The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-01-24
M.1SONIC iNTIO
Are tho Symbols From tho Nile the Samo
ns tho Work of tho Brethren of the Mystic
Tic?-Views of Patrlarcilal nIasons.

-
/ Tie?-Viows of PatrIarchal NIasons.
From ,he New York Herald.
WASHINGTON, January II, 1904
+ telegram was received yesterday at
the State Experimentation Lieutenant
Commander Gorringc, Of the United
States Navy, now at Alexandria,
Egypt, experimenting the removal of
Clcopatra's Needle, announcing that
when the obelisk was taken from the
base he had discovered Masonic en-
blcms in the foundation, and that he
would have photographs made Of
them, which would be sent to Wash
ington without delay, while the orioi-
nails would be carefully preserved.
This information, which was not gcn-
orally known, had been commuuicat
cd to one Of the leading mem
bcrs of the Masonic Order here in
Washington, and u representative Of
the Herald to-day called upon Gcncr-
al Albert Pike, who is the Grand
Commander Of the Scottish Rites in
the United States, to ascertain if he
could give any information bearing
upon the relation of Masonry in Eyvpt
to the order of Frccmasonry rs it cx-
lists in this country. Mr.. Pike said
that until he knew more particulars
relating to the discovery he could not
express an opinion. IIc had recently
received Il large number of valuable
Photographic views Of the ancient
structures Of Egypt from the head of
the Masonic order in Cairo, and he
had no doubt that in due time he would
DC III possession Of the pictures taken of
this latest discovery Of Masonic en-
blcms in Egypt. Upon the mere
statement, however, of Commander
Gorringc, without any particulars,
it would be impossible to discuss the
value of the emblcms revealed by the
removal OF this ancient column. He
had no doubt but that they bore a
striking resemblance to many of the
cmblcms in use by the Masonic fra
tcrnity. and that the naval officer
recognized thcm as such.
WHAT MAJOR rooRE SAW.
Major Benjamin Pcrlcy Poorc, who
is Scottish Rite Mason Of the thirty
third degree, stated that some thirty
five years ago, when Young man, lie
visited Egypt twice, and that he found
on the rnins Of the temples and tic
t)nhbs on the banks Of the Nile abund-
ant evidences Of the existence Of u
,cicty-cvidently secret society
which used cmblcms similar to MANY
Of those now used by the "brcthrcn of
tho mystic tic." This society supcrin-
tended the erection of the Pyramids
and other stnpendous piles of masonry,
some of which were built step by step
as tho head Of the order progressed in
his acquisition of the mysteries OF the
order, and after his death it became
his burial place. Major Poorc mar
rated his visit to 4 suh;arraiicun place
of intcrmcnt in Egypt, which was
piled up to the ceiling with sarcophagi,
on each one Of which was portrayed
its cmbalmcd inmates name, with the
implements of his trade or the sym
bols of his profession. AT last he
came to one on which was painted a
male figure about ten inches in height,
standing in the position and making
the sign now Il portion of
OF the Scottish rite and wearing his
jewel. Around arc grouped many Of
the symbols now used in speculative
Masonry, including that all seeing
eye, the square, the gauge divided
into the parts, the gavcl, the rough
and perfect ashlars and the plumb.
These might have denoted practical
mason, but they arc intcrminglcd
with small pictures Of figures repre-
sentcd as giving signs recognizable by
the craft, and the jewel, which was
found on the breast of tho cmbalmcd
occupant of the sarcophagus, was a
small bronze figure of Silence, with
fingcr on its lips. 1t was ut that time
against an cdict Of the Pacha TO re-
move any antiquities from Egypt
without having first obtained a tilmnn,
which could only be gotten by an OK
pcnditurc Of time and money. "So,"
said Major Poorc, 81 had to content
myself with cutting Off that portion Of
the snicophaguS on which these SYM
bols and the figure had been painted.
That with the jewel and the sright
hand' of tho cmbalmcd mummy /
brought home, and they are now at
my residence i'm Massachusetts. These,
with other symbols from Egypt, have
been examined by hundreds of Amcri-
can Free Masons, who have recognize
cd them asidcntical with those used
by the fraternity here at the present
day"
MYSTERIES HANDED DOWN ALONG TIE
AGES.
When asked whether he regarded
the Frccmasonry of to-day as lincally
descended from the Egyptian order,
Major Poorc replied:-"I am not pre-
pared to assert that it was, but I am
confident that some of the mysteries
Of that order, with their symbols and
cmblcms. have been preserved through
centuries, sometimes under one form
and sometimes under another, until
we now have them in tho Scottish
rite of Frccmasonry. There is "a
mystic tic which binds the hero
plants of ancient Egypt, the csscncs
of Asia Minor, the stoics Of Greece,
the mason builders of old Germany
and speculative Free Masons Of the
present time. I hope that the dis
covcry Of Lieutenant Commander
Gorringe may throw upon the sub
jcct what all good Free Masons need
'light.'"