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Article MYSTERIES OF THE NORTHMEN. ← Page 2 of 2 Article MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES. Page 1 of 4 →
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Mysteries Of The Northmen.
the gods ; fidelity to his brother initiates , and , at the hazard of his life , to defend them against all perils from secret or open foe , and after their death to follow their destroyers with his vengeance ; the whole being sealed by his drinking mead out of human skull . Such were a few of tho features of the initiation through which the Northman had to pass on his way to
a full knowledge of that religion on which he placed his trust . These initiations were performed on the occasions ^ of the great Festivals , or as candidates offered . The inifei-, ates arranged the times of their assembling by the changes of the moon , and by the Solstices—the great annual or Tule Festival , occuring on the night of the
winter Solstice . How nearly correspond , as to time , these Solstices to the Masonic anniversaries of the two St . John ' s . On his initiation , the mystagogue of the North was instructed in the doctrines and principles of his Order , which were to influence him in his life and his intercourse with the brethren . Many of these are so
remarkable in their character , that we cannot do better than quote a foiv of them as conclusions of this paper . Fidelity to oaths and promises were taught him" This I counsel thee secondly , that thou swear not an oath unless it be true ; cruel fetters shall bind the traitor ; Avretched is he Avho breaks his word . "
The value of friendship is impressed on him"To thy friend shalt thou be a friend , to him and his friend . " "Hast thou a friend in whom thou hast full confidence , and thou wilt receive good from him , then mingle thy thoughts with his , exchange gifts with him and visit him often . " " Never be first to break off rashly with thy friend ( or brother the heart when thou hast
. ) Sorrow consumes no one to whom thou canst open thy Avhole mind . " "Make thy friend's ( or brother ' s ) misfortune thy own . " He was instructed to frequent the assemblies of the brethren" Hast thou a friend in whom thou hast full confidence , go often to see himfor the weeds wand the hih grassin
; gro , g , the path where no one treads . " " Once I was young ; I travelled alone through wild paths ; I thought myself rich when I met others , —man is a joy to man . " " There is a communion of souls where each can say confidentially to the other all his thoughts . "
Respect for age was inculcated" Laugh not at the gray-haired speaker . That is often good which the aged have to say . Often from the wrinkled skin come forth words of wisdom . " The hospitable duties were imposed"With arms and clothing shall friends ( or brothers ) gladden each otherThey who ive and receive ifts in return are
. g g friends the longest , if all other things be Avell . " " "With scorn and laughter mock not the stranger and the wayfarer . He who sits at his own door is often uncertain who it may be that comes by . It may be a brother . " " The master of the house should be cheerful at home , kind to his guests , and circumspect ; let him be attentive and affable . " Washed
" " and sated should a man ride to the assemblies , even though be be not finely dressed . Of his shoes and breeches let no one be ashamed , nor of his horse , thought it be not the best . " " Seldom stands a monumental stone by the Avay-side , unless hy brother raised to brother . " " Carefully gather up the dead wherever on earth you may
find them , whether they have died by sickness , by the sea , or by arms . Raise up a mound for the departed , wash the hands and heads , comb and dry it before it is laid in the coffin , and pray for it to sleep in peace . " Such were some of the lessons taught the initiates into the Mysteries of the Northmen . The modern Freemason may not be above learning ' some things therefrom .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .
FREEMASONRY MISUNnERSTOOn . In my neighbourhood there appears to be a great misunderstanding about Freemasonry . Many persons are very intolerant about us , and I hear much sneering at our admission of brethren of all sects . I want something that will enable me to combat this feeling ? "Will you help me ?—AN EAST ANGLIAN . —[ We will . A new
Masonic Monthly has lately come out in Boston , America , and it is evident , from an article in it , that your toAvn is not the only place where misconceptions of the Order are to be found . As it may be useful to many other brethren , we transfer , from the columns of the periodical in question , a very well Avritten paper . It is entitled , " The Theologue and the Rabbi . " An Allegory , byH . P . H . Bromwell : — " A certain Theologue , who dAvelt in that part of the land of Zeal Avhich lies behind the mountains of
Intolerance , being a devout and conscientious man , had long desired to rid the Avorld of all institutions which ha understood were opposed to good morals and religion , " So he set out on a journey for that purpose ; and . being informed that Ancient Craft Masonry Avas a most subtle and dangerous thing , and also of great antiquity , he resolved to subdue it first .
