The Mysteries of Free Masonry: Containing All the Degrees of the Order Conferred in a Master's LodgeMorgan, William
Religion
The Mysteries of Free Masonry: Containing All the Degrees of the Order Conferred in a Master's Lodge
Morgan, William
Freemasonry -- United States -- Rituals
FOUR TRIANGLES.--The four triangles show us the four principal duties
that create our tranquil life, viz.: Fraternal love among men in
general, and particularly among brethren, and in the same degree with
us. Secondly. In not having anything but for the use and advantage of
a brother. Thirdly. Doubting of every matter that cannot be
demonstrated to you clearly, by which an attempt might be made to
insinuate mysteries in matters of religion, and hereby lead you away
from the holy truth. Fourthly. Never do anything to another that you
would not have done unto you. The last precept, well understood and
followed on all occasions, is the true happiness of philosophy.
SEVEN PLANETS.--The seven planets represent the seven principal
passions of man.
SEVEN CHERUBIMS.--The seven cherubims are the images of the delights
of life: namely, by seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, feeling,
tranquility, and health.
CONCEPTION.--The conception in the moon shows the purity of matter,
and that nothing can be impure to the eyes of the Supreme.
HOLY SPIRIT.--The Spirit is the figure of our soul, which is only the
breath of the Eternal, and which cannot be soiled by the works of the
body.
TEMPLE.--The temple represents our body, which we are obliged to
preserve by our natural feelings.
FIGURE OF A MAN.--The figure is in the entrance of the temple, which
bears a lamb in his arms, and teaches us to be attentive to our wants,
as a shepherd takes care of his sheep; to be charitable, and never let
slip the present opportunity of doing good, to labor honestly, and to
live in this day as if it were our last.
COLUMNS OF JACHIN AND BOAZ.--The columns of J. and B. are the symbols
of the strength of our souls in bearing equally misfortunes, as well
as success in life.
SEVEN STEPS OF THE TEMPLE.--The seven steps of the temple are the
figures of the seven degrees which we must pass before we arrive to
the knowledge of the true God.
GLOBE.--The globe represents the world which we inhabit.
LUX EX TENEBRIS.--The device of "Lux ex tenebris" teacheth, that when
man is enlightened by reason, he is able to penetrate the darkness and
obscurity which ignorance and superstition spread abroad.
RIVER.--The river across the globe represents the utility of the
passions that are necessary to man in the course of his life, as water
is requisite to the earth in order to replenish the plants thereof.
CROSS SURROUNDED.--The cross surrounded by two serpents signifies that
we must watch the vulgar prejudices, to be very prudent in giving any
of our knowledge and secrets in matters, especially in religion. End
of the moral explanation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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