writers are now expected to bring something more than mere assertion for the ideas they entertain , whilst there is a real and earnest desire to know something - of
what we are and whence we came . At the centenary of the Grand Masonic Lodge of Germany , at Berlin , Idis Serene Hi ghness the Crown Prince Imperial of Prussia thus gave expression to those liberal ideas he is said to entertain 011 this subject : —
" He alluded to the necessity for a revision of the Ritual , for it was acknowledged that the historical criticism of the day had become a power , from which even the most sacred traditions can no longer escape . That power , he declared , was making demands upon the Order which could no longer be refused .
" Satisfactory proof of historical tradition is demanded , and he acknowledged dial the requirements of the present time would have to be comp lied with . Investigation has been commenced , and would be followed to a satisfactory
conclusion . " If the traditions were continued , doubts would disappear , and if anything should prove to be untenable , love of truth would give them courage to sacrifice il , for there is now almost nothing , if we accept the Ritual , but what is accessible to him who desires to investigate it .
Let us beware , ' he emphaticall y said , " that we do not become blind to the necessities of the prestnt whilst the age progressed with tremendous strides . " Me requested the brethren to examine his views without prejudice . " The closing century , " lie said , " has left us imperfections , the coming one will , at its close , point out the imperfections of our own labours . "
"All knowledge in Masonry was conhned to the ancient first degree , that is to Craft Masonry . " From The Freeniitstiu , ( lelrber 14 , i . Sei .
In the papers inserted in The IreeintiMiu us had thus lar proceeded in our search after tin Footsteps of Masonry , our last paper bringiiu it lip to the 16 th century , the era . A V . i . Council of \ iee .
As it existed at that period it had •simply a philosophic form , ( much probabl y as at p : \ s . ni , if the Hebraistic portion were expunged ) and may properly be designated , and is in fact so designated by us as Ancient Speculative Freemasonry . Far better indeed had it ever remained : o .
opening as it did its puilosopluc . poti . ils . lo all mankind of every race and crei d ; we are however committed Lo a more modern modification , which , whilst it adds nothing lo its dignity or
force , lias introduced much fiction and idle story . Il must however be admitted that at its earliest known introduction to modern times il possessed some traditions which referred to King Solomon . euce has arisen the untenable tnppo-. iiion tL . st
The Footsteps Of Masonry, Or Freemasonry In Relation To Authentic History.
Israelitish structure was connected with our Institution . An analagons case occurs with the Gipsies . On first coming into Europe they gave themselves out as being driven from Egypt , and to humour the people amongst whom they journeyed , adopted a pretended tradition to that effect , which long passed unchallenged .
Their history has , however , been traced . I recollect conversing with Mr . E . Carey , son of the celebrated Calcutta professor , and going over a list of their vocabulary , he pronounced all the words to be most unniistakwibly Hindoo , and they themselves consequently wandering Thugs .
As Hindoo words could not come out of Egypt , so cat ? no muueipal institution have come out of Jerusalem . Once settled , the Gipsy question has never been re-opened , and I am justified in saying that after the labours which have recently been
bestowed to illustrate the history of Freemasonry any person whatever who pretends improperly to exact from his brothers' conscience a belief in vain traditions , will do so in defiance of literary criticism and of truth . For as the language of the Gipsies , so the language of the Masons has been traced , and its native " habitat " proved .
We may here remark that that solemn portion of the third degree , which in a former paper we described as derived from the Eleusinian mysteries , although in our ritual associated with Hebrewism , in reality has , and can have nothing
lo do Willi Hebrewism , for the Romish Church has a very analogous ceremony in the ritual of its initiations , derived from the same ancient source as our own , and making no pretensions to mv fewish oritrin .
The story , however , connecting our Order with King Solomon and his Temple , if implicitly believed in b y s > me , excites the smile and receives the contemptuous shrug and " Civilat f tide us " exclamation of the more philosophic brother . Let us see if we can propose an explanation , or hypothesis of its ori g in , which shall reconcile truth with tradition .
As neither the sacred text , or the apochrypha a / Ibrd any proof of this Hebraistic , tradition , tht question comes when , where , and how did 0111 order obtain it , as it undoubtedly had associated to itself the name of the Israelitish king , when , after ils long and dubious wanderings , it finally became re-established .
there is but one answer , possibl y it desired il from lhe Arabs . On the transference of the seal of the Komau Empire to Byzantium , all Roman institutions , and of course all Roman mysteries and associations .
immigrated thilher also , and flourished under its mild despotism , although municipal institutions bad long existed throughout the Roman world . Gibbon remarks that the Institution of i ' . ngiueers founded by the Trojans , existed up to
the fall ol Constantinople , nearl y lgroo years , when lhe debris of thai and all other institutions became spread abroad over the lace of Europe , and il is well known thai the ancient trade guilds of Borne su'll exist at Constantinople , and mi ght with the greatest advantage be studied .
