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Article A GREAT FRENCH FAIR. ← Page 3 of 3 Article SYMBOLISM OF THE MOSAIC WORSHIP. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Great French Fair.
and altogether there was an air of sleek comfortableness about them , ivhich made me think their fasts and vigils agreed with them . Yet all these various classes were but detachments of the great human army which filled the streets and boulevards of Oaen ; the main body was formed of the landed proprietors
and peasantry of that aud tlie neighbouring communes . To look on them , one scarce coidd believe himself in the middle ofthe nineteenth century , so unlike was their attire to what has been generally worn for so many generations . It was not so much the habiliments of the men that attracted attention , though the blue blouse of the peasant is the direct descendant
of the garment usually worn by their class in the middle ages ; it was the fair sex who shone , as they are sure to do in some way , the cynosure of all eyes . Ancl as if the universal shortskirted , short-waisted dress , with the indispensable apron aud bib , ancl the kerchief hanging primly from the shoulders were
not remarkable enough , their heads were surmounted by the most extraordinary headgears ever behold . There was no monotony on this point , for each varied according to its wearer ' s commune , but only to some other form of ugliness , and yet with but little modification all these have descended from remote antiquity , and been worn in
olden times by queens , and dames of high degree . Some of these head dresses are fan bordered , others rise in a cone , sometimes ornamented with huge butterfly wings fluttering behind ^ or long lappets drooping from the apex—the relic of the ancient veil—while others still boast a towering superstructure ; ancl in . all cases these head tires were adornedin
, honour of the festival , with an abundance of flowers , ribbons , or jewellery . It was really amusing to see one of these dames leaning on the arm of" some exceedingly fine gentleman ivhose yet more fine lady wife followed , under the escort of one whose
appearance suggests the probable truth that his clothes were bought ready made . Such parties are constantly to be met , and sometimes we have fancied the fashionables felt embarrassed trt exhibiting such guests , but they had at all events the satisfaction of knowing they were not singular . Moreover , these guests were their own equals in station and circumstances
, there being but one difference between them , that while the ^ city belle follows each passing fashion , the rich proprietor ' s wife , looked up to by all around her , retains the costume which has descended to her through long generations , and never thinks of changing it for a newer . And now having noted all the prominent objects of the
Great Fair—except the beggars , whose name was legionand bought ourselves no end of fairings , like every oue else , we take our leave of it , when leisurely as they had risen , these wooden streets ancl theatres disappeared , and the boulevards once more became a cpiiet and airy promenade .
Symbolism Of The Mosaic Worship.
SYMBOLISM OF THE MOSAIC WORSHIP .
A PROFOUND thinker and able writer contributes essays and reviews from time to time , under the pseudonym of 1 Attieus" in the columns of our excellent contemporary the Critic . A new work by Dr . B . ihr , of Heidelberg , "Syinbolik des Mosaischen Cnltus" has been taken by ' Attieus" as the foundation of a recent paper , which we think
of sufficient interest and value to the brethren to warrant our reproducing it in these pages almost entire . Ihe article in question is certainly marked by some peculiarities , among which may be noticed the somewhat eccentric mode of expression adopted , which savours of the German school and an of Greek and Latin words
, unnecessary use cruell y Anglicised , where plain Saxon would , probably have expressed the writer ' s meaning more clearly , if not more wcgantl y . This , however , is matter of taste ; but as illusrating a great point in Masonry , we think this essay well worth y to bo studied by tho thoughtful craftsman ,
independently of the attention which the research and learning which it displayed must of themselves command . " An exaggerated , fantastic , and radically false typology has prevented men from seeing the profound symbolical import ol Mosaism . Granting that Mosaism prepared , foreshadowed a grander , more spiritual dispensation than itself , it would by no means follow that the whole of Mosaic ceremonial down to tho
minutest point was intended onl y to typify a future doctrine or event . Yet this is exactly what many theologians persist in declaring . Thc theory of the typologists is unsupported hy a tittle of evidence or argument . The only acceptable evidence , the only convincing argument , would be the unremitting and elaborate endeavour ofthe New Testament throughout to show that everything iu Christianity was the correspondence to a Mosaic rite or
the completion thereof . But neither on thc part of Christ nor of his apostles do we find the faintest trace of such an endeavour . On the contrary , while there is an intense and incessant anxiety to prove that Christ is tlie predicted , there is an obvious desire in the master to escape from the pressure of ritual gorgeousness into life divine , and of thc disciples to escape from it into grace divine . Yet it would surely be preposterous to believe in the antagonism ,
and in the typical application of Mosaism too . Indeed , whenever tlie Mosaic rites are alluded to , it is simply in the way of illustration . Considering also that the professed intention of the gospel was to achieve a regeneration , in which the invisible Deity was to deal mysteriously and miraculously with the invisible soul , it would have been cumbering and complicating , nay neutralizing ancl contradicting the processif the soul had been for
, ever summoned from-its-ecstatic commune with the unseen to an arid investigation regarding types and antitypes . In truth , though Christianity sprang from Mosaism , and though it is unnatural to break , as Baden Powell and others have attempted , this bond of filiation , yet Mosaism had eminently its own work and its own mission , and therefore must be studied first of all with reference to the ' Israelites for whom it was intended .
