The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-09-17
THE ORIGIN OF FRBhMAsoERY.


We have received letter uiaknc INQUIRIES con-
ssming the origin aud histo ~ OF the order. He
asks -"Ate there any grounds for claiming tn,
existence Of Masonry in che period preceding the
birth Of Christ? or that Solomon and Hiram,
King of TyIe, wora Masons; or that it had any
connection Whatever with the Eeusinian Mys-
teTies :"
The subiecs is an interesting one, but to enter
into even cursUry examination OF it would re-
Quire far more time and space than we have Mt
our command Upon no subject, probably, have
learned writer's more widely differed A certain
class OF men, a little over-anXiOus for the dignity
of the Order, have represented It Coevll with the
world; others, iUAuenCed by an opposite motive,
have maintained IL to be the invention of English
Jesuits, 10 promote the views of that intriguing
and dangerous association. Some philosophers
have lsbOred to prove that Freemasonry arose
during the Crusades; that it was a secondary
order of chivalry that its forms originated from
that warlike institution, and were afterwards
adapted 10 the peaceful habits of scientific men.
Some have attempted, with considerable inge-
nuity and learning, to deduce its origin from the
institution of PythagoTas.
A. Barruel, in his "Memoirs of JacObusm,"
snppOses il 10 be a continuation Of the Templars
while others, with degree o. ma lice and audacity
rarely TO be toHnd in the character of ingenious
men, have imputed the origin OF Freemasonry to
secret associations adverse to the interests of
good government, and pursuing the villanous
and chimerical project OF leyeling the dstinc-
tons of society, and freeing the human mind
from the sacred obligations of morality and reli-
gion.
The precise period when Freemasonry arose
must ever remain subject of mere conjecture
II is sufficient that 1t can justly lay claim 10
igin Tar more remote than that of any other
ciety in existence.
4 nbeTe are good reasons for believing that the
y csteTies of Dionysia aud Eleusis were societies
M aCre masons, formed for scientific improvement,
AouRh tinctured with the doctrines of Egyptian
n ANTHOLOGY.
About fifteen hundred years before the com
mencement of our era, the Eeusinian mysteries
were instituted in honor of Ceres, who, having
come to Greece in quest Of her daughter, resided
with Tnptolemus, Rt Eleusis, and instructed him
in the knowledge of agriculture, and in still
important knowledge of a future state. About
the same time the Dionysian mysteries were in-
stiiuted in honor of Baccbus, who invented thea
tres and Instructed the Greeks In many useful
arts, but particularly in the culture of the vine.
The striking similarity in the external forms of
these secret associations, and the still more srik
ing similarity of the objects they had in view, are
strong proofs that they we're only different
streams Issuing from a common source.
Those whowere initiated in the Eleusinian mys-
teTies we're bound by the most awful engagements
% cor ceal the instructions they received and the
ceremonies that were performed. None were
admitted as candidates till tney arrived at GER
tain age, and particular persons were appointed
to examine and prepare them for initiation.
Those whose conduct was found irregular, or who
had been guilty of crime, were rejected as un-
worthy OF initiation, while the successful Caudi-
the principles OF religion; eXhorted to quell every
turbulent appetite and passion; and to merit, by
the improvement of their minds, and the purity
of their hearts, those inefiable benefits wnicn they
were sill 10 receive.
Significant words were communicated to the
members; grand officers presided over their as
sembles; their emblems were exactly similar to
those OF FreemasOnry and the candidate ac-
Vanced from one degree TO another until he
received all the lessons or wisdom and virtue
which the priests could impart. These are some
Of the fpaturpg of rasHmhiaupp hpt the Elem
sinan mysteries and thUse of Freemasonry.
The opinion of Freemasons that the Order eX-
isted and nOurished at the building of King Solo
mons Temple is by no means so pregnant with
a0surdity some men would make il appear.
From authentic sources of ofiniormaIOn, we know
that the mysteries of Bacchus, or the Dionysian
mysteries, were instituted abOLt four hundred
years before the reign of Solomon; aud there are
strong for believing that even the associl-
tion Cf Dionysian Architects existed before the
building of the Temple. 1t was not, indeed, until
about three hundred years before the birth OF
Christ that they were incorporated at Teos, under
the Kings of PergamOs, but il is universally
allowed that they arose long before their settle
ment in Ionia, and that they also existed Ia the
land of Judea.
DIR. Robinson asserts that they came from
Persia into Syria and introduced that style o
architecture which is called Oreclan, and sine
we are Informed by Josephus that that species 0
architecture was used az the erection of TIN
Temple, we may well infer, not only that thes
architects existed before the reign of Solomon
but that they assisted him in building that mag
nihcent fabric which he erected TO the God 0
Israel.
Nothing can be more simple and consisten
than the creed Of the Fraternity concerning tn
state OF The Order at thas period. The vicinity O
Jerusalem 10 Egypt-the connection Of Solomon
with tie roy al tmiy Of that kingdOm-the pro
Rress Of the Egy yptans in architectural science
their attachment TO mysteries and hierOglypht
sy mbOls, and the probability Of their being en-
Ployed by the King OF Israel, are additional con
sidel ations which cOrrobofAte the sentiments O
FTeemasons, and absOlye them from the chnrge
OF ueduiity and pride with which they have bee
20 frequently branded.