Cui / . eL remarks , in his" History of Civilization , " that Roman municipalites at ' Aries , and other to . vns i , f Santhem France , exi .-ted without break of time until the 11 th century . If therefore
Masonry exi-tcd like other Roman municipal institutions at each of these Iwo periods , it must nocess- : irilv h ::-, e existed at intermediate on 's . and this brings us to the point in oue .-lion .
In the t / lii and 101 I 1 e .-iitui a g . whilst . still ! Roman niunieip . ilitiesexisied in lhe . .. Id colonies oj Rome , the Arab kingdoms ol' ij . igd . i h Granada , «\ , v ., am .-e and tloiirish-. d with all lhe r . niend . rar thai
arts , seiep . ee . ; u | . | le , ruing could be / Low . I . earned men boo both Mist and We-:, ( hcece and Italy wv : e i : r , lied , and th . re found liber .: ! patronage . i >! ' ibis v . e i . 'is ' i' mention as an example lie
litters Sent by lhe Caliph of Bagdad to ih _ - Ibiipeivr oi Con-lauti . aip ! -- in A . !) . ! - > ; > , inviting him to send ac . r . ain learned professor . " Let not "diur-ity of reli gion . ' : ; r ,-, the hi g hly enlightened calip h , " nor diii isiiy of eon ; an or la I il cause vol ! to i . iise n , \ r , ones ! . i ) o what
Ineiidshi p would di . iu . uid ho . n iiiends , in reiurn I oiler you a hundred wei g ht of gold , a perpetual j alliance and peace . This then was the welcome I these monarch :, held out to jo . u of science brill "' 1 J ' v . oilhy .
The Footsteps Of Masonry, Or Freemasonry In Relation To Authentic History.
We all know further the descri ption given bv Sir Walter Scott , of the liberality and ° freedom enjoyed in the g lorious Arab Kingdom of Granada , where Isaac the Jew sought refuge fro m barbarous England , secure there of peace and protection , if not of favour . Hence it is clear that all ranks and degrees of
free men resorted to those kingdoms , some attracted by loveof adventure , others for protection others as teachers and instructors in the liberal arts and sciences , and amongst them would doubtless be found those quasi-masonic institutions into which Cicero was initiated , which he wrote of and adorned .
Under these conditions , and in these kingdoms alone could it have been that Freemasonry threw oil" whatever of heathen taint it still retained and assumed a neutral character by adapting its symbols to those so highly prized by the people of the country of their choice , and in decorous
courtesy to their new brethren and the spirit of the age . We know that among the Arabs the name of King Solomon was a symbol , and was held in such high esteeem that Solomon became with them almost synonymous with king , their literature ( as shewn in the Arabian Nights tales )
abounded with stones of his wealth and wisdom , and even the ancestry of their horses was and is still ascribed to the horses of King Solomon . We may also in further illustration of the influence of his name , mention the Abyssinian tradition , deriving their Royal House from the visit of the Queen of Sheba to that same accommodating personage .
The Solomomac traditions have in fact spread every where that Mohamedanism prevails , In Cachmere the ) ' have a tradition that he visited their country on a flying throne borne by a swift o- "iiii .
We will , however , take a further glance at the Arabs . Ori ginally , a tribe of idolators , ignored b y both Greek and Roman historians , we find them ,
about a 00 years alter Hegeira , settled in permanent kingdoms , cultivating especiall y the mathematical sciences , and teaching even the Greek language to their degenerate Christian neiadibours .
Their race consisted , 1 st , of Ancient Arabs , but of which they retained little , except the names of the tribes ; iiid , Pure Arabs , claiming descent from Heber . ( See Genesis , chanter x . ) :
3 rd , Descendants ot Abraham , through his son Ishmael , who , they say , was carried into Arabia Felix , where he married numerous wives . Here , then , is abundant scope for Hebraistic tradition .
