Numbers.

NUMBERS .

LONDON , SATURDAY , HAY 8 , 1869 .

By ANTHONY ONBAL HAYE . The following is a brief account of Numbers , which readers can Avork out more fully for themselves in connection AA'ith Masonry : — The mystical meaning and Divine virtue of

numbers formed an important part of the philosophy of Pythagoras , and from him have been transmitted to the Masonic system of symbolism . Pythagoras , doubtless , brought his doctrines on this subject from Egypt , in which country he long

resided , and Avith Avhose Avisdom he Avas deeply imbued . In numbers , Pythagoras saw the principle of all things ; he believed that the creation of the world was produced by their harmonious combination , and that they existed before the Avorld . According to the doctrines of

this sage , numbers are of two kinds , intellectual and scientific . Intellectual number has ahvays existed in the Divine mind ; it is the basis of universal order , and the link which binds all things . Scientific number is the generative cause of

nraltiplicitjr , which proceeds from and is the result of unity . Scientific numbers are equal or odd . Equal numbers are said to be female , and odd ones male ; because even numbers admit of division or generation , Avhich odd ones do not . Odd

numbers , however , are the most perfect . To each number Pythagoras ascribed a peculiar character . One—the Monad—represented the central fire ,

or God , without beginning and without end , the point within iltc circle . It also denoted love , concord , piety , and friendship , because it is indivisible . It Avas the symbol of identity , equality , existence , and universal preservation and harmony .

To this number all ancient mythologies ascribed jDeculiar virtues . Two Avas unlucky ; and as one denoted light and the good principle , or God , two denoted darkness and the evil principle . Hence it was that the Eomans dedicated the

second month of the year to Pluto , the god of hell , and the second day of that month to the manes of the dead . As one represented the right hand , so did two the left .

Three referred to harmony , friendship , peace , concord , and temperance , and Avas so hi ghly esteemed among the Pythagoreans , that they called it " perfect harmony . " It is one of the sacred numbers of Preemasony . Three was

considered among all the Pagan nations as the chief of the mystical numbers , because , as Aristotle remarks , it contains within itself a beginning , a middle , and an end . Hence we find it designating some of the attributes of almost all the gods .

The thunderbolt of Jove was three-forked ; the sceptre of Neptune Avas a trident ; Cerberus , the dog of Pluto , was three-headed ; there Avere three Pates and three Furies ; the sun had three names .

Apollo , Sol , and Liber ; the moon had three also , Diana , Luna , and Hecate . In all incantations , three Avas a favourite number , and hence the poet says , — " Numero Deus impari gaudet . " A triple cord was used , each cord of three different

colours , white , l'ed , aud black ; and a small image of the subject of the charm Avas cai-ried thrice round the altar , as Ave see in Virgil's eighth eclogue : —

" Tenia tihi hrec primum triplici divcrsa colore Liciu circumdo , terquolucc altaria circum Effigiem duco . " The Druids paid no less respect to this sacred number . Throughout their whole system a

reference is constantly made to its influence ; and so far did their veneration for it extend , that even their sacred poetry Avas composed in triads . In all the mysteries from Egypt to Scandinavia , we find a sacred regard for the number three . In

the rites of Mithras , the Empyrean Avas said to be supported by three intelligences — Orinuzd , Mithra , and Mithras . In the rites of Hindostan , there was the trinity of Brahma , Vishnu , and Siva . It Avas , in short , a general character of the

mysteries to have three principal officers and three grades of initiation . In Freemasonry , the number three is the most important and universal in its application of all the mystic numbers . Thus we find it pervading the whole Ritual . There are

three Degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry—three principal officers of a Lodge—three supportsthree ornaments—three greater and three lesser lig hts—three moveable and three immovable jewels—three principal tenets—three rounds of

Jacob ' s ladder—three Avorking tools of a F . Cthree principal orders of arclti teefcure — three important human senses—three ancient Grand Masters—three recreant F . 0 . ; and , indeed , the instances exceed the limits of our space to

enumerate them , one stood for life , two for death , three for Eternity . Pour Avas a divine number . It referred to the Deity , and among the ancients , mauy nations