Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Light.
characters , pursuing a conflicting line of action , and creating antagonistic effects . Such was the ori gin of this famous dogma , recognised by all the Heathens , and incorporated with all the sacred fables , cosmogonies , and mysteries of antiguity . " In the Grecian system of initiation the Hierophant declared that all
mankind , except the initiated , were in darkness . In the Persian rites , the divine lights Avere displayed before the aspirant at the moment of illumination , and he Avas instructed by the Archimagus , that at the end of the Avorld , the bad should be plunged with Ahoriman into a state of perpetual darkness
, whilst the good should ascend with Vazdan , upon a ladder , to a state of eternal light . The Persians consecrated fire , as containing the principle of light , . and the Druids worshipped the sun as its eternal source . Such AA'ere the opinions of the ancient heathen
world concerning light ; turn we now to God's chosen people , the JeAvs , and let us see what they considered it . In the 1 st c . Gen ., v . 8 , the creation of li g ht is described , ¦ which Milton has thus beautifully paraphrased : —
" ' Let there be light , ' said God , and forthwith light Ethereal , first of things , quintessence pure , Sprung from the deep , and from her native East , To journey through the airy gloom began , Sphered in a radiant cloud , for yet the Sun Was not ; she in a cloudy tabernacle Sojourned the while . G-od saw the light ivas good , And light from , darkness by the hemisphere Divided ; light the day , and darkness night , He named . This was the first day , even and morn . "
In all the dispensations previous to the coming of the Eedeemer , most of the events that happened Avere typical of something in the future , and many of them had more than one signification ; thus Ave may consider -chaos and the creation of light , typical of that chaos of Adam ' s mind when he " Heart-struckAA'ith chilling
, gripe of sorrow stood , that all his senses bound , " on his expulsion from the garden of Eden ; Avhile the introduction of light on the scene , fitly represented the light of hope and joy that filled his soul at the promise of the Eedeemer ' s coming . There are not several religions in the Biblethere is but one alone ;
, but it pleased the Almighty to communicate his gracious purposes toAvards mankind in different portions , with different degrees of clearness and obscurity , at various times , and in various manners . A li ght shone through the surrounding darkness , at times dim , again bright , but always sufficient to cheer the hearts and
guide the steps of true believers . A deliverer was promised ; this promise Avas renewed to Noah , Abraham ( in both a temporal and spiritual sense ) , and Moses . Under the Mosaical dispensation there is much more light , still there is abundant darkness , yet still the star of promisewhich was mercifullfixed
, y in those heavens which sin had covered Avith darkness , shone with celestial radiance , animating the souls of the faithful and pious " , enabling them to live in the fear and love of God , to cultivate holiness and
integrity , and to anticipate a final recompense . David , " the man after God ' s own heart , " and Isaiah , Avho is called "the Gospel Seer , " expressly alluded to the Eedeemer , as did many others of the Prophets . Thus we behold the progressive developement of the Omniscient ' s gracious purposes , from the existence of
Light.
a single star in the moral heavens , till at length we contemplate a g lorious daybreak , " and all the horizon round invested with bri ght rays ; " the splendour of the coining sun gilding the clouds of morning with rich lustre and deli ghtful hues . Then the Son of Righteousness himself comes forthivith healing on
, his wings , filling each humble heart Avith joy and gladness , and aweing each stubborn soul by his majesty . Then we see clearly the light , the holy light , " Offspring of heaven first born ! Or of the Eternal co-eternal beam , May I express the unblamed ? Since God is liht
g , And never but in unapproaehed light Dwelt ; from eternity , dwelt then in thee , Bright- effluence of bright essence increate . " —R , B . W + , ( To he continued . )
Masonic Notes And Queries.
MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .
