Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry. The History And Antiquities Of Freemasonry.
perior excellence which operative masonry attained in this early period , under their influence . The temples of all nations were usually built ancl decorated with every possible degree of stability and magnificence ; not only from a sincere devotion to the persons of their gods , whom they thought it out of the power of man sufficiently to honour ;
but also that a veneration for their deities might be inspired in the bosoms of others , from the solemn character of these sacred edifices . A style of architecture was studied which would adapt itself to the peculiar nature of each deity . Thus the Doric was consecrated to Jupiter , Mars , and Hercules , as being a strong and firm column , formed after
the proportions of a well-shaped , muscular man . The Ionic was appropriated to Bacchus , as being a column of festivity , crowned with volutes and sacred wreaths . It was dedicated also to the service of Apollo and Diana , from its elegant lightness . The Corinthian was sacred to Vesta , for its proportions are taken from those of an effeminate and delicately
shaped virgin . The temple of Minerva was constructed on the union of these three orders , which are known amongst masons by the names of wisdom , strength , and beauty ; because in Minerva were united the attributes of learning , war , ancl mechanical knowledge . lhese masons erected a splendid temple for Ahab , which
he dedicated to Baal ; as also a palace of ivory for the same monarch . They built the famous E phesian temple of Diana , which was esteemed one of the wonders of the world ; ancl they completed those stupendous undertakings which were concentrated in the city of Babylon . Their temples were built due east and west , that the altars and statues might be
saluted with the-first rays of the sun ; and in their secret recesses were practised , in honour of the gods , those complicated mysteries which were inseparably connected with their religion . These celebrations were derived originally from a true ancl pure system , but gradually degenerating into the most culpable excesses , both in ceremony and doctrine , they at length sacrificed divine truth at the shrine of human reason and philosophy .
Ihe practice of Freemasonry amongst the successors of Solomon ancl Zerubbabel , was adulterated with less perceptible shades of deterioration , as will appear from a detailed account of the events which followed the rebuilding of the temple . At a splendid entertainment given by Artaxerxes Longimanus to his courtiers at Shushan , his fa-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry. The History And Antiquities Of Freemasonry.
perior excellence which operative masonry attained in this early period , under their influence . The temples of all nations were usually built ancl decorated with every possible degree of stability and magnificence ; not only from a sincere devotion to the persons of their gods , whom they thought it out of the power of man sufficiently to honour ;
but also that a veneration for their deities might be inspired in the bosoms of others , from the solemn character of these sacred edifices . A style of architecture was studied which would adapt itself to the peculiar nature of each deity . Thus the Doric was consecrated to Jupiter , Mars , and Hercules , as being a strong and firm column , formed after
the proportions of a well-shaped , muscular man . The Ionic was appropriated to Bacchus , as being a column of festivity , crowned with volutes and sacred wreaths . It was dedicated also to the service of Apollo and Diana , from its elegant lightness . The Corinthian was sacred to Vesta , for its proportions are taken from those of an effeminate and delicately
shaped virgin . The temple of Minerva was constructed on the union of these three orders , which are known amongst masons by the names of wisdom , strength , and beauty ; because in Minerva were united the attributes of learning , war , ancl mechanical knowledge . lhese masons erected a splendid temple for Ahab , which
he dedicated to Baal ; as also a palace of ivory for the same monarch . They built the famous E phesian temple of Diana , which was esteemed one of the wonders of the world ; ancl they completed those stupendous undertakings which were concentrated in the city of Babylon . Their temples were built due east and west , that the altars and statues might be
saluted with the-first rays of the sun ; and in their secret recesses were practised , in honour of the gods , those complicated mysteries which were inseparably connected with their religion . These celebrations were derived originally from a true ancl pure system , but gradually degenerating into the most culpable excesses , both in ceremony and doctrine , they at length sacrificed divine truth at the shrine of human reason and philosophy .
Ihe practice of Freemasonry amongst the successors of Solomon ancl Zerubbabel , was adulterated with less perceptible shades of deterioration , as will appear from a detailed account of the events which followed the rebuilding of the temple . At a splendid entertainment given by Artaxerxes Longimanus to his courtiers at Shushan , his fa-