Εσωτερισμός (Τεκτονισμός-Ροδοσταυρισμός-Θεοσοφία) απο τον Frater S.'.

H.P. Blavatsky - The Secret Doctrine

2009-02-11T10:39:00.002+02:00

Και πάλι Καλή σας ημέρα!

Ένα εξαιρετικό κείμενο απαράμιλλου φωτός από την "Ιέρεια" της Θεοσοφίας και ιδρύτρια της Θεοσοφικής Εταιρείας. Η Μυστική Δοξασία ή αλλιώς η Σύνθεση της Επιστήμης, της Θρησκείας, της Φιλοσοφίας, το Magnum Opus της Blavatsky, εκδόθηκε πρώτη φορά ως δίτομο το 1888. Ο πρώτος τόμος με τίτλο και περιεχόμενο "Κοσμογέννεση" και ο δεύτερος "Ανθρωπογέννεση".

Αναμφισβήτητη είναι η επιρροή που άσκησε το συγκεκριμένο έργο σε όλα τα εσωτερικά - φιλοσοφικά ρεύματα απο εκεί και πέρα.

Αναμφισβήτητη είναι επίσης η επιρροή της Blavatsky σε όλους τους Εσωτεριστές και τα Μυητικά Τάγματα.

Απολαύστε...

http://rapidshare.com/files/192348592/H.P._Blavatsky_-_The_Secret_Doctrine_-_1886_-_By_Frater_S.pdf
Size: 4068 KB
Frater S.'.

Fama et Confessio Fraternitatis

2009-02-11T10:03:00.003+02:00

Καλημέρα!

Δύο παραδοσιακά ίσως και αμφιλεγόμενα σε πολλούς τομείς κείμενα, αλλά πάνω από όλα "Κεφάλαιο", στην Ροδοσταυρική παγκόσμια ιστορία έχουμε σήμερα.

Το κείμενο "Fama Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis (Fama fraternitatis Roseae Crucis oder Die Bruderschaft des Ordens der Rosenkreuzer)", είναι ένα ανώνυμο Ροδοσταυρικό Μανιφέστο το οποίο εκδόθηκε το 1614 στο Kassel στην Γερμανία για πρώτη φορά. Μεταφράστηκε στην Αγγλική γλώσσα το 1652 από τον Thomas Vaughan.

Το κείμενο "Confessio Fraternitatis (Confessio oder Bekenntnis der Societät und Bruderschaft Rosenkreuz)", τυπώθηκε το 1615 στην ίδια πόλη της Γερμανίας, υποστηρίζοντας την ύπαρξη μιας μυστικής αδελφότητας αλχημιστών και μυστών οι οποίοι θα προετοίμαζαν την πολιτική και φιλοσοφική μεταστοιχείωση ολόκληρης της Ευρώπης. Ο συγγραφέας παραμένει ανώνυμος αλλά ιστορικές πηγές υποστηρίζουν τον Francis Bacon ως συγγραφέα του.

Καλή μελέτη...

http://rapidshare.com/files/192348591/Fama_Fraternitatis_et_Confesio_Fraternitatis_-_1615_-_By_Frater_S.pdf
Size: 305 KB

Frater S.'.

The Regius Manuscript

2009-02-01T09:38:00.004+02:00

Ο σύγχρονος Ελευθεροτεκτονισμός ιδρύθηκε επίσημα το 1717. Όμως από το 1390 κιόλας, οι τροβαδούροι διαδίδουν με τους στίχους του "Regius Poem" την ιστορία του Ευκλείδη, του "Δασκάλου που μέσα από την καλή γνώση της Γεωμετρίας, ξεκίνησε την Τέχνη του Τεκτονισμού".

Ελάχιστα γνωστό ως σήμερα και ιδιόμορφο το "Regius Poem" είναι το αρχαιότερο κείμενο που αποδεικνύει τη σχέση του μαθηματικού Ευκλείδη με την Τεκτονική παράδοση και που μαρτυρά την άγνωστη για τους πολλούς σχέση του Ελευθεροτεκτονισμού με το Ελληνικό Πνεύμα.

