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  • Nov. 21, 1863
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The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine, Nov. 21, 1863: Page 6

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    Article MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES . ← Page 3 of 4 →
Page 6

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Masonic Notes And Queries .

and also from the new moon * nearest the equinox . They were very strict in observing tliis rule in many of their ceremonies . f It was to commemorate the creation that the Druids lighted fires on the tops of hills , which received the name of BAALTIEN , or divine fires . As in patriarchal times , too , they erected round temples open at the top , with no covering save the cloudy canopy of heaven . Why these temples were round , instead of square , and other pertinent matters , we shall take occasion to

speak of under the appropriate head . AVe are of the Virgilian faith , that in these latter days , old things are destined to become new ; that the revolutions of ages will bring for us universal order ; that the Virgin TIJt—the Ceres and Isis of mythology , who holds in her hands the balance— £ __ , is returning to a renovated earth , inhabited by regenerated men , living in perfect love and amity , and rejoicing in the felicities of the golden age ! Brethren of the mystic tiedo you believedo you know

, , , do you realise , that it is no small part of your mission to aid in' ushering in this glorious era ? THE MUSIC OF THE SPHEEES , it is said , suggested human music , which is defined to consist in the faculties and the various passions and emotions of the soul . The introduction of music into our modern rites , and its cultivation in aid of our social and moral duties as Freemasons , and other kindred subjects , we must leave untouchedmaking only a passing allusion to the

, appropriateness — indeed , indispensahility— of introducing a volume devoted to this delightful art into our Freemasonic libraries for study and practice . A learned lexicographer defines celestial music , or the music of the spheres , as comprehending " the order and proportion in the magnitudes , distances , and -motions of the heavenly bodies , and the harmony of ihe sounds resulting from those motions . "

THE MUSES , according to the mythological accounts , were the inventors of music . They and the sciences were represented in curious pavements of mosaic work callled " musea . " It was their office to be present at all sacred festivals and banquets , and sing the praises of men famous for the virtuous deeds , to stimulate others to undertake them ; and particular departments of science and art were assigned to their tutelary care . They

were generally depicted with hands joined , dancing in a circle ; in the centre of which presides Apollo , their commander . Their dancing in chorus is assigned to intimate the connection exist ' ing between the arts and sciences . But what , exclaims a captious brother , have the Muses to do with Freemasonry ? And we will ask , in turn , why do Masons make a parade in their lectures about the " liberal arts and sciences ? " Our Russian brethren particularly answered the

question of such objectors when they founded their " Lodge of the Nine Muses , " during the last century ; and so did our English brethren by forming a similar lodge , as well as our Parisian brethren when they established their " Loge des neuf Sosurs , " of which tlie American philosopher and statesman , Benjamin Franklin , was a member . Eusebius thinks that the word muse is derived from / xuea to initiate and instructbecause the Muses teach hidden things

, above the vulgar comprehension . From the same root doubtless is derived the word music , as well as museum , a study or library . Plutarch informs us that Kuma , the founder of the Collegia Fabrorum ( about 708 years B . c ) , had frequent conversations with the Muses ; and he enjoined upon his subjects the veneration of one of them in particular , called "Tacita , " or the silent .

By Tacita was meant the eighth Muse named POLYHYMNIA , who presided over eloquence and initiation . She is portrayed with the fore-finger of her right hand on her mouth . Is she not the genius of Freemasonry ? It is a significant fact , too , of moment , to be placed on record here , that the court of the house in which one whom the Freemasons are so proud to rank among their distinguished ancient brethren , even Pythagoras—gave

instruction to his initiates , was hy universal consent called" The Temple of the Muses , " while the house itself was named " The Sanctuary of Truth . " On this occasion , we pay our special court only to Euterpe , Urania , and Terpischore . Amantes sceurs , an -revoii—till some other esoteric hour . The different tones in music have been regarded as expressing different colours ; which in their turn , as well as the sounds themselves , are expressive of tlie four different elements , one of

