Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Description Of A Church Situated In Fort Manoel, Malta, In Which Are Several Interesting Masonic Illustrations.
On entering the church five altars are presented to us : one high altar in the west ,, two on the north , and two on the south . Those altars , if not wholly Masonic , arescriptural . We will merely describe them , leaving to our readers , who may have had the privilege , of ascending to the higher degrees of Masonry , to recognise what is Masonic , amidst what to many , as yet , appears to be only scriptural . We propose to commence our description from the arch of each altar . Immediately
under the arch of the high altar is a cross , with three rays or points from each angle , supported by cherubims ; then ornaments and a wreath , then a square surrounded by many cherubims . In this square is a dove descending from heaven ( vide Gospel according to St . Matthew hi . 16 ); then two pillars , highly ornamented , of what may be called a fancy composite order of architecture . On the capital of each there is a plinth , and on the top of it again an ornamented vase , and from which is represented burning fire . On the front of this plinth is a wreath and cypher ( see Fig . 2 ) . "f *^ These pillars are circular ; have each six rings . Around them , in the centre jif each ring , is displayed
the—1 v * & ik FIG . 3 , The high altar and illars are much ornamented with liliespomegranatesand acacia
p , , ; also medals representing the Maltese cross , the base plain . Behind those are corresponding pillars in basso-relievo . We must now proceed to the altar in the south centre of the building , where we find , under the arch , Noah's ark , the dove with the olive branch in its mouth , the mountains of Ararat , the covenant of our Lord ( vide Book of Genesis viii ., is . ) , an olive
I'M . 4 . tree , and two handsome pillars ornamented with roses , lilies , and pomegranates . ^ Over this altar is a crown , ornamented with twelve cinquefoils , with rays concentrating to a foil of four leaves . We now turn to the altar east of the last one described . Under the arch are twomounds , or mountains ; on each a tree , one a yew , the other an olive . Above those u rrounded by twelve stars , thus—
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Description Of A Church Situated In Fort Manoel, Malta, In Which Are Several Interesting Masonic Illustrations.
On entering the church five altars are presented to us : one high altar in the west ,, two on the north , and two on the south . Those altars , if not wholly Masonic , arescriptural . We will merely describe them , leaving to our readers , who may have had the privilege , of ascending to the higher degrees of Masonry , to recognise what is Masonic , amidst what to many , as yet , appears to be only scriptural . We propose to commence our description from the arch of each altar . Immediately
under the arch of the high altar is a cross , with three rays or points from each angle , supported by cherubims ; then ornaments and a wreath , then a square surrounded by many cherubims . In this square is a dove descending from heaven ( vide Gospel according to St . Matthew hi . 16 ); then two pillars , highly ornamented , of what may be called a fancy composite order of architecture . On the capital of each there is a plinth , and on the top of it again an ornamented vase , and from which is represented burning fire . On the front of this plinth is a wreath and cypher ( see Fig . 2 ) . "f *^ These pillars are circular ; have each six rings . Around them , in the centre jif each ring , is displayed
the—1 v * & ik FIG . 3 , The high altar and illars are much ornamented with liliespomegranatesand acacia
p , , ; also medals representing the Maltese cross , the base plain . Behind those are corresponding pillars in basso-relievo . We must now proceed to the altar in the south centre of the building , where we find , under the arch , Noah's ark , the dove with the olive branch in its mouth , the mountains of Ararat , the covenant of our Lord ( vide Book of Genesis viii ., is . ) , an olive
I'M . 4 . tree , and two handsome pillars ornamented with roses , lilies , and pomegranates . ^ Over this altar is a crown , ornamented with twelve cinquefoils , with rays concentrating to a foil of four leaves . We now turn to the altar east of the last one described . Under the arch are twomounds , or mountains ; on each a tree , one a yew , the other an olive . Above those u rrounded by twelve stars , thus—