The Masonic Properties Op Numbers.

different and distinct purposes , opinions , or material objects , at once for the first time , admits the possibility of disunion , contrast , and discord . And in this view , the old school of Pythagoras , regarded the duad as representing tho imperfect condition into ivhich a beingfalls , when he detaches himself from the monad , or Great Architect of tho Universe . Spiritual beings ,

emanating- from the Supreme Being , are enveloped , as it were , in the principle of the duad , and therefore receive , originally , indistinct , illusory impressions . For in tbe present state Ave see things but as in a glass , darkly ; but a time ivill come , ive know , when we shall see face to face , and all doubt , uncertainty , and unbelief shall be cleared away for ever !

3 rd . —As formerly the number one designated harmony , order , or the good principle , so the number two expressed the contrary idea . And at this point commenced tho fatal knowledge of evil as ivoll as good . Everything evil , false , or double dealing , being opposed to the single and sole reality and truth , was expressed by the binary number ( 2 ) . It expresses also ,

4 th . —That state of alternation and contrariety , in which nature , both physical and moral , exists , Avhere everything is double by contrast . For example , in the physical world , it referred to the contrasts of night and day , light and darkness , cold and heat , rain and drought , health , and sickness , male and female , and so on-, while , in the moral world , it reminded men of those great

antagonistic principles , error ancl truth , humanity and malevolence , charity and oppression , industry and sloth , honesty and duplicity , the past and the future , time and eternity , Satan and God 1 It ivas in a vein of thought such as this , that the Romans , in connexion Avith tho number 2 , dedicated the second mouth in tho year to Pluto , tho god of Hades , and the second day of that month to the manes of their dead . And again , before dismissing this portion of our subject , it may be remarked that so ancient is the date at -ivhich men learned

to question numbers for their symbolical meanings , that even from time immemorial ( for Chinese records and traditions are perhaps the most ancient in the world ) we find that the number one , ivit-h the Chinese , signified unity , harmony , order , God ; ivhilst tho number tivo denoted disorder , duplicity , discord , and falsehood . Tho Chinese , from the earliest ages , seem to have based their

whole philosophical system of symbols on two primary figures or lines , one straight and unbroken , and the other divided into two parts . Plato , in his philosophical speculations , terms unity and duality the original elements of nature , ancl first principles of all existence ; and the oldest sacred book of the Chinese says , " Tho great first principle has produced two equationsand differences

, , or primary rules of existence ; but the two primary rules , or two oppositions , namely "Tn" and "Tang , " or repose and motion , have produced four signs or symbols , and the four symbols have produced the eight " ICoona , " or farther combinations . 5 th . —We have seen , in treating of the monad , that it Avas to be considered of the male genderand represented

, the creative principle . So , on tho other hand , the duad is of the female gender , inasmuch as it is ever changing by addition . And in this light , it represents matter capable of form ; matter capable of being moulded . 6 th . —And lastly , the duad , or number 2 , points most directly and Masonically to the two pillars of the porch , in the entrance to King Solomon's Temple . Ancl here

it may not be amiss to remind you that these two pillars represented symbolically the pillar of cloud and that of fire , which travelled by the miraculous power of the Great Architect of tho Universe , with His chosen people , the Jews , in the Avilderness , and Avhich were tokens of the Divine Providence over them . These pillars King Solomon set at the ] 3 orch , or entering-in of the Temple ( the left baud pillar representing the pillar of lire , and the right hand one representing the pillar of cloud ) , praying and hoping that the divine light ancl the cloud of

God's glory would vouchsafe to enter in there ; and that by them God and His providence would dwell amongst them in that magnificent building . With these obseiwations I close our consideration of tho symbolical meaning of the number 2 , and pass on to the investigation of the triad , or number 3 . And 1 st . —I may observe that the union of the monad

and duad produced , or generated , the triad ; signifying tho Avorld , formed by the " creative principle" ( number one ) out of " matter capable of form" ( number two ) . And in expressing this idea , in its greatest perfection , Pythagoras represented the world by a three-sided figure or triangle . Now triangles are of three classes , rightangled , obtuse-angled , and acute-angled . After much

deliberation , however , he fixed upon the right-angled triangle as the most appropriate symbol . And the reasons he adduced were those founded on the Avonderful discovery he had made of the peculiar property of the right-angled triangle ; ancl which is that the square on the hypothennso ( or side opposite to tho right angle ) is equal to the sum of the squares on the sides containing

tho right angle . Ancl the manner in which he applied this doctrine , as the symbol of the world , was , that the world , as formed , being taken as square of the hypothenuse is equal to the " creative cause" ( square of the one log ) plus " matter clothed with form" ( square of the other leg ) . 2 nd . —I would remark , with respect to the triad , or

number three , that it refers directly to tho sacred and ineffable name of the Supreme Being . For , by a process of reasoning easily reconcilable Avith mathematical experience , the number three represents the first most

perfect geometrical figure . Thus , in geometry a simple straight line is a most imperfect germ of the science ; for it cannot represent any kind of created body , much less perfect being . As little do two lines constitute a figure demonstrably perfect . But three lines , and especially three equal lines , form by their combination , under the first problem of Euclid , an equilateral triangle ; or the simplest

and first of all geometrical figures , ivhich is regularly ancl symmetrically perfect . And this is why it has served , and still serves , to symbolize the Great Architect of the Universe , who , infinitely perfect iu His nature , is , as universal creator , the first being in the universe , and , consequently , the first perfection . The quadrangle or square , perfect as it appears , being but the second

perfection ( for it has one more side than the first perfection or equilateral triangle ) can in no wise represent God , AVIIO is the first perfection . It is notable that the name of God ( in Latin Deus , and in French Dieu ) has for its initial a letter derived from the Greek letter " d , " or delta , Avhich was an equilateral triangle . Such is the reason among ancients and moderns for the consecration

of tho triangle , AVIIOSO three sides are emblems of the three kingdoms , animal , vegetable , and mineral ; the three existences of man , on earth , in heaven , or in hell : the throe simple elements , earth , air , and water ; and the triune Godhead , Jehovah . And in conformity with this idea , the name of the Deity , in many nations , consisted of three lettersamongst the GreeksIA 0 ; amongst

; , , , the Persians , H , 0 , M ; amongst tbe Hindoos , A , U , M ; aud amongst tho Scandinavians , I , O , W . On the upright tablet of the king , recently discovered at Nimroud , by Mr . Layard , no less than five of the thirteen names of tho great gods consist of three letters each ; namely , ANU , SAN , TAY , BAR , and BEL .

3 rd . —The number three refers Masonically to our three well-known pillars , Avisdom , strength , and beauty ; and therefore to the Doric , Ionic , and Corinthian orders of architecture ; and consequently also to the W . M ., as associated with his two colleagues , the S . and J . Wardens . 4 th . —It reminds us of those three steps which are delineated on a Master ' s carpet , and Avhich are emblematical of the three principle stages of human life ; youth , manhood , and old age . 5 th . —The triad , or number three , is to be regarded as