The Source Of Masonic Symbolism.

their various ceremonies on symbolism . Thus it came about that these gradually became merged in each other , and striving to penetrate throug h the impenetrable barrier of Nature , thoy founded a ^ . neutral body , which by absorbing most of fcheir symbols , became the one great school of teaching for that aud many succeeding ages ,

and although at first founded on cosmopolitan opinions , became before long the recognised school of Jewish faith and tradition . This was the " Cabballa , " that mystic form of doctrine whioh by symbols was supposed to point out the true duty of man in every situation throngh life . These symbols were arranged in what we should term Masonio devices , by square and by triangle , by the

formation and peculiar arrangement of the letters of the alphabet tbe combination of words in their Sepherotb , together with various symbols and signs used by the seers of old ( the flight 0 f birds , tbe force and duration of the wind , divination , and second sight ) . Bro . Gould , in his " History of Freemasonry , " refers to the origin of the Cabballa as follows : — "Alexandria was

an emporium , nofc only of merchandise , but of philosophy , and op inions as well as goods were bartered thorp , to tbe grievous corruption of sound wisdom , from the attempt which was made by men of different sects and countries , German , Egyptian and Oriental , to frame from their different tenets one general system of opinion . The respect long paid to Grecian learning , and the honours it now

received from the hands of the Ptolemies , induced others , and oven tho Egyptian priests to submit to this innovation . Hence arose a heterogeneous mass of opinions , which , under the name of electic philosophy , caused endless confusion , error , and absurdity , not only in fche Alexandrian schools , but also among the Jews ( who had settled there in very large numbers ) , and Christians j producing among the

former that spurious philosophy whioh they called the Cabballa , and among the latter a certain amount of corruption , for a time afc least , in the Christian faith also . " Bro . Gould then proceeds to point out how those doctrines became adopted by tho Jews in particular . " From this period there can be no doubt bat that the Jewish doctrines were known to the Egyptians , and the Greek to the Jews .

Hence Grecian wisdom being corrupted by admixture with Egyptian and Oriental philosophy , assumed the form of Neo Platonism , which , by professing a sublime doctrine enticed men of different countries and religions , inclnding the Jews , to study its mysteries and incorporate them with their own . The symbolical method of instruction , whioh had been in use from the earliest times

in Egypt , was adopted by the Jews , who accordingly put an allegorical interpretation upon their sacred writings . Hence , nnder the cloak of symbols , Pagan philosophy gradually crept into tbe Jewish schools , and the Platonic doctrines , mixed first with tha Pythagorean , and afterwards with the Egyptian and O . ientil , b : ; oame blended with their ancient fa th , in their exola'iafrons of the fc : aditi > ns . And tha

Cabbalists forme I their mystical system upon the tenets taught in the Alexandrian schools . " The Cabbala treated of the mysteries of Divine nature and other sublime subjects , which , after the manner of the Egyptian and Pythagorean mysteries , were revealed only to those who were bound to secrecy by the most solemn oath " . The cardinal doctrines of the

Cabballa comprise : the nature of the Deity , the Divine emanations or Sephornth , the Cosmogony , the creation of angola and man , their destiny , and the nature uurl import of thu revealed law . The Divine emanations or Sepherolh are divided into ten parts , corresponding with the ten heavenly bodies of tlie Pythagoreans , and they are named the Crown , Wisdom , Intelligence , Love , Justice , Beanty ,

Firmness , Splendour , Foundation , and Kingdom . Tl ; e principal book , what may be termed the Bible of the Cabbalists , is named "Zohar , " which uiearis light , from the words " Let there ba light . " The Sephira are arranged in symbolical triads , aud the Deity is call d "En Soph . " Tbe Zohar says : "Just as the 'Eu Soph' is

represented by the number three so all the other lights , i . e ., Sepheroth , are of a threefold character . Tho Cabballa , since the thirteenth century , has likewise become the exclusive appellation of that system of theosoph y which claims to have been transmitted uninterruptedly by the mouths of the patriarchs and prophets , ever since the creation of man .

Thus I have shown how these mysteries became adopted by the Jews , were incorporated into their religion , and became part of their teaching . The Jews , in thoir commercial pursuits , soon brought them to Europe , and many Cabbalistic Schools were opened . In Italy , especiall y , the Cabbalistic doctrines took firm hold of the people , not onl y of the Jewish faith , for many of their symbolical observances

were adopted by the Romish Church ; and still continuing to flourish we read that in 1450 a number of Jewish Converts in Spain published compilations of the Cabbalistic treatises to provo from them the doctrines of Christianity , and in the sixteenth c .-ntury Pope Sixtus was so convinced of the importance of these doctrines , that he had thorn translated for tbe use of divinity students . These doctrines

were eagerl y adopted by tho various Monastic bodies , and tho Benedictines in particular , who had ever made Geometry their favourite study , now with the sanction of their Pope a'lopted tho Cabbalistic teachings , and incorporated many of their symbols into their religious practices . Having shown the importance of tho Cabbala to symbolical religion , Bro . Da Silva proceeded to point out its importance

Trki- J ° - a reemasonry , and he concluded by saying : The lblical history permeating our ceremonies points to ii source beyond the mecliuval age , aud to a source that hnd Biblical symbolism aa its « asis . Xh ; , - a a anre proo £ thaf . tiiQ Cabbalistic doctrines engrafted on to Freemasonry have given the Order tho substraf . nm of religion H 3 its groundwork . Its foundation has been deeply laid in theadoraou of the- Dsity , and Ho has cemented it and adorned it with every W-wal and social virtue . * -

mi - „ ., tne paper was most attentively listened to , and was followed by a £ * ctntributed by Bro . K . F . VVileon , consisting of a resume of a Jtribution in the last published Transactions of the Quatnor T-1 ron i - > descri ptive of somo interesting Mafionic discoveries in the WW * Wight , —The Diamond . Fields Advertiser .

