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