a series of symbols illustrated in the divine quarternary of Ineffable Masonry . * Fire and light , electricity and spirit , aerial agents employed by the Almighty in the creation and preservation of the universe , might be symbolised by the shrill and treble , counter , tenor , and base tones of music . Thus , according to the degree in which musical intonations and modulations of voice and instrument , differently combined and modified , he made to denote the different passions and emotions

can , sentiments and desires of tbe mind , is music a " UNIVEESAL LANGUAGE . TUB SEVEN BLANETS are symbolised by the seven pipes iu the hand of the god PAN , SO arranged that their music would make a most harmonious concert . The image of this god was understood to represent the rare correspondence of harmony that exists between tlie component parts of the universe .

" Agile and vig ' rous , venerable SUN , Fiery and bright , around the heavens you run , Foe to the wicked , but the good man's guide , O'er all his steps propitious you preside ; With various sounding golden lyre 'tis thine To fill the world with harmony divine . "f The three planets represented hy the signs 0 D © , constitute one of the Freemasonic triads . The Greek word for the

earth , K 02 MOS signifies literally , order—beauty—grace . The sun is esteemed by Freemasons , for reasons well . known to them , which it would be out of place here to name , as the symbol of STRENGTH or power , and the moon , of WISDOM or intelligence . Among the ancients , the sun and moon hieroglyphically represented eternity , because they supposed them to be without beginning or end . A sphere with the signs of the zodiac , and a

multitude of stars upon it , furnished the usual representation of the world . It was supported by a man on his knees , named Atlas , arrayed in a long garment , denoting that the world is sustained by the power of God , who is covered to the profane , " with divers emblems and dark shadows . " The venerable OliverJ remarks , that the Egyptians endeavoured to embody the whole of their bieroglyphieal system in one mystical diagram , which was esteemed a constellation Of

the secrets perpetuated in the mysteries . He gives the diagram but " leaves the explanation of it to your ingenuity and reresearch . " This diagram is naught else than the mystical figure of BAFUMED or KARUE ( Anglice calf ) , symbolising the secrets

of the nature of the world , or secret of secrets , fully explained in a curious Arabic work , entitled " THE SUN or SUNS AND MOON OI MOONS , " which we have had in our library a number of years , but we have not , until recently , attempted a translation of it . THE AEEIAL BOWERS , or active forces in nature , supposed to he fire , light , electricity , and spirit , or which we thus name for the want of better terms , employed by the ALLWISE OMNIPIC

in creating the universe , were deified by the Gentile nations of the earth . Mistakes in religion in the early ages of the world , as well as since , arose from taking literally what was meant figuratively or emblematically—an error the Jews fell into as well as the Gentiles . The names of the heathen gods were only these powers personified , of which a large number are to he found in tho Hebrew Scriptures , as well as iu the works of mytholographcrs . They mostly expressed radiationmoving to

, and fro , exultation , leaping , rotary , progressive , driving , rushing , and harmonious motion . AA e shall allude , very briefly , to two or three of the many names which bear closely on the subject we have now in hand . The aerial goddess of the Greeks is called by Homer AeuKoXeyos H / , a compound of light and spirit , component parts of the air . JJn or Jin signifies a circle or spherealso a lambprobably on account of its leaping or skiing

, pp motion . BETH HOGLA—a heathen temple , is compounded of 33 C 1 , to circumgy rate—or 31 H to move in a circle , and ^ T \ C . to exult , leap ; dance—to express the joy of the mind by outward gestures , as turning round or moving in a circle .

