West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-09-08
THE MYSTIC SEVEN.
Its History and Antiquity and Con.
nection With Pytbanism.
From Tho Mystic Tic.


Before showing what part tho num-
Der seven plays in Pythianism, we Will
quote Chambers history of this sfnysti-
| cal number:
Seven: frequently used as n
mystical and symbolical numbe in the
Bible. as well as among the principal
nations OF antiquity, ttbe Pcrsians
| Indians, Egyptians, Greeks. sRomnns.
etc J The reason for the pro ference OF
this nn mber FOR sacred use has been
found in its consisting OF three, the
number Of the sides OF triangle. and
four the sides OF square, these being
the simplest rectilineal figures. or in
| other equally vague circumsta nces
| The real reason, however, seems To be
astronomical, or rather astrological,
viz. the observation OF the seven
! planets, and the phases OF the moon
changing every seventh day. rs
instanced OF the use OF this number in
the Old Testament. we find the creation
completed In seven days, whereof the
seventh day was kept s1cred; every
seventh year Was Slbbnthical, and the
seven times seventh year ushcred in
the Jobel-year. The three Reealin, or
pilgrim festivals (Pdssah Festival Of
Weeks, and Tabernaclcs,) lasted seyen
days between the Grst aud second
| days of these feasts wsre counted
seven weeks. The first of the seventh
month was a "IIoly Convocatioh. " The
Levitical publications lasted seven
days, and the same space OF time was
allotted TO the cele ebration OF we'd
dings and the mourning OF tie dead
In innumerable instances I'm the
Old Testament and later jess sh
writings, the numb Is used as n
round number. In the New Testament
we have the churches, candlrsticlts,
stars, trumpets spirits, all 20 tile mum
Der seven, and the seven hoius and the
seven eyes OF the Lamb. etc
The Py:hagoreans made mdch Of
this number, giving IL tho name OF
Athene Hermb5. Hephnistos, ilgraclcs
/ Dlony,o~, Res. etc. and many more
instances prove the Importance at.
thch'd to this number iu the eyes not
only Of ancient, but even OF our oNn
I times"
Soyen plays an important part in
| Pythianism. Lodges meet once Ncck
or every seven DAYS (unless granted a.
/ dispcn,ation.J ctujidutcs can receive
l only one rank az a convention. max
| ing three weeks OF seyed dags to gain
ths rank of Knight. cqualing - days
also the candiIates must b. I'd yclrs OF
/ age or oyer, which minimum OF are b.
/ on the mdltiple Of seven. seven mem.
bers constitute q qornm; there are sew
\ en- ranks in the Or.ler yin P4gs Us
quire KoiQnt, Grand hoIge. Snprc,nc
I 10 ige. Uoiform and Bndowmrnt. The
I shape Of the lodge-room IS four.siIel.
I the embiom Of the order IS q triangle.
7 these taken together make seven 80
! ballot is constitutional with less than
seven balls
/ There wis prcscht at tic oriyHa
/ meeting for the ortIniMtOn ~ thE
/ order seven gentlemen. W: j. W.
/ RUhbonc. Robert a Cnamoibn. ~. l..
\ Burnett. g. s. KiniJall w. ll burnett
! Chas ~. Roberts and Mr Driver
There are seven letters in the word
"rythiss." and seven letters in the
! word knights. seven in ilie word sSu-
| prcmc." so that In the titls Supfeme
1 Bodge Knights Of Fythi ,," we have
I twentv-eiyht letters, which are divis-
iblc by seven.
rhe word "Tvthian" has seven
letters, and under this talism tnic name
many are lighting the Fopd Fight Of
ffieudship Charity ant kcn eeoleoce.