(exactly Dante's case), he returned to life, and then celebrated the happy day of his birth." Rosetti. Darwin (Botanic Garden, note xxii.) affirms that the Eleusinian mysteries consisted of scenical exhibitions, representing and inculcating the expectation of a future life after death. 66 'Among our ancient brethren the initiated were supposed to be born again, and put on a a new life. The fables which describe Bacchus, Orpheus, Hercules, Theseus, Ulysses, and Æneas, descending into hell, and then returning to earth again, appear to signify those persons were regenerate, according to the Roman system. This new life is the Vita Nuova of Dante." Rosetti. In a note on a character introduced in one of the mystical Italian poems called a Widow, Rosetti says that the sect of the Knights of St. John, founded by Gerard, called themselves the Sons of the Widow. The Templar Degree, which for a long period has been in practice with the Fraternity in England, and been considered a step beyond the Royal Arch, also retains its members even when they may have relinquished attendance on Craft Masonry. The Encampments which are scattered wide throughout the realm, prove the encouragement given to the Degrees which have a bearing on Christianity. So also the Mark Master has its illustrations drawn from the Book of the New Covenant: altogether showing that Freemasonry, like every other institution, necessarily has its colouring from age to age. The end and object of the Editor is to make Freemasonry more fully understood by those who have been admitted into its temples; and should any of the outer world take it up to while away an hour, a better appreciation of the truths it promulgates may be obtained, and Freemasonry be acknowledged to be something more than a name. Rose Cottage, Blackstock Lane, Seven Sisters' Road, London, N. CONTENTS. I. On the Ancient Mysteries or Associations analogous to Free- 1 IV. Reasons why the Secrets of Freemasonry ought not to be publicly exposed; and the Importance of those Secrets demonstrated 31 45 ILLUSTRATIONS OF MASONRY. CHAPTER I. ON THE ANCIENT MYSTERIES OR ASSOCIATIONS ANALOGOUS TO FREEMASONRY, FROM THE EARLIEST AGES TO THE SUBVERSION OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE BY THE GOTHS. "Although the origin of our fraternity is clouded with darkness, and its history is, to a great extent, obscure, yet we can confidently say that it is the most ancient society in the world; and we are equally certain that its principles are based on pure morality-that its ethics are the ethics of Christianity-its doctrines, the doctrines of patriotism and brotherly loveand its sentiments, the sentiments of exalted benevolence. Upon these points there can be no doubt. All that is good, and kind, and charitable it encourages all that is vicious, and cruel, and oppressive it reprobates." -DE WITT CLINTON, Governor of the State of New York, 1824. In entering upon the task of endeavouring to illustrate and explain the ceremonies and symbols of Freemasonry, the author does not profess to present any novelties, but only to bring together the results of the labours of others in a clear and readable form,—as a text-book for the Brethren to dilate upon in their various Lodges, for the instruction of the younger members of the Craft. In writing upon our ceremonies and mysteries great caution must, of course, be at all times used, lest we should go too far, and lay bare to those who are not members of the Order, secrets only to be divulged to the Brethren, and then only under circumstances well understood by Masons. B |