Masonic Antiquities, Documents, &C. Jerusalem Encampment, Manchester.

for the Gothic Mysteries did for the murdered body of Balder , or Osiris of Egyptians , Cadmillns of the Samothracians , Indra or Chrishna of the Indians , Mani of the Manichecs , and Hiram of the York brothers . That it is possible the ceremonies of the ancient religious rites , such as those of the priests in honor of Atys the lover of Cybele , Avhose death and resurrection Avas celebrated at Phyrgia , during

the vernal equinox and lasted three days , in common Avith similar rites in all the ancient mysteries , led to like celebrations in honor of Jesus , the Christ , in the Greek and Roman Churches , Aidiilst the successors of the ancient mysteries—the Gnostics , Manichees , and Templarsadhered to , and celebrated , a close adaptation of the ancient prophetical ceremony , but acknoAvledged Jesus of Nazareth King

of the JCAVS , and handed CIOAVII to us our sublime degree of Rose Croix . The Church of the Dark Ages Avas the natural and avoAved enemy of the Gnostic sects , for the intention of the one Avas to enlighten the mind , the object of the other to keep it in bondage and darkness , and St . Augustine , under Avhose name the Templars originally passedAvas a Manicheanor folloAvcr of the

, , martyr " Mani , " Avhich Avord one Avriter considers of the same signification as " Mason . "t Certain it is that the order of " Knighthood of the Temple of Solomon and Poor FCIIOAV Soldiers of Jesus Christ , " after its assumption of the VOAVS of poverty ,

chastity , and obedience , in 1118 , only flourished for tAvo hundred years Avhen a despotic Pope , AVIIO had purchased the Papal dignity , and an avaricious King , a coiner of false money , combined to crush it , for its riches , on the plea of Gnosticism and its secret Ritual , and Avitnesses Avere suborned AAdio brought the most unfounded and devilish charges against the valiant and noble

soldiers of the Cross . Thus , Avhen the building of churches became a trade , about A . D . 1100 , the Freemasonic societies obtained these mysteries , and it is asserted that Malcolm I . granted a charter to Scottish Masons authorizing them " to make , instruct , " and teach the Masonry of St . John in all its parts and secrets " like belted knights and cross-legged knights in armourfor the

, " care and keeping of our holy religion at all times and seasons ;" and in the . year A . D . 1500 , the English speculative masons asserted that Edwin , son of Athelstan , learned practical masonry in addition , to speculative masonry , " for of speculative he Avas a Master . "'* Were these things so it is easy to conceive that after the dissolution the Templars & c ., might veil their meetings under

, the semblance of masonry , and Preston asserts that the order of Rhodes , under Henry YII . of England , Avas connected Avith Freemasonry a feAV years , only , before the Reformation , Avhen the religious and military orders Avere all but destroyed by the confiscation of their property .