: A mistake wherewith the orthodox and heterodox are equally chargeable is that of supposing that faith assumed in thc religions of antiquity the same dogmatic shape as in those of our own day . Dogmatism in religion belongs entirely to modern times . AVith that which the worshipper at present deems the only or the chief thing—the creed—the worshipper of old did not trouble himself . Religion spoke in forms , and in forms the worshipper replied .
But so much the less religious were they logical , so much the more were they metaphysical . Tho farther back we can trace thc development of a religion , the clearer arc thc indications of thc metaphysical principle , which shows the absurdity of what Comte and ' his followers have uttered on a matter they so little understand . For instance , the veneration for certain numbersthree , four , five , seven , ten , twelve—a veneration so conspicuous h
in all organized religions , demanded a long metapysical training . Age after age must men have brooded on thc unspeakable and unfathomable abyss of Deity before they could venture to declare that there was one absolute God . Age after age must they further have brooded before they could fruitfully behold him in that threefold manifestation of his character and power to which rationalistic schemes have such bitter hatred . Then how many ages more ere seven become the most sacred of all numbers as
symbolizing both the universe and its Creator . Symbol iu religion is a metaphysical product , though phantasy crowns and clothes it . " Now what distinguishes Mosaic symbolism is the ethical intention . Moses wished to make the Hebrews a people of prophets . But this was not to be achieved simply by rejecting everything- in heathenism . What Moses sought was that thc
symbol should never be convertible into thc image or thc idol . Many theologians have represented a fanatical antipathy to heathenism as the primordial motive of Moses . There was scarcely a symbol instituted by Moses which had not its parallel in heathen modes and instruments of adoration . Suppose it could be proved that Moses had borrowed thc whole of his symbols froin Egypt , this would leave the main design of thc Mosaic legislation and
worship unaffected . The true witnessing to the Divine is to turn tilings the most unholy to holy uses . A religious reformation never arises for the mere purpose of inventing a new machinery . This would be puerile ; it would condemn it as being not of heaven , but of earth . 'The grandeur of Mosaism ivas not in setting up something entirely alien and apart ; it was in transfiguring what men universally honoured and revered , lint had ceased to discern aud feel the essential meaning of . " Bishop Berkeley , with whom , it is to lie feared , our pulpit
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Great French Fair.
and altogether there was an air of sleek comfortableness about them , ivhich made me think their fasts and vigils agreed with them . Yet all these various classes were but detachments of the great human army which filled the streets and boulevards of Oaen ; the main body was formed of the landed proprietors
and peasantry of that aud tlie neighbouring communes . To look on them , one scarce coidd believe himself in the middle ofthe nineteenth century , so unlike was their attire to what has been generally worn for so many generations . It was not so much the habiliments of the men that attracted attention , though the blue blouse of the peasant is the direct descendant
of the garment usually worn by their class in the middle ages ; it was the fair sex who shone , as they are sure to do in some way , the cynosure of all eyes . Ancl as if the universal shortskirted , short-waisted dress , with the indispensable apron aud bib , ancl the kerchief hanging primly from the shoulders were
not remarkable enough , their heads were surmounted by the most extraordinary headgears ever behold . There was no monotony on this point , for each varied according to its wearer ' s commune , but only to some other form of ugliness , and yet with but little modification all these have descended from remote antiquity , and been worn in
olden times by queens , and dames of high degree . Some of these head dresses are fan bordered , others rise in a cone , sometimes ornamented with huge butterfly wings fluttering behind ^ or long lappets drooping from the apex—the relic of the ancient veil—while others still boast a towering superstructure ; ancl in . all cases these head tires were adornedin
, honour of the festival , with an abundance of flowers , ribbons , or jewellery . It was really amusing to see one of these dames leaning on the arm of" some exceedingly fine gentleman ivhose yet more fine lady wife followed , under the escort of one whose
appearance suggests the probable truth that his clothes were bought ready made . Such parties are constantly to be met , and sometimes we have fancied the fashionables felt embarrassed trt exhibiting such guests , but they had at all events the satisfaction of knowing they were not singular . Moreover , these guests were their own equals in station and circumstances
, there being but one difference between them , that while the ^ city belle follows each passing fashion , the rich proprietor ' s wife , looked up to by all around her , retains the costume which has descended to her through long generations , and never thinks of changing it for a newer . And now having noted all the prominent objects of the
Great Fair—except the beggars , whose name was legionand bought ourselves no end of fairings , like every oue else , we take our leave of it , when leisurely as they had risen , these wooden streets ancl theatres disappeared , and the boulevards once more became a cpiiet and airy promenade .
Symbolism Of The Mosaic Worship.
