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Article KABBALISM, SECRET SOCIETIES , AND MASONRY. ← Page 5 of 5 Article MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES. Page 1 of 3 Article MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES. Page 1 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Kabbalism, Secret Societies , And Masonry.
Leaving the mountains of Lebanon , and the whole East , we ' must search for a development of Kabbalism in the mountains of Germany , ancl in the West . It may seem a mighty leap to take a spring from one point to another which has no connection with it ; but reallthe two are connected by a series of links
formy ing a complete chain . The first teacher of this new phase of Kabbalism was the famous Kaymond Lulli , certainly one of the most remarkable men of his age , as a philosoper , alchemist , and theologian , and lastly , as an enthusiastic but injudicious missionary . His end was in accordance with his life . He was killed in
a vain attempt to convert the Mohammedans of IS orthern Africa , when nearly eighty years of age . By birth a Spaniard , he learnt Moorish philosophy and Jewish Kabbalism in the universities of Spain . He died , in 1314 , leaving behind him nearly five hundred volumes , and an European reputation . It was not , however , till the beginning of the sixteenth century .
that Kabbalism became an accepted science among Christian philosophers . At that time the expulsion of the Jews from Spain , and the large settlements of these exiles in Holland , imported a new element into Northern Europe . The refugees brought along with them their philosophy and theology . Kabbalistic
works were read and translated ; and the principles of the Kabbala largely believed in , ancl extensively followed . The new science ramified , itself into two schools , sometimes united , but easily distinguishable , of philosophers and mystics . Among the former were Pico de Mirandola , Eeuchlin , Cornelius Agrippa ,
Paracelsus , Henry More , and Robert Elucld ; while Jacob Boehme , and tbe celebrated school of mystics , including Tauler ancl Thomas a Kempis , are instances of the latter . Besides this , these philosophers practised magic , alchemy , and astrology , as parts of the same system . ( To be continued . )
Masonic Notes And Queries.
MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .
NATOLEON I . AND MASONBY . Clavel , in his History of Masonry , mentions the fact of the Emeror Napoleon ' s visit to a lodge in order to see for himself , if the State had anything ' to fear from Masonry . Tho story is given on the testimony of an eyewitness . He states : — " Under the reign of Napoleon , Masonry was very flourishing . The Arch-Chancellor of the EmpirePrince Cambacercswas
, , a strong supporter of that association . He presided at every file , every meeting . Under his high administration , active and brilliant , Freemasons' lodges multiplied to an infinite number . All the illustrious of the time met together . Ifc was a sealed book of science , and of pleasure . They used to read there the bulletins of the victories of Napoleon . "The Marshal Duke of Eovigo , minister of the police of
Paris , was the only agent of the power which had not joined any lodge . One clay , he thought that there must be some evil in those meetings ; ho conceived suspicions as to the fidelity of the lodges , and invoked tho law ; ancl shortly after , suspended the Grand Orient . Hut Prince Cambaceres , who was the third person in the Empire as to high dignity , ancl a zealous , devoted , ancl talented brother , took them under his protection , took also their
defence in hand , ancl they were never afterwards troubled . " Some years after everything had tended to damage this enthusiastic feeling . Napoleon was persuaded that the lodges were dangerous places , and meetings for conspiracy . " One evening , Napoleon , incognito , with Marshal Duroe Md ^ General Lawriston , went in the Lodge of St . Marcel , in -ii " r " ' - ' - ) , lroc entered first , as a visitor , and sat clown near the Vv . M ., and told him in a whisper , that two other visitors were
Masonic Notes And Queries.
coining , but begged he ivould receive them without any ceremony , and to abstain himself from all kinds of manifestations in case he could recognise them . " The Emperor and General Lawriston entered ; they seated themselves under a column , and listed to the debates for more than an hour . Napoleon , well assured that the denunciation was false , retired satisfied . At the close of the evening , the
"W . M . of the lodge informed the brothers of the illustrious visitor that had been with them . The enthusiasm was extreme . They all joined in saying together , ' Long live Napoleon the Great , our Emperor ! ' " CHINESE SECEET SOCIETY DUTIES . JEkc Chinese have a secret society , but whether it bears resemblance to our Masonic Institution is doubtful .
any It inculcates the following duties : —¦ " Do not tell lies . " Do not kill ancl slay . " Do not steal . "Do not covet . " The great Grod will strictly carry out his laws . "Those who obey Heaven's commands will enjoy celestial
happiness . " Those who are grateful for divine favours will receive divine support . " Heaven blesses the good and curses the bad . " Little children maintain correct conduct . " The correct are men , the corrupt are imps . " Little children seek to avoid disgrace . " God loves the upright and he hates the vicious .