Καλή μελέτη...
http://rapidshare.com/files/192348595/The_Regius_Manuscript_-_1390_-_By_Frater_S.pdf
Size: 137 KB

Frater S.'.

James Anderson - The Constitutions Of The Free-Masons

2009-02-01T09:33:00.005+02:00

Δεν σας ξέχασα. Ορίστε και το ψηφιακό αρχείο για downloading.
Καλή μελέτη...
http://rapidshare.com/files/192348593/James_Anderson_-_The_Constitutions_Of_The_Free-Masons_-_1734_-_By_Frater_S.pdf
Size: 1028 KB
Frater S.'.

James Anderson - The Constitution of the Free-Masons - 1734

2009-01-23T12:23:00.005+02:00

Επιδίωξη μου θα είναι σ'αυτό το Ιστολόγιο να αναρτώνται πάντα σοβαρά και σπάνια θέματα εσωτερισμού και Μυητικών Ταγμάτων. Ξεκινώντας αυτό το ταξίδι μας δεν θα μπορούσε παρά να είναι πρώτο το Πρώτο Σύνταγμα των Ελευθεροτεκτόνων, όπως αυτούσια συντάχθηκε το 1734. Καλή ανάγνωση-μελέτη...

Γένοιτο!

Frater S.'.

THE CONSTITUTION,
History, Laws, Charges, Orders, Regulations, and Usages, OF THE Right Worshipful FRATERNITY OF ACCEPTED Free-Masons; Collected from their general RECORDS, and their faithful TRADITIONS of many Ages. TO BE READ At the Admission of a NEW BROTHER, when the Master or Warden shall begin, or order some other Brother to read as follows:
ADAM, our first Parent, created after the Image of God, the great Architect of the Universe, must have had the Liberal Sciences, particularly Geometry, written on his Heart; for even since the Fall, we find the Principles of it in the Hearts of his Offspring, and which, in process of time, have been drawn forth into a convenient Method of Propositions, by observing the Laws of Proportion taken from Mechanism: So that as the Mechanical Arts gave Occasion to the Learned to reduce the Elements of Geometry into Method, this noble Science thus reduced, is the Foundation of all those Arts, (particularly of Masonry and Architecture) and the Rule by which they are conducted and performed. No doubt Adam taught his Sons Geometry, and the use of it, in the several Arts and Crafts convenient, at least for those early Times; for CAIN, we find, built a City, which he called CONSECRATED, or DEDICATED, after the Name of his eldest Son ENOCH; and becoming the Prince of the one Half of Mankind, his Posterity would imitate his royal Example in improving both the noble Science and the useful Art.
Nor can we suppose that SETH was less instructed, who being the Prince of the other Half of Mankind, and also the prime Cultivator of Astronomy, would take equal care to teach Geometry and Masonry to his Offspring, who had also the mighty Advantage of Adam’s living among them. But without regarding uncertain Accounts, we may safely conclude the old World, that lasted 1656 Years, could not be ignorant of Masonry; and that both the Families of Seth and Cain erected many curious Works, until at length NOAH, the ninth from Seth, was commanded and directed of God to build the great Ark, which, though’ of Wood, was certainly fabricated by Geometry, and according to the Rules of Masonry.
NOAH, and his three Sons, JAPHET, SHEM, and HAM, all Masons true, brought with them over the Flood the Traditions and Arts of the Ante-deluvians, and amply communicated them to their growing Offspring; for about 101 Years after the Flood we find a vast Number of ’em, if not the whole Race of Noah, in the Vale of Shinar, employed in building a City and large Tower, in order to make to them selves a Name, and to prevent their Dispersion. And though’ they carried on the Work to a monstrous Height, and by their Vanity provoked God to confound their Devices, by confounding their Speech, which occasioned their Dispersion ; yet their Skill in Masonry is not the less to be celebrated, having spent above 53 Years in that prodigious Work, and upon their Dispersion carried the mighty Knowledge with them into distant Parts, where they found the good Use of it in the Settlement of their Kingdoms, Common wealths, and Dynasties. And though’ afterwards it was lost in most Parts of the Earth, it was especially preserved in Shinar and Assyria, where NIMROD,* the Founder of that Monarchy, after the Dispersion, built many splendid Cities, as Ereck, Accad, and Calneh, in SHINAR ; from whence afterwards he went forth into ASSYRIA, and built Nineveh, Rehoboth, Caleh, and Rhesin. In these Parts, upon the Tygris and Euphrates, afterwards flourished many learned Priests and Mathematicians, known by the Names of CHALDEES and MAGI, who preserved the good Science, Geometry, as the KINGS and great Men encouraged the Royal Art. But it is not expedient to speak more plain of the Premises, except in a formed Lodge.
