Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
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
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
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