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Article THE RITES OP FREEMASONRY. ← Page 14 of 14
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Rites Op Freemasonry.
] ewel of the order , which was suspended from a green ribbon , Avas a cross of gold surmounted by a mustard plant , with the words , " What was it before ? Nothing ! " The brethren wore a ring on which was inscribed " No one lives for himself . "
Here we must end our sketch of the Rites of Freemasonry— . not for want-of materials , but our space is limited , and we would not trench upon the patience of our readers . There are many curious inquiries which may be pursued with advantage in connexion with this subject , and we shall at a future time devote our pages to these researches .
The history of the Knights Templar , Knights of St . John , of Malta , and of Rhodes , since their recognition as Masonic bodies will be entered upon ( we have already amply described their origin ) - —and we may , perhaps , in a future paper , notice the Illumkiati , which though not a Masonic confederacy originally , may prove worthy of . examina * tion .
Social Amenities in New Caledonia . —The death of an islander is alwavs accompanied by a feast , that is , a public dinner , to Avhich the relations and friends of the neighbouring tribes are invited . The celebration of a person ' s mortuary feast , in the language of the country , is to perform the ceremony of his interment . "Whilst the men ar & enjoying the pleasures of the banquet , the avomen , assembled together , weep and burn their arms . Do not , however , suppose that affection has anything to do with these demonstrations of grief ; these female mourners simply submit to a ridiculous and cruel custom ; and hence their sighs are often
interrupted by laughter and gossip . It is quite certain that the sentiments of the heart have little effect upon these pagans , who are only to be moved by motives of fear and interest . When a Kanak is ill , his relations do not always await his death to appoint the day for celebrating his mortuary feast ; it is arranged "beforehand . The dinner is prepared , the guests invited for the day fixed upon , without consulting the sick person at all . It is for him to take precautions to die at the proper time , for , on the day appointed , the mourning will commence , and the feast will be kept in his honour . As it would not be pleasant for him to he
present at such a ceremony , if he does not expire in time , they accelerate his death by suffocating him . This atrocity is not uncommon , but it is not always successful ; on more than one occasion the supposed corpse has come to life , and in this case , he is said to have risen again . These instances of revival have given rise to a singular argument . When our fathers , in order to establish the divinity of our Lord , Avere explaining to them the miracle of his resurrection , they were not
unfrequently answered : " That may appear a great prodigy in your country , but not so here ; we have known several people rise again at Puebo . " On one occasion the priest was told on arriving at a cabin , that- the person had breathed his last . Grieved and astonished at so sudden a death , he wished to see the corpse , which had been thrown into a corner ; but the man said to be dead , spoke and maintained that he was not , to the great discomfit of the assembly . The feast , however , took place all the s & me .- ^ -Letter from a French Missionary .
CoNSTANCA . —If you resolve to make wisdom and virtue the study and business of your life , you must be sure to arm yourself beforehand against the inconveniences and discouragements that are likely to attend this resolution . I imagine that you will meet with many scoffs and much derision , and that people will upbraid you with turning philosopher all of a sudden . But be not affected 01
supercilious ; only stick close to whatever you are in your judgment convinced is right and becoming , and consider this as your proper station assigned you by God , which you must not quit on any terms . And remember , that If you perse - vere in goodness , those very men who derided you at first will afterwards turn your admirers . But if you give Avay to their reproaches , and are vanquished by them , you will then render yourself doubly and most deservedly ridiculous . —Mpictetm .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Rites Op Freemasonry.
] ewel of the order , which was suspended from a green ribbon , Avas a cross of gold surmounted by a mustard plant , with the words , " What was it before ? Nothing ! " The brethren wore a ring on which was inscribed " No one lives for himself . "
Here we must end our sketch of the Rites of Freemasonry— . not for want-of materials , but our space is limited , and we would not trench upon the patience of our readers . There are many curious inquiries which may be pursued with advantage in connexion with this subject , and we shall at a future time devote our pages to these researches .
The history of the Knights Templar , Knights of St . John , of Malta , and of Rhodes , since their recognition as Masonic bodies will be entered upon ( we have already amply described their origin ) - —and we may , perhaps , in a future paper , notice the Illumkiati , which though not a Masonic confederacy originally , may prove worthy of . examina * tion .
Social Amenities in New Caledonia . —The death of an islander is alwavs accompanied by a feast , that is , a public dinner , to Avhich the relations and friends of the neighbouring tribes are invited . The celebration of a person ' s mortuary feast , in the language of the country , is to perform the ceremony of his interment . "Whilst the men ar & enjoying the pleasures of the banquet , the avomen , assembled together , weep and burn their arms . Do not , however , suppose that affection has anything to do with these demonstrations of grief ; these female mourners simply submit to a ridiculous and cruel custom ; and hence their sighs are often
interrupted by laughter and gossip . It is quite certain that the sentiments of the heart have little effect upon these pagans , who are only to be moved by motives of fear and interest . When a Kanak is ill , his relations do not always await his death to appoint the day for celebrating his mortuary feast ; it is arranged "beforehand . The dinner is prepared , the guests invited for the day fixed upon , without consulting the sick person at all . It is for him to take precautions to die at the proper time , for , on the day appointed , the mourning will commence , and the feast will be kept in his honour . As it would not be pleasant for him to he
present at such a ceremony , if he does not expire in time , they accelerate his death by suffocating him . This atrocity is not uncommon , but it is not always successful ; on more than one occasion the supposed corpse has come to life , and in this case , he is said to have risen again . These instances of revival have given rise to a singular argument . When our fathers , in order to establish the divinity of our Lord , Avere explaining to them the miracle of his resurrection , they were not
unfrequently answered : " That may appear a great prodigy in your country , but not so here ; we have known several people rise again at Puebo . " On one occasion the priest was told on arriving at a cabin , that- the person had breathed his last . Grieved and astonished at so sudden a death , he wished to see the corpse , which had been thrown into a corner ; but the man said to be dead , spoke and maintained that he was not , to the great discomfit of the assembly . The feast , however , took place all the s & me .- ^ -Letter from a French Missionary .
CoNSTANCA . —If you resolve to make wisdom and virtue the study and business of your life , you must be sure to arm yourself beforehand against the inconveniences and discouragements that are likely to attend this resolution . I imagine that you will meet with many scoffs and much derision , and that people will upbraid you with turning philosopher all of a sudden . But be not affected 01
supercilious ; only stick close to whatever you are in your judgment convinced is right and becoming , and consider this as your proper station assigned you by God , which you must not quit on any terms . And remember , that If you perse - vere in goodness , those very men who derided you at first will afterwards turn your admirers . But if you give Avay to their reproaches , and are vanquished by them , you will then render yourself doubly and most deservedly ridiculous . —Mpictetm .