From hence, therefore, the Science and Art were both transmitted to latter Ages and distant Climes, not withstanding the Confusion of Languages or Dialects, which though’ it might help to give Rise to the Masons Faculty and ancient universal Practice of conversing without speaking, and of knowing each other at a Distance, yet hindered not the Improvement of Masonry in each Colony and their Communication in their distinct National Dialect. And, no doubt, the Royal Art was brought down to Egypt by MITZRAIM, the second Son of Ham, about six Years after the Confusion at Babel, and after the Flood 160 Years, when he led thither his Colony ; (for Egypt is Mitzraim in Hebrew) because we find the River Nile ’s overflowing its Banks, soon caused an Improvement in Geometry, which consequently brought Masonry much in request: For the ancient noble Cities, with the other magnificent Edifices of that Country, and particularly the famous PYRAMIDS, demonstrate the early Taste and Genius of that ancient Kingdom. Nay, one of those Egyptian PYRAMIDS is reckoned the First of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Account of which, by Historians and Travellers, is almost incredible.
The Sacred Records inform us well that the eleven great Sons of CANAAN (the youngest Son of Ham) soon fortified themselves in strong Holds, and stately walled Cities, and erected most beautiful Temples and Mansions; for when the Israelites, under the great Joshua, invaded their Country, they found it so regularly fenced, that without the immediate Intervention of God in behalf of his peculiar People, the Canaanites were impregnable and invincible. Nor can we suppose less of the other Sons of Ham, viz. Cush, his eldest, in South Arabia, and Phut, or Phuts, (now called Fez) in West Africa.
And surely the fair and gallant Posterity of JAPHET, (the eldest Son of Noah ) even such as travelled into the Isles of the Gentiles, must have been equally skilled in Geometry and Masonry; though’ we know little of their Transactions and mighty Works, until their original Knowledge was almost lost by the Havock of War, and by not maintaining a due Correspondence with the polite and learned Nations ; for when that Correspondence was opened in After-Ages, we find they began to be most curious Architects.
The Posterity of SHEM had also equal Opportunities of cultivating the useful Art, even those of ’em that planted their Colonies in the South and East of Asia ; much more those of ’em, that in the great Assyrian Empire, lived in a separate State, or were blended with other Families: Nay, that holy Branch of SHEM (of whom, as concerning the Flesh, CHRIST came) could not be unskilful in the learned Arts of Assyria ; for ABRAM, after the Confusion at Babel about 268 Years, was called out of Ur of the Chaldees, where he learned Geometry, and the Arts that are performed by it, which he would carefully transmit to Ishmael, to Isaac, and to his Sons by Keturah ; and by Isaac, to Esau, and Jacob, and the twelve Patriarchs : Nay, the Jews believe that ABRAM also instructed the Egyptians in the Assyrian Learning. Indeed, the select Family long used Military Architecture only, as they were Sojourners among Strangers; but before the 430 Years of their Peregrination were expired, even about 86 Years before their Exodus, the Kings of Egypt forced most of them to lay down their Sheperds Instruments, and Warlike Accoutrements, and trained them to another sort of Architecture in Stone and Brick, as holy Writ, and other Histories, acquaint us ; which God did wisely over-rule, in order to make them good Masons before they possessed the promised Land, then famous for most curious Masonry.