EOSICUUCIAir KEFORAIATIOIf . In Avhat sense did the Eosicrucians attempt , or intend , to improve the Avorld : —Was ^ Masonic ?— -T ISSTWODD . — Judge for yourself from the following : — " The brethren of the E . C . do neither dream of , hope for , or endeavour ., to make any reformation in the world by religion , the
conversion of the Jews , or by the policies of enthusiasts which seemingly would be established by scripture , but that they both acknowledge and show themselves lovers of truth and justice . " As that which in the day-time most runs in men's thoughts doth in the night disturb and work upon their fancies , so every man is careful to let no opportunity slip of endeavouring to accomplish his intention ; they who set their minds upon riches are very laborious and painful to advance their estates ; they
who bend their thoughts to change commonwealths , to alter religiou , to innovate the arts , very often make use of the most despicable instruments to do their business : from this springhead hath issued many murmuring streams ; such causes have produced many tumults and confusions in commonwealths where men have been acted upon by vain thoughts and foolish dreams as it evidently appears both in the Anabaptists and Enthusiasts : are there not many even in this our age , who
being ambitious to be ringleaders iu new ways instead of a reformation , have disturbed all order and law ? they , forsooth would have religion and learning suit with their fantastical opinions . " As soon as these had heard of this honorable society thev
assured themselves that their desires would have an happy issue ; for knowing that these brethren were able in learning and riches they doubted not but that they would employ both those talents to cause an universal reformation in the world , they therefore immediately promised to themselves one Reli gion , Unity , and Concord : but in all these things they were belied and abused ; for they did never assert any such things ; neither is there any ground of them in their writings .
" Out of their books something may be gathered concerning the reformation of the Arts which was endeavoured by the first author about 217 years agone , about Anno Christi 1400 , and at that time they had need of a . reformation ; witness the labour and study of eminent men , who have to good purpose spent their time to promote learning , as Rudolphus Agricola , Erasmus Roterodamus , D . Lutherus , Phillipus Melancthonus ,
Theop . Paracelsus , Joan . Regiomontarms , Copernicus , with many others : and there is no doubt but the arts may be more increased , their lustre more polished , and many new secrets discovered . Bub herein religion is not concerned . However the brethren ( as all good men ought ) count it their duty to pray for and expect such a reformation : but this as God thinks fit . AVho can , although he had the power of miracles , convert the
obstinate Jews , when the Scripture more confounds ; them and becomes a stumbling block ? Observe how their own writings do disagree ; how one thwarts another : and yefc they consider not that wherein is concord . As for your Enthusiasts , the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Light.
characters , pursuing a conflicting line of action , and creating antagonistic effects . Such was the ori gin of this famous dogma , recognised by all the Heathens , and incorporated with all the sacred fables , cosmogonies , and mysteries of antiguity . " In the Grecian system of initiation the Hierophant declared that all
mankind , except the initiated , were in darkness . In the Persian rites , the divine lights Avere displayed before the aspirant at the moment of illumination , and he Avas instructed by the Archimagus , that at the end of the Avorld , the bad should be plunged with Ahoriman into a state of perpetual darkness
, whilst the good should ascend with Vazdan , upon a ladder , to a state of eternal light . The Persians consecrated fire , as containing the principle of light , . and the Druids worshipped the sun as its eternal source . Such AA'ere the opinions of the ancient heathen
world concerning light ; turn we now to God's chosen people , the JeAvs , and let us see what they considered it . In the 1 st c . Gen ., v . 8 , the creation of li g ht is described , ¦ which Milton has thus beautifully paraphrased : —
" ' Let there be light , ' said God , and forthwith light Ethereal , first of things , quintessence pure , Sprung from the deep , and from her native East , To journey through the airy gloom began , Sphered in a radiant cloud , for yet the Sun Was not ; she in a cloudy tabernacle Sojourned the while . G-od saw the light ivas good , And light from , darkness by the hemisphere Divided ; light the day , and darkness night , He named . This was the first day , even and morn . "
In all the dispensations previous to the coming of the Eedeemer , most of the events that happened Avere typical of something in the future , and many of them had more than one signification ; thus Ave may consider -chaos and the creation of light , typical of that chaos of Adam ' s mind when he " Heart-struckAA'ith chilling
, gripe of sorrow stood , that all his senses bound , " on his expulsion from the garden of Eden ; Avhile the introduction of light on the scene , fitly represented the light of hope and joy that filled his soul at the promise of the Eedeemer ' s coming . There are not several religions in the Biblethere is but one alone ;
, but it pleased the Almighty to communicate his gracious purposes toAvards mankind in different portions , with different degrees of clearness and obscurity , at various times , and in various manners . A li ght shone through the surrounding darkness , at times dim , again bright , but always sufficient to cheer the hearts and
guide the steps of true believers . A deliverer was promised ; this promise Avas renewed to Noah , Abraham ( in both a temporal and spiritual sense ) , and Moses . Under the Mosaical dispensation there is much more light , still there is abundant darkness , yet still the star of promisewhich was mercifullfixed
, y in those heavens which sin had covered Avith darkness , shone with celestial radiance , animating the souls of the faithful and pious " , enabling them to live in the fear and love of God , to cultivate holiness and
integrity , and to anticipate a final recompense . David , " the man after God ' s own heart , " and Isaiah , Avho is called "the Gospel Seer , " expressly alluded to the Eedeemer , as did many others of the Prophets . Thus we behold the progressive developement of the Omniscient ' s gracious purposes , from the existence of
Light.
