-
Articles/Ads
Article SIGNS AND SYMBOLS.' ← Page 4 of 8 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Signs And Symbols.'
the productions of art . Numerous as are the Symbols of Freemasonry , some have been judiciously omitted in the work before us ; and the author has just grounds for his assertion in the Preface : — " In treating on all the points connected with these Symbols , I trust it will be acknowledged that in this Course of Lectures , I have not removed the veil which conceals a single forbidden secret ; that I have not exposed to the public gaze a single word , letter , or character , which most riid
may tend to excite sensations of alarm in the hosom of the g and tenacious Alason ; hut that I have endeavoured modestly to illustrate such points and symbols as may show the beauty of the System , and convince mankind at large that Masonry is really what it professes t 0 ue—an Order of Peace , Harmony , and Brotherly Love . " After having copiously illustrated a subject of such overwhelming interest to the Free and Accepted Mason , the Rev . Author proceeds , currcnte calamo , to trace the Science from the Creation , by means of its Symbols , to the Fall of Man , through the antediluvian world , the deluge ,
and the dispersion of mankind from the plains of bhinar , tor tne purpose of showing how Freemasonry was propagated over the face of the earth , and firmly p lanted in every country at that remote period . The cosmogonies of all nations , which hear a distorted resemblance to the account of the creation in the Pentateuch , would he inexplicable on any other princip le than that they are actual traditions , commencing before the dispersion , and conveyed in those remarkable institutions which were of all the
first established by Nimrod , and formed a constituent part systems of theology which were adopted by the tribes scattered over the face of the whole earth . And here we find traces of the actual utility of Signs and Symbols , without the use of which we should have remained in doubt respecting the relation which these traditions bore to each other , and their obvious reference to the true history of the creation . The Symbol of this event was , in all cases , an Egg ; and was derived from that beautiful passage in the book of Genesis where the Sp irit of God is represented hovering over the face of the waters , as a dove broods upon her eggs ; an idea which is most beautifully expressed by Milton .
" . THOU , with mighty wings outspread , Dove-like sat ' st brooding o'er the vast abyss . And mad ' st it pregnant . " * " Not a few of these nations unite in blending the Creation and Deluge so intimately , that the fable will aptly apply to either event ; and it is probable that from this confusion have arisen the various applications which have been emblematicallmade to the mundane Et whichas
y gg , , an universal Symbol , is another great and unerring testimony to the fact of a common origination . "—p . 101 . In reference to this Symbol , as applied to the creation of the world , we find the following very curious account in an ancient author , cited hy Dr . Oliver in his history of initiation : — " There is a pagoda at Micao consecrated to a hieroglyp hic Bull , which is placed on a large square altar , and composed of solid gold . His neck
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Signs And Symbols.'
the productions of art . Numerous as are the Symbols of Freemasonry , some have been judiciously omitted in the work before us ; and the author has just grounds for his assertion in the Preface : — " In treating on all the points connected with these Symbols , I trust it will be acknowledged that in this Course of Lectures , I have not removed the veil which conceals a single forbidden secret ; that I have not exposed to the public gaze a single word , letter , or character , which most riid
may tend to excite sensations of alarm in the hosom of the g and tenacious Alason ; hut that I have endeavoured modestly to illustrate such points and symbols as may show the beauty of the System , and convince mankind at large that Masonry is really what it professes t 0 ue—an Order of Peace , Harmony , and Brotherly Love . " After having copiously illustrated a subject of such overwhelming interest to the Free and Accepted Mason , the Rev . Author proceeds , currcnte calamo , to trace the Science from the Creation , by means of its Symbols , to the Fall of Man , through the antediluvian world , the deluge ,
and the dispersion of mankind from the plains of bhinar , tor tne purpose of showing how Freemasonry was propagated over the face of the earth , and firmly p lanted in every country at that remote period . The cosmogonies of all nations , which hear a distorted resemblance to the account of the creation in the Pentateuch , would he inexplicable on any other princip le than that they are actual traditions , commencing before the dispersion , and conveyed in those remarkable institutions which were of all the
first established by Nimrod , and formed a constituent part systems of theology which were adopted by the tribes scattered over the face of the whole earth . And here we find traces of the actual utility of Signs and Symbols , without the use of which we should have remained in doubt respecting the relation which these traditions bore to each other , and their obvious reference to the true history of the creation . The Symbol of this event was , in all cases , an Egg ; and was derived from that beautiful passage in the book of Genesis where the Sp irit of God is represented hovering over the face of the waters , as a dove broods upon her eggs ; an idea which is most beautifully expressed by Milton .
" . THOU , with mighty wings outspread , Dove-like sat ' st brooding o'er the vast abyss . And mad ' st it pregnant . " * " Not a few of these nations unite in blending the Creation and Deluge so intimately , that the fable will aptly apply to either event ; and it is probable that from this confusion have arisen the various applications which have been emblematicallmade to the mundane Et whichas
y gg , , an universal Symbol , is another great and unerring testimony to the fact of a common origination . "—p . 101 . In reference to this Symbol , as applied to the creation of the world , we find the following very curious account in an ancient author , cited hy Dr . Oliver in his history of initiation : — " There is a pagoda at Micao consecrated to a hieroglyp hic Bull , which is placed on a large square altar , and composed of solid gold . His neck