And while marching to Canaan thro’ Arabia, under Moses, God was pleased to inspire BEZALEEL, of the Tribe of Judah, and AHOLIAB, of the Tribe of Dan, with Wisdom of Heart for erecting that most glorious Tent, or Tabernacle, wherein the SHECHINAH resided; which, though’ not of Stone or Brick, was framed, by Geometry, a most beautiful Piece of Architecture, (and proved afterwards the Model of Solomon’s Temple) according to the Pattern that God had shewn to MOSES in the Mount ; who therefore became the GENERAL MASTER-MASON, as well as King of Jessurun, being well skilled in all the Egyptian Learning, and divinely inspired with more sublime Knowledge in Masonry, So that the Israelites, at their leaving Egypt, were a whole Kingdom of Masons, well instructed, under the Conduct of their GRAND MASTER MOSES, who often mar shall’d them into a regular and general Lodge, while in the Wilderness, and gave them wise Charges, Orders, &c. had they been well observed! But no more of the Premises must be mentioned.
And after they were possessed of Canaan, the Israelites came not short of the old Inhabitants in Masonry, but rather vastly improved it, by the special Direction of Heaven ; they fortified better, and improved their City-Houses and the Palaces of their Chiefs, and only fell short in sacred Architecture while the Tabernacle stood, but no longer ; for the finest sacred Building of the Canaanites was the Temple of Dagon in Gaza of the Philistines, very magnificent, and capacious enough to receive 5000 People under its Roof, that was artfully supported by two main Columns; and was a wonderful Discovery of their mighty Skill in true Masonry, as must he owned.
But Dagon’s Temple, and the finest Structures of Tyre and Sidon, could not be compared with the ETERNAL God’s Temple at Jerusalem, begun and finished, to the Amazement of all the World, in the short space of seven Years and six Months, by that wisest Man and most glorious King of Israel, the Prince of Peace and Architecture, SOLOMON (the Son of David, who was refused that Honour for being a Man of Blood) by divine Direction, without the Noise of Work-mens Tools, though there were employed about it no less than 3600 Princes, or Master-Masons, to conduct the Work according to Solomon’s Directions, with 80,000 Hewers of Stone in the Mountain, or Fellow Craftsmen, and 70,000 Labourers, in all 153,600 besides the Levy under Adoniram, to work in the Mountains of Lebanon by 30,000 turns with the Sidonians, being in all 183,600 for which great Number of ingenious Masons, Solomon was much obliged to HIRAM, or Huram, King of Tyre, who sent his Masons and Carpenters to Jerusalem, and the Firs and Cedars of Lebanon to Joppa the next Sea-port. But above all, he sent his Namesake HIRAM, or Huram, the most accomplished Mason upon Earth.
And the prodigious Expense of it also enhaunceth its Excellency; for besides King David’s vast Preparations, his richer Son SOLOMON, and all the wealthy Israelites, and the Nobles of all the neighbouring Kingdoms, largely contributed towards it in Gold, Silver, and rich Jewels, that amounted to a Sum almost incredible.
Nor do we read of any thing in Canaan so large, the Wall that inclos’d it being 7700 Foot in Compass ; far less any holy Structure fit to be named with it, for exactly proportioned and beautiful Dimensions, from the magnificent Porch on the East, to the glorious and reverend Sanctum Sanctorum on the West, with most lovely and con venient Apartments for the Kings and Princes, Priests and Levites, Israelites, and Gentiles also ; it being an House of Prayer for all Nations, and capable of receiving in the Tem ple proper, and in all its Courts and Apartments together, no less than 300,000 People, by a modest Calculation, allowing a square Cubit to each Person.