" He came to a city where was a temple , and gave out . that he would on the morrow discourse to the people , and tarried all night with a friend . " In the morning he Avent near the temple , and stood by a portico having seven steps , from which he intended to speak . While Avaiting , he beheld a man of venerable and benevolent a Rabbiaccompanied b
appearance , , y others , who were listening to his instructions . Tha Theologue drew near and saluted him with great respect , and perceiving that he vras a man of Avisdom , said : ' I am come to put an end to a certain ancient Fraternity calling themselves Sons of Light , but in reality children of darkness , who cease not to build up their secret and wicked system in all countries , as they have done
forages . Thou knoAvesfc them that they are sons of Belial , and that of late they have become much emboldened by the forbearance of the wise and good Avho abhor such things ; wherefore I hope and expect thy counsel and aid in my undertaking . ' "And the Rabbi answering , said : 'Thou dost well to counsel in thy enterprise ; what can I do for thy good I
will do ; but when dost thou begin ? ' And the Theologue said : ' Now , behold here is my stand , and the multitude are gathering to hear my discourse . ' "But the Rabbi said : 'Art thou fully prepared to enter outhyAvork ? ' And the Theologue said : 'I am ,, for I have studied the writings of my sect and of all those who are opposed to this ancient and obnoxious
Fraternity , and I have the sacred Scriptures with Avhich to condemn them ; moreover , I have seen a vision , and an angel appeared to me and asked me Avhat I most desired ; and when I answered that I might overthrow all towhom I am opposed , he said to me , * go on thy way ; thou shalt overcome much bigotry and sin . ' So I am come hither as thou seest .
" But tho Rabbi answered , ' If thou hadst been wise as Solomon , King of Israel , when the Lord appeared to him . in Gideon and asked him Avhat ho most desired , thou shouldst have answered as he did , and said more light . ' " Then the Theologue was silent for a moment , and said to the Rabbi : ' What , dost thou counsel me ? ' And the Rabbi said , ' I have been taught that no man should
presume to enter any important undertaking Avithout first invoking the blessing of the Deity . 'Thou art right , ' said the Theologue , ' this will I do ; ' and he knelt and prayed , and when his prayer was ended , the Rabbi said : ' If tbou shouldst meet with difficulty in thy undertaking , in whom dost thou trust for assistance ?' And the other said , 'In God do I trust at all times . ' ' Then , ' answered the Rabbi , ' go on thy way and be not
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Mysteries Of The Northmen.
the gods ; fidelity to his brother initiates , and , at the hazard of his life , to defend them against all perils from secret or open foe , and after their death to follow their destroyers with his vengeance ; the whole being sealed by his drinking mead out of human skull . Such were a few of tho features of the initiation through which the Northman had to pass on his way to
a full knowledge of that religion on which he placed his trust . These initiations were performed on the occasions ^ of the great Festivals , or as candidates offered . The inifei-, ates arranged the times of their assembling by the changes of the moon , and by the Solstices—the great annual or Tule Festival , occuring on the night of the
winter Solstice . How nearly correspond , as to time , these Solstices to the Masonic anniversaries of the two St . John ' s . On his initiation , the mystagogue of the North was instructed in the doctrines and principles of his Order , which were to influence him in his life and his intercourse with the brethren . Many of these are so
remarkable in their character , that we cannot do better than quote a foiv of them as conclusions of this paper . Fidelity to oaths and promises were taught him" This I counsel thee secondly , that thou swear not an oath unless it be true ; cruel fetters shall bind the traitor ; Avretched is he Avho breaks his word . "
The value of friendship is impressed on him"To thy friend shalt thou be a friend , to him and his friend . " "Hast thou a friend in whom thou hast full confidence , and thou wilt receive good from him , then mingle thy thoughts with his , exchange gifts with him and visit him often . " " Never be first to break off rashly with thy friend ( or brother the heart when thou hast
. ) Sorrow consumes no one to whom thou canst open thy Avhole mind . " "Make thy friend's ( or brother ' s ) misfortune thy own . " He was instructed to frequent the assemblies of the brethren" Hast thou a friend in whom thou hast full confidence , go often to see himfor the weeds wand the hih grassin
; gro , g , the path where no one treads . " " Once I was young ; I travelled alone through wild paths ; I thought myself rich when I met others , —man is a joy to man . " " There is a communion of souls where each can say confidentially to the other all his thoughts . "
Respect for age was inculcated" Laugh not at the gray-haired speaker . That is often good which the aged have to say . Often from the wrinkled skin come forth words of wisdom . " The hospitable duties were imposed"With arms and clothing shall friends ( or brothers ) gladden each otherThey who ive and receive ifts in return are
. g g friends the longest , if all other things be Avell . " " "With scorn and laughter mock not the stranger and the wayfarer . He who sits at his own door is often uncertain who it may be that comes by . It may be a brother . " " The master of the house should be cheerful at home , kind to his guests , and circumspect ; let him be attentive and affable . " Washed
" " and sated should a man ride to the assemblies , even though be be not finely dressed . Of his shoes and breeches let no one be ashamed , nor of his horse , thought it be not the best . " " Seldom stands a monumental stone by the Avay-side , unless hy brother raised to brother . " " Carefully gather up the dead wherever on earth you may
find them , whether they have died by sickness , by the sea , or by arms . Raise up a mound for the departed , wash the hands and heads , comb and dry it before it is laid in the coffin , and pray for it to sleep in peace . " Such were some of the lessons taught the initiates into the Mysteries of the Northmen . The modern Freemason may not be above learning ' some things therefrom .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .
