Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry. Evidences, Doctrines, And Traditions.
the cube ; and was proposed b y the oracle at Delphos to the inhabitants of that island , as a means of stopping the pestilence which then raged among them . They were directed to double the altar of Apollo , which was previousl y a perfect
_ The circle is the rival of the square in its claims on a hi gh antiquity , if it be true that the base of the Tower of Babel was of that figure . But the question may not be respecting the earliest display of the circle and square , but which was first used by operative Masons . The form of the universe , the globe of our earth , and all the stars of the firmament
, are circular , and consequentl y it is , abstractedl y , the most ancient figure . The druidical circular temples are of an unknown antiquity , and probably as old as the pyramid ^ of Egypt . The circle was , indeed , an emblem of God ' s universal presence . Deus circulus est , cujus centrum ubique , circumferentia nusquam . Without beginning or
ending , the circle may justly be considered as a natural type of the Deity , who is without either beginning of days or ending of years . The Jewish Sephiroth , or S plendorus , were represented b y a series of concentric circles arranged in the following order : —
" The names of those Sephiroth are GEDULAH , strength or severity ; GEBUTAH , mercy or magnificence ; TIPHEROTH , beauty ; NERSAH , victory or eternity ; HOD , Glory ; JESOD , the foundation ; MALCUTH , or the kingdom . The circle , being the most perfect of figures , denotes the perfection of Deity and its attributes . That Deity , infinite in His nature , and otherwise
incomprehensible to man , has chosen to manifest Himself b y His attributes , as the soul manifests herself by acts of wisdom arid virtue . As the virtue , latent in the coal is displayed by the flame which it diffuses , so is the glory of the Deity revealed b y the emanations-which proceed from Him . To illustrate these sentiments the Jews have
, imagined certain conduits or canals , through which the influences of the splendours are communicated , and glide into one another . The perfections of God are the p illars which support the universe . MERCY illumines JUSTICE , and BEAUTY decorates STRENGTH . "f The circle was indeed considered as a figure absolutel y
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry. Evidences, Doctrines, And Traditions.
the cube ; and was proposed b y the oracle at Delphos to the inhabitants of that island , as a means of stopping the pestilence which then raged among them . They were directed to double the altar of Apollo , which was previousl y a perfect
_ The circle is the rival of the square in its claims on a hi gh antiquity , if it be true that the base of the Tower of Babel was of that figure . But the question may not be respecting the earliest display of the circle and square , but which was first used by operative Masons . The form of the universe , the globe of our earth , and all the stars of the firmament
, are circular , and consequentl y it is , abstractedl y , the most ancient figure . The druidical circular temples are of an unknown antiquity , and probably as old as the pyramid ^ of Egypt . The circle was , indeed , an emblem of God ' s universal presence . Deus circulus est , cujus centrum ubique , circumferentia nusquam . Without beginning or
ending , the circle may justly be considered as a natural type of the Deity , who is without either beginning of days or ending of years . The Jewish Sephiroth , or S plendorus , were represented b y a series of concentric circles arranged in the following order : —
" The names of those Sephiroth are GEDULAH , strength or severity ; GEBUTAH , mercy or magnificence ; TIPHEROTH , beauty ; NERSAH , victory or eternity ; HOD , Glory ; JESOD , the foundation ; MALCUTH , or the kingdom . The circle , being the most perfect of figures , denotes the perfection of Deity and its attributes . That Deity , infinite in His nature , and otherwise
incomprehensible to man , has chosen to manifest Himself b y His attributes , as the soul manifests herself by acts of wisdom arid virtue . As the virtue , latent in the coal is displayed by the flame which it diffuses , so is the glory of the Deity revealed b y the emanations-which proceed from Him . To illustrate these sentiments the Jews have
, imagined certain conduits or canals , through which the influences of the splendours are communicated , and glide into one another . The perfections of God are the p illars which support the universe . MERCY illumines JUSTICE , and BEAUTY decorates STRENGTH . "f The circle was indeed considered as a figure absolutel y