On The Mysteries Of The Early Ages As Co...

Amongst the allegorical figures said to have been represented on the walls of the sanctuary of Isis , in the mysterious rites of Eleusis , the serpent is twice mentioned . In the first instance he was stated to be throwing an egg out of his mouth ( see Freemasons' Magazine

for July , 1856 , p . 478 ) , —a symbol of the production of all things by the heat of the sun;—and this will tend to prove that the Druids brought into the west of Europe those tenets prevailing in the eastern parts of the world , and that their religion certainly held some doctrines connected with the earliest ages . N . T . S .. P . M .. No . 725 .

The Practical Of Masonry.

THE PRACTICAL OF MASONKY .

It has been the great error of all Institutions , in all ages of the world , to adhere to the mere formula , or external , to the almost entire neglect of the spiritual teaching ; and in too many instances the mere form and ceremony have been regarded as the actual , or ultimate , when , in truth , they should only be regarded as the means of enabling us to accomplish the noble purpose we should ever have in view . And we are sometimes constrained to the belief that , as Masons , we are apt to be more solicitous for the ceremonial than for the true moral teaching .

But , while we should not in the least deviate from the ancient landmarks , of our ritual , nor regard it as the Alpha and Omega , yet we should keep constantly in view the' fundamental truth—that the symbols are only beneficial to the extent that they enforce moral principles and produce true moral actions . So far as Masonry produces these results upon the conduct of its members , is it to be regarded as beneficial ; and thus only will its influence be felt and principles acknowledged , as tending to produce a higher standard of morality . Let us keep this thought prominently in view , and remember the beautiful lesson

inculcated and taught by the Pot of Incense , " emblematical of a pare heart , which is always an acceptable sacrifice to the Deity ; and as this glows with fervent heat , so should our hearts continually glow with gratitude to the beneficent Author of our existence , for the manifold blessings and comforts we enjoy . " How beautiful and suggestive is this emblem , and how significant the application ! A pure heart , purged from all wrong , cleansed and purified by the influence of the Spirit of God , imbued and filled with love to Him , and love to man , in harmony with the moral law . To attain this standard , is , indeed , worthy of our efforts as

Masons ; and to attain it should be our highest aim . And while we are constantly enforcing these doctrines within the Lodge , let us endeavour to apply them to our lives , " that the honour , glory , and reputation of the Institution may be firmly established , and the world at large convinced of its good effects . " And here let me briefly call attention to a practice that is too frequently indulged in by members of the Craft—one which should not be justified by any well-informed Brother ; for it is inconsistent with every principle of our Order : holding , as we ever should , in deep reverence the name and attributes of the Deity , we should remember " never to mention His name but with that reverential awe due from

the creature to his Creator . " When we hear a Brother Mason irreverently or profusely use the name of God , we fear that he has not carefully directed his attention to the plain yet expressive language of our ritual ; for here , it would seem that the moral taught is sufficiently elevated to attract the attention , and demand the acceptance and esteem , of all . Let those of us who are addicted to

this habit , whether acquired by custom or otherwise , reflect and judge if it be consistent or accords with the moral principles as laid down in the Ancient Charges , or landmarks of Freemasonry , and that higher standard of moral action which we regard as the great light of Masonry—the Holy Scriptures , which declare , "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain . 'New York Masonic Messenger . yoj ^ ii . 4 a