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Article THE HOLY CROSS. Page 1 of 3 →
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The Holy Cross.
THE HOLY CROSS .
THE Cross will be recognized as an emblem , in some of the higher parts of Masonry , and its import therein known to the initiated . Its value as a symbol in the Christian relig ion need not here be enlarged on . The ancient Egyptians used the cross , or the Crux ansata , as an emblem of resurrection from the dead , or of the life to come ; and in
the early times of Christianity , it is stated , that many Gentiles were converted to the true religion , from the similarity of some of their mutual symbols . Do not let us suppose there is any impropriety in admitting this , as some of the very earliest fathers advised , that the Christian ceremonies should in cases be engrafted on those of the
many heathens : and Gregory Naziansene gives a particular accounv of the manner in which popular Pagan rites were made subservient to the advancement of the Christian faith . Indeed some of the heathen observances would almost
appear to be imperfect types of the future perfect dispensation ; and the ceremonies of the fate of Adonis , which were emblematic of the seeming death and revival of nature , shewing the twilight of a future state ; and other similar rites may be considered as a glimmering of the bright light afterwards fully manifested in the death and resurrection of
our Saviour . * Middleton , writing from Rome , now many years since , says , " We see the people worshipping at this day , in the samor temples , at the same altars , sometimes the same images , and always with the same ceremonies as the old Romans . " In the first days of Christianitymiraculous legends were
, framed , if they did not exist , relating to all objects of sanctity : the Cross , and the various articles connected with it had speedily , therefore , their histories . These varied in some particulars , but the most popular seems to have been the following , which may in part have been founded on some early traditions of the Jews .
At the death of Adam , his son , Seth , applied for some of the oil of mercy , and a slip or branch of the tree of life was given him , ( the tree whereof wc read in the Apocalypse " the leaves shall heal the nations " ) to plant on his father's grave .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Holy Cross.
THE HOLY CROSS .
THE Cross will be recognized as an emblem , in some of the higher parts of Masonry , and its import therein known to the initiated . Its value as a symbol in the Christian relig ion need not here be enlarged on . The ancient Egyptians used the cross , or the Crux ansata , as an emblem of resurrection from the dead , or of the life to come ; and in
the early times of Christianity , it is stated , that many Gentiles were converted to the true religion , from the similarity of some of their mutual symbols . Do not let us suppose there is any impropriety in admitting this , as some of the very earliest fathers advised , that the Christian ceremonies should in cases be engrafted on those of the
many heathens : and Gregory Naziansene gives a particular accounv of the manner in which popular Pagan rites were made subservient to the advancement of the Christian faith . Indeed some of the heathen observances would almost
appear to be imperfect types of the future perfect dispensation ; and the ceremonies of the fate of Adonis , which were emblematic of the seeming death and revival of nature , shewing the twilight of a future state ; and other similar rites may be considered as a glimmering of the bright light afterwards fully manifested in the death and resurrection of
our Saviour . * Middleton , writing from Rome , now many years since , says , " We see the people worshipping at this day , in the samor temples , at the same altars , sometimes the same images , and always with the same ceremonies as the old Romans . " In the first days of Christianitymiraculous legends were
, framed , if they did not exist , relating to all objects of sanctity : the Cross , and the various articles connected with it had speedily , therefore , their histories . These varied in some particulars , but the most popular seems to have been the following , which may in part have been founded on some early traditions of the Jews .
At the death of Adam , his son , Seth , applied for some of the oil of mercy , and a slip or branch of the tree of life was given him , ( the tree whereof wc read in the Apocalypse " the leaves shall heal the nations " ) to plant on his father's grave .