The Origin And References Of The Hermesian Spurious Freemasonry.

other than the prominent docirmes which were finally revealed in the Gospel . The truths indeed Avere so isolated that the hierophant himself very imperfectl y understood their ultimate reference . But his blindness ancl ignorance does not annul the facts . These lordly pontiffs Avere

instruments in the hands of a superior Being , to prevent such important references from being lost , and the mysteries Avere the only vehicles by Avhich they could be transmitted to posterity unimpaired . The hierophant regarded the ineffable

secrets as bearing a reference to the Deity of which he was the priest , and consequently the living representative , and fancied his OAVH dignity was magnified in proportion to the honours Avhich were awarded to the god . And his

identification Avith the Deity Avas so stringent , that the very same garments in Avhich the gods were clothed , his priests Avere strictl y enjoined to use , If the hierophant could have been persuaded that the reli gious dogmas of Avhich he was so sensitivel y

tenacious , Avere simply types of a dispensation still in the Avomb of time , but whose development Avas intended to destroy the system Avhich he considered as the very essence of his order to uphold , there would have been an universal combination to

change the landmark , and alter the tendency of every symbolical appendage , that a reference so much at variance Avith the interests of the hierarchy might no longer exist . The aphanism and emesis of the Deity Avould have been expunged . Osiris or Adonis Avould have died no moreto

, cheer the hearts of the Mystcs by his revival , the symbols and doctrines Avould have been diverted from the one design for which they had been instituted , and the Avhole fabric of the mysterious drama would have been dissolved .

But this calamity was not suffered to occur . The hierophant was not permitted by an over-ruling Providence to see anything beyond the explanation of the mysteries as vehicles for cementing his own poAver . All the symbolical representation had in his darkened mind , this sole

reference . He applied them to the god , and he knew that the people Avould apply them to himself . And so tlie mysteries went on from age to age , embodying the most sublime truths , but grievously misapplied ; till the period actually came when

the typos Avere realised , and the secret doctrines fulfilled by Jesus Christ bringing life and immortality to light . The hierophauts of all nations knew , for the fact was embodied in their mysteries , that id some future period a Great Deliverer should come to teach mankind the loay of

truth , and that his advent should be proclaimed and attested by some remarkable configuration of the heavens . Tho Jews also knew it ; but both mistook the character of this divine personage . They equally looked for a temporal deli veranne and

the enjoyment of worldly prosperity ; and therefore they appeared to have no interest either in swamping the traditions , or changing the interpretation of them . But they embodied the chief truths in a series of

significant symbols , whose true meaning was entrusted to the custody of the hieropbants , and preserved with such care , that the secret Avas known to feAv besides themselves . Of this nature is the Anaglyph before us . It was composed by some ingenious priest—perhaps by Hermes himself—to

embody in one significant emblem , all the mysterious references of the institution , the interpretation of which may appear difficult to accomplish , even according to the second canon of Bryant . " If any moans can be found out" says this learned

, writer , " to obtain the latent purpose of the Egyptian hieroglyphics , they must arise from considering these emblems singly , and observing their particular scope and destination . When Ave have ascertained the meaning of some individuals , Ave may

possibly discoA'er their drift when taken collectively . These , 1 think , are the principles upon Avhich Ave must proceed , but after all , it will be a dark research . "* But Ave of the present day possess more certain lights to guide an enquiry of this intricate nature than were enjoyed even by

the erudite writers I have just cited , and by the assistance of modern discoveries in the interpretation of Egyptian hieroglyphics Ave may hope to throw some li ght upon it . For this purpose , I have thought it necessary to divide the dissertation into distinct

chapters , because , under such an arrangement , I shall be able to proceed more systematically , and Avith a better hope of making the enquiry clearer and more intelligible . ( To be continued . )