The New York herald., 1920-01-04

abost the upper line of the oblong This
figure is perfection as an ever re-
curing motif the walls of the great
Temple of Hathor. at Denderah Cor Ten
tyra). in Egypt This temple is already
markabe for its great zodiac and its sci
entific priesthood, who made astronomical OBJ
serva tions from the nearby crossing Of the
Tropic OF Cancer, fully known to them from
the greatest antiquity. AS s+H+S+H equals
a, and the diameter OF the circle equaed l
then the circumference of the latter must be
III times H. A, and therefore equal the
oblong the perimeter of which might be eX-
pressed perfect square with four sides
OF eleven parts each. The Egyptians called
this figure the the horizon" and often
inscribed within it a seated representation of
their sun god Ra. Far.and away the most
ancient of all Masonic symbols, however. is
the Keystone. The elaborate ritual of Royal
Arch Masonry, to which this emblem most
properly belongs. is really far more scientific
than most Masons give it credit for, and the
mystical hints therein given as to the true
origin of the keystone should be taken in con-
necton with the material facts concerning 1t.
1t is the absolutely Oldest Masonic amulet
eXtant if we except the swastika. which once
but has ceased to be considered such. In
the keystone. however. We have figure which
is of Importance today after having retained
ar identical significance for the at least six or
seven thousand years that adopts in the cosmic
mysteries have been wearing miniature Key
stones as sign of their proficiency Few
Masons associate the Keystone with any other
considera ton than that OF being the essential
element TO the construction Of an arch. as em-
ployed in building.
great deal of Masonic speculation has been
indulged in concerning it, tae assumption gen
orally being that the sky seems to be an
arch. that the meridian sun seemed to be the
essential architectural detail This fact con-
stitutes an excellent by-product but is far
from being the true solution of the puzzle The
keystone is peculiar form Of trapezod which
reproduces its external angles internally by
diagonal intersection. OF the two best known
to the ancients but one has survived in Free
masonry So. geometrically treated, 1t gives
four examples of the specific triangle which
supplies the side of square and the RADIUS
Of a circle Of equal circumference. The other
gives the particulars concerning the
squared circle of equal areas The actual
angle defined by the lateral sides Of the Ma
sonic" keystone is 23la degrees, or the axial
inclination OF the sun, and it's characteristic
internal trianGles the same as constitute
the vertical section of the great pyramid OF
Gizeh and the side elevation OF various Cen
tral American pyramids and North American
Indian mounds.
Up to possibly three years ago. no notion
whatever was possessed by the Masonic fra
ternity that the current Keystone was other
than a fancy trinket. based on the relation OF
the real one to the structural arch. The writer
has since then obtain and verified authentic
specimens from almost every part OF the an
cent Orient the most perfect specimens and
those most nearly approaching the classic di-
mensions given being from Babylonian. Chal-
dean and Phoenician tombs.
One of the most cogent arguments in favor
OF the Hebrews having erected their wonderful
philosophy of life upon scientific contempla-
tion of the solar universe is the fact that the
circumcision stones prescribed by the Mosaic
ritual many OF which found like our own
Indian arrowheads in various parts OF Pales-
tine and Northern Egypt. are perfect key
stones sharpened on the broader edge
Even the great sculptors OF Greece were not
unmindfu of the keystone proportions. for we
discover that the accepted likeness of the Olym-
pian Zeus great love himself. was but
representation of the solar light. the flowing
hair as may be by examination Of the
celebrated Zeus "otricoli.' Of Rome. being
waved to each side OF the face at the cosmic
angle of twenty-three and one-half degrees