And if we consider the 1453 Columns of Parian Marble, with twice as many Pillasters, both having glorious Capitals of several Orders, and about 2246 Windows, besides those in the Pavement, with the unspeakable and costly Decorations of it within; (and much more might be said) we must conclude its Prospect to transcend our Imagination; and that it was justly esteemed by far the finest Piece of Masonry upon Earth before or since, and the chief Wonder of the World ; and was dedicated, or consecrated, in the most solemn manner, by King SOLOMON. But leaving what must not, and indeed cannot, be communicated by Writing, we may warrantably affirm that however ambitious the Heathen were in cultivating of the Royal Art, it was never perfected, until God condescended to instruct his peculiar People in rearing the above- mentioned stately Tent, and in building at length this gorgeous House, fit for the special Refulgence of his Glory, where he dwelt between the Cherubims on the Mercy-Seat, and from thence gave them frequent oraculous Responses.
This most sumptuous, splendid, beautiful and glorious Edifice, attracted soon the inquisitive Artists of all Nations to spend some time at Jerusalem, and survey its peculiar Excellencies, as much as was allowed to the Gentiles; whereby they soon discovered, that all the World, with their joint Skill, came far short of the Israelites, in the Wisdom and Dexterity of Architecture, when the wise King SOLOMON was GRAND MASTER of the Lodge at Jerusalem, and the learned King HIRAM was GRAND MASTER of the Lodge at Tyre, and the inspired HIRAM ABIF was Master
of Work, and Masonry was under the immediate Care and Direction of Heaven, when the Noble and the Wise thought it their Honour to be assisting to the ingenious Masters and Craftsmen, and when the Temple of the TRUE GOD became the Wonder of all Travellers, by which, as by the most perfect Pattern, they corrected the Architecture of their own Country upon their Return.
So that after the Erection of Solomon’s Temple, Masonry was improved in all the neighbouring Nations ; for the many Artists employed about it, under Hiram Abif, after it was finished, dispersed themselves into Syria, Mesopotamia, Assyria, Chaldea, Babylonia, Media, Persia, Arabia, Africa, Lesser Asia, Greece and other Parts of Europe, where they taught this liberal Art to the free born Sons of eminent Persons, by whose Dexterity the Kings, Princes, and Potentates, built many glorious Piles, and became the GRAND MASTERS, each in his own Territory, and were emulous of excelling in this Royal Art ; nay, even in INDIA, where the Correspondence was open, we may conclude the same: But none of the Nations, nor all together, could rival the Israelites, far less excel them, in Masonry ; and their Temple remained the constant Pattern.
Nay, the GRAND MONARCH NEBUCHADNEZAR could never, with all his unspeakable Advantages, carry up his Masonry to the Beautiful Strength and Magnificence of the Temple Work, which he had, in warlike Rage, burnt down, after it had remained in Splendor 416 Years from its Consecration. For after his Wars were over, and general Peace proclaimed, he set his Heart on Architecture, and be came the GRAND MASTER-MASON ; and having before led captive the ingenious Artists of Judea, and other conquered Countries, he raised indeed the largest Work upon Earth, even the Walls and City, the Palaces and Hanging- Gardens, the Bridge and Temple of BABYLON, the Third of the Seven Wonders of the World, though’ vastly inferior, in the sublime Perfection of Masonry, to the holy, charming, lovely Temple of GOD. But as the Jewish Captives were of special use to NEBUCHADNEZAR in his glorious Buildings, so being thus kept at work, they retained their great Skill in Masonry, and continued very capable of rebuilding the holy Temple and City of SALEM upon its old Foundations, which was ordered by the Edict or Decree of the GRAND CYRUS, according to God’s Word, that had fore told his Exaltation and this Decree: And CYRUS having constituted ZERUBBABEL, the Son of Salathiel (of the Seed of David by Nathan, the Brother of Solomon, whose Royal Family was now extinct) the Head, or Prince of the Captivity, and the Leader of the Jews and Israelites
