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Article ON THE KNOWLEDGE OF FREEMASONRY BY THE DRUIDS. ← Page 7 of 10 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Knowledge Of Freemasonry By The Druids.
rites were first introduced amongst the Druids it is not easy to determine ; but the most probable conjecture that can be formed is , that they accompanied one of those emigrations which were common amongst the Phoenicians , and to which the fixed arrangement of casts existing amongst them so frequently gave rise , even in their earliest times . And in their attempt to disseminate a new doctrine amongst the Britons , it is probable they found it politic to conform to many of the habits which were found existing on their arrival , and trust to future opportunities for making them conformable to their own , rather than attempt any such radical change as would be likely to create iealousv
and mistrust in the minds of those whose friendly intercourse it was so greatly their object to propitiate . It is an important proof in illustration of the purity of Freemasonry , that so long as the pure worship of the " Grand Architect of the Universe" was practiced , so also did Freemasonry flourish ; and as the one declined , so also did the other immediately follow it : thus , during the three or four centuries prior to the present era , the Mosaic laws were in their most
neglected state , and idolatry and the doctrines of spurious Masonry held their most unlimited sway ; so also , during the same period , did Freemasonry " become a prey and derision to the heathen ; " * but with the rise of Christianity it became regenerated , ancl as the evidences of the one began to be made manifest , and progressed with gigantic strides into almost every civilized part of the globe , so did the other go hand-in-hand with it , disseminating its beauties and
propagating its excellencies wherever an opening offered itself . Notwithstanding that the truths of Christianity at first received from the Romans an opposition attended with every species of cruel persecution which the bigotry and fanatical zeal of a priesthood , who felt its approach with the same terrors they would an earthquake which was to shake their empty and unintelligible doctrines to their very base , could suggest ; yet none were more early convinced that " theirs was an
instruction to the foolish , a teaching of babes , which had the form of knowledge and of truth in the law , and that in teaching others they taught not themselves , - } - " than that people ; amongst whom , indeed , Freemasonry had been partially introduced , though in a very imperfect state , by Numa , in whose character its principles are to be distinctly traced ; and although he laid such a foundation for its cultivation as caused it , during his life , to be entertained with favour , yet so difficult
was it to eradicate the fascinating mythology and polytheism generally practiced by the Romans , that Masonry became subsequently much neglected : but on the introduction of Christianity amongst them , it again raised its standard , and under the title of the Collegia , co-operated most powerfully in propagating the sciences , arts , and laws of the Roman empire ; and it was hence introduced into Great Britain by the Roman generals and dignitaries of the churchwho visited these islands
, immediately subsequent to its invasion uncier Caesar . It has been said that Cresar himself was the first to introduce it ; but with the very little intercourse , of a pacific character , which he had an opportunity of having with the natives , it is impossible he could have aided much in its development , particularly opposed , as it is natural to expect he would
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Knowledge Of Freemasonry By The Druids.
rites were first introduced amongst the Druids it is not easy to determine ; but the most probable conjecture that can be formed is , that they accompanied one of those emigrations which were common amongst the Phoenicians , and to which the fixed arrangement of casts existing amongst them so frequently gave rise , even in their earliest times . And in their attempt to disseminate a new doctrine amongst the Britons , it is probable they found it politic to conform to many of the habits which were found existing on their arrival , and trust to future opportunities for making them conformable to their own , rather than attempt any such radical change as would be likely to create iealousv
and mistrust in the minds of those whose friendly intercourse it was so greatly their object to propitiate . It is an important proof in illustration of the purity of Freemasonry , that so long as the pure worship of the " Grand Architect of the Universe" was practiced , so also did Freemasonry flourish ; and as the one declined , so also did the other immediately follow it : thus , during the three or four centuries prior to the present era , the Mosaic laws were in their most
neglected state , and idolatry and the doctrines of spurious Masonry held their most unlimited sway ; so also , during the same period , did Freemasonry " become a prey and derision to the heathen ; " * but with the rise of Christianity it became regenerated , ancl as the evidences of the one began to be made manifest , and progressed with gigantic strides into almost every civilized part of the globe , so did the other go hand-in-hand with it , disseminating its beauties and
propagating its excellencies wherever an opening offered itself . Notwithstanding that the truths of Christianity at first received from the Romans an opposition attended with every species of cruel persecution which the bigotry and fanatical zeal of a priesthood , who felt its approach with the same terrors they would an earthquake which was to shake their empty and unintelligible doctrines to their very base , could suggest ; yet none were more early convinced that " theirs was an
instruction to the foolish , a teaching of babes , which had the form of knowledge and of truth in the law , and that in teaching others they taught not themselves , - } - " than that people ; amongst whom , indeed , Freemasonry had been partially introduced , though in a very imperfect state , by Numa , in whose character its principles are to be distinctly traced ; and although he laid such a foundation for its cultivation as caused it , during his life , to be entertained with favour , yet so difficult
was it to eradicate the fascinating mythology and polytheism generally practiced by the Romans , that Masonry became subsequently much neglected : but on the introduction of Christianity amongst them , it again raised its standard , and under the title of the Collegia , co-operated most powerfully in propagating the sciences , arts , and laws of the Roman empire ; and it was hence introduced into Great Britain by the Roman generals and dignitaries of the churchwho visited these islands
, immediately subsequent to its invasion uncier Caesar . It has been said that Cresar himself was the first to introduce it ; but with the very little intercourse , of a pacific character , which he had an opportunity of having with the natives , it is impossible he could have aided much in its development , particularly opposed , as it is natural to expect he would