CHAPTER VII.

Speculative Free-Masonry unfolds the ou. lines of History, in several great ait ** leading Events, both in the natural art- moral World.
AN attempt will now be made to sho that are great leading event?, both in t natural and moral world, are in some re- pects brought to view in the Masonic sy tern. In this point of light, Masonry b comes a subject highly interesting, a worthy the attention of every investig ting mind. According to the great plan 4? J Divine operation, we know that all thin^f^ are happily ordered to answer the tx-$^ and wisest purposes. Even "the invisible^ things of Him, from the creation of the world, are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eter- nal power and Godhead." Hence we may discover so many things in the natural world, in some respects, analogous to oth- ers in the moral, that we are without ex- cuse if we neglect suitably to improve those means of knowledge to our own edi- fication, and the declarative glory of our God. From a due and careful attention to Masonic emblems, we may, without any unnatural or forced construction, derive
SPECULATITE MASONRY. 63
s o me knowledge as to the creation of the *** stterial world, the general deluge, and **Xe final consummation of all things in the & *^d of time. Masonic representations are r* templative mind, ideas which allude to ■ Viose grand and sublime events. The first, ^ oth in the order of nature and time, was -^iat, when, by the voice of Omnipotence, eeping nature awoke, and the first flood light burst on the astonished world. A ^*ianifest allusion to this event appears in kihe first degree of Masonry. An audible oice is heard by the candidate, which Js llowed by scenes new, mysterious, beau- iful and sublime. Were it admissible to ^enumerate the ceremonies of initiation, e- Tery person would at once discover a ma- nifest reference to the creation of the ma- terial world. Such are the ceremonies in their coincidence, that the manner of the one may be inferred from the manner of the other. The grandeur and sublimity of the former event, compared with the simplicity and beauty of the latter, detracts nothing from the symbolical reference. — We may easily discover, in the sacred writings, the introduction and proper ap- plication of numerous symbols, infinitely inferior to their antitype. Such are all those which relate to the Saviour. It is
64 SPECULATIVE MASONRY.
a point sufficiently established by ex tors, that the figurative and melaphc language of Scripture often has a twc allusion. That the type and antity] prototype are presented in the same fi or meet in the same object. A si mode of conveying useful and impci knowledge is embraced by the Ma system.
The next great event in the na world, was the general deluge. Thi a very awful exhibition of divine dis sure. The material world, with all i habitants, appeared to be consigned to undistinguished ruin. The wboli man race, with the exception of one ly, in astonishment and dismay, sav prelude to their inevitable destructi Deserted by a former protecting F dence, they gave themselves up to I less despair. Gloomy in the extreme their situation in view of all surroui objects. This melancholy event i some circumstantial points, faintly c up to the mind in the third Masonic de Notwithstanding the primary referen this degree to the melancholy fate o ram, yet a partial allusion may be se the destruction of the old world. 1 inconceivably great calamities, v seemed to threaten the total and final
SPECULATIVE MASONRY. 60
Auction of all things, were not experienc- ed in their full extent. By a wonderful deliverance, Noah and his family were preserved, the flood of waters was dried 11 p» and the earth again appeared. Then * v as made and confirmed that sure pro- mise-in relation to the plenitude of the earth a nd a multiplied increase of temporal and s piritual blessings. In a similar joyous banner, is the apparently gloomy scene in the third degree suddenly changed. A r **y of hope enters the desponding mind, ar * ' l| re peace and consolation. Let every Masonic brother attentively compare the c ^remonies and representations of this de- £ r **e, with that amazingly awful catastro- Rf'e w«hicbbefell the antediluveans, and say '* the allusion does not appear at least Probable.
% Tbe last great and overwhelming scene
*^ll be the closing point in the grand dra-
***** of nature, when the trump of God shall
^Wake the slumbering dead. This will be
«* moment, from the very nature of the
Stent, of unutterable astonishment. That
period will arrive, when the curtain shall
drop, and time Khali be merged in eternal
duration, Yet however great may be the
awful grandeur of this scene, however
bright the ineffable displays ot 0\\\v\V^
6*
66 SPECULATIVE MASONRY.
tent power, and the terrible majesty of tha Highest, the beauty of the moral world wiU arise, from the ruins of na1ure r irradiate* with the beams of immortality. The brigta effulgence of the Divine glory and justice and all the adorable perfections of the ve ry Godhead shall fill the universe, and be displayed before its countless million while the righteous shall ascend, in traiv. ports of joy, to realms of everlasting feW city. This solemn event is faintly prefi gured in the sublime degree of a ROUT- AL ARCH JMASON.