returning to Jerusalem, they began to lay the Foundation of the SECOND TEMPLE, and would have soon finished it, if CYRUS had lived; but at length they put on the Cape- Stone, in the 6th Year of DARIUS, the Persian Monarch, when it was dedicated with Joy, and many great Sacrifices, by ZERUBBABEL the Prince and General Master-Mason of the Jews, about 20 Years after the Decree of the Grand Cyrus. And tho’ this Temple of ZERUBBABEL came far short of Solomon’s Temple, was not so richly adorned with Gold and Diamonds, and all manner of precious Stones, nor had the Shechina and the holy Relicks of Moses in it, &c. yet being raised exactly upon Solomon’s Foundation, and according to his Model, it was still the most regular, symmetrical, and glorious Edifice in the whole World, as the Enemies of the Jews have often testified and acknowledged.
At length the ROYAL ART was carried into Greece, whose Inhabitants have left us no Evidence of such Improvements in Masonry, prior to Solomon ’s Temple; for their most ancient Buildings, as the Cittadel of Athens, with the Parthenion, or Temple of Minerva, the Temples also of Theseus, of Jupiter Olympius, &c. their Porticos also, and Forums, their Theatres and Gymnasiums, their public Halls, curious Bridges, regular Fortifications, stout Ships of War, and stately Palaces, were all erected after the Temple of Solomon, and most of them even after the Temple of Zerubbabel.
Nor do we find the GRECIANS arrived to any considerable Knowledge in Geometry, before the Great Thales Milesius, the Philosopher, who died in the Reign of Bellshazzar, and the Time of the Jewish Captivity. But his Scholar, the Greater PYTHAGORAS, proved the Author of the 47th Proposition of Euclid’s first Book, which, if duly observed, is the Foundation of all Masonry, sacred, civil, and Military.
The People of Lesser Asia about this Time gave large Encouragement to Masons for erecting all sorts of sumptuous Buildings, one of which must not be forgot, being usually reckoned the Fourth of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Mausoleum, or Tomb of Mausolus, King of Caria, between Lycia and Jonia, at Helicarnassus, on the Side of Mount Taurus in that Kingdom, at the Command of ARTEMISIA his mournful Widow, as the splendid Testimony of her Love to him, built of the most curious Marble, in Circuit 411 Foot, in Height 25 Cubits, surrounded with 26 Columns of the most famous Sculpture, and the whole opened on all Sides, with Arches 73 Foot wide, performed by the four principal Master-Masons and Engravers of those Times, the East Side by Scopas, the West by Leochares, the North by Briax, and the South by Timotheus.
But after PYTHAGORAS, Geometry became the darling Study of Greece, where many learned Philosophers arose, some of whom invented sundry Propositions, or Elements of Geometry, and reduced them to the use of the mechanical Arts.
Nor need we doubt that Masonry kept pace with Geometry; or rather, always followed it in proportioned gradual Improvements, until the wonderful EUCLID of Tyre flourished at Alexandria; who gathering up the scattered Elements of Geometry, digested them into a Method that was never yet mended, (and for which his Name will be ever celebrated) under the Patronage of PTOLOMEUS, the Son of Lagus King of Egypt, one of the immediate Successors of Alexander the Great.
And as the noble Science came to be more methodically taught, the Royal Art was the more generally esteemed and improved among the Grecians, who at length arrived to the same Skill and Magnificence in it with their Teachers the Asiatics and Egyptians.
The next King of Egypt, PTOLOMEUS PHILADELPHUS, that great Improver of the liberal Arts, and of all useful Knowledge, who gathered the greatest Library upon Earth, and had the Old Testament (at least the Pentateuch) first translated into Greek, became an excellent Architect and GENERAL MASTER-MASON, having among his other great Buildings, erected the famous TOWER of PHAROS, the Fifth of the Seven Wonders of the World. We may readily believe, that the African Nations, even to the Atlantic Shore, did soon imitate Egypt in such Improvements ; though History fails, and there are no Travellers encouraged to discover the valuable Remains in Masonry of those once renowned Nations.