FREEMASONRY MISUNnERSTOOn . In my neighbourhood there appears to be a great misunderstanding about Freemasonry . Many persons are very intolerant about us , and I hear much sneering at our admission of brethren of all sects . I want something that will enable me to combat this feeling ? "Will you help me ?—AN EAST ANGLIAN . —[ We will . A new
Masonic Monthly has lately come out in Boston , America , and it is evident , from an article in it , that your toAvn is not the only place where misconceptions of the Order are to be found . As it may be useful to many other brethren , we transfer , from the columns of the periodical in question , a very well Avritten paper . It is entitled , " The Theologue and the Rabbi . " An Allegory , byH . P . H . Bromwell : — " A certain Theologue , who dAvelt in that part of the land of Zeal Avhich lies behind the mountains of
Intolerance , being a devout and conscientious man , had long desired to rid the Avorld of all institutions which ha understood were opposed to good morals and religion , " So he set out on a journey for that purpose ; and . being informed that Ancient Craft Masonry Avas a most subtle and dangerous thing , and also of great antiquity , he resolved to subdue it first .
" He came to a city where was a temple , and gave out . that he would on the morrow discourse to the people , and tarried all night with a friend . " In the morning he Avent near the temple , and stood by a portico having seven steps , from which he intended to speak . While Avaiting , he beheld a man of venerable and benevolent a Rabbiaccompanied b
appearance , , y others , who were listening to his instructions . Tha Theologue drew near and saluted him with great respect , and perceiving that he vras a man of Avisdom , said : ' I am come to put an end to a certain ancient Fraternity calling themselves Sons of Light , but in reality children of darkness , who cease not to build up their secret and wicked system in all countries , as they have done
forages . Thou knoAvesfc them that they are sons of Belial , and that of late they have become much emboldened by the forbearance of the wise and good Avho abhor such things ; wherefore I hope and expect thy counsel and aid in my undertaking . ' "And the Rabbi answering , said : 'Thou dost well to counsel in thy enterprise ; what can I do for thy good I
will do ; but when dost thou begin ? ' And the Theologue said : ' Now , behold here is my stand , and the multitude are gathering to hear my discourse . ' "But the Rabbi said : 'Art thou fully prepared to enter outhyAvork ? ' And the Theologue said : 'I am ,, for I have studied the writings of my sect and of all those who are opposed to this ancient and obnoxious
Fraternity , and I have the sacred Scriptures with Avhich to condemn them ; moreover , I have seen a vision , and an angel appeared to me and asked me Avhat I most desired ; and when I answered that I might overthrow all towhom I am opposed , he said to me , * go on thy way ; thou shalt overcome much bigotry and sin . ' So I am come hither as thou seest .
" But tho Rabbi answered , ' If thou hadst been wise as Solomon , King of Israel , when the Lord appeared to him . in Gideon and asked him Avhat ho most desired , thou shouldst have answered as he did , and said more light . ' " Then the Theologue was silent for a moment , and said to the Rabbi : ' What , dost thou counsel me ? ' And the Rabbi said , ' I have been taught that no man should
presume to enter any important undertaking Avithout first invoking the blessing of the Deity . 'Thou art right , ' said the Theologue , ' this will I do ; ' and he knelt and prayed , and when his prayer was ended , the Rabbi said : ' If tbou shouldst meet with difficulty in thy undertaking , in whom dost thou trust for assistance ?' And the other said , 'In God do I trust at all times . ' ' Then , ' answered the Rabbi , ' go on thy way and be not