The Pope And Freemasonry.

MS . of King Henry VI ., from ivhich I quoted an © stract in my last letter . But if he Avas the real founder of the societ } '' in these islands , or if the Eomans introduced it from Italy when they invaded our shores , it is difficult to understand hoiv

-she rites attained such a degree of purity in very early times , no trace of any connection with spurious Masonry having been detected Avithin She British dominions since the historic period commenced .

I do not remember ivhether in my previous letters I pointed out to your uninitiated readers the distinction between operative and speculative Masonry . The latter only is in existence HOAV ; font during the time that operative Masonry Sourished before and after medieval times , they

practised speculative Masonry as well , observing the same rites ancl ceremonies , ancl being regularly initiated in exactl y the same manner as at present . If any thing more than ivhat I stated before seeing Mr . King ' s book be required to show that this is

sot a political society , and that it cannot possibly league itself with rebellion or disloyalty in any shape or form , it may be sufficient to quote the © rand Master ' s charge to the Master elect of a lodge : " 1 . You agree to be a good man and true ,

and strictly to obey the moral laiv . 2 . You agree to be a peacable subject , and cheerfull y to conform to ihe laAvs of the country in Avhich you reside . § , You promise not to be concerned in plots or © onspiracies against the Government , but patiently to submit to tho decisions of the supreme legisla-___ . ire _

After these preliminary remarks , I ivill proceed at . once to the main object of my present letter , which , as tlie heading shows , is intended for the clergy of both denominations , Anglican as ivell as Eoman . I Avish to institute a comparison between

fie ancient mysteries and the Book of Bevelation , written by one ivho had himself been initiated into Sie true mysteries , and eiaclently knew all about the spurious ones , ivhether from revelation or from personal knoii'ledge I cannot pretend to say .

It will perhaps startle some of your readers to be informed that the AA hole machinery ( so to say ) of that mysterious book , from beginnin g to end is borrowed from the machinery of the ancient mysteries ; ancl still more to hear that none but a

Freemason , or one well acquainted with the ceremonies and rites of those old mysteries , can possibly understand full y all that is meant to be convoyed by the abtruse symbolism of that book .

I have said that in every country , Avherever practised , the rites ancl ceremonies in the mysteries bore a striking similarity to each other . I will quote from Dr . Oliver a brief description of them , ancl then g ive an outline of the Book of Revelation .

"The famous mysteries of idolitary ( he says ) ivere all funereal . The legend celebrated the death and resurrection of some imaginary being to ivhom their devotions Avere to be paid . The rites Avere always solemnised in lamentation , and terminated

in joy . Severe tests and probations accompanied the ceremonial ; and the initiations ivere performed in secret caverns , which Avere alike the objects of horror and dread to the uninitiated , and the vehicles of a mystical regeneration to the epopt ,

which conferred personal and political distinction . Ablutions ancl purifications formed a distinguishing' feature in all these institutions . In the Grecian

mysteries , after these preliminary rites , the aspirant " was introduced into a small cave or vestibule to be invested Ai'ith the sacred habiliments , after Avhich his conductor delivered him over to the mystagogue . Being led forward through a series

of dark passages and dismal caverns [ to represent the erratic state of the ark while floating on the troubled surface of the diluvian waters ] , the machinery opens upon him . He first hears the distant thunder pealing through the vault of heaven

accompanied by the hoAvKng of dogs and wild beasts ; an apt representation of the confusion which prevailed amongst the multiplicity of domestic and ferocious animals during the period of Noah ' s confinement in the ark . . . Flashes

of viiad light now broke in upon him , and rendered the prevailing darkness more visible . Monstrous shapes and apparitions , demoniacal figures , mystical visions and fitting shadows , overivhelm him ivith terror . He ivas then left in

solitude and darkness to reflect on the business he was engaged in , and to be reduced to a proper state of mind , for the reception of sublime and mysterious truths . This was the symbolical death of the mysteries : and the deliverance from

confinement was the act of regeneration or neiv birth . ' ' Then followed " a crash resembling the rush of ivaters bursting from a deep abyss , " referring to the Deluge . " The monstrous Typhon , raging in quest of Osiris , discovered the ark , and , violently

rending it asunder , scattered the limbs of his victim over the face of the earth amidst the din of dissolving nature . The aspirant heard the lamentations ivhich ivere instituted for the death