Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry. Evidences, Doctrines, And Traditions.
perfect , and comprehending within itself all other figures . Hence the Egyptians , when they symbolized the divine nature , used hieroglyp hics partaking of the circular form , probabl y because the sun , the chief deity of ancient nations , was a circular bodv , and was supposed to perform his revolutions in a circle . In the sacred books of India , whose
antiquity is unknown , according to the translation of Mr . Holwell , the Divinity is described as being " a perfect sphere , without beginning and without end , " * ' whence were probabl y derived the circular religious temples of the Britons , Persians , and other nations , the rings placed in the hands of many heathen deities , and the protecting circle of
the sorcerer , when conjuring up the fearful powers of darkness . And it is used as a Masonic symbol for the purpose of reminding us of the resurrection and a future state , when we hope to enjoy a bliss , which , like the circle , has no end . A complete review of the scientific doctrines of Freemasonry were a task too comprehensive to be contained in an article of prescribed limits . All that can be accomplished is a general statement of our most prominent subjects of illustration . The details must be left with the Masters of
Lodges , who , in their monthl y lectures , may enlighten the Brethren on subjects which it would be improper , as well as impracticable , to promulgate in a public periodical . Let it suffice that the attention be drawn to the general landmarks of the Order , and their illustration may be safely entrusted to intelligent officers , whose duty it is to instruct and improve the Brethren in Masonic knowledge .
N . B . In my recently published volume on the Theocratic Philosophy of Preemasonry , I am sorry to find several typographical errors . As I resided at a great distance from the press , I was not favoured with a sight of the revised sheets ; ancl as the rough proofs which were submitted to me did not contain the Greek type , I had not an opportunity of observing the following inaccuracies till it was too late to correct them . On pages S 3 and 175 , the words Mea-avpavea and tjefta , are erroneously made to terminate in the omicron . On page 6-1 , bottom Une of note , read ypat / ns ,
& c . On page 173 three typographical errors occur ; read , therefore , Igcrovs , Soirijp , and deov . The formula in this symbol is cleaily erroneous . It is an acrostic of great antiquity , invented , I believe , by the author of the Pseudo-Sybilline Oracles , and I am inclined to think it is there used correctly , because Tertullian quotes it nominatively I x dvs ; others have appended an additional sigma , that the word Sravpos may be included , but the greater number of authorities have used the genitive case , an example which I followed without hesitation .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry. Evidences, Doctrines, And Traditions.
perfect , and comprehending within itself all other figures . Hence the Egyptians , when they symbolized the divine nature , used hieroglyp hics partaking of the circular form , probabl y because the sun , the chief deity of ancient nations , was a circular bodv , and was supposed to perform his revolutions in a circle . In the sacred books of India , whose
antiquity is unknown , according to the translation of Mr . Holwell , the Divinity is described as being " a perfect sphere , without beginning and without end , " * ' whence were probabl y derived the circular religious temples of the Britons , Persians , and other nations , the rings placed in the hands of many heathen deities , and the protecting circle of
the sorcerer , when conjuring up the fearful powers of darkness . And it is used as a Masonic symbol for the purpose of reminding us of the resurrection and a future state , when we hope to enjoy a bliss , which , like the circle , has no end . A complete review of the scientific doctrines of Freemasonry were a task too comprehensive to be contained in an article of prescribed limits . All that can be accomplished is a general statement of our most prominent subjects of illustration . The details must be left with the Masters of
Lodges , who , in their monthl y lectures , may enlighten the Brethren on subjects which it would be improper , as well as impracticable , to promulgate in a public periodical . Let it suffice that the attention be drawn to the general landmarks of the Order , and their illustration may be safely entrusted to intelligent officers , whose duty it is to instruct and improve the Brethren in Masonic knowledge .
N . B . In my recently published volume on the Theocratic Philosophy of Preemasonry , I am sorry to find several typographical errors . As I resided at a great distance from the press , I was not favoured with a sight of the revised sheets ; ancl as the rough proofs which were submitted to me did not contain the Greek type , I had not an opportunity of observing the following inaccuracies till it was too late to correct them . On pages S 3 and 175 , the words Mea-avpavea and tjefta , are erroneously made to terminate in the omicron . On page 6-1 , bottom Une of note , read ypat / ns ,
& c . On page 173 three typographical errors occur ; read , therefore , Igcrovs , Soirijp , and deov . The formula in this symbol is cleaily erroneous . It is an acrostic of great antiquity , invented , I believe , by the author of the Pseudo-Sybilline Oracles , and I am inclined to think it is there used correctly , because Tertullian quotes it nominatively I x dvs ; others have appended an additional sigma , that the word Sravpos may be included , but the greater number of authorities have used the genitive case , an example which I followed without hesitation .