" Little children be careful to avoid error . " The great God sees everything . " If you wish to enjoy happiness , refine and correct yourselves . "
—J . B . ANECDOTE OE MASONEY AT QUAETEE-BEAS . Clavel , in his History of Masonry , tells the following story : — " On the memorable lOfch . Tune , 1815 , afc the moment when the allied army commenced a retrogade movement , a Scotch field-officerwho had been seriously wounded in the affair of
, Quartre Bras , was left on the field of battle . Trampled on by the French cavalry , he thought but of death , when he perceived our patrols , who came to succour the wounded . Rallying the little strength that remained , he endeavoured to raise himself on his knees , at all hazards , ancl in a faint voice , he called on the brethren for aid . Notwithstanding the darknc- - ? , the feebleness of his voice in its piteousness , he attracted the attention of
a French surgeon , who recognizing in him a brother , hastened to his aid . His wounds were numerous—tho means of transport insufficient—necessity made our compatriot brother vigorous . He first dressed those wounds which presented the most formidable danger , and then raised and carried him to the sick quarters —placed him on his own pallet—watched by his side—directed him to be convoyed to Valenciennes , where he was warmly
recommended to bis friends , from whom tho officer received the kindest attention , ancl by whose care ho was completely restored to health . " —Ex . Ex .
A . LODGE NOMEXCLATUBE . Several brother Masons are desirous of instituting a new loclge , but are at a loss what to call it , ancl they desire some guide to enable them to arrive at a proper conclusion . —NINE MASTEE MASONS . —[ We have much pleasure in offering to the consideration of our nine brothers the following sensible paper on this subject
, written by Dr . Mackey in 1856 : — - " The ancient patrons ancl worthies of Freemasonry furnish a very fertile source of Masonic nomenclature , and have been very liberally used in the selection of names of lodges . Among the most important I may mention , St . John , Solomon , Hiram , King David , Andoniram , Enoch , Archimedes , ancl Pythagoras . The Widow ' s Son Lodge , of which there are several instances in the
United States , is an affecting and significant title , whicli can hardly be too often used . " Kecour . se is also to be had to the names of modern distinguished men who have honoured the institution by their adherence to it , or who , by their learning in Masonry , ancl by their services to the Order , have merited some marks of approbation . And hence we meet , in England , as the names of lodges , with
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Kabbalism, Secret Societies , And Masonry.
Leaving the mountains of Lebanon , and the whole East , we ' must search for a development of Kabbalism in the mountains of Germany , ancl in the West . It may seem a mighty leap to take a spring from one point to another which has no connection with it ; but reallthe two are connected by a series of links
formy ing a complete chain . The first teacher of this new phase of Kabbalism was the famous Kaymond Lulli , certainly one of the most remarkable men of his age , as a philosoper , alchemist , and theologian , and lastly , as an enthusiastic but injudicious missionary . His end was in accordance with his life . He was killed in
a vain attempt to convert the Mohammedans of IS orthern Africa , when nearly eighty years of age . By birth a Spaniard , he learnt Moorish philosophy and Jewish Kabbalism in the universities of Spain . He died , in 1314 , leaving behind him nearly five hundred volumes , and an European reputation . It was not , however , till the beginning of the sixteenth century .
that Kabbalism became an accepted science among Christian philosophers . At that time the expulsion of the Jews from Spain , and the large settlements of these exiles in Holland , imported a new element into Northern Europe . The refugees brought along with them their philosophy and theology . Kabbalistic
works were read and translated ; and the principles of the Kabbala largely believed in , ancl extensively followed . The new science ramified , itself into two schools , sometimes united , but easily distinguishable , of philosophers and mystics . Among the former were Pico de Mirandola , Eeuchlin , Cornelius Agrippa ,
Paracelsus , Henry More , and Robert Elucld ; while Jacob Boehme , and tbe celebrated school of mystics , including Tauler ancl Thomas a Kempis , are instances of the latter . Besides this , these philosophers practised magic , alchemy , and astrology , as parts of the same system . ( To be continued . )
Masonic Notes And Queries.
MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .
NATOLEON I . AND MASONBY . Clavel , in his History of Masonry , mentions the fact of the Emeror Napoleon ' s visit to a lodge in order to see for himself , if the State had anything ' to fear from Masonry . Tho story is given on the testimony of an eyewitness . He states : — " Under the reign of Napoleon , Masonry was very flourishing . The Arch-Chancellor of the EmpirePrince Cambacercswas
, , a strong supporter of that association . He presided at every file , every meeting . Under his high administration , active and brilliant , Freemasons' lodges multiplied to an infinite number . All the illustrious of the time met together . Ifc was a sealed book of science , and of pleasure . They used to read there the bulletins of the victories of Napoleon . "The Marshal Duke of Eovigo , minister of the police of
Paris , was the only agent of the power which had not joined any lodge . One clay , he thought that there must be some evil in those meetings ; ho conceived suspicions as to the fidelity of the lodges , and invoked tho law ; ancl shortly after , suspended the Grand Orient . Hut Prince Cambaceres , who was the third person in the Empire as to high dignity , ancl a zealous , devoted , ancl talented brother , took them under his protection , took also their
defence in hand , ancl they were never afterwards troubled . " Some years after everything had tended to damage this enthusiastic feeling . Napoleon was persuaded that the lodges were dangerous places , and meetings for conspiracy . " One evening , Napoleon , incognito , with Marshal Duroe Md ^ General Lawriston , went in the Lodge of St . Marcel , in -ii " r " ' - ' - ) , lroc entered first , as a visitor , and sat clown near the Vv . M ., and told him in a whisper , that two other visitors were
Masonic Notes And Queries.
coining , but begged he ivould receive them without any ceremony , and to abstain himself from all kinds of manifestations in case he could recognise them . " The Emperor and General Lawriston entered ; they seated themselves under a column , and listed to the debates for more than an hour . Napoleon , well assured that the denunciation was false , retired satisfied . At the close of the evening , the
"W . M . of the lodge informed the brothers of the illustrious visitor that had been with them . The enthusiasm was extreme . They all joined in saying together , ' Long live Napoleon the Great , our Emperor ! ' " CHINESE SECEET SOCIETY DUTIES . JEkc Chinese have a secret society , but whether it bears resemblance to our Masonic Institution is doubtful .
any It inculcates the following duties : —¦ " Do not tell lies . " Do not kill ancl slay . " Do not steal . "Do not covet . " The great Grod will strictly carry out his laws . "Those who obey Heaven's commands will enjoy celestial
happiness . " Those who are grateful for divine favours will receive divine support . " Heaven blesses the good and curses the bad . " Little children maintain correct conduct . " The correct are men , the corrupt are imps . " Little children seek to avoid disgrace . " God loves the upright and he hates the vicious .
" Little children be careful to avoid error . " The great God sees everything . " If you wish to enjoy happiness , refine and correct yourselves . "
—J . B . ANECDOTE OE MASONEY AT QUAETEE-BEAS . Clavel , in his History of Masonry , tells the following story : — " On the memorable lOfch . Tune , 1815 , afc the moment when the allied army commenced a retrogade movement , a Scotch field-officerwho had been seriously wounded in the affair of
, Quartre Bras , was left on the field of battle . Trampled on by the French cavalry , he thought but of death , when he perceived our patrols , who came to succour the wounded . Rallying the little strength that remained , he endeavoured to raise himself on his knees , at all hazards , ancl in a faint voice , he called on the brethren for aid . Notwithstanding the darknc- - ? , the feebleness of his voice in its piteousness , he attracted the attention of
a French surgeon , who recognizing in him a brother , hastened to his aid . His wounds were numerous—tho means of transport insufficient—necessity made our compatriot brother vigorous . He first dressed those wounds which presented the most formidable danger , and then raised and carried him to the sick quarters —placed him on his own pallet—watched by his side—directed him to be convoyed to Valenciennes , where he was warmly
recommended to bis friends , from whom tho officer received the kindest attention , ancl by whose care ho was completely restored to health . " —Ex . Ex .
A . LODGE NOMEXCLATUBE . Several brother Masons are desirous of instituting a new loclge , but are at a loss what to call it , ancl they desire some guide to enable them to arrive at a proper conclusion . —NINE MASTEE MASONS . —[ We have much pleasure in offering to the consideration of our nine brothers the following sensible paper on this subject
, written by Dr . Mackey in 1856 : — - " The ancient patrons ancl worthies of Freemasonry furnish a very fertile source of Masonic nomenclature , and have been very liberally used in the selection of names of lodges . Among the most important I may mention , St . John , Solomon , Hiram , King David , Andoniram , Enoch , Archimedes , ancl Pythagoras . The Widow ' s Son Lodge , of which there are several instances in the
United States , is an affecting and significant title , whicli can hardly be too often used . " Kecour . se is also to be had to the names of modern distinguished men who have honoured the institution by their adherence to it , or who , by their learning in Masonry , ancl by their services to the Order , have merited some marks of approbation . And hence we meet , in England , as the names of lodges , with