Masonic Celestial Mysteries.

MASONIC CELESTIAL MYSTERIES .

LONDON , SATURDAY , MARCS 27 , 1869 .

By HENRY MELVILLE . INTRODUCTION . I am about to present to my Masonic brethren a series of papers relating * to our ancient order , but before doing so it will be necessary to make a

few . observations . In a circular lately issued by me among some members of tbe Craft I remarked that " after so long an absence from England tlie undersigned is almost a stranger in this great city , and he knows not where to seek literary

friends ancl supporters . Among the numerous scientific societies , whose ostensible object is to investigate and promulgate truth , the undersigned knows not one that would listen to his discoveries unless he were personally introduced by some

influential member ; nor can he reasonably expect otherwise when his own Masonic brethren admit his discoveries to be genuine yet reject them because they are beyond the scope of modern Masonry . He therefore appeals to the intellectual brethren—to those lovers of truth who

cannot believe that the order was founded for deception . " The editor of this magazine on reading this circular considered that I ought to have my discoveries fairly tested . He therefore kindly offered me space in this publication in order that

I may lay before the brethren any evidence that I can produce which may tend to show that my acquired knowledge relates to the lost mysteries of our order . "When on bended knees before the altar or

pedestal the aspirant repeats tne sacred and solemn obligation of an Entered Apprentice , it impresses his mind that there must be some wondrous mysteries concealed by the order and unknown to all but duly initiated brethren , and that it is of the

utmost importance that the mysteiies ( whatever they be ) should be hidden from the multitude . Are the passwords and the gripe delivered to the aspirant the important mysterious secrets of Masonry which the obligation led him to expect ? Assuredly

the passwords are not mysterious , for in accordance with acts of parliament they are openly divulged to the multitude during the service of the established church , when there is no " lettering or halving " required . May these passwords be uttered by the multitude without danger of punishment , whereas for Masons to reveal them is deservin g

death ? Are the symbols and passwords so sacred to Masons that they must not be scratched on anything moveable under the canopy of heaven under no less a penalty , & c . ? To suppose such to be the mysteries of Masonry is to suppose

Masonry to be a mockery , a mere farce , and the sacred obligation a profanation . True Masonry is far too sublime to allow the possibility of such suppositions—true Masonry is a mysterious heavenly science , and to prove such to be the case

it can be easily demonstrated to the meanest capacity that every symbol and every ceremony of every degree of Masonry is legible in the heavens . Masonry is a science not limited to any

particular nation , to any particular religion , or to any partitular language . Wherever the knowledge of the heavenly host is studied Masonry can be read by all those initiated in the Median and Persian laws . The heavenly laws adjusted to any

year past , present , or future are the lock and the Masonic implements are the keys that fit the lock and open the doors to the disciples of wisdom . All Masonic symbols ancl ceremonies being celestially recorded brethren cannot err in their ritual because

every " part , point , and mystery" is laid down with the utmost mathematical precision . Masonry is of itself a universal language , teaching a system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols .

PAPER I . —OMNIA VINCIT VERITAS . Certain intelligent leaders of Masonry have just established a society for inquiring into ancient masonic lore . They propose to receive and examine communications sent to them by Master

Masons , and if approved by the council the communications will be published firstly in this magazine , and afterwards in periodical reports of the society . Masonry was and ought to be a traditionary ancl

orally taught science , and no vouchers were allowed to exist by which the mysteries could become intelligible even to the brethren themselves . Of course no member of the society will presume to give publicity to the " part or parts , point or

points , or mystery or mysteries" of the order , but every inquiry that will lead the brethren to discover what these parts ancl points are will be rendering a service to Masonry , and thus through the brethren vastly benefitting mankind . So far the society , therefore , deserves to meet with success . The name given to the association is the