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Article among their ranks were many learned eccl... ← Page 3 of 12 →
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Among Their Ranks Were Many Learned Eccl...
invent . The religions doctrine "whieh they profess appears to be a pure imitarianism . Even at the present day are found traces association . similar to those which doubtless ancestors in the time of the Crusaders . There is preserved by this singular people an institution which has many similar points to the
Masonic Order ( excepting that we are told both sexes are admissible ) ; it requires a probation of twelve ^ months previous to the admission of a member ; ci in the second year he assumes the distinguishing mark of the white turban ; and afterwards , by degrees , is allowed to participate in the whole of the mysteries . ¦ . Simplicity . of attire , self-denial , temperance , and irreproachable uloral conduct are essential to admission to the order . " *
To return to the subject more immediately before us . "We have shown , that the early Freemasons w ^ e the architects of all str uctures above the hovels of the peasantry ; and we have endeEivoured to trace to Masonic influence the eminence attained in structural science by the various knightly orders . Though the original object of these institutions was the protection and assistance of the Christian
pilgrims whose piety had led them to the Holy "Land ^ there is no doubt that , with increasing power and influence , the views of the Knights became much changed and extended . In our opinion there is little room to doubt that the practice of Masonry soon became a prominent feature of the Order , and that Masonic secrets alone were the far-famed mysteries of the Templars . As it is evident
that these pursuits would not in the eyes of the w orld appear to further the original objects of the chivalric orders , we cannot be surprised that the Knights made no profession of their Masonic studies ; perhaps even at that remote period , there was a well-grounded fear of the animosity which has been since so fearfully developed in the Church of Rome against all secret societies . That power has ever
trembled at the progress of liberality and science , knowing full well that in proportion as the intellect of man is strengthened by freedom of thought , her influence , founded upon blind superstition and puerile credulity , must gradually disappear from the earth . In illustration of the alarm of the papal church at societies of this kind , we
will refer , though not strictly belonging to our subject , to the Academy of Secrets , established in Italy in the sixteenth century , by Baptista Porta , for the advancement of science . This association was called I Seereti , and was accessible only to such as had made
some new discovery ( real or supposed ) in physical science . Porta did not content himself with this private means of instruction and education , he also to the utmost of his power promoted public academies , Avherein were taught the then recondite sciences of chemistry ,
optics , and natural history . His voluminous works extended his fame , and he was visited by the learned from all parts of Europe . Such a man , in that age , could not escape the * notice and pressing attentions of Holy Church . Writing of course much that was perfectly incomprehensible to the ignorant priests of the time , he was sum-** Col , Churchill ' s " Ten Years' Residence at Mount Lehanon . "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Among Their Ranks Were Many Learned Eccl...
invent . The religions doctrine "whieh they profess appears to be a pure imitarianism . Even at the present day are found traces association . similar to those which doubtless ancestors in the time of the Crusaders . There is preserved by this singular people an institution which has many similar points to the
Masonic Order ( excepting that we are told both sexes are admissible ) ; it requires a probation of twelve ^ months previous to the admission of a member ; ci in the second year he assumes the distinguishing mark of the white turban ; and afterwards , by degrees , is allowed to participate in the whole of the mysteries . ¦ . Simplicity . of attire , self-denial , temperance , and irreproachable uloral conduct are essential to admission to the order . " *
To return to the subject more immediately before us . "We have shown , that the early Freemasons w ^ e the architects of all str uctures above the hovels of the peasantry ; and we have endeEivoured to trace to Masonic influence the eminence attained in structural science by the various knightly orders . Though the original object of these institutions was the protection and assistance of the Christian
pilgrims whose piety had led them to the Holy "Land ^ there is no doubt that , with increasing power and influence , the views of the Knights became much changed and extended . In our opinion there is little room to doubt that the practice of Masonry soon became a prominent feature of the Order , and that Masonic secrets alone were the far-famed mysteries of the Templars . As it is evident
that these pursuits would not in the eyes of the w orld appear to further the original objects of the chivalric orders , we cannot be surprised that the Knights made no profession of their Masonic studies ; perhaps even at that remote period , there was a well-grounded fear of the animosity which has been since so fearfully developed in the Church of Rome against all secret societies . That power has ever
trembled at the progress of liberality and science , knowing full well that in proportion as the intellect of man is strengthened by freedom of thought , her influence , founded upon blind superstition and puerile credulity , must gradually disappear from the earth . In illustration of the alarm of the papal church at societies of this kind , we
will refer , though not strictly belonging to our subject , to the Academy of Secrets , established in Italy in the sixteenth century , by Baptista Porta , for the advancement of science . This association was called I Seereti , and was accessible only to such as had made
some new discovery ( real or supposed ) in physical science . Porta did not content himself with this private means of instruction and education , he also to the utmost of his power promoted public academies , Avherein were taught the then recondite sciences of chemistry ,
optics , and natural history . His voluminous works extended his fame , and he was visited by the learned from all parts of Europe . Such a man , in that age , could not escape the * notice and pressing attentions of Holy Church . Writing of course much that was perfectly incomprehensible to the ignorant priests of the time , he was sum-** Col , Churchill ' s " Ten Years' Residence at Mount Lehanon . "