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Article THE FREEMASONS' LEXICON. ← Page 3 of 7 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Lexicon.
years to he mocked and despised by his other scholars , and condemned them to voluntary poverty , they being compelled to give up their fortunes to the general funds . He also compelled them to silence for a period varying from two to three years , according to circumstances . He delivered his doctrines as infallible propositions , hid by a curtain from the view of his hearers , and often by the mouth of one of his under-teachers . It was only those who had patiently passed through the h path of
roug preparation , and who under the titleof Esoterics were admitted to his secret instruction , that were accepted , and then permitted to hear the master ' s words in his presence . In the inner order , we find traces of different degrees . First , Mathematicians : they cultivated various sciences , as arithmetic , geometry , gnomonik , music , & c . Second , Theoriticians : in this degree they were taught by observing the operations of nature and the properties of numberslinesand angles—introduced into the
inner-, , most sanctuary of the order , where they were taught the nature and attributes of the gods , and the future fate of mankind . The last degree of the inner order appears to have been communicated to those members who , as perfectly educated men , were destined to govern the states of Greece , and to give them laws and constitutions . He who was frightened by the obstacles he had to encounter , and wished to withdraw from the society , could return to the world unhindered ; the other scholars
commenced his funeral procession , erected a monument to his memory as for the dead , and thought of him no more . On their reception into the inner order , they were subject to very severe trials , viz . burning and cutting the body of the candidate ; and he was then bound by oath to keep his sufferings secret . The most impenetrable secresy , and the best possible understanding , secured all their steps ; even the public were , in
all probability unware of their existence . " He saysit /' wastheirpass-word . To tlie members of the Esoterical school , Pytbagoras ' s whole doctrines were laid open unveiled—not as unto the Exoterical or public scholars , under the disguise of signs and symbols . Others were instructed in morality and economy according to their own propensities and capabilities , and then either appointed to regulate the affairs of the society , or sent out to the other states of Greece , to teach and bring into use the fundamental rules of philosophy and good government . The manner
of living in the Pythagorean school at Crotona was as follows , viz .: — the brethren , about six hundred in number , lived in one large building , with their wives and families ; everything was done with the most perfect regularity . Every morning it was settled what was to be done in the course of the day , and every evening an account was rendered of the day ' s transactions . They arose before the sun to pay their devotions to itand then either recited verses from Plomeror some other
, , poet , or had a concert of music , to raise their spirits and fit them for the duties of the day . They then spent several hours in study ; after which followed a pause for refreshment , in which they commonly took a solitary walk ; before their meals , they went through several gymnastic exercises . The meal consisted principally of bread , honey , and water . The table was frequently covered with the choicest delicacies , hut this was only to tame their appetitesfor they were always taken
, away untasted . This society existed about thirty years . K ylon , a rich Orotoner , was expelled from the society . This hurt him so much that , in order to revenge himself , he raised the jealousy of the people against the Pythagoreans , by accusing them of tyrannical and oligarchical opinions , an exclusive zeal for the welfare of the society , and contempt of VOL . v . 3 l
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Lexicon.
years to he mocked and despised by his other scholars , and condemned them to voluntary poverty , they being compelled to give up their fortunes to the general funds . He also compelled them to silence for a period varying from two to three years , according to circumstances . He delivered his doctrines as infallible propositions , hid by a curtain from the view of his hearers , and often by the mouth of one of his under-teachers . It was only those who had patiently passed through the h path of
roug preparation , and who under the titleof Esoterics were admitted to his secret instruction , that were accepted , and then permitted to hear the master ' s words in his presence . In the inner order , we find traces of different degrees . First , Mathematicians : they cultivated various sciences , as arithmetic , geometry , gnomonik , music , & c . Second , Theoriticians : in this degree they were taught by observing the operations of nature and the properties of numberslinesand angles—introduced into the
inner-, , most sanctuary of the order , where they were taught the nature and attributes of the gods , and the future fate of mankind . The last degree of the inner order appears to have been communicated to those members who , as perfectly educated men , were destined to govern the states of Greece , and to give them laws and constitutions . He who was frightened by the obstacles he had to encounter , and wished to withdraw from the society , could return to the world unhindered ; the other scholars
commenced his funeral procession , erected a monument to his memory as for the dead , and thought of him no more . On their reception into the inner order , they were subject to very severe trials , viz . burning and cutting the body of the candidate ; and he was then bound by oath to keep his sufferings secret . The most impenetrable secresy , and the best possible understanding , secured all their steps ; even the public were , in
all probability unware of their existence . " He saysit /' wastheirpass-word . To tlie members of the Esoterical school , Pytbagoras ' s whole doctrines were laid open unveiled—not as unto the Exoterical or public scholars , under the disguise of signs and symbols . Others were instructed in morality and economy according to their own propensities and capabilities , and then either appointed to regulate the affairs of the society , or sent out to the other states of Greece , to teach and bring into use the fundamental rules of philosophy and good government . The manner
of living in the Pythagorean school at Crotona was as follows , viz .: — the brethren , about six hundred in number , lived in one large building , with their wives and families ; everything was done with the most perfect regularity . Every morning it was settled what was to be done in the course of the day , and every evening an account was rendered of the day ' s transactions . They arose before the sun to pay their devotions to itand then either recited verses from Plomeror some other
, , poet , or had a concert of music , to raise their spirits and fit them for the duties of the day . They then spent several hours in study ; after which followed a pause for refreshment , in which they commonly took a solitary walk ; before their meals , they went through several gymnastic exercises . The meal consisted principally of bread , honey , and water . The table was frequently covered with the choicest delicacies , hut this was only to tame their appetitesfor they were always taken
, away untasted . This society existed about thirty years . K ylon , a rich Orotoner , was expelled from the society . This hurt him so much that , in order to revenge himself , he raised the jealousy of the people against the Pythagoreans , by accusing them of tyrannical and oligarchical opinions , an exclusive zeal for the welfare of the society , and contempt of VOL . v . 3 l