SYMBOLISM OF THE MOSAIC WORSHIP .
A PROFOUND thinker and able writer contributes essays and reviews from time to time , under the pseudonym of 1 Attieus" in the columns of our excellent contemporary the Critic . A new work by Dr . B . ihr , of Heidelberg , "Syinbolik des Mosaischen Cnltus" has been taken by ' Attieus" as the foundation of a recent paper , which we think
of sufficient interest and value to the brethren to warrant our reproducing it in these pages almost entire . Ihe article in question is certainly marked by some peculiarities , among which may be noticed the somewhat eccentric mode of expression adopted , which savours of the German school and an of Greek and Latin words
, unnecessary use cruell y Anglicised , where plain Saxon would , probably have expressed the writer ' s meaning more clearly , if not more wcgantl y . This , however , is matter of taste ; but as illusrating a great point in Masonry , we think this essay well worth y to bo studied by tho thoughtful craftsman ,
independently of the attention which the research and learning which it displayed must of themselves command . " An exaggerated , fantastic , and radically false typology has prevented men from seeing the profound symbolical import ol Mosaism . Granting that Mosaism prepared , foreshadowed a grander , more spiritual dispensation than itself , it would by no means follow that the whole of Mosaic ceremonial down to tho
minutest point was intended onl y to typify a future doctrine or event . Yet this is exactly what many theologians persist in declaring . Thc theory of the typologists is unsupported hy a tittle of evidence or argument . The only acceptable evidence , the only convincing argument , would be the unremitting and elaborate endeavour ofthe New Testament throughout to show that everything iu Christianity was the correspondence to a Mosaic rite or
the completion thereof . But neither on thc part of Christ nor of his apostles do we find the faintest trace of such an endeavour . On the contrary , while there is an intense and incessant anxiety to prove that Christ is tlie predicted , there is an obvious desire in the master to escape from the pressure of ritual gorgeousness into life divine , and of thc disciples to escape from it into grace divine . Yet it would surely be preposterous to believe in the antagonism ,
and in the typical application of Mosaism too . Indeed , whenever tlie Mosaic rites are alluded to , it is simply in the way of illustration . Considering also that the professed intention of the gospel was to achieve a regeneration , in which the invisible Deity was to deal mysteriously and miraculously with the invisible soul , it would have been cumbering and complicating , nay neutralizing ancl contradicting the processif the soul had been for
, ever summoned from-its-ecstatic commune with the unseen to an arid investigation regarding types and antitypes . In truth , though Christianity sprang from Mosaism , and though it is unnatural to break , as Baden Powell and others have attempted , this bond of filiation , yet Mosaism had eminently its own work and its own mission , and therefore must be studied first of all with reference to the ' Israelites for whom it was intended .
: A mistake wherewith the orthodox and heterodox are equally chargeable is that of supposing that faith assumed in thc religions of antiquity the same dogmatic shape as in those of our own day . Dogmatism in religion belongs entirely to modern times . AVith that which the worshipper at present deems the only or the chief thing—the creed—the worshipper of old did not trouble himself . Religion spoke in forms , and in forms the worshipper replied .
But so much the less religious were they logical , so much the more were they metaphysical . Tho farther back we can trace thc development of a religion , the clearer arc thc indications of thc metaphysical principle , which shows the absurdity of what Comte and ' his followers have uttered on a matter they so little understand . For instance , the veneration for certain numbersthree , four , five , seven , ten , twelve—a veneration so conspicuous h
in all organized religions , demanded a long metapysical training . Age after age must men have brooded on thc unspeakable and unfathomable abyss of Deity before they could venture to declare that there was one absolute God . Age after age must they further have brooded before they could fruitfully behold him in that threefold manifestation of his character and power to which rationalistic schemes have such bitter hatred . Then how many ages more ere seven become the most sacred of all numbers as
symbolizing both the universe and its Creator . Symbol iu religion is a metaphysical product , though phantasy crowns and clothes it . " Now what distinguishes Mosaic symbolism is the ethical intention . Moses wished to make the Hebrews a people of prophets . But this was not to be achieved simply by rejecting everything- in heathenism . What Moses sought was that thc
symbol should never be convertible into thc image or thc idol . Many theologians have represented a fanatical antipathy to heathenism as the primordial motive of Moses . There was scarcely a symbol instituted by Moses which had not its parallel in heathen modes and instruments of adoration . Suppose it could be proved that Moses had borrowed thc whole of his symbols froin Egypt , this would leave the main design of thc Mosaic legislation and
worship unaffected . The true witnessing to the Divine is to turn tilings the most unholy to holy uses . A religious reformation never arises for the mere purpose of inventing a new machinery . This would be puerile ; it would condemn it as being not of heaven , but of earth . 'The grandeur of Mosaism ivas not in setting up something entirely alien and apart ; it was in transfiguring what men universally honoured and revered , lint had ceased to discern aud feel the essential meaning of . " Bishop Berkeley , with whom , it is to lie feared , our pulpit