Zoroastrianism And Freemasonry.

an entered apprentice m hand , it will be my endeavour to explain and illustrate the emblems thereupon by the principles of the Zoroastrian religion . The attempt to explain the Zoroastrian ceremonies by the light of Masonry had better be reserved for a future occasion . It can

better follow than precede the attempt to explain the Masonic emblems by the light of Zoroastrianism . First of all , let me recall j'our memory to the discourse delivered on the last Naoroz Festival . It Avas about the Mithraic mysteries . Therein it Avas attempted to be shown that a Dari

Meher , as the term signified , Avas a porch or vestibule of the temple of Meher . In the temple itself , that is , in the sanctum sanctorum , or the innermost chamber , secret mysteries must have been necessarily practised . The mystic institution AA'as , it might be safely concluded , dedicated to Mithra or Meher . The nature of the rites

and ceremonies is indicated in the Roman and Grecian accounts . I failed to trace any indication thereof in any Avritten or monumental records of Persia , but I ventured to conjecture that the subject of them must have been the legend of the soulor rather the spiritof Aderbad

, , Marespand taking flight to the upper and the nether Avorlds , to witness the scenes of reAvard and punishment in after-life . But this much can be gathered from the Avestaic Avritings , that there Avere some mystic Avords Avhich were to be preserved

only among a select few . The Khordad and . the Baharam Yashts refer to a certain Manthra , Avhich was to he transmitted only to the closely related or the exalted Athornans . This-word Manthra in its simple signification means a sentiment

expressed in a word or words . Now , the Avord mystery itself is closely allied to it etyinologically , since it comes from the word ' myth , ' which is the Greek form of the Avestaic Manthra , By myth or mystery Ave understand more than a simple

word or sentiment ; a certain degree of secrecy is associated with it as with the Avestaic Manthra . Myth , mystery , Manthra , are not vulgarly comprehended ; to the common herd they are A'eiled by and surrounded Avith secrecy . Hence Manthras are to be communicated to the intelligent Few . They are said to be very efficacious , They are used in the Avesta

for good purposes , to promote the Avelfare and the happiness of the people . Mantras on the other hand , the Sanscrit equivalent of Zend Manthra , are used to propitiate or scare off the evil geniuses . Mark the diametrically opposite uses of the tAvo .

The phrase Khsnaothra Ahurahe Mazdao Taroidite Anrahe Manyus indicates the spirit Avhich guides a Zoroastrian , viz ., to propitiate Hormuzd and spurn Satan . These Manthras were perhaps communicated in the innermost chamber of a Dari

Meher . But Avhat relation , it may be asked , may be supposed to exist between the recitals of Manthras and Meher Yazad ? A trace may be detected in the Meher Yasht to connect these two together . Mithra is there represented as presiding

over light , over truth , over fidelity , over friendship , and the rest of the cognate virtues . The Yasht begins—" The man guilty of being untrue to his fidelity is guilty of an act tantamount to injuring the whole country , so do not break a

plighted contract , be it made Avith an Asho or a Darvand , for both are VOAVS alike ; neA-er mind if they be given to a Darvand or to one of your OAVU Avays . " Here there

is a specific exhortation to be faithful to a VOAV made , to an oath taken . The greatest Avonder in the non-Masonic world is hoAV Avell Freemasons keep their VOAVS so faithfully . A Freemason is sometimes prevailed upon to betray his other secrets in a moment of inebrietybut no effort

, can induce him to divulge his Masonic secrets . Instances have been narrated of rich and powerful men having sent their dependent , penniless menials to Masonic Lodges on the promise of their revealing the secrets to their patrons when they

came into possession of them , and getting their fabulous rewards ; but these have preferred their beggarly state in life to becoming rich hy the act of their breaking their Masonic oath . Furdoonjee Murzban was much impressed in favour of

Freemasonry when he learnt that a poor Mason declined an offer of half a lakh , of rupees to reveal the Masonic secrets . Bearing this in mind , it can be understood without difficulty why certain mysteries should have been dedicated to Mithra ; it was just because he presides over fidelity . There must have been Dari Mehers ( Masonic temples ) all over the country , as