“The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine: 1863-11-21, Page 6” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 11 June 2025, django:8000/periodicals/mmr/issues/mmr_21111863/page/6/.
  • List
  • Grid
Title Category Page
DOUBLE INITIATION. Article 1
MASONIC SAYINGS AND DOINGS. Article 1
PROFESSOR DONALDSON ON THE POSITION OF ARCHITECTURE.* Article 2
MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES . Article 4
CORRESPONDENCE. Article 7
THE GLAMORGAN LODGE AND RE-INITIATION. Article 8
THE ANTIQUITY OF MASONIC DEGREES. Article 8
ON THE PROCESSIONS OF ANCIENT 'FREEMASONS, &c, IN LONDON. Article 9
CAN A WARDEN INITIATE ? &c. Article 10
Untitled Article 10
THE MASONIC MIRROR. Article 11
METROPOLITAN. Article 11
PROVINCIAL. Article 12
ROYAL ARCH. Article 14
IRELAND. Article 14
COLONIAL. Article 14
AUSTRALIA. Article 15
PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS. Article 16
Poetry. Article 18
THE WEEK. Article 18
TO CORRESPONDENTS. Article 20
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Masonic Notes And Queries .

and also from the new moon * nearest the equinox . They were very strict in observing tliis rule in many of their ceremonies . f It was to commemorate the creation that the Druids lighted fires on the tops of hills , which received the name of BAALTIEN , or divine fires . As in patriarchal times , too , they erected round temples open at the top , with no covering save the cloudy canopy of heaven . Why these temples were round , instead of square , and other pertinent matters , we shall take occasion to

speak of under the appropriate head . AVe are of the Virgilian faith , that in these latter days , old things are destined to become new ; that the revolutions of ages will bring for us universal order ; that the Virgin TIJt—the Ceres and Isis of mythology , who holds in her hands the balance— £ __ , is returning to a renovated earth , inhabited by regenerated men , living in perfect love and amity , and rejoicing in the felicities of the golden age ! Brethren of the mystic tiedo you believedo you know

, , , do you realise , that it is no small part of your mission to aid in' ushering in this glorious era ? THE MUSIC OF THE SPHEEES , it is said , suggested human music , which is defined to consist in the faculties and the various passions and emotions of the soul . The introduction of music into our modern rites , and its cultivation in aid of our social and moral duties as Freemasons , and other kindred subjects , we must leave untouchedmaking only a passing allusion to the

, appropriateness — indeed , indispensahility— of introducing a volume devoted to this delightful art into our Freemasonic libraries for study and practice . A learned lexicographer defines celestial music , or the music of the spheres , as comprehending " the order and proportion in the magnitudes , distances , and -motions of the heavenly bodies , and the harmony of ihe sounds resulting from those motions . "

THE MUSES , according to the mythological accounts , were the inventors of music . They and the sciences were represented in curious pavements of mosaic work callled " musea . " It was their office to be present at all sacred festivals and banquets , and sing the praises of men famous for the virtuous deeds , to stimulate others to undertake them ; and particular departments of science and art were assigned to their tutelary care . They

were generally depicted with hands joined , dancing in a circle ; in the centre of which presides Apollo , their commander . Their dancing in chorus is assigned to intimate the connection exist ' ing between the arts and sciences . But what , exclaims a captious brother , have the Muses to do with Freemasonry ? And we will ask , in turn , why do Masons make a parade in their lectures about the " liberal arts and sciences ? " Our Russian brethren particularly answered the

question of such objectors when they founded their " Lodge of the Nine Muses , " during the last century ; and so did our English brethren by forming a similar lodge , as well as our Parisian brethren when they established their " Loge des neuf Sosurs , " of which tlie American philosopher and statesman , Benjamin Franklin , was a member . Eusebius thinks that the word muse is derived from / xuea to initiate and instructbecause the Muses teach hidden things

, above the vulgar comprehension . From the same root doubtless is derived the word music , as well as museum , a study or library . Plutarch informs us that Kuma , the founder of the Collegia Fabrorum ( about 708 years B . c ) , had frequent conversations with the Muses ; and he enjoined upon his subjects the veneration of one of them in particular , called "Tacita , " or the silent .

