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The Great Pyramid And Freemasonry.

THE GREAT PYRAMID AND FREEMASONRY .

A VEEY interesting Lecture on the above subject was delivered ou 21 st January , in the Masonic Hull ,

Shanklin , by Bro . John . ChaDirian , under the aspices oftho Chine Lodge , No . 1884 . The W . M ., Bro . Alfred Greenham , presided on the occasion , and in a few complimentary remarks introduced the Lecturer , who said : —

In connection with the rara ancl valuable collection of Masonic ex - hibits that wero lately placed before the public in Shanklin , the diligen t * student would be able to gather some very interesting information with regard to the antiquity of Freemasonry , and it would bo deeply interesting and instructive no doubt to such in trying to find out the

important link that connects Freemasonry with the events of the remote past . But I am snro it will not be exceeding the bounds of truth or propriety if we affirm that there was nothing in the whole of that choice collection of Masonic curiosities at the Shanklin Exhibition

that would so satisfactorily establish tho great antiqnity of the Order as the Great Pyramid is capable of doing when properly understood . We may , therefore , Mr . Chairman , regard the lecture this evening as being a supplementary effort to that very laudable undertaking you so successfully inaugurated on the 9 th day of September last .

The topic for our consideration is the Great Pyramid , and its wonderful construction in connection with Freemasonry . In treating upon the Great Pyramid and its inimitable masonry , we propose to deal with the important truths it delineates , rather than with the links that connect it with the present system of speculative Masonry .

In dealing , therefore , with the deductions that may be drawn from the proportions of thia huge piles of masonry , it mnst be distinctly understood that it is not our intention to try and prove that Freemasonry is inseparably connected with the Great Pyramid . If ,

however , it is found that the sacred truths it teaches have been in . spired by " the Great Architect of the Universe , " and thafc tho architect of the Great Pyramid has tabulated those eternal truths in a Masonic form in this unique bnilding , then the inference is that it is left for as to apply the connection that exists between the two .

It will also be well to observe another important feature intimately associated with both parts of tho snbject , namely , that " the Great Pyramid and Freemasonry" arc alike illustrated bv symbol , and

that while wo recognise in Freemasonry " a peculiar system of morality , veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbol , " we also re .. arc ! the Great Pyramid as a standard of cosmic and ethical truths delineated by the samo characteristic .

Symbolism reaches back into the far past , long before language had developed into a science , ancl has ever impressed the mind of man with facts , before the light of science was discovered . In the symbolism , therefore , of the Groat Pyramid we are led , aa Freemasons , to acknowledge the antiquity of this building . This

noble pile of Masonry not only reveals to us scientific truths in general , but truths that are intended for tho advantage of m " in in particular ; ancl such is its severe accuracy that tho most ripened mathematical skill stands wonder-struck at its marvellous perfection . In presenting for your " most serious contemplation" tho sacred

truths that the Great Pyramid sets forth , it is not my intention to adopt any new-fangled theory or crotchet by following tho sryrations of the fanatical enthusiast , who , like the moon . struck astronomer , regards the building merely as an observatory ; the Egyptologist , as a mausoleum for the mummied remains of the builder ; tho Egyptian

priest , as a placo for tho culture of religion ; tho ancient philosopher , as a sacred ark , in which the great mysteries wero revealed ; or as the thoughtless but enthusiastic Freemasons , who would fain believe ifc was used as a Masonic temple , in which tho secrets of our sublime

Order wero tanght ; bnt I will rather confine myself to a brief analysis of tho truths actually embodied in tho Great Pyramid . In dealing with this subject , however , it will bo expected that some statement will bo advanced as to who was

THE BUILDER OF THE GREAT PYRAMID . This io a point open to controversy , as thero aro no authentic records that can establish the matter , or placo tho fact beyond the region cf donbt .

Herodotus , "the father of history , " inform ?! ns ' ' that it wns believed to bo tho work of Philitb , a hyksr . s ( or shepherd king ) , wim by supernatural power invaded Egypt , raid subdued it without a battle , aud eventually quitted ifc by capitulation . "

Whether tho information gleaned bv Jlerodotna from tho-Egyptian priests is worthy of oar acceptance wo will not horo decide . Others contend that thi-i hyksos was uouo other Limn Melchiscdoe , who is called King of Salom , or Jerusalem . Tho siefcttemetii of fche question as to who was tho builder of the Great Pyramid will not ,

however , effect tho grand truths it indicates . Any one who haa studied the construction of the Great Pyramid will not dijpute tho fact that it was tho work of " the Graud Master Masons " of the old times , as stated by Charles Casey in his work on " Philitis . " Leaving , therefore , tho question of tho builder of the Great

The Great Pyramid And Freemasonry.

