Goderey Higgins On Freemasonry.

at the same time , but Ave may certainly refrain from unduly exhibiting the peculiai characteristics of Christianity in our lodge prayers , when a due regard to the universal tendencies of the Craft should incite us

to sink our differences Avhen Ave " meet on the square , " and unite in our appeals to the Heavenl y Father and Creator of the Universe who is adored by all religious Societies , and is the Great I Am of all creeds .

But as to politics , Ave have yet to learn that there is anything either iu the nature or history of Freemasonry which Avould warrant us in believing it has ever been a political society of any kind , at any time , or politically was ever of any consequence to mentionto any party whether in power

, or otherwise . Its real tendencies are , and apparently have always been such , that the distinctions and rivalries engendered in tbe political arena , are softened ancl Avell ni gh extinguished when the brethren of opposing factions meet Avithin the sacred precincts

of tbe lodge , and Ave knoAV of nothing which practically is so apolitical in its general actions , and yet so purely religious in its morality ancl constitution—apart from Christianity itself—as Freemasonry . But Ave must hasten to draw our notice to a close , and shall now continue to exhibit the character of some early traditions , quoted in the " anacalypas , " Avhich

cannot fail to interest our masonic readers , and especially enlightened Royal Arch Companions , AVIIO are able to detect in the following much that is not new to them : "The Mosque or Temple on Mount Moriah was built by the Calif Omar , the

son of Caleb , about the year 16 of the Hegira , A . D . 637 . Chateaubriand says 'La Mosquee prit le noni decette roch Gameat-el-Sakhra . ' It has a large dome , under the centre of which is a cave , and at the top of it the sacred stone which , in all

these religions , is generally found in or close to the temple or church In the description of the Temple ( of Jerusalem ) given b yMons . Chateaubriand , is an account of the sacred stone to which I have alluded . In this Mohammedan Temple

, there are in the stone Pillar and the Cave both the Nabli or navel of the earth , ancl the Afoni and the Linga , though they may now not be understood . . . . Here , if J understand Mons . Chateaubriand , the

stone is placed over the cave , now I do not doubt that , in tbe antient Temple of Solomon , there Avere tbe cave and the mysterious stone pillar , pedestal or whatever it might be , the same as at Delphi and othet places ; but in it the pillar or pedestal was probably not over the cave

, but in it , as described by Nicepihorus Callistus , Lib . X . Chapter XXXIII . in the following , words : ' At the time when the foundation was laid , one of the stones , to which the lowest part of the foundation Avas attached , Avas removed from its place , and discovered the m : > uth of a cavern

Avhich had been hollowed out of the rock . Now since they could not see to the bottom on account of its depth , tbe overseers of the work , wishing to be perfectly acquainted Avith the place , let clown one of the workmen by means of a long rope , into the cavern . When be came to tbe

bottom be found himsc-lf in water as high as his ankles , ancl examining every part of the cavern , he found it to be square as far as he could ascertain by feeling . H e afterwards searched nearer tbe mouth of

the cavern , and on examination discovered a low pillar very little higher than the Avater , and having placed bis hand upon it , be found lying there a book , carefully folded in a piece of thin and clean linen . This book he secured , and signified by the rope bis wish to be drawn up . On being drawn up he produced the book , Avhich struck the beholders with astonishment

particularly as it appeared perfectly fresh , ancl untouched , though it bad been brought out of so dark ancl dismal a place . AVhen the book was unfolded , not only the Jews but the Greeks also were amazed , as it declared in large letters , even at its commencementIn the beginning , etc . To

, speak clearly , the Avriting here discovered , did most evidently contain all that Gospel Avliicb was uttered by tlie divine tongue of the virgin disciple . " Callistus Nicephmus was a Greek Historian of the fourteenth century . An

edition of bis Ecclesiastical History Avith notes in Latin , Avas published as we are told , by John Lauge , Basle , A . D . 1561 , and a minor work by Hodge , at Oxford , 1691 . We need not particularize the many references in the account of the Cave .

which are to be found in our masonic legends , for they will be patent to all 2 it 2