By Tacita was meant the eighth Muse named POLYHYMNIA , who presided over eloquence and initiation . She is portrayed with the fore-finger of her right hand on her mouth . Is she not the genius of Freemasonry ? It is a significant fact , too , of moment , to be placed on record here , that the court of the house in which one whom the Freemasons are so proud to rank among their distinguished ancient brethren , even Pythagoras—gave

instruction to his initiates , was hy universal consent called" The Temple of the Muses , " while the house itself was named " The Sanctuary of Truth . " On this occasion , we pay our special court only to Euterpe , Urania , and Terpischore . Amantes sceurs , an -revoii—till some other esoteric hour . The different tones in music have been regarded as expressing different colours ; which in their turn , as well as the sounds themselves , are expressive of tlie four different elements , one of

a series of symbols illustrated in the divine quarternary of Ineffable Masonry . * Fire and light , electricity and spirit , aerial agents employed by the Almighty in the creation and preservation of the universe , might be symbolised by the shrill and treble , counter , tenor , and base tones of music . Thus , according to the degree in which musical intonations and modulations of voice and instrument , differently combined and modified , he made to denote the different passions and emotions

can , sentiments and desires of tbe mind , is music a " UNIVEESAL LANGUAGE . TUB SEVEN BLANETS are symbolised by the seven pipes iu the hand of the god PAN , SO arranged that their music would make a most harmonious concert . The image of this god was understood to represent the rare correspondence of harmony that exists between tlie component parts of the universe .

" Agile and vig ' rous , venerable SUN , Fiery and bright , around the heavens you run , Foe to the wicked , but the good man's guide , O'er all his steps propitious you preside ; With various sounding golden lyre 'tis thine To fill the world with harmony divine . "f The three planets represented hy the signs 0 D © , constitute one of the Freemasonic triads . The Greek word for the

earth , K 02 MOS signifies literally , order—beauty—grace . The sun is esteemed by Freemasons , for reasons well . known to them , which it would be out of place here to name , as the symbol of STRENGTH or power , and the moon , of WISDOM or intelligence . Among the ancients , the sun and moon hieroglyphically represented eternity , because they supposed them to be without beginning or end . A sphere with the signs of the zodiac , and a

multitude of stars upon it , furnished the usual representation of the world . It was supported by a man on his knees , named Atlas , arrayed in a long garment , denoting that the world is sustained by the power of God , who is covered to the profane , " with divers emblems and dark shadows . " The venerable OliverJ remarks , that the Egyptians endeavoured to embody the whole of their bieroglyphieal system in one mystical diagram , which was esteemed a constellation Of

the secrets perpetuated in the mysteries . He gives the diagram but " leaves the explanation of it to your ingenuity and reresearch . " This diagram is naught else than the mystical figure of BAFUMED or KARUE ( Anglice calf ) , symbolising the secrets

of the nature of the world , or secret of secrets , fully explained in a curious Arabic work , entitled " THE SUN or SUNS AND MOON OI MOONS , " which we have had in our library a number of years , but we have not , until recently , attempted a translation of it . THE AEEIAL BOWERS , or active forces in nature , supposed to he fire , light , electricity , and spirit , or which we thus name for the want of better terms , employed by the ALLWISE OMNIPIC

in creating the universe , were deified by the Gentile nations of the earth . Mistakes in religion in the early ages of the world , as well as since , arose from taking literally what was meant figuratively or emblematically—an error the Jews fell into as well as the Gentiles . The names of the heathen gods were only these powers personified , of which a large number are to he found in tho Hebrew Scriptures , as well as iu the works of mytholographcrs . They mostly expressed radiationmoving to

, and fro , exultation , leaping , rotary , progressive , driving , rushing , and harmonious motion . AA e shall allude , very briefly , to two or three of the many names which bear closely on the subject we have now in hand . The aerial goddess of the Greeks is called by Homer AeuKoXeyos H / , a compound of light and spirit , component parts of the air . JJn or Jin signifies a circle or spherealso a lambprobably on account of its leaping or skiing

, pp motion . BETH HOGLA—a heathen temple , is compounded of 33 C 1 , to circumgy rate—or 31 H to move in a circle , and ^ T \ C . to exult , leap ; dance—to express the joy of the mind by outward gestures , as turning round or moving in a circle .

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