Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-10-09
Art---Its Masonic DEVELOPMENT.

Among the various aspects IN Which Free
Masonry may be considered, perhaps one of the
most interesting is in relation to it's connection
with the development of Art. Art is uncreat-
the Divinity but it is contemporaneous with
the creation. When the Sublime Architect o1
the Universe fashioned its design in infinite
Wisdon., and executed His plans with infinite
Strength He was not unmindful of the Beauty
which completes the Trinity of His perfections,
but gave it terrestrial expression in the works
of His hands. The highest manifestations of
Art are therefore to be found in the wonders of
Nature; and he who would be most successful
in attaining the development and expression of
Art, must follow the teachings of the great
Master Builder, and initiate his designs as
spread before us on the magnificent trestle
board Of the universe. In the earliest ages of
the world, the ideal of Art existed, but there
were insuperabe obstacles to it's physical ex-
preston. Condemned to subdue a rebeious
nature, and to mould it to his service, man was
compelled to conquer the earth before he could
attempt to embellish it.
1t is well known that the notions of art and
science have come down to US from Egypt,
through the interposition of the Greeks, and
subsequently, of the Romans. There were only
chosen few among the Egyptians who were in
possession of science, and they required Of their
initiates many physical and moral trials before
sharing their secrets with them. These men,
wishing to exclude themselves from the rest of
the world in order to pursue their philosophical
investigations more quietly, formed secret So
cieties; and these are the societies whose la
bors are known under the names of the myste-
ries of Isis, Of Eleusis, &C., which held the mo-
nopoly of science. But they desired to perpe-
tuate the results of their researches in mate
rial manner, which should be concealed from
the eyes Of the common people; and for this
purpose they employed hieroglyphic characters,
composed of the figures of all the objects which
strike the senses, and to which sgnifcations
were given, analogous to their forms and their
attributes Thus at the commencement, writ
ing, the physical means by which science is
communicated was nothing else than pictorial
representations Of the actions or the subjects
whose remembrance they desired to perpetuate.
1t is to Masonry that we are indebted for the
first principles of science and the first attempts
at the art of imitation, since the ancient imi-
tates were none other than the Masons whose
labors are continued in our Lodges. 1t is to
Masonry, therefore, that we owe the first prln-
ciples Of Art, that sublime sentiment which
brings man near to the Divinity of Art, which
infuses enthusiasm into our souls and fills them
with an idea of the beautiful and the true-Art,
which perpetuates the finest traits of humanity
Art, which embellishes life Art is history.
What would be left to us of those grand cities
destroyed ages ago by time and human passions,
if we had not those magnificent vestges of scul
ture and Of architecture which, still standing In
the midst Of deserts, seem to say for our en-
couragement, Here men have accomplished
great things u
But while as Masons we are proud of the no
BILE works Masonry has accomplished, let us
each endeavor in our turn to distinguish our
passage through this world by some work wor-
thy of being held in remembrance by mankind.
Let it be the glory Of each Of us to add our
stone to that admirable Masonic edifce, whose
foundations lie deeply buried in the bowels Of
the earth, and whose majestic dome lifts its
head to the skies
THE GREAT ESSENTIAL OF MASONRY.
Freemasonry, that ancient and venerable In
stitution, whose noble design is to be useful to
humanity, can only accomplish that high mis-
son and perpetuate its existence as a moral,
benefcient and scientific association, upon the
express condition that no members shall be re-
ceived within it's portals excepting those who
are capable Of understanding and practising the
social virtues, and, above all, who are free from
the spirit of jealousy and ambition-that fruit
full source of hatred and dissension. It dire
calamity when men actuated by evil passions
gain admission into our temples, and when
prompted by selfshness or interest, they sue
ceed, through patience and dissimulation, II
obtaining the high degrees and the honors which
ought to be the exclusive possession of those
who exhibit the character, intelligence, and de
votion requisite to make them jealous advocate.
of the institution always ready to cause it t.
be respected by their example, and always ready
to defend it with courage and success. Sunday
Herald.