Pyramid for subsoqnonfc reference , let ns direct our attention to tho building itself , seeing that tlu-ro are those who through ignorance of its matchless proportions would place fchi' -t graaicl structure on a level

with tho other Pyramids , to which ( except somewhat iu outward shape ) there is not tho slightest resemblance . They say , "Why this above the rest ? It was only a mausoleum for the remains of old King Cheops . "

Unmistakable evidence now proves that such was nofc the case , and nothing can possibly be more remote from truth , or moro difficult for the intelligent Pyramid student to accept , than this foolish theory . It is true the Great Pyramid is in Egypt ; but it is not of Egypt . Ita

exquisitely worked stones , although unlettered , speak in most unmistakable and unequivocal language , aud by their measurements point to certain sacred and scientific truths which cannot in the slightest degree be traced in any of the other Pyramids . In " tho volume of the sacred law" we are informed that the

magicians ot Egypt essayed to work tho miracles that Moses performed , and iu some instances they appeared to succeed iu their efforts ; but that did not disprove tho source from whence Moses derived his power ; neither do fche other Pyramids , by their apparent

similarity , reduce tho Great Pyramid to the same worthless and unmeaning level as tho rest . Tho other Pyramids , by their construction , cannot yield one single ray of cosmic light , although the builder's had the Great Pyramid before their eyes as a pattern or model to work by .

Another remarkable feature connected with tho erection of the Great Pyramid is the fact that the truths taught by it were concealed from those who had to supply the labour . This will partially explain . why there is such a startling dissimilarity between the Great Pyramid and those thafc wore subsequently erected . Ifc was an abomination to the Egyptians , thoy understood not its " witnessing" power , still they

perfected thoso splendid stone slabs in a manner that will be tho wonder and admiration of the mosfc accomplished " stone squarer " until the end of time . Tho question that naturally suggests itself to tho mind with regard to this matchless workmanship is , how is ifc that there never was , before or sinco , such a splendid specimen of masonry ?

We cannot do better than supply the answer that fche Egyptian priests gave to Herodotus , viz ., thafc " a supernatural power " compelled them to work . In briefly closing our remarks bearing upon the builder and hia

workmanship , allow mo , to ask you to try aud forget a great deal that you may have heard or read about the erection of the Great Pyramid , in order thafc you may be better able to grapple with the important details as they appear in the course of our researches .

The historian , tho artist , and the philosopher have each alike contributed to tho mystification of the subject , and established prejudices thafc militate against the formation of a true estimate of this marvellous building . In Herodotus we shall find much that is unreliable ; and thafc

which applies to Herodotus is likewise applicable to Manetho , Diodorus , Pliny , ancl others . Tlie traditions of Egyptian priests cannot be regarded as a very safe channel for the transmission of such important truths , seeing that 1 , 725 years stood between the erection of the Great Pyramid ancl " the father of history . "

Wliilo attempting to read the revelations of the Great Pyramid , let us , with cautions and tentative steps , tread the paths that have already been opened ' out for ns , and by so following up these discoveries be ablo to establish some of tho truths that such deductions

set forth . If we are successful , then we shall find no difficulty in recognising iu the Great Pyramid the prophetic finger post thafc appears in Isaiah , chapter xix . verse 20 , viz ., " a sign and for a witness unto tho Lord of Hosts iu the land of Egypt . " Let us proceed then firsfc to examine

THE GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION OF THE GREAT PYRAMID as indicated in the volume of tho sacred law ; "in the midst of the land of Egypt , and afc the border thereof . " The sceptic may curl hia lip at tho quotation , and , in fact , we havo heard it used years ago as a proof against ; the sacred aud inspired character of the book , by this class of wise critics ; bnfc the inspired volume is perfectly correct ;

there rests tho Great Pyramid on the apex of the Delta-land of the Pharaohs , which forms the sector of a circle , so that if wo draw a line duo north and south through the centre of fche delta of Egypt ifc will cut throngh fche Great Pyramid , thus testifying to the severe beautv of Isaiah ' s statement .

In addition to this fact , is ifc nofc very singular , to say the least of it , that this , the largest pile of Masonry in the worl 1 , should be erected nofc only in the centra of the htbifcabh ) land portion of the "lobe , bnt in a meridian where there i « mora land surface and less sea than in any other r

It id , therefore , not to be wondered at that find Kite should be regarded " as essentially marked by nature aa a prime meridian for all nations measuring their longitude form , o-. ' for that modern cynosure fcho uvutleatiou of lorgifcudc . " This happy choice , therefor ? , of the Inspired Arointed ; iu hi . i solectim of a -die of this great monument on ' ¦ ihe ' no- ! hern edge ot' the G '; ac ;* ia tiiii , ou the border of tho Lybian

De . vjtt , is ! "ii- 'cuUaviv infer e'tieg and appropriate . The amount of labour required to reduce some hundred acrca of fho curat of the hill in orhor to obtain a solid roek-bed foundation for yuch . an Jmm ; mr . e building , that ¦ ct ; v \ -r .-3 of itself some thirteen and a half acres , and is computed to weigh over five million tons , will indicates the magnitude of fclmi iV ' tip-i-ndou ;; work . Having noted the position of tlio buildiu ; .. , let us now exp . mino THi-1 CONSTRUCTION OF THE GilEAT PYRAMID .

Rat , before doiu ; so , lot mo premie ; for yonr iufarinafciou , ! . h ; t in all tne ' . ieaitire neat-: teat v .-ill ;; e in 'ieated ( aelc : ¦ $ other . vi-a > -tafoj ) tho Great Pyramid Inch will bo the factor or unit n ;; od in computing . ho various di .-itaueoa , aud which culmr- only huh' a htur ' s-breadtli i ' r-jai the British standard inch , or ono'thousandth part longer than our inch unit ,