Holly Springs gazette., 1843-06-30


cease1o live in the memory of the initiated.
and usually exert salutary and hallow-
ed influence on his life and as to the great
antiquity of emblematical representations
and mystic symbols, as means of impa rting
instructio 4. both in science and religion. there
is no doubt. nor will any intelligent man for
a moment dispute it. Since the astounding
results of the Hieroglyphical researches
throughout ancient Egypt, there can be but
little doub: that the history of that ancient
nation has been for ages handed down by
means of Hieroglyphical symbols and en-
blems craven upon imperishable granite
In fact, moral truths have been lnculcated
and lessons of piety and virtue have been
taught, by means Of symbols fables, and
parallels, since the earliest ages and will be.
so long as masonry endures. and the pre-
cepts- of our holy religion shall be taught,
from the gospels of the evangelists; ave. and
so long as shall be seen from the earth that
bow which the great Jehovah himself has
set il the cloud, as perpetual sign 20 ali ma
tions of that covenant made by him with
Noah, that the world should not again be
destroyed by water. will masonry, by her
signs and symbols. teach her votaries, that
by the plumb they are a9monished TO walk
uprightly in their several stations before
God and man, squaring theiractions by the
square of virtue; and to keep in remembrance
that they are travelling upon the level oi
time to that undiscovered country from
whose bourne no traveller returns; pointing G
to the hour glass as an emblem of human
life, which admonshes how swiftly the sands
of life are run out, and how rapidly our lives
are drawing to a close. and that every day
is bringing us nearer and more near within
range ofthe fell swoop ofthe scythe of Time,
which cuts The brittle thread of life, and
| launches US no eternity.
Behold what havoc the scythe Of Time
makes among the human racel If BY
| chance we should escape the numerous dan
gers incident to childhood and youth, and
with health and vigor arrive to the years oil
manhood; yet wlthal, we must soon be cut
down by the all-devouring scythe of Time,
and be gathered into the land where our faith
ers have gone before us, and be classed with
generations beyond the flood, as things that
were, bot are not Generation after
generation have lived, and moved and
felt. as we do now; bat they have
passed away as a vapor, and the earth still
wears the same beautiful aspect that she did
then so shall it be when we are gone, like
autumn leaves, to enrich our mother earth
| The sun, the moon. and the stars will shine
as brightly over our graves as they do now
around our path the world will have the
same attractions for generations yet unborn
that it had once for others, and has now for
ourselves. Yet little while, and all thi:
will have happened; the throbbing near
will be stilled, and we shall be at rest: our
funeral will wind on its way; and the pray
ers will be said, the grave clods will be
thrown in, our friends will all return, and
we shall be left In few DAYS, the sound
of mirth and gladness will resound in the
very chamber where we died; and soon we
shall be remembered, even by our children
as things long since passed away.
! Such are some of the solemn Thoughts oil
death, to which a few of our enblems
direct our attention, which, without reve-
lation, is dark and gloomy. But we
are suddenly revived by the evergreen oi
hope, and the everything spring of faith in
the merits of the Lion ofthe tribe of Juda b,
which strengthens US to look forward, with
confidence and composHe. to blessed i'm
mortality; and enables us, in the language
of Job. 10 exclaim, know that my Redeem
er liveth, and that he shall stand in the latter
day upon the earth. and though after my
skin, worms destroy this body. yet IN my
| flesh shall see God
But the greatest objection 10 masonry stil
remains to be answered. and as it is the most