Freemasons And The Church Of Rome.

of Adonis . A select few , however—the children or favourite pupils of these niystagogues—were instructed in , and well acquainted with , the origin of these rites , ancl they in turn transmitted their knowledge to a succeeding generation , who became in consequence the priests of the nations , and their rulers ancl directors .

Pre-eminent among these niystagogues are found the priests of the Egyptians ; but whether Freemasonry arose among them or among the inhabitants of the East of Asia , now we have no means of deciding ; but that they were acquainted with

and practised the rites of the Order has never been seriously denied , ancl every eminent writer on the subject agrees on this point . Egypt was long the great school of learning , and the wise of all nations flocked thither to complete their studies , aud to be

initiated in its mysteries . Few , however , attained to a full knowledge of the esoteric philosophy , although the exoteric was free to all . Long years of noviciate , often prolonged to twenty , had to be passed in silence and contemplation ere the

aspirant was deemed worthy of being permitted to participate in the smallest degree in the inner mysteries , and a lifetime was often passed before attaining to a full knowledge of these mysteries . The physical changes of the earth—life and death—and the enlargement of the mind occupied their public meditations , while the stars ancl the hidden secrets

of nature were discussed in the halls , where no one uninitiated dared to enter under the penalty of death . Pythagoras , one of the most distinguished philosophers of Greece , appears , however , to have been instructed in all the mysteries , and from him

may be dated the foundation of Masonry in that countiy . It is neither our province nor our intention at present to enter into an investigation of these mysteries . From Egypt , Freemasonry was carried into Phoenicia aud Greece , where it rapidly

took root and spread . Building-sunder its auspices sprang up on every hand—temples and castles which are wonders at the present day , and whose designs , like that of the Parthenon , puzzle our architects and philosophers to eliminate . On the

subjugation of Greece by the Romans , the doctrines of Freemasonry were carried to the imperial city , and flourished there in friendly soil . Numa Pompilius had already instituted a society of Masons in his time , but it was not till the Greeks and

Eomans became more intimately allied with one another that it rose into eminence . Augustus was its great patron , and from that time forward the

Order spread and flourished . Masons of other lands in the reign of this Cassar flocked to the chief city of the world ; among others the Jews , who , from their ancestors' residence in Egypt , and the attraction of all the most eminent Masons in

Solomon s time to the building of the Temple , were adepts in the science ; and so much were these Jews esteemed by Cassar , that a synagogue was opened iu Eome , many knights becoming converts to Judaism , and openly observing the Sabbath .

On the rise of Christianity , and the reception of its members among the Craft , * persecution fell upon the Order . A Christian and a Freemason were both heretic , and both were thrown to the lions of the Colosseum .

In the reign of Domitian , the philosophers were as cruelly treated as the Christians . By murder or banishment , he deprived Rome of nearly every citizen of talent or wealth . Tet , in spite of persecution , the Order flourished , and has left in the

catacombs of Rome many a shrine and altar carved with the rarest skill , and decorated with superb ornament . Probably in these days of persecution the ritual of reception and the august services of the Order presently in use were drawn up . On the conversion of the Emperor Constantine to

Christianity , the services of the Freemasons were called into requisition . Chapels were built in all the famous sacred places , and bauds of travelling Masons wero sent out over the land to build temples to the Christian God . The groves consecrated

to the worship of idols were felled , and the timber used in the rearing of stupendous fabrics to the name of Jesus . Popes were now the patrons of the Order , and kings employed them in building castles and palaces , though their principal delight

was iu the building of houses to God , in which they excelled . In the tenth century they were established as a Free Guild in Lombardy ; and a celebrated corporation , established at Como , in Italy , sent out bands in every direction , till the

generic name for all these builders became Magistri Comacini , or the Masters of Como . From Lombardy they crossed the Alps , to build churches for the newly converted Christians , and many bulls were issued by the Popes conferring upon them fresh , and confirming old , privileges . "A monopoly , " says Mackey , " was granted to