Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
T^
in the organisation orthe institution which is the topic of our iixye $ > tigation . And now , in the first place , let us apply this doctrine pf symbolism to an investigation of the nature of the speculative science as derivedfrom the operative art . Por the feet is familiar to all that EVeemasonry is of tw ^
Masonry only , but our anciept Brethreit wrought in both operative and speculative ; a : nd it is now well understood , that the two branches are widely apart in design , and in character—the one a mere useful art , intended for the protection and convenience of man , and the gratification of his physical and temporal wan ^ found science , entering into abstruse invesfc
a future existence , and originating in the craving need of humam % to know something that } s a ^ that surrounds us with its gross atmosphere here below . Indeed , the only bond or link that unites speculative and operative M is the symholisiri that belongs altogether to the former ^ but which is throughout its whole extent derived from the latter .
Our first inquiry , then , will be into the nature of the symbolisrn which operative Mas gives to speculative ; and thoroughly to understand this , to know its origin , its necessity , and its mode of application , we must begin with a reference to the condition of a long-past period of time .
Thousands of years ago this science of symbolism was adopted by the sagacious priesthood of Egypt to convey the lessons of worldly wisdom and religious knowledge which they thus communicated to their disciples . Their science , their history , and their philosophy were thus concealed beneath an impenetrable veil from all the pro *
fane , and none but those who had passed through the severe ordeal of initiation were put in possession of the key which enabled them to decipher and read with ease those mystic lessons which we still see engraved upon the obelisks , the tombs , and the sarcophagi , which lie scattered at this day , in endless profusion , along the banks of the Nile .
Prom the Egyptians the same method of symbolic instruction was diffused among all the Pagan nations of antiquity , and was used in all the ancient mysteries as the medium of communicating to the initiated , the esoteric and secret doctrines , for whose preservation and promulgation these singular associations were formed .
Moses , who as Holy "Writ informs us , was skilled in all the learning of the Egyptians , brought with him from the cradle of all the sciences , a perfect knowledge of the science of symbolism as it was taught by the priests of Isis and Osiris , and applied it to the ceremonies with which he invested the purer religion of the chosen people of God . { To he continued . )
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
T^
in the organisation orthe institution which is the topic of our iixye $ > tigation . And now , in the first place , let us apply this doctrine pf symbolism to an investigation of the nature of the speculative science as derivedfrom the operative art . Por the feet is familiar to all that EVeemasonry is of tw ^
Masonry only , but our anciept Brethreit wrought in both operative and speculative ; a : nd it is now well understood , that the two branches are widely apart in design , and in character—the one a mere useful art , intended for the protection and convenience of man , and the gratification of his physical and temporal wan ^ found science , entering into abstruse invesfc
a future existence , and originating in the craving need of humam % to know something that } s a ^ that surrounds us with its gross atmosphere here below . Indeed , the only bond or link that unites speculative and operative M is the symholisiri that belongs altogether to the former ^ but which is throughout its whole extent derived from the latter .
Our first inquiry , then , will be into the nature of the symbolisrn which operative Mas gives to speculative ; and thoroughly to understand this , to know its origin , its necessity , and its mode of application , we must begin with a reference to the condition of a long-past period of time .
Thousands of years ago this science of symbolism was adopted by the sagacious priesthood of Egypt to convey the lessons of worldly wisdom and religious knowledge which they thus communicated to their disciples . Their science , their history , and their philosophy were thus concealed beneath an impenetrable veil from all the pro *
fane , and none but those who had passed through the severe ordeal of initiation were put in possession of the key which enabled them to decipher and read with ease those mystic lessons which we still see engraved upon the obelisks , the tombs , and the sarcophagi , which lie scattered at this day , in endless profusion , along the banks of the Nile .
Prom the Egyptians the same method of symbolic instruction was diffused among all the Pagan nations of antiquity , and was used in all the ancient mysteries as the medium of communicating to the initiated , the esoteric and secret doctrines , for whose preservation and promulgation these singular associations were formed .
Moses , who as Holy "Writ informs us , was skilled in all the learning of the Egyptians , brought with him from the cradle of all the sciences , a perfect knowledge of the science of symbolism as it was taught by the priests of Isis and Osiris , and applied it to the ceremonies with which he invested the purer religion of the chosen people of God . { To he continued . )