Let every Companion seriously consider the circumstances attendant on his exalta- tion: let him duly examine all those sym- bolical representations which pass before him, and say if there does not appear to be a manifest allusion to the final consum- mation of all things. To particularize those Masonic representations is not ad- missible. The destruction of the city and temple at Jerusalem was typical of the end of the world; and the rebuilding of this temple, and the restoration of the Jews, of the New-Jerusalem, which should come down from God out of heaven. The signs of the times, foretold by our Sa- viour, had a manifest reference both to the destruction of Jerusalem and the final dis- solution of all things terveslriaL Hence s
*.
SPECULATIVE MASONRY. t>7
Masonic emblems are wisely designed, in their nature, to enforce interesting truths, and impress the mind with a deep sense of those solemn transactions which shall issue in a boundless eternity.
In the Masonic system, we are not only taught something of the history of the ma- terial world, but numerous fads pertain- ing to the moral, which are infinitely more important. Such is the apostacy of our first parents. This melancholy event is explicitly brought to view in so many words, and so strikingly represented, as seldom to fail of making deep and lasting impressions on the h^art. The wretched and destitute and deplorable situation of Adam, which was the fruit of his disobe- dience, is affectingly brought to view by the most lively Masonic representations. In view of this state, naked and exposed to Divine displeasure, the candidate is con- strained to look forward to the great Foun- tain and source whence all his temporal as well as spiritual wants may be supplied. A series of emblematical explanations suc- ceed, by which the mind is led to see that the sacrifice of a pure heart is the only ac- ceptable offering in the Divine sight : — that every duty is to be performed under a sense of human accountability, ^\\A \w obedience to Divine commands \ — VbaX ^^
68 SPECULATIVE MASONRY.
must constantly remember the all-seeing eye is upon us, and although the feelings of our hearts, as well as our actions, may be concealed from the eye of man, yet they cannot be hidden from the Searcher of all hearts, whose justice is commen- surate with every other attribute: — and that, as life is short, and rapidly drawing to a close, we need the anchor of a well grounded hope, that when we launch into eternity, w T e may arrive on those peaceful shores where the " wicked cease from troubling, and the weary find eternal rest." We are also favoured with all that mo* ral instruction, which rnav be derived frotf* the high commission received by ftlosesa* Mount Horeb, to deliver the Hebrew^ from Egyptian bondage — their journey ** ings through the wilderness to the promis *" ed land — their being fed with manna ani£ defended from their enemies. By all ot which, we are taught, that in this woild- we are emphatically in a state of bondage^ — that a way of deliverance is provided bv the Great Redeemer, " ordained of God to be a Prince and a Saviour" — that our journey is through the wilderness of a sin- ful world — that we are fed with the manna of divine consolation, protected and deliv- ered from our spitifual enemies, until we finally arrive at the heavenly Canaan, The
SPECULATIVE MASONRY. 69
k, the tabernacle and the temple, also, come subjects of extensive moral in- notion. These have their appropriate, [nifieant allusions, which in many res- ets, are peculiar to the Masonic Insti- lion.
The Babylonish captivity, the restora- nof the Jews, and the rebuilding of the nple, are converted into subjects of mo- ' and religious instruction, sublime and autiful in the highest degree. The grace humility, or the exercise of a meek and iet spirit, is recommended, under the I assurance, that " he that humbleth him- r shall be exalted"
Hence, we discover a Providence in all ngs, we draw instruction from all things, 1 are taught our duty in all things. In addition to these useful lessons, so of- i repeated and religiously enforced with- every regular Lodge, the evidence of
holy Trinity meets our view on every e. The lodge is emblematically sup- ted by three grand pillars — the princi-
officers are three — three articles con- ute the furniture, the holy bible, square I compasses — three precious jewels — ee governing tenets— three lights on three lestals — three great duties— three rounds Facob's theological ladder — three orna- nts — three moveable and three immovea-
70 SPECULATIVE MASONRY.
ble jewels — three articles of service for the craft — and in a great variety of instances, J which may not be mentioned, the number " three occurs, and as often reminds us, " there are three that bear witness in Heath en, the Father, the Word and the ifo/jf Ghost, and these three are one" — that there ., are three also, that bear witness in the j earth, " the Spirit, the water and the blood, and these three agree in one."
How wonderful is this system, whence moral and religious instructions aredratfft from every object and every relation !