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Article ON FREEMASONRY. ← Page 5 of 10 →
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On Freemasonry.
which was acquired , even in Egypt , at a much later period ; whence Operative Masonry is said to have passed to all other nations . The wonders of the structure at Elora , have been accurately described by Captain Seeley . It consists of a series of sixteen contiguous temples , each possessing porticossanctuariescolumnsand galleries ; all excavated
, , , in the living rock , and adorned with hieroglyphics , and sculptures of g igantic figures of the human form . In Elephanta are similar cavern temples , apparently of equal antiquity . The principal excavation is of vast size , and decorated with colossal images of the chief divinities of India ; some being more than fourteen feet in altitude .
They are sculptured in such high relief as to present the appearance of detached figures ; and exceed the Egyptian statuary in elegance , although they fall short of the works of our expert brethren in Greece . Most of these figures are decorated with the Zennar or sacred cord , which was a symbol of initiation . They are depicted with crowns and
pyramidal caps , and decorated with jewels ; but they exhibit countenances of the most revolting character . In the words of Linschoten , they are distorted into such horrible and fearful forms , that while some make a man's hair stand upright , others are distinguished by a placid serenity and benignity of countenance ; and others betray evident marks
of deep dejection and inward anguish . The more conspicuous figures are all gorgeously arrayed after the Indian fashion with heavy jewels in their ears , with superb collars of precious stones , with belts sumptuously wrought , and with rich bracelets on their arms and wrists .
The chapels or smaller temples have their walls covered over with hieroglyphics aud symbolical figures ; amongst which we find representations of the Tau Cross , which was an emblem of generation . The christian reader may start when he beholds the sacred emblem of his faith used as a symbol of heathen devotion , but it is even so . The holy
Cross pointed to the four quarters of the compass ; and was honoured as a striking emblem of the universe by-jnany ancient nations . It is found engraven on their monuments ; and even the erection of many of their temples was conducted on the same cruciform principle . The two great pagodas of Benares and Mathura are erected in the form of vast crosses , of which each wing is equal in extent ; as is also the pyramidal temple of new Grange in Ireland , and many others .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry.
which was acquired , even in Egypt , at a much later period ; whence Operative Masonry is said to have passed to all other nations . The wonders of the structure at Elora , have been accurately described by Captain Seeley . It consists of a series of sixteen contiguous temples , each possessing porticossanctuariescolumnsand galleries ; all excavated
, , , in the living rock , and adorned with hieroglyphics , and sculptures of g igantic figures of the human form . In Elephanta are similar cavern temples , apparently of equal antiquity . The principal excavation is of vast size , and decorated with colossal images of the chief divinities of India ; some being more than fourteen feet in altitude .
They are sculptured in such high relief as to present the appearance of detached figures ; and exceed the Egyptian statuary in elegance , although they fall short of the works of our expert brethren in Greece . Most of these figures are decorated with the Zennar or sacred cord , which was a symbol of initiation . They are depicted with crowns and
pyramidal caps , and decorated with jewels ; but they exhibit countenances of the most revolting character . In the words of Linschoten , they are distorted into such horrible and fearful forms , that while some make a man's hair stand upright , others are distinguished by a placid serenity and benignity of countenance ; and others betray evident marks
of deep dejection and inward anguish . The more conspicuous figures are all gorgeously arrayed after the Indian fashion with heavy jewels in their ears , with superb collars of precious stones , with belts sumptuously wrought , and with rich bracelets on their arms and wrists .
The chapels or smaller temples have their walls covered over with hieroglyphics aud symbolical figures ; amongst which we find representations of the Tau Cross , which was an emblem of generation . The christian reader may start when he beholds the sacred emblem of his faith used as a symbol of heathen devotion , but it is even so . The holy
Cross pointed to the four quarters of the compass ; and was honoured as a striking emblem of the universe by-jnany ancient nations . It is found engraven on their monuments ; and even the erection of many of their temples was conducted on the same cruciform principle . The two great pagodas of Benares and Mathura are erected in the form of vast crosses , of which each wing is equal in extent ; as is also the pyramidal temple of new Grange in Ireland , and many others .