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Article SIGNS AND SYMBOLS.' ← Page 6 of 8 →
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Signs And Symbols.'
were frequently mistaken for each other , and the Egg was a Symbol common to both . To corroborate this explanation ; in one system , Cupid , thus said to be born of an Egg , is represented as seated on a Rainbow ; and in another , the Dove , the bird of Venus , is seated on an Egg . " Thus it appears that with the migrating descendants of Noah , the Egg had an undoubted reference to the Ark ; and in this acceptation it
bore a prominent feature in all the diluvian mysteries ; for the Ark when floating on the waters was a world in miniature ; as it not only contained all living creatures , but was the sole visible substance remaining of the terrestrial creation . Hence , if Brahma , or Bacchus , or the corresponding god of any other nation was fabled to he born of an Egg , the Symbol applied to the Ark of Noah . In truth , the Egg was the foundation of all the symbolical machinery of idolatry . " - —p . 103 .
I he author expatiates eloquently on the darkness of the Third Degree , " By the dispensations of an All-wise Providence it is ordained , that a state of Darkness resembling death , shall precede the attainment of all the different degrees of perfection . Thus , the dense vacuum of chaos introduced the formation of the world as it came from the hand of its Maker pure and perfect . Thus , the whole creation annually sinks into itself ; the trees are stripped of their leafy covering , the waters are locked up in the frosts of winter , and nature seems consigned to the embraces
of darkness and death . But this dreary pause is only a fit preparation for the revival of the new year , when the earth again displays her charms , and cheers us with all the animation and glory of a revived existence . Thus , also man , the nobler work of the Deity , is subject every day to an oblivion of sense and reflection , which , however , serves hut to invigorate his faculties , and restore to reason all its energy and force . And thus , even death itself , though terrible in prospect , is hut the prelude to our restoration in a more improved state , when eternity shall hurst upon us in full effulgence , and all the glories of absolute perfection encircle us for ever .
" In like manner the emblematical darkness of Masonry is hut the precursor of superior illumination ; and hence our science is aptly denominated Lux or Light , because it removes the mists of error and prejudice from the understanding , and leaves the soul open to impressions which awaken all the energies of Faith , and Hope , and Charity . This Light is partly communicated hy the assistance of hieroglyphical emblems ; for Masonry , correctly defined , is " a beautiful system of
morality , veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols . " Thus , if we wish to recommend justice and morality , we point to the Square , which is the emblem of these virtues ; if equality be our theme , the Level is displayed ; if integrity , the Plumb . Do we wish to illustrate our respective duties to God and ' man , the Three Great Lights are on the Pedestal , and are easily brought before the active Mason ' s view ; and the Three Lesser Lights point out the excellent scheme of government adopted
by our ancient brethren , and still practised in our Lodges . Do we enlarge upon a life well spent in acts of piety and devotion , the Perfect Ashler is the elucidating emblem ; if we refer to the comfort and perfection of God ' s revealed word , it is done through the medium of the Tracing Board ; if the pure and perfect road to Heaven he the subject of our Lecture , we have a Ladder composed of staves or rounds innumerable , each pointing out some moral or theological virtue ; and even when elevating our thoughts to the Deity himself , our eyes involuntarily
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Signs And Symbols.'
were frequently mistaken for each other , and the Egg was a Symbol common to both . To corroborate this explanation ; in one system , Cupid , thus said to be born of an Egg , is represented as seated on a Rainbow ; and in another , the Dove , the bird of Venus , is seated on an Egg . " Thus it appears that with the migrating descendants of Noah , the Egg had an undoubted reference to the Ark ; and in this acceptation it
bore a prominent feature in all the diluvian mysteries ; for the Ark when floating on the waters was a world in miniature ; as it not only contained all living creatures , but was the sole visible substance remaining of the terrestrial creation . Hence , if Brahma , or Bacchus , or the corresponding god of any other nation was fabled to he born of an Egg , the Symbol applied to the Ark of Noah . In truth , the Egg was the foundation of all the symbolical machinery of idolatry . " - —p . 103 .
I he author expatiates eloquently on the darkness of the Third Degree , " By the dispensations of an All-wise Providence it is ordained , that a state of Darkness resembling death , shall precede the attainment of all the different degrees of perfection . Thus , the dense vacuum of chaos introduced the formation of the world as it came from the hand of its Maker pure and perfect . Thus , the whole creation annually sinks into itself ; the trees are stripped of their leafy covering , the waters are locked up in the frosts of winter , and nature seems consigned to the embraces
of darkness and death . But this dreary pause is only a fit preparation for the revival of the new year , when the earth again displays her charms , and cheers us with all the animation and glory of a revived existence . Thus , also man , the nobler work of the Deity , is subject every day to an oblivion of sense and reflection , which , however , serves hut to invigorate his faculties , and restore to reason all its energy and force . And thus , even death itself , though terrible in prospect , is hut the prelude to our restoration in a more improved state , when eternity shall hurst upon us in full effulgence , and all the glories of absolute perfection encircle us for ever .
" In like manner the emblematical darkness of Masonry is hut the precursor of superior illumination ; and hence our science is aptly denominated Lux or Light , because it removes the mists of error and prejudice from the understanding , and leaves the soul open to impressions which awaken all the energies of Faith , and Hope , and Charity . This Light is partly communicated hy the assistance of hieroglyphical emblems ; for Masonry , correctly defined , is " a beautiful system of
morality , veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols . " Thus , if we wish to recommend justice and morality , we point to the Square , which is the emblem of these virtues ; if equality be our theme , the Level is displayed ; if integrity , the Plumb . Do we wish to illustrate our respective duties to God and ' man , the Three Great Lights are on the Pedestal , and are easily brought before the active Mason ' s view ; and the Three Lesser Lights point out the excellent scheme of government adopted
by our ancient brethren , and still practised in our Lodges . Do we enlarge upon a life well spent in acts of piety and devotion , the Perfect Ashler is the elucidating emblem ; if we refer to the comfort and perfection of God ' s revealed word , it is done through the medium of the Tracing Board ; if the pure and perfect road to Heaven he the subject of our Lecture , we have a Ladder composed of staves or rounds innumerable , each pointing out some moral or theological virtue ; and even when elevating our thoughts to the Deity himself , our eyes involuntarily