Aow the ancient , as well as the modern reli gion of these Arabs is inextricabl y mingled with the building of a celebrated Temple called the Kxiceba , or '' square , '" ( hence the word " Cabalj
islic , ) " towards which they turned their faces in prayer , as do the Jews towards the Holy Temple at Jerusalem . To this temple , or its successor , they pay the same devotion as do the Jews to their temple , ami tell of it similar fables .
Adam , they say , on Ins expulsion from Paradise , was ordered b y God lo build a temple on a certain place , the plan of which was revealed to him on curtains of li g ht . This temple , they say ,
was actually built by his son Seta , and being destroyed at the deluge , was re-built b y Abraham I and Ishmael . Each system had its square . Can we then wonder that in traversing , in common with all the arts and sciences , such a
cunutgv , I'Vecma . soniy should partake of its ideas and by subsliuiliiig for lhe Kaeeha as an emblem tiie far-famed Temple of King Solomon , " which jew . i mi g ht love , and infidels adore , '" wisely , politically , ami for ever attempt to unite all sects
and creeds , all longues and languages under their banner , in the Worship of the God of Abraham . it ' iU . n , ibis explanation of the ori g in of the lleurablie tradition be accepted , we can see that
I- ving Solomon and his Temple are only symbolic , and mien ied as a sign 10 embrace all the relig ions inl ' iieneiiig the then known world , viz .- ' — tije Chris . i . in , Je'i ' . i . di , and Mohammedan ; a most v . urihv id .. 1 , and worthy of the philosophy
whence Freemasonry sprung . Tliissjuib . il , however , of King Solomon and his Temple has unfortunately , in times of ignor nice , been taken as historical , g iving rise lo tales .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Footsteps Of Masonry, Or Freemasonry In Relation To Authentic History.
THE FOOTSTEPS OF MASONRY , OR FREEMASONRY IN RELATION TO AUTHENTIC HISTORY .
BY BRO . W . VINER BEDOLFE , M . D ., S . W . 132 , 9 . Formerl y Secretary to the Sphinx Lodge of Instruction . " Justly arc tlicy called Initiations , for by them we especially learn the grand principles of life , anil gain not only the art of living- agreeably , but even that lot ) of ( lying with a better hope . —Cicero .
In the papers I was privileged to contribute 111 18 / 1 and 1872 to the Freemason , 1 endeavoured to point out that Freemasonry being municipal in its constitution , was necessarily and essentiall y Roman in its origin : that institutions resembling it constituted the daily life of Roman society ,
even from its commencement ; that the Masonic signs and pass-words were , for the most part common expressions , or in dail y use amongst them ; that our so called working tools and mathematical emblems are , in reality , derived from the ancient teachings of Plato and Pythagoras ;
that our modes of initiation a .-e founded upon Roman forms ; that Cato , Cicero , and other great men , adorned by their lives or writings associations identical with our own ; and finally , that the Roman being its basic form , it is to Grecian teaching that it owes its philosophy .
Since the establishment of a regular Masonicpress , there has been a manifest modification of opinion as to the ideas formerly entertained ol " our mysterious origin , and writers are now expected to bring something more than mere assertion for the ideas they entertain , whilst there is a real and earnest desire to know something - of
what we are and whence we came . At the centenary of the Grand Masonic Lodge of Germany , at Berlin , Idis Serene Hi ghness the Crown Prince Imperial of Prussia thus gave expression to those liberal ideas he is said to entertain 011 this subject : —
" He alluded to the necessity for a revision of the Ritual , for it was acknowledged that the historical criticism of the day had become a power , from which even the most sacred traditions can no longer escape . That power , he declared , was making demands upon the Order which could no longer be refused .
" Satisfactory proof of historical tradition is demanded , and he acknowledged dial the requirements of the present time would have to be comp lied with . Investigation has been commenced , and would be followed to a satisfactory
conclusion . " If the traditions were continued , doubts would disappear , and if anything should prove to be untenable , love of truth would give them courage to sacrifice il , for there is now almost nothing , if we accept the Ritual , but what is accessible to him who desires to investigate it .
Let us beware , ' he emphaticall y said , " that we do not become blind to the necessities of the prestnt whilst the age progressed with tremendous strides . " Me requested the brethren to examine his views without prejudice . " The closing century , " lie said , " has left us imperfections , the coming one will , at its close , point out the imperfections of our own labours . "
"All knowledge in Masonry was conhned to the ancient first degree , that is to Craft Masonry . " From The Freeniitstiu , ( lelrber 14 , i . Sei .