Notices Of Meetings.

NOTICES OF MEETINGS .

— : o : — PROV . G . LODGE SOUTH WALES ( W . D . ) 1 MLE Provincial Grand Lodge , Weatern Division , of . South Wales , was hold at Pembroke Dock , under the banner of the Loyal Welsh Lodge , No . 378 , on Thursday , 28 th August , under the presidency of the

V . W . Depaty Provincial Grand Master , Bro . W . J . Jjyte Skinner Stradling P . G . C , supported by Bro . Homfray D . P . G . M . for Monmouthshire . The following brethren were invested as Officers for the ensuing year : —

Bro . W . Howell Walters W . M . 464 ... Senior Warden G . P . Davies W . M . 378 ... Junior Warden Rev . J . M . Griffiths P . M . 1072 ... " > fihania : Rev . G . Huntingdon P . M . 1177 ... ] P Ia , D 8 Hearder P . M . 476 ... ... Treasnrer Jno . James P . M . 464 ... Secretary

Jno . R . Rowlands P . M . 1177 ... Registrar W . H . Cox P . M . 671 ... ... Senior Deacon T . Jones P . M . 476 ... ... Jnnior Deacon E . Davies 990 ... ... Supt . of Works J . Jones 1748 ... ... Dir . of Cirs .

A . E . Poster 366 ... ... Assist . Dir . of Cirs . P . E . Wade 1177 ... ... Sword Bearer Gaskell 366 ... - I Standard BeMWH George Freeman 990 ... ) G . A . Davies 2001 ... ... Pursuivant

W . G . Davies 378 ... O . K . Butcher 378 ... Thos . Rogers 464 ... ... t Stewards W . Gibbon 476 W . Harris 1748 ... ... J George Bowen 464 ... .. Tyler

The brethren attended Divine Service at St . John s Church , where a sermon was preached by Bro . Griffiths P . G . C . P . M . 1072 . At 3 p . m . about 70 bz-efcbi-en sat down to dinner , when ample justice was dono to the viands provided . Wo were pleased to find amongst thq names of

visitors that of thc newly-elected Secretary of thu Boys ' School , Bro . J . M . McLeod . Wc havo never seen an extemporised Lodge room nioie tastefully fitted up than was the sohool-rourn used ou the occasion for the holding of Provincial Graud Lodge .

MARINERS' LODGE , No . 249 .

rnilE members , wiih their wives and friends , vi .-itod Mold , on Wed-J- nesday , thu 27 th ult ., for their usual yearly outing . Tho party left Lime Street Station by « special train at 9 ' 20 a . m ., arriving at Mold at 11 a . m . After viewing the Various places of interest in Mold , including the old church , B ; , iloy Hill , & c , they were provided with dinner at the Black L on Hot-1 ( the proprietor of which is the

oldest living Piiat Master of thii Lo lye , Bro . P . Maddox ) , which was served in a highly satisfactory maimer . The party were thon photographed by Bro . John Ashley , of 87 Lord Street , Liverpool , and afterwards conveyed in waggonettes through the Vale of Clwyd to Ruthin Castle , and , by tho kindness and courtesy of Col . W .

Cornwnilis West , were allowed to visit Ruthin Castlo , a most interesting and anciout place . The return drive was then made to Mold , where tea was partakeu of , the special train leaving Mold at 8 ' 45 p . m ., and arriving at Lime Street at 10 ' 30 p . m ., all having spent a most

enjoyable day . Tho arrangements were made and carried ont by a committee , of which the W . M . ( Bro . W . B . Bridge ) was chairman , Bro . W . Howson I . P . M . Treasurer , aud Bro . Thomas Irwin Roberts Secretary . Bro . R . G . Bradley P . M . was a most efficient Director of Ceremonies .

MENTURIA LODGE , No . 418 .

rpHE members of this Lodgo hold a garden party , on the 28 th ult ., J- at tho Mount , Penkhull , the residence of Bro . John Bromley an old an . l respected member of the Menturia Lodge , and the gathering was in every way a success . The beautiful grounds surrounding the charming residence of Bro . Bromley are in every way adapted for au out-door gathering , and the members of the Menturia Lodge

are indebted to the owner of the Mount for placing it at their disposal . Tho weather , although not all that could be desired , was lavour . able for the event , and permitted of dancing on the lawn in front of tho honse , this pastime afterwards being indulged in in the spacious A ning-riiom . The music was supplied by Mr . T . Tnrnock ' s string

band . The guests numbered about eighty , who late in the afternoon sit down to dinner , which was presided over by Bro . John Robinson , tho W . M . of tho Lodge . A short toast list was gone through , which mc ' uded the Qaeen , the Prince of Wales Graud Master of Eoglaud , and the other members of the Royal Family . Bro . W . Tunnicliff

proposed the health of the W . M ., whioh haviiig been appropriately acknowledged , Bro . E . V . Greutb itch proposed the health of Mr . and Mr .-i . Bromley , and on behalf of tho guests acknowledged the kindness of this lady and gentleman in throwing open their abode . Bro Bromley , in acknowledging the compliment , expressed the pleasure it L'iive him and his wife to receive his brethren and their ladies .

The only other toast was that of the ladies , proposed by Bro . 0 . Butters , and responded to by Bro . W . R . Tooth . Among those present were the following , who were mostly accompanied by ladiua *