CHAPTER IX. Ancient Masonry, ancient Christianity WHEN we speak of Masonry anterior to the building of Solomon's temple, we do not mean to be understood of an Institution regularly organized. We do not mean to convey an idea that individuals were associated and convened at seasons regularly appointed, and at places exclusively or principally devoted to Masonic purposes.— We do not intend to be understood that similar ceremonies were observed at opening and closing, or of confering the degrees, as at the present day.-We do not intend to affirm the existence of forins as indispensable in the Masonic economy, according to its ancient acceptation. But we wish to be understood as speaking of principles both geometrical, moral, religious and sacred. Let this explanation be carefully recollected, that no misapprehensions may hereafter arise. According to this explanation, therefore, we shall attempt to show that ancient Masonry comprised what may, with much propriety, be term - ed ancient Christianity. Although the term Christianity is peculiarly applicable to the New Testament dispensation, yet, in treating of this subject, it will be used as a comprehensive term to express whatever, in ancient times, involved religious and sacred considerations, or such principles as are found to comport with true religion, as more clearly revealed in the New Testament. In speaking, therefore, of ancient Masonry, or its ancient patrons, we are to understand nothing more than a knowledge of those principles, which, in due time, gave rise to the Institution in its organized state, and now constitute the great excellence of the system. It is thought sufficient evidence has been exhibited, in the former part of this work, as to the knowledge of those operative principles of geometry, or Masonry displayed in the construction of the Ark. This building, we are informed, was erected through the agency of Noah, under Divine superintendence. Noah, being an inspired man, as well as a preacher of righteousness, most probably had some true knowledge of those spiritual allusions, so manifestly designed to convey moral instruction to himself and to his descendants. If, therefore, religious knowledge, as to sacred and divine subjects, is now attainable through this medium, the same truths must have existed in each antecedent period, since the days of Noah, and might have been discovered and duly improved. Any just knowledge and belief in the antitype, deduced through the medium of the type, must necessarily elevate the affections, and constitute a devotional exercise. If, therefore, we, in this age of the world, can discover those very interesting and sublime allusions involved in the typical application of the ark, may we not reasonably suppose that Noah, as an inspired man, had a more deep and affecting sense of their moral and spiritual applications. It hence appears, that ancient geometry or Masonry, in relation to the ark, did involve many religious truths. Just as far, therefore, as the mind was led, through this medium, to contemnplate the Divine plan in the economy of redemption, just so far ancient Masonry involved ancient Christianity. If the ark was originally designed to prefigure the eternal salvation of man, through the temporal deliverance of Noah and his family, we have much reason to believe it was thus understood by that holy man. The tabernacle, erected by Moses, furnishes another source of religious instruction. A knowledge of the form and workmanship of this moveable tent was, by inspiration, communicated to Moses. All the appendages, as well as the whole service, presented many obvious allusions to future events, and prefigured many important facts, in relation to the Divine plan, as now displayed in the moral system. No doubt, the Jews were taught much religious truth from those symbols. At the feast of tabernacles it appears that occasion was taken to lead their minds from visible objects, to contemplate the invisible things of God, in the future manifestations of his goodness and mercy. This tabernacle, with all its appendages, was evidently designed by Jehovah, to bring to view religious truths. No doubt, therefore, can be entertained but such knowledge was thence derived according to the Divine purpose. A knowledge, belief and due reverence of the Divine WORD, constitutes the very essence of all true religion, whe ther ancient or modern. St. John begins his gospel by saying, "in the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with God, and the WORD was God."Even that Omnipotent Being, "who spake and it was done, who commanded and it stood fast."-For whom, by whom, and through whom, all things visible and invisible subsist, and shall be made to subserve the highest possible good of the intelligent universe. That infinite personage, through whose mediatorial office-work are displayed every Divine attribute and perfection, which angels admire, and man is bound to love and adore. This WORD, however mysterious it may appear to the world, has been understood, and held sacred by the Ma sonic order from tine immemorial. From every consideration, therefore, which can be presented on this subject, we have much reason to conclude, that those holy patriarchs of antiquity, who understood the name, and true character of God, were in some sense, according to ancient acceptation, patrons of the genuine and fundamental principles of Masonry. Just as far as they did understand, embrace and patronise such principles, they understood, embraced |