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Article THE ADVANTAGES OF FREEMASONRY. ← Page 3 of 3 Article CLASSICAL THEOLOGY.—XLVLIII. Page 1 of 2 →
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The Advantages Of Freemasonry.
to the amount of money to be expended ; whilst our new property is rotting under our eyes , and bringing us no adequate return for our outlay . In the provinces , however , within the last few years , much has been done to elevate our Craft ; in very many
districts the brethren have obtained halls of their own , and the formation of libraries is rapidly progressing—¦ but upon this subject we shall speak more at length at some future time .
There are , however , other improvements in connection with our Order we would like to see carried out . Instead of our lodges and lodges of instruction being always occupied with the same parrot-like repeating of our ceremonies and lectures , we would have special nights set apart for the more gifted of our brethren to
illustrate at greater length and , with proper reference to authorities , the origin and signification of our customs and symbols—lectures on the various sciences connected Avith our Order—and even on the more graceful topics in literature and music . But much as we may desire to carry out these principles , we have at present no p lace—at least
in the metropolis—sufficiently at our own disposal to enable us to do so with advantage , though we trust that when the alterations take place in connection with the hall—which they must at no distant date—we may have .
Further we would have appointed by Grand Lodge some skilled brethren Avhose duty it should be , under certain regulations , to visit the various lodges at a distance , as they might be required , to regulate the work , to provide for its uniformity throughout the Craft , and teach the brethren the lectures which , in many parts of
the kingdom , are now almost entirely unknown . We are aware that it is the duty ofthe Prov . G . Masters—and their deputies—to see to the regulation of the work throughout their respective provinces . Of the Prov . G . Masters , who generally have other most important duties , in connection with their counties , and the general business ofthe state ,
to perform , we can scarcely expect that devotion to the Order which would enable them to regulate the work , and though their deputies ought to perform it for them , how many are there competent to do so ? We could name ' about half-a-dozen—were it not invidious and then
we should be compelled to stop , and even as regards our lectures and illustrations , we are afraid that that half-dozen would be considerably diminished ,
Classical Theology.—Xlvliii.
CLASSICAL THEOLOGY . —XLVLIII .
X . —VESTA AND DECEMBEE . Continuing the subject of the various modes of divination by which the future was pretended to be disclosed to the fanatical or superstitious in the classic ages , we must not omit to notice that called . 0 < = o- > n'Ei « rTta or " divine inspiration" such was supposed to be contained in the
; famous S ybilline leaves , and also in the writings of the ancient poets . The wisdom and superior mental power displayed in the pages of those authors impressed their readers with an enthusiastic reverence which amounted to awe . The mi ghty utterances couched in such noble language appeared to the weaker intellects something
more than human . Hence it became customary to regard them as inspired by and emanating from the gods themselves . This most interesting topic , however , would lead us into a discussion of the literature of bygone ages , and its influence upon the popular character , whieh we must defer to another occasion . In leaving this branch of the subject , we may remind the reader of the sortes Virrjilianm and similar methods of fortune-telling , which were based on the feeling to which we have alluded .
The select and esoteric few who , under the guise of magicians or priests , have from all ages held sway over the crass ancl swinish multitude by the leaden sceptre of imposture , have ever maintained themselves in the seat of power by their aptitude to take advantage of every passing circmn stance which skill and cunning
might adapt to the increase of their influence over the minds of their followers . Acute observers as they were , it was impossible that they should fail to utilise those mysterious physiological accidents to the human frame which are so well authenticated as having occurred from the earliest times to our own , under the names
of EICCTTBTI / COI somnio-paralysis , cataleptic stupors , and trances . In this peculiar condition of body , living persons have been known to lie asleep as dead , deprived of all sense ancl motion , for periods of hours , days , months , and even years . When at length the crisis had passed , the patientson the return of their consciousnesswere
, , described by the careful watchers who surrounded them as describing most wonderful accounts of what they seen and heard during their temporary sojourn in the abode of spirits . Epimenides , the epic j > oet of Crete , is mentioned as having slept seventy years , whence the proverb , JSpimenidis somnum dormire .
Ifc- was ar coiimr 011 belief that the soul had sometimes the power to disengage itself from the body , to rove about the universe , visit distant places , relations and friends , enter the supernal and infernal regions , and converse with gods ancl heroes , the semidei , receiving from them instructions respecting the momentous progress of this life—then in a more advanced state of
preception and contrivance , again re-enter its human habitation and resume its duties with increased energy ; reason , ancl action . This form of the transmigration of souls , combined with the ancient doctrine of Pythagoras , is even now held as an article of reli gious belief among many nations . The greatest of the ancient philosophers
gave this subject their earnest consideration , ancl we have the testimony extant of the " divine " Plato , who , in the tenth book of his "politics , " tells us of one Pamphilus who , having remained ten days as dead amongst a num- . her of slain , on being carried with the others and placed
upon a funeral p ile , according to the Grecian custom , returned , as it were , to life , ancl at once , to the wonder of all that heard him , commenced a minute description of the strange scenes and places he bad seen within heaven , earth , ancl hell . Also Plutarch ( in his narrative concerning Socrates and the Bai / uw , or spiritual being , by
whom the great philosopher declared himself to be ever accompanied ) relates , as a fact , of Hermodorus , the Clazomenian philosopher , that for days and nights his soul would occasionally leave him and pass through many countries , then after discovering what was therein going on , and making several flitting visits to distant persons , of
come back to him full of its travels and the discourses held with distant philosophers . At length , we are informed , by the selfish treachery of a woman , who duty was to attend and watch over him , the body of Hermodorus , during the absence of his soul , was delivered to his enemies , who consumed it upon the funeral pile .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Advantages Of Freemasonry.
to the amount of money to be expended ; whilst our new property is rotting under our eyes , and bringing us no adequate return for our outlay . In the provinces , however , within the last few years , much has been done to elevate our Craft ; in very many
districts the brethren have obtained halls of their own , and the formation of libraries is rapidly progressing—¦ but upon this subject we shall speak more at length at some future time .
There are , however , other improvements in connection with our Order we would like to see carried out . Instead of our lodges and lodges of instruction being always occupied with the same parrot-like repeating of our ceremonies and lectures , we would have special nights set apart for the more gifted of our brethren to
illustrate at greater length and , with proper reference to authorities , the origin and signification of our customs and symbols—lectures on the various sciences connected Avith our Order—and even on the more graceful topics in literature and music . But much as we may desire to carry out these principles , we have at present no p lace—at least
in the metropolis—sufficiently at our own disposal to enable us to do so with advantage , though we trust that when the alterations take place in connection with the hall—which they must at no distant date—we may have .
Further we would have appointed by Grand Lodge some skilled brethren Avhose duty it should be , under certain regulations , to visit the various lodges at a distance , as they might be required , to regulate the work , to provide for its uniformity throughout the Craft , and teach the brethren the lectures which , in many parts of
the kingdom , are now almost entirely unknown . We are aware that it is the duty ofthe Prov . G . Masters—and their deputies—to see to the regulation of the work throughout their respective provinces . Of the Prov . G . Masters , who generally have other most important duties , in connection with their counties , and the general business ofthe state ,
to perform , we can scarcely expect that devotion to the Order which would enable them to regulate the work , and though their deputies ought to perform it for them , how many are there competent to do so ? We could name ' about half-a-dozen—were it not invidious and then
we should be compelled to stop , and even as regards our lectures and illustrations , we are afraid that that half-dozen would be considerably diminished ,
Classical Theology.—Xlvliii.
CLASSICAL THEOLOGY . —XLVLIII .
X . —VESTA AND DECEMBEE . Continuing the subject of the various modes of divination by which the future was pretended to be disclosed to the fanatical or superstitious in the classic ages , we must not omit to notice that called . 0 < = o- > n'Ei « rTta or " divine inspiration" such was supposed to be contained in the
; famous S ybilline leaves , and also in the writings of the ancient poets . The wisdom and superior mental power displayed in the pages of those authors impressed their readers with an enthusiastic reverence which amounted to awe . The mi ghty utterances couched in such noble language appeared to the weaker intellects something
more than human . Hence it became customary to regard them as inspired by and emanating from the gods themselves . This most interesting topic , however , would lead us into a discussion of the literature of bygone ages , and its influence upon the popular character , whieh we must defer to another occasion . In leaving this branch of the subject , we may remind the reader of the sortes Virrjilianm and similar methods of fortune-telling , which were based on the feeling to which we have alluded .
The select and esoteric few who , under the guise of magicians or priests , have from all ages held sway over the crass ancl swinish multitude by the leaden sceptre of imposture , have ever maintained themselves in the seat of power by their aptitude to take advantage of every passing circmn stance which skill and cunning
might adapt to the increase of their influence over the minds of their followers . Acute observers as they were , it was impossible that they should fail to utilise those mysterious physiological accidents to the human frame which are so well authenticated as having occurred from the earliest times to our own , under the names
of EICCTTBTI / COI somnio-paralysis , cataleptic stupors , and trances . In this peculiar condition of body , living persons have been known to lie asleep as dead , deprived of all sense ancl motion , for periods of hours , days , months , and even years . When at length the crisis had passed , the patientson the return of their consciousnesswere
, , described by the careful watchers who surrounded them as describing most wonderful accounts of what they seen and heard during their temporary sojourn in the abode of spirits . Epimenides , the epic j > oet of Crete , is mentioned as having slept seventy years , whence the proverb , JSpimenidis somnum dormire .
Ifc- was ar coiimr 011 belief that the soul had sometimes the power to disengage itself from the body , to rove about the universe , visit distant places , relations and friends , enter the supernal and infernal regions , and converse with gods ancl heroes , the semidei , receiving from them instructions respecting the momentous progress of this life—then in a more advanced state of
preception and contrivance , again re-enter its human habitation and resume its duties with increased energy ; reason , ancl action . This form of the transmigration of souls , combined with the ancient doctrine of Pythagoras , is even now held as an article of reli gious belief among many nations . The greatest of the ancient philosophers
gave this subject their earnest consideration , ancl we have the testimony extant of the " divine " Plato , who , in the tenth book of his "politics , " tells us of one Pamphilus who , having remained ten days as dead amongst a num- . her of slain , on being carried with the others and placed
upon a funeral p ile , according to the Grecian custom , returned , as it were , to life , ancl at once , to the wonder of all that heard him , commenced a minute description of the strange scenes and places he bad seen within heaven , earth , ancl hell . Also Plutarch ( in his narrative concerning Socrates and the Bai / uw , or spiritual being , by
whom the great philosopher declared himself to be ever accompanied ) relates , as a fact , of Hermodorus , the Clazomenian philosopher , that for days and nights his soul would occasionally leave him and pass through many countries , then after discovering what was therein going on , and making several flitting visits to distant persons , of
come back to him full of its travels and the discourses held with distant philosophers . At length , we are informed , by the selfish treachery of a woman , who duty was to attend and watch over him , the body of Hermodorus , during the absence of his soul , was delivered to his enemies , who consumed it upon the funeral pile .