In the papers inserted in The IreeintiMiu us had thus lar proceeded in our search after tin Footsteps of Masonry , our last paper bringiiu it lip to the 16 th century , the era . A V . i . Council of \ iee .
As it existed at that period it had •simply a philosophic form , ( much probabl y as at p : \ s . ni , if the Hebraistic portion were expunged ) and may properly be designated , and is in fact so designated by us as Ancient Speculative Freemasonry . Far better indeed had it ever remained : o .
opening as it did its puilosopluc . poti . ils . lo all mankind of every race and crei d ; we are however committed Lo a more modern modification , which , whilst it adds nothing lo its dignity or
force , lias introduced much fiction and idle story . Il must however be admitted that at its earliest known introduction to modern times il possessed some traditions which referred to King Solomon . euce has arisen the untenable tnppo-. iiion tL . st
The Footsteps Of Masonry, Or Freemasonry In Relation To Authentic History.
Israelitish structure was connected with our Institution . An analagons case occurs with the Gipsies . On first coming into Europe they gave themselves out as being driven from Egypt , and to humour the people amongst whom they journeyed , adopted a pretended tradition to that effect , which long passed unchallenged .
Their history has , however , been traced . I recollect conversing with Mr . E . Carey , son of the celebrated Calcutta professor , and going over a list of their vocabulary , he pronounced all the words to be most unniistakwibly Hindoo , and they themselves consequently wandering Thugs .
As Hindoo words could not come out of Egypt , so cat ? no muueipal institution have come out of Jerusalem . Once settled , the Gipsy question has never been re-opened , and I am justified in saying that after the labours which have recently been
bestowed to illustrate the history of Freemasonry any person whatever who pretends improperly to exact from his brothers' conscience a belief in vain traditions , will do so in defiance of literary criticism and of truth . For as the language of the Gipsies , so the language of the Masons has been traced , and its native " habitat " proved .
We may here remark that that solemn portion of the third degree , which in a former paper we described as derived from the Eleusinian mysteries , although in our ritual associated with Hebrewism , in reality has , and can have nothing
lo do Willi Hebrewism , for the Romish Church has a very analogous ceremony in the ritual of its initiations , derived from the same ancient source as our own , and making no pretensions to mv fewish oritrin .
The story , however , connecting our Order with King Solomon and his Temple , if implicitly believed in b y s > me , excites the smile and receives the contemptuous shrug and " Civilat f tide us " exclamation of the more philosophic brother . Let us see if we can propose an explanation , or hypothesis of its ori g in , which shall reconcile truth with tradition .
As neither the sacred text , or the apochrypha a / Ibrd any proof of this Hebraistic , tradition , tht question comes when , where , and how did 0111 order obtain it , as it undoubtedly had associated to itself the name of the Israelitish king , when , after ils long and dubious wanderings , it finally became re-established .
there is but one answer , possibl y it desired il from lhe Arabs . On the transference of the seal of the Komau Empire to Byzantium , all Roman institutions , and of course all Roman mysteries and associations .
immigrated thilher also , and flourished under its mild despotism , although municipal institutions bad long existed throughout the Roman world . Gibbon remarks that the Institution of i ' . ngiueers founded by the Trojans , existed up to
the fall ol Constantinople , nearl y lgroo years , when lhe debris of thai and all other institutions became spread abroad over the lace of Europe , and il is well known thai the ancient trade guilds of Borne su'll exist at Constantinople , and mi ght with the greatest advantage be studied .
Cui / . eL remarks , in his" History of Civilization , " that Roman municipalites at ' Aries , and other to . vns i , f Santhem France , exi .-ted without break of time until the 11 th century . If therefore
Masonry exi-tcd like other Roman municipal institutions at each of these Iwo periods , it must nocess- : irilv h ::-, e existed at intermediate on 's . and this brings us to the point in oue .-lion .
In the t / lii and 101 I 1 e .-iitui a g . whilst . still ! Roman niunieip . ilitiesexisied in lhe . .. Id colonies oj Rome , the Arab kingdoms ol' ij . igd . i h Granada , «\ , v ., am .-e and tloiirish-. d with all lhe r . niend . rar thai
arts , seiep . ee . ; u | . | le , ruing could be / Low . I . earned men boo both Mist and We-:, ( hcece and Italy wv : e i : r , lied , and th . re found liber .: ! patronage . i >! ' ibis v . e i . 'is ' i' mention as an example lie
litters Sent by lhe Caliph of Bagdad to ih _ - Ibiipeivr oi Con-lauti . aip ! -- in A . !) . ! - > ; > , inviting him to send ac . r . ain learned professor . " Let not "diur-ity of reli gion . ' : ; r ,-, the hi g hly enlightened calip h , " nor diii isiiy of eon ; an or la I il cause vol ! to i . iise n , \ r , ones ! . i ) o what
Ineiidshi p would di . iu . uid ho . n iiiends , in reiurn I oiler you a hundred wei g ht of gold , a perpetual j alliance and peace . This then was the welcome I these monarch :, held out to jo . u of science brill "' 1 J ' v . oilhy .
