The Masonic Properties Of Numbers.

1 st . —And here it may first be remarked , that as a very natural measure of time , space , or numbers , the figure 10 obtained a distinct ( and significant ) value from that of any other cipher . It was early found to be the most convenient division in the scale of numbers for tallying up large amounts . This would specially arise from the use of the first natural counters , or tally-blocks , which

man possesses , namely , the ten fingers and the ten toes . Man in the primitive ages of the world , and savages , to the present day , use in many instances the fingers and toes as a method of reckoning up numbers , or of laying down points in argument . The decimal scale , or scale of progressional computation by tensis a natural princile in the human mind

, p when once it has attained to the conception of large numbers , or extensive aggregations of objects . For these reasons , it may be said that the denary , or number 10 , was highly estimated by our ancient , precursors in Masonry , as being the first symbol of the natural arithmetical measure of things by the decimal scale . 2 nd . —If ive look at the number 10 as a compound of

tbe numbers 1 , 2 , 3 , and 4 , thus 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 = 10 , wo have at once an explanation , I think , of the manner in which Pythagoras obtained his idea of the celebrated Tetractys . For the Tetractys of Pythagoras was one of the most sacred hieroglyphics of his mysteries . It was expressed by ten "jots , " or commas , thus arranged :

_ . _ _ > * _ 5 _ And their explanation was as follows : —The one single comma ( at the apex of the triangle ) represented the Monad , or active male principle ( see Lecture 1 st , number

1 , section 8 ) . The two commas in the second row represented the Duad , or passive female principle ( see Lecture 1 st , number 2 , section 5 ) . The three commas in the third row represented the Triad , or world arising from the union of Monad and Duad ( see Lecture 1 st , number 3 , section 1 ) . The four commas in the last row represented the Quaternaryor the four liberal artsthose

, , graceful civiliscrs of the human intellect , —Poetry , Painting , Music , and Sculpture . It was on this mysterious figure , called the Tetractys , that the obligation was propounded to the candidate in the esoteric school of Pythagoras , fully five hundred years before the birth of Christ . Jamblichus , a Greek author , who wrote about tho year A . D . 350 , gives this

oath on the Tetractys in his " Life of Pythagoras . " In the Greek he says : " Ou ma ainetere genuec , paradouta tetractun Pagan iienaou phuseos , rizoma t'echousan . " Which may be thus freely rendered into English : " By tbat pure quadrilat ' ral name on high Nature's eternal fountain and supply , The parent of all souls that living be

By it , with faithful oath , I swear to thee . " I bave but little doubt , brethren , that the idea of the Tetractys was derived by Pythagoras from the Tetragrammaton of thq Jews , when he visited Babylon , and was instructed by Ezekiel in the Jewish mysteries . 3 rd . —The number 10 typified to tbe most ancient secret societies , the assemblage of all the wonders of the

universe . They wrote it hieroglyphically , thus , 0 , that is to say unity ( the cross bar ) in the midst of Zero ; as the centre of a circle , or symbol of the Supreme Being occupying the centre of all space , they saw in this emblem everything that should lead to serious reflection ; the centre , the radius , and the circumference representing respectivelGodManand the Universe . It was

y , , their sign of concord , love , and peace . 4 th . —But to Masons , brethren , at the present day , and ever since tbe building of Solomon's Temple , this number conveys a wider , a loftier , a more enchanting meaning . I am , of course , precluded , in a publication of this

kind , from pointing out to the Craft as distinctly as I could wish the symbolism I now refer to ; but I am permitted to remind the brethren that the number 10 is a sign of the most consummate good-fellowship and sound faith , for it is expressed in one degree of Masonry by a grip in which the total number of fingers impressively recalls the number 10 to our minds . May the sacred

ties and bonds represented by that symbolic number be ever active amongst us with fervency , with faithfulness ,, and with zeal ! Of the number 11 , brethren , I have nothing to say , for I have not been able in Masonic lore to discover any authentic references to its use as a symbol . Amongst the spurious Freemasonry of the Cabalistic schools , I

find that a certain charm was supposed to reside in the number 11 , from the mysterious combinations found ina peculiar word of eleven letters , which was used by them in ceremonies of incantation . But in Masonry proper I find no references to tbis number ; and so I pass , on to the last Masonic symbol in numbers—the number 12 , 1 st .. —The number 12 like the number 7 was celebrated

, , , in the worship of nature . Amongst ancient astronomers and astrologists there were two separate and distinct divisions of the heavens—one was the division by seven , which is that of the seven great planets ; the other was the division by twelve , which is that of the twelve signsof the Zodiac , corresponding to the twelve months of the year . These divisions of tbe heavens are found

hieroglyphically expressed , upon the religious monuments of every people of the ancient world , even to the Ultima Thule of the East . Although Pythagoras does not speak of the number 12 , it is one of the most ancient of Masonic numerals . Being the emblem of the Zodiac , it is found sometimes by metonymy to refer to the sun ,, which rules over it . 2 nd . —The number 12 bears , for Masons , a most special and significant meaning , from its reference to the twelve

tribes of Israel , and the twelve characteristic points of initiation into our ancient and solemn mysteries . I would , therefore , in conclusion , particularly call your attention , brethren , to the twelve points of Masonry , which form the basis of our system , and comprehend the whole ceremony of initiation . 'Without recurrence to these points , no man ever was or ever can be legally

enrolled in our Order . These twelve points of Masonry refer to the twelve several parts of the ceremony of initiation to the twelve tribes of Israel , and may be best illustrated , I think , in the following manner : 1 st . —To the tribe of Reuben was referred the opening of the lodge ; because he was the first-born son of the patriarch Jacob .

2 nd . —To Simeon was referred tlie preparation of the candidate ; because it was Simeon who prepared the instruments of destruction for the slaughter of tbe Shechemites . 3 rd . —To Levi was referred the report ; because he gave a signal ( or report ) to his brothers when they assailed the men of Shechem .

4 th . —To Judah was referred the entrance of the candidate ; because the tribe of Judah was the first which entered the Promised Land . 5 th . —To Zebuluu was referred tbe prayer ; because the prayer and blessing of his father were conferred on him iu preference to his brother Issachar . 6 th . —To Issachar was referred the circum-ambular

tion ; because , as an indolent and thriftless tribe , they required a leader to advance them to an equal elevation with the other tribes . 7 th . —To Dan was referred the ceremony of advancing to the altar , as a contrast with the rapid advance of that tribe to idolatry . 8 th . —To Gad was referred the obligation ; because of tbe vow of Jepbtba , a member of that tribe . 9 th . —To Asher was referred the time when the candidate was entrusted ; because Asher , from the fertile