a single star in the moral heavens , till at length we contemplate a g lorious daybreak , " and all the horizon round invested with bri ght rays ; " the splendour of the coining sun gilding the clouds of morning with rich lustre and deli ghtful hues . Then the Son of Righteousness himself comes forthivith healing on
, his wings , filling each humble heart Avith joy and gladness , and aweing each stubborn soul by his majesty . Then we see clearly the light , the holy light , " Offspring of heaven first born ! Or of the Eternal co-eternal beam , May I express the unblamed ? Since God is liht
g , And never but in unapproaehed light Dwelt ; from eternity , dwelt then in thee , Bright- effluence of bright essence increate . " —R , B . W + , ( To he continued . )
Masonic Notes And Queries.
MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .
EOSICUUCIAir KEFORAIATIOIf . In Avhat sense did the Eosicrucians attempt , or intend , to improve the Avorld : —Was ^ Masonic ?— -T ISSTWODD . — Judge for yourself from the following : — " The brethren of the E . C . do neither dream of , hope for , or endeavour ., to make any reformation in the world by religion , the
conversion of the Jews , or by the policies of enthusiasts which seemingly would be established by scripture , but that they both acknowledge and show themselves lovers of truth and justice . " As that which in the day-time most runs in men's thoughts doth in the night disturb and work upon their fancies , so every man is careful to let no opportunity slip of endeavouring to accomplish his intention ; they who set their minds upon riches are very laborious and painful to advance their estates ; they
who bend their thoughts to change commonwealths , to alter religiou , to innovate the arts , very often make use of the most despicable instruments to do their business : from this springhead hath issued many murmuring streams ; such causes have produced many tumults and confusions in commonwealths where men have been acted upon by vain thoughts and foolish dreams as it evidently appears both in the Anabaptists and Enthusiasts : are there not many even in this our age , who
being ambitious to be ringleaders iu new ways instead of a reformation , have disturbed all order and law ? they , forsooth would have religion and learning suit with their fantastical opinions . " As soon as these had heard of this honorable society thev
assured themselves that their desires would have an happy issue ; for knowing that these brethren were able in learning and riches they doubted not but that they would employ both those talents to cause an universal reformation in the world , they therefore immediately promised to themselves one Reli gion , Unity , and Concord : but in all these things they were belied and abused ; for they did never assert any such things ; neither is there any ground of them in their writings .
" Out of their books something may be gathered concerning the reformation of the Arts which was endeavoured by the first author about 217 years agone , about Anno Christi 1400 , and at that time they had need of a . reformation ; witness the labour and study of eminent men , who have to good purpose spent their time to promote learning , as Rudolphus Agricola , Erasmus Roterodamus , D . Lutherus , Phillipus Melancthonus ,
Theop . Paracelsus , Joan . Regiomontarms , Copernicus , with many others : and there is no doubt but the arts may be more increased , their lustre more polished , and many new secrets discovered . Bub herein religion is not concerned . However the brethren ( as all good men ought ) count it their duty to pray for and expect such a reformation : but this as God thinks fit . AVho can , although he had the power of miracles , convert the
obstinate Jews , when the Scripture more confounds ; them and becomes a stumbling block ? Observe how their own writings do disagree ; how one thwarts another : and yefc they consider not that wherein is concord . As for your Enthusiasts , the