The Footsteps Of Masonry, Or Freemasonry In Relation To Authentic History.
We all know further the descri ption given bv Sir Walter Scott , of the liberality and ° freedom enjoyed in the g lorious Arab Kingdom of Granada , where Isaac the Jew sought refuge fro m barbarous England , secure there of peace and protection , if not of favour . Hence it is clear that all ranks and degrees of
free men resorted to those kingdoms , some attracted by loveof adventure , others for protection others as teachers and instructors in the liberal arts and sciences , and amongst them would doubtless be found those quasi-masonic institutions into which Cicero was initiated , which he wrote of and adorned .
Under these conditions , and in these kingdoms alone could it have been that Freemasonry threw oil" whatever of heathen taint it still retained and assumed a neutral character by adapting its symbols to those so highly prized by the people of the country of their choice , and in decorous
courtesy to their new brethren and the spirit of the age . We know that among the Arabs the name of King Solomon was a symbol , and was held in such high esteeem that Solomon became with them almost synonymous with king , their literature ( as shewn in the Arabian Nights tales )
abounded with stones of his wealth and wisdom , and even the ancestry of their horses was and is still ascribed to the horses of King Solomon . We may also in further illustration of the influence of his name , mention the Abyssinian tradition , deriving their Royal House from the visit of the Queen of Sheba to that same accommodating personage .
The Solomomac traditions have in fact spread every where that Mohamedanism prevails , In Cachmere the ) ' have a tradition that he visited their country on a flying throne borne by a swift o- "iiii .
We will , however , take a further glance at the Arabs . Ori ginally , a tribe of idolators , ignored b y both Greek and Roman historians , we find them ,
about a 00 years alter Hegeira , settled in permanent kingdoms , cultivating especiall y the mathematical sciences , and teaching even the Greek language to their degenerate Christian neiadibours .
Their race consisted , 1 st , of Ancient Arabs , but of which they retained little , except the names of the tribes ; iiid , Pure Arabs , claiming descent from Heber . ( See Genesis , chanter x . ) :
3 rd , Descendants ot Abraham , through his son Ishmael , who , they say , was carried into Arabia Felix , where he married numerous wives . Here , then , is abundant scope for Hebraistic tradition .
Aow the ancient , as well as the modern reli gion of these Arabs is inextricabl y mingled with the building of a celebrated Temple called the Kxiceba , or '' square , '" ( hence the word " Cabalj
islic , ) " towards which they turned their faces in prayer , as do the Jews towards the Holy Temple at Jerusalem . To this temple , or its successor , they pay the same devotion as do the Jews to their temple , ami tell of it similar fables .
Adam , they say , on Ins expulsion from Paradise , was ordered b y God lo build a temple on a certain place , the plan of which was revealed to him on curtains of li g ht . This temple , they say ,
was actually built by his son Seta , and being destroyed at the deluge , was re-built b y Abraham I and Ishmael . Each system had its square . Can we then wonder that in traversing , in common with all the arts and sciences , such a
cunutgv , I'Vecma . soniy should partake of its ideas and by subsliuiliiig for lhe Kaeeha as an emblem tiie far-famed Temple of King Solomon , " which jew . i mi g ht love , and infidels adore , '" wisely , politically , ami for ever attempt to unite all sects
and creeds , all longues and languages under their banner , in the Worship of the God of Abraham . it ' iU . n , ibis explanation of the ori g in of the lleurablie tradition be accepted , we can see that
I- ving Solomon and his Temple are only symbolic , and mien ied as a sign 10 embrace all the relig ions inl ' iieneiiig the then known world , viz .- ' — tije Chris . i . in , Je'i ' . i . di , and Mohammedan ; a most v . urihv id .. 1 , and worthy of the philosophy
whence Freemasonry sprung . Tliissjuib . il , however , of King Solomon and his Temple has unfortunately , in times of ignor nice , been taken as historical , g iving rise lo tales .