Nor should we forget the learned Island of SICILY, where the prodigious Geometrician ARCHIMEDES did flourish, and was unhappily slain when Syracuse was taken by Marcellus the Roman General: For from Sicily, as well as from Greece, Egypt, and Asia, the ancient Romans learnt both the SCIENCE and the ART, what they knew before being either mean or irregular; but as they subdued the Nations, they made mighty Discoveries in both ; and like wise Men, led captive, not the Body of the People, but the Arts and Sciences, with the most eminent Professors and Practitioners, to Rome; which thus became the Centre of Learning, as well as of imperial Power, until they advanced to their Zenith of Glory, under AUGUSTUS CÆSAR, (in whose Reign was born God’s MESSIAH, the great Architect of the Church) who having laid the World quiet, by proclaiming universal Peace, highly encouraged those dexterous Artists that had been bred in the Roman Liberty, and their learned Scholars and Pupils; but particularly the great VITRUVIUS, the Father of all true Architects to this Day. Therefore it is rationally believed, that the glorious AUGUSTUS became the Grand-Master of the Lodge at Rome, having, besides his patronizing Vitruvius, much promoted the Welfare of the Fellow-Craftsmen, as appears by the many magnificent Buildings of his Reign, the Remains of which are the Pattern and Standard of true Masonry in all future Times, as they are indeed an Epitome of the Asiatic, Egyptian, Grecian and Sicilian Architecture, which we often express by the Name of the AUGUSTAN STILE, and which we are now only endeavouring to imitate, and have not yet arrived to its Perfection.
The old Records of Masons afford large Hints of their Lodges, from the Beginning of the World, in the polite Nations, especially in Times of Peace, and when the Civil Powers, abhorring Tyranny and Slavery, gave due Scope to the bright and free Genius of their happy Subjects; for then always Masons, above all other Artists, were the Favourites of the Eminent, and became necessary for their grand Undertakings in any sort of Materials, not only in Stone, Brick, Timber, Plaister; but even in Cloth or Skins, or whatever was used for Tents, and for the various sorts of Architecture.
Nor should it be forgot, that Painters also, and Statuaries, were always reckoned good Masons, as much as Builders, Stone-cutters, Bricklayers, Carpenters, Joiners, Upholders or Tent-Makers, and a vast many other Crafts men that could be named, who perform according to Geometry, and the Rules of Building; though none since HIRAM ABIF has been renowned for Cunning in all parts of Masonry: And of this enough.
But among the Heathen, while the noble Science Geometry was duly cultivated, both before and after the Reign of Augustus, even till the Fifth Century of the Christian Æra, Masonry was had in great Esteem and Veneration: And while the Roman Empire continued in its Glory, the Royal Art was carefully propagated, even to the ULTIMA THULE, and a Lodge erected in almost every Roman Garrison; whereby they generously communicated their Cunning to the northern and western Parts of Europe, which had grown barbarous before the Roman Conquest, though we know not certainly how long; because some think there are a few Remains of good Masonry before that Period in some Parts of Europe, raised by the original Skill that the first Colonies brought with them, as the Celtic Edifices, erected by the ancient Gauls, and by the ancient Britains too, who were a Colony of the Celtes, long before the Romans invaded this Island.
But when the GOTHS and VANDALS, that had never been conquered by the Romans, like a general Deluge, overran the ROMAN EMPIRE, with warlike Rage and gross Ignorance they utter destroyed many of the finest Edifices, and defaced others, very few escaping; as the Asiatic and African Nations fell under the same Calamity by the Conquests of the MAHOMETANS, whose grand Design is only to convert the World by