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Article ON THE UNIVERSALITY OF THE GRAND MASONIC... ← Page 5 of 7 →
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On The Universality Of The Grand Masonic...
u three grand principles " was discussed in the peripatetic disquisitions of tho Stagirite ; and the truth of the Grand Masonic Triunity was expounded and demonstrated by Pythagoras , as part of the mysteries—moral , geometrical , and symbolic—communicated , under the vow of secrecy , to his silent disciples at their solemn and august initiation ; ,
Amongst our ancient Brethren this Grand Triunity of God , of nature , and of man , has been held in all ages as the great bond of union which generalizes , and reduces to Masonic universality , the primary conceptions of the Deity entertained in common by all sects
and nations . It links , in one and the same creed and brotherhood , devout and worthy men of all shades of religious opinions . This comprehensive and universal union constitutes the very soul and essence and beauty of Freemasonry , and binds together all the worshippers of the One Grod in Masonic conformity and
confraternity ; These views of the compatibility of the Oneness of the Deity with the triphcity of His personce , or characters , do not clash with the scruples of any sect . They are consistent with the acknowledged
tenets of all religions . The Christian cannot withhold his assent to them , since , although they do not affirm what is peculiar and distinctive in his faith , they are not inconsistent with it . Still less can the Jew or the Unitarian object to them , since they virtually hold tliem as the whole truth . It follows , therefore , that our Masonic
Brotherhood is not now to be asked to yield up any portion or property whatever of its ancient emblem , the equiangular and equilateral triangle ; pregnant as it is with meaning , not only as an instrument of architecture , but as symbolizing the Divine essences of the Grand Architect ,
The main allegation contained in the letter of our Brother " P . M . and P . Prov . G . J . D . " being thus , I trust , disproved , there remain only two or three minor points which require a word . In the first place , I was pained to observe that he asks whether I
" would have it understood that Freemasonry is a sign of the beast ?'' On the contrary , I expressly , by anticipation , guarded against such an imputation by suggesting a new explanation of the number 666 , as used in the Book of Revelation ; an interpretation diametrically opposed to so extravagant a charge . This point , however , I did not think it necessary to dwell on ; but only interposed the observation , en passant , for the sole purpose of shielding myself from such a misunderstanding . Otherwise I would not have alluded at all to the
number mentioned in the Book of B / evelation ; since my belief is that it is only by an accidental coincidence that it is the same with , the unquestionably Masonic number indicative of the riches of the Temple . In the face of an argumentative disclaimer on my part , I scarcely had reason to expect that so damaging an imputation would be insinuated against me by a Brother P . M . If our Brother had accorded to the article on which , he sat in judgment , a less hurried perusal than he confessedly bestowed on it , he
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Universality Of The Grand Masonic...
u three grand principles " was discussed in the peripatetic disquisitions of tho Stagirite ; and the truth of the Grand Masonic Triunity was expounded and demonstrated by Pythagoras , as part of the mysteries—moral , geometrical , and symbolic—communicated , under the vow of secrecy , to his silent disciples at their solemn and august initiation ; ,
Amongst our ancient Brethren this Grand Triunity of God , of nature , and of man , has been held in all ages as the great bond of union which generalizes , and reduces to Masonic universality , the primary conceptions of the Deity entertained in common by all sects
and nations . It links , in one and the same creed and brotherhood , devout and worthy men of all shades of religious opinions . This comprehensive and universal union constitutes the very soul and essence and beauty of Freemasonry , and binds together all the worshippers of the One Grod in Masonic conformity and
confraternity ; These views of the compatibility of the Oneness of the Deity with the triphcity of His personce , or characters , do not clash with the scruples of any sect . They are consistent with the acknowledged
tenets of all religions . The Christian cannot withhold his assent to them , since , although they do not affirm what is peculiar and distinctive in his faith , they are not inconsistent with it . Still less can the Jew or the Unitarian object to them , since they virtually hold tliem as the whole truth . It follows , therefore , that our Masonic
Brotherhood is not now to be asked to yield up any portion or property whatever of its ancient emblem , the equiangular and equilateral triangle ; pregnant as it is with meaning , not only as an instrument of architecture , but as symbolizing the Divine essences of the Grand Architect ,
The main allegation contained in the letter of our Brother " P . M . and P . Prov . G . J . D . " being thus , I trust , disproved , there remain only two or three minor points which require a word . In the first place , I was pained to observe that he asks whether I
" would have it understood that Freemasonry is a sign of the beast ?'' On the contrary , I expressly , by anticipation , guarded against such an imputation by suggesting a new explanation of the number 666 , as used in the Book of Revelation ; an interpretation diametrically opposed to so extravagant a charge . This point , however , I did not think it necessary to dwell on ; but only interposed the observation , en passant , for the sole purpose of shielding myself from such a misunderstanding . Otherwise I would not have alluded at all to the
number mentioned in the Book of B / evelation ; since my belief is that it is only by an accidental coincidence that it is the same with , the unquestionably Masonic number indicative of the riches of the Temple . In the face of an argumentative disclaimer on my part , I scarcely had reason to expect that so damaging an imputation would be insinuated against me by a Brother P . M . If our Brother had accorded to the article on which , he sat in judgment , a less hurried perusal than he confessedly bestowed on it , he