Secret Sciences Of The Ancients.

inhabitants of the district , unable to understand the cause , attributed the herd ' s incoherent ravings while under the influence of the noxious vapour to divine inspiration . The honour of the prophetic influence Avas variously attributed to the endless

earth , to Neptune , and others , and at length assigned to Apollo , Avith Avhoui it ever after remained . A priestess was appointed , whose office it was to inhale the halloAved air , and Avho Avas named the Pythia . She was prepared for this

duty by 23 revious ablution at the fountain of Castalia , and being crowned with laurel , Avas seated upon a tripod similarly adorned , Avhich Avas placed over the chasm Avhence the divine afflatus proceeded . Her inspired Avords Avhile thus situated

were interpreted by the priests . The announcements of the oracle to those by Avhom it Avas consulted Avere originally made in verse ; but it having been sarcastically remarked that Apollo , the god of poetry , Avas himself sadly deficient in the art of Avhich he was patron , they were subsequently given in prose .

The Antiquity And Teachings Of Masonry.*

THE ANTIQUITY AND TEACHINGS OF MASONRY . *

The institution of Masonry has come down to us in its principle and spirit , if not in form , from a remote antiquity . Its vestiges may be traced , veiled in the mists of the dim fiast , faint and shadoAvy , and obscure it may be , but yet speakinpwitnesses to its ancient claims . At AA hat

particular age of the world its light was first revealed it is difficult to determine ; but the field of investigation is ample , and materials are not wanting to develop probable conjectures . There are at least sufficient resemblances between Masonry and the most ancient societies in

Phoenicia , Chaldaaa , and Egypt , to suggest their common origin , and such points of resemblance to the oldest mysteries as to render probable an affinity with them . Masonry , as IIOAV organised , is believed to be of JeAvish origin , on the authorit y of its oAvn traditions , and from internal evidence

well understood by the Craft . The erection of the Temple on Mount Moriah , by Solomon , King of Israel , was an occasion of the assemblage of bands of " cunning artificers , " especially from Tyre , at Jerusalem . While the Temple Avas building , the workmen are said to

have been formed into a community , under a system of rules designed to facilitate perfection and efficiency in their art , and to promote their common interests . This organisation was destined to survive the occasion which brought them

together . At the completion of the Temple , the Craftsmen travelled in other lands Avhere their skill might find employment . Their monuments are to be found in the ruins of temples and theatres Avhich they erected in Phoenicia , Greece , and Rome , until the era of

Christianity . Soon after this period traces of their history appear in jDublic records , as well as them works . In the middle ages , Masonry culminated in its greatest glory . It Avas patronised by the Throne and the Church , and overspread Europe Avith its marvels of architectural skill and beauty .

At this date we have precise information in regard to those societies , and but little is left to conjecture as to their nature and organisation . They were schools of instruction in architecture and cognate science , and fraternities for mutual protection and relief . They used a symbolical languagederived

, from thepractice of their profession ; they possessed the means of mutual recognition , and Avere bound together by secret obligations . At an early period , these societies Avere endoAved with special privileges as a corporation of builders ,

and became exempt from all local and civil jurisdiction . At length , by degrees , many persons of eminence , not of the Craft , chiefly ecclesiastics , became associated Avith them from a desire toobtain the secret knoAvledge they possessed and participate in their privileges . This admixture of

a superior class , as Accepted Masons , soon became potential ; and as the knowledge of the art of building' spread beyond the limits of the society , the speculative element gradually predominated . In England , however , it appears that the Freemasonsunder their ancient organisationAvhich

, , dates from the time of Athelstane , continued as a body to erect public buildings until the rebuilding of London and the completion of St . Paul ' s Cathedral , under the mastership of Sir Christopher Wren . It was as late as 1717 that the ancient lodges remaining in London united to form a Grand Lod

ge of Free and Accepted Masons . In 1733 , the Grand Lodge , in Avhose presence we IIOAV stand , Avas organised under English authority as the first Grand Lodge in America , and constitutes the link of our connection with the illustrious past of our Order .

We are proud of our descent as Masons from an ancestry so renowned and venerable . Our fathers wrought to embellish the earth with exquisite forms of material beauty , and reared Avith patient toil those stately edifices Avhich overspread the old Avorld with elegance and grace . The

memorials of their genius and skill compel the homage of admiring generations , and their fame will endure for ever . But the claims of Masonry to our respect are not founded chiefly on the service it has rendered to the useful and ornamental arts of life . The

forms of architectural beauty and design may vanish , but the spirit which informed them still survives Avith the Craft , and dignifies and halloAvs