The Origin And References Of The Hermesian Spurious Freemasonry.

angels are delineated with wings to indicate the celerity of their movements . From the same cause , wings Avere symbols of thought and spirit , because they display equal quickness . They were also a hieroflhio of sovereign poAverfrom the

yp , strength and activity which they impart to the body that is provided Avith them . Now the sacred character of winged globes in the Egyptian theology , may be estimated from the fact , that not only were they p laced in front of the most sacred temples , to overshadoAV the

but they A \ r ere made Ark itself in the adytum , as the wings of the cherubim overshadowed the Mercy Seat in the Sanctum Sanctorum of the HebreAV tabernacle and temple . And in other respects the Avinged haAvk of the Egyptians Avas closely allied to the cherubim of the Jews .

Ezekiel describes the cherubim as having human shapes , with four faces , and four Avings . The four faces are those of a man , a lion , an ox , and an eagle , or haAvk ; but few writers suppose that the ark-cherubim had more than one of these faces , and

they generally take that of a man or an ox , seldom choosing the lion or the eagle . In the Egyptian examp le we have one of the four faces—that of the haAvk . The Avings are precisely the same as described bEzekiel— "Their wings were stretched

y upward ; two Avings of every one were joined one to another , and two coA'erecl their bodies' —so it is here ; each figure is intended to be represented with four wings , tAvo of which fall down and cover the ° bod while the other tAvo stretch

y , upward , both pairs of wings in each of the figures nearly meeting those of the one opposite . Their position , indeed , Avith their faces toAvards each other , is strikingly illustrative . " *

The above explanation ol tne compound parts of the hierogram , will prepare the Avay for its interpretation as an entire compound hieroglyphic . The explanation . Avhich is said to have been g iven by Hermes himself , the inventor of the symbol , will be first SIIOAVU for it will be difficult

; to adduce better authority for the illustration of any symbol , a complicated piece of machinery , than that of its author ; and Sanchoniatho affirms that " Hermes contrived for Cronus the ensign of his royal

poAver ; A'iz . four eyes , partly before and partly behind , two of them winking as in sleep ; and upon his shoulders four wings . two as Hy ing , and two as let down to rest . The Emblem Avas , that Cronus , Avhen he sleptyet Avas watchingand Avatched

, ; Avhile he slept . And the position of . his Avings Avas to shoAV that while quiescent he flew about , and was continually flying even Avhen at rest . ' * ma 1 « . 1 P "_ -.. ___ . _!« . I . 1 ~** rtrt » - » r » 4- ** n rt . 01 in UUUOUJ

Tne literal use wings mc . nation of the system of theology Avhich was introduced by this great reformer , constitutes a striking peculiarity , which could not fail to produce favourable results . Accordingly we find his relig ious dogmata and ceremonies in use amongst the

Egyptians at a very remote period ; and the anaglyp h now under our consideration , is found on the most ancient temples with AA-hich Ave are acquanted in that primitive country . And Hermes thus interpreted its occult signification : " The Globe

typified the simple essence of God , Avhich he sometimes called the Father , at others the first Mind , or the supreme Wisdom . The serpent was the vivify ing power of God the Creator ; and he gave it the name of The Word . The wings

represented or symbolized that active PoAver AAdiich penetrated or pervaded all things ; which he called Love . The entire symbol represented the One God , as the Creator and Governor of the world . '\

This , added to another practice which has been attributed to Hermes by the ancient writer above quoted , ^ that he " consecrated the species of dragons and serpents ; and that the Phoenicians imitated the custom ; Avhich gave rise to

the idea that he was the originate ! ' of Op hiolatreia , or serpent worship ; " and Avas the moving cause of its introduction into the compound symbol before us . The Globe , Serpent , and Wings , referred to the Egyptian triad , of Avhich we shall have

much to say in a subsequent chapter of this work ; and may be thus briefly explained . Osiris , represented by the Globe , Avas the SUN , corresponding Avith the Father ; Phtha , or the Serpent , was the FIRE that issued from it , equivalent to the Word , or Creator ; and Cueph , or the