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  • The Masonic Monthly
  • Aug. 1, 1882
  • Page 27
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The Masonic Monthly, Aug. 1, 1882: Page 27

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    Article FAR EASTERN ANCIENT RITES AND MYSTERIES. ← Page 2 of 3 →
Page 27

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Far Eastern Ancient Rites And Mysteries.

sordid as that of more modern times . Purity of thought , nobility of action , sentiments of a grander and more patriotic nature , are amply proved to have existed ; and the high moral code and teaching of the patriarchal rule that obtained in those clays has been preserved

for us to investigate and to learn from . It is not every one Avho lives abroad that observes the people of the country , or their history , customs , and other interesting matters ; but those who do enter into such studies and researches are amply rewarded for their labour and devotion , as well as thus usefully

employing much leisure time that is otherwise not well occupied , and is too often wasted and even actually misused . There still exists throughout far Eastern lands not a few nations who preserve the traditions of their ancestors intact ; who still follow the same life , observe the same rites , and practice the same customs

as in the days of the "Builders of the Temple , " and to the intelligent student these people ' s " social state " and " home life " form graphic livina- illustrations of the Old Testament . We are enabled to understand much that is entirely lost to us through the vernacular translations , and the condition of ancient times is brought vividly before

us , it only requiring that we should be competent to hold conversation with the people in their own tongue , and , with but little stretch of imagination , live over again the life of the " days of the fathers . "

An ancient deity is depicted , in one of the myths already alluded to , Avielding the " Gavel ; " and , in another , the " steps" to the " celestial summit " are also described in a word picture of profound significance . An analysis of " words , " signs , and tokens reveals meanings that explain much that is otherwise incomprehensible .

Scientific investigation is proving , time after time , of the close connection and perfect inter-communication between distant nations ; none the less complete , if not so rapid as it is in our day . Travellingtook time , and journeys were matters of great importance , rarely beingmere individual enterprises . Protection was needed , and " a

something " that would be a passport , or a claim to friendly aid and shelter , would undoubtedly be adopted . It is a mistake to suppose Friendly , Benefit , and Co-operative Institutions a purely modern idea . Guilds Avith similar objects have existed , and still exist , in the East , some of them very influential , wealthy , and widespread in their fellowship and

operations . In ancient times , the " educational" power of these associations Avas ever kept prominently in view . The great teachers Avere students of human nature , in the true sense of the Avorcl ; and accurately gauged the follies and frailties of mankind , appealing to both intellect and to instinct , each in turn as most desirable to . gain the great end sought .

“The Masonic Monthly: 1882-08-01, Page 27” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 23 May 2025, django:8000/periodicals/msm/issues/mxr_01081882/page/27/.
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Title Category Page
ART AND THE BUILDERS OF MONTE CASSINO, CEREMONIOUS DEDICATIONS, MASTER WORKMEN, ETC., IN THE MIDDLE AGES. Article 1
CURIOUS BOOKS.—I. Article 5
THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF THE COUNT DE GABALIS: Article 6
THE TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE. Article 6
SOME ACCOUNT OF THE ROSICRUCIANS. Article 7
CRAFT CUSTOMS OF THE ANCIENT STONEHEWERS, MASONS, AND CARPENTERS. Article 9
THE GREETING Article 9
BESPEAKING THE MASTER. Article 11
LODGE USAGES. Article 13
With the Greeters: Article 15
THE SEVEN CHIEF POINTS. Article 17
THE WORSHIPFUL KNOCKS. Article 17
CONCERNING USAGES. Article 17
DRESS. Article 18
THE MANNER OF CALLING UPON SECONDS. Article 18
THE MANNER OF SETTLING QUARRELS. Article 18
SECRET SOCIETIES. Article 22
FAR EASTERN ANCIENT RITES AND MYSTERIES. Article 26
WHERE SHALL WE GO TO FOR A HOLIDAY? Article 28
"FROM LABOUR TO REFRESHMENT." Article 30
THE LEGEND OF THE INTRODUCTION OF MASONS INTO ENGLAND. Article 31
EARLY HAUNTS OF FREEMASONRY. Article 46
SHOULD LADIES BE BANISHED FROM OUR RECREATION BANQUETS ? Article 50
ST. GEORGE FOR MERRY ENGLAND. Article 53
LET US ALL BE GIPSIES. Article 56
WELL DONE, CONDOR! Article 57
THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR. Article 59
EXTRACT OF THE DEFENCE MADE BY SEVENTY-FIVE TEMPLARS. Article 60
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Page 27

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Far Eastern Ancient Rites And Mysteries.

sordid as that of more modern times . Purity of thought , nobility of action , sentiments of a grander and more patriotic nature , are amply proved to have existed ; and the high moral code and teaching of the patriarchal rule that obtained in those clays has been preserved

for us to investigate and to learn from . It is not every one Avho lives abroad that observes the people of the country , or their history , customs , and other interesting matters ; but those who do enter into such studies and researches are amply rewarded for their labour and devotion , as well as thus usefully

employing much leisure time that is otherwise not well occupied , and is too often wasted and even actually misused . There still exists throughout far Eastern lands not a few nations who preserve the traditions of their ancestors intact ; who still follow the same life , observe the same rites , and practice the same customs

as in the days of the "Builders of the Temple , " and to the intelligent student these people ' s " social state " and " home life " form graphic livina- illustrations of the Old Testament . We are enabled to understand much that is entirely lost to us through the vernacular translations , and the condition of ancient times is brought vividly before

us , it only requiring that we should be competent to hold conversation with the people in their own tongue , and , with but little stretch of imagination , live over again the life of the " days of the fathers . "

An ancient deity is depicted , in one of the myths already alluded to , Avielding the " Gavel ; " and , in another , the " steps" to the " celestial summit " are also described in a word picture of profound significance . An analysis of " words , " signs , and tokens reveals meanings that explain much that is otherwise incomprehensible .

Scientific investigation is proving , time after time , of the close connection and perfect inter-communication between distant nations ; none the less complete , if not so rapid as it is in our day . Travellingtook time , and journeys were matters of great importance , rarely beingmere individual enterprises . Protection was needed , and " a

something " that would be a passport , or a claim to friendly aid and shelter , would undoubtedly be adopted . It is a mistake to suppose Friendly , Benefit , and Co-operative Institutions a purely modern idea . Guilds Avith similar objects have existed , and still exist , in the East , some of them very influential , wealthy , and widespread in their fellowship and

operations . In ancient times , the " educational" power of these associations Avas ever kept prominently in view . The great teachers Avere students of human nature , in the true sense of the Avorcl ; and accurately gauged the follies and frailties of mankind , appealing to both intellect and to instinct , each in turn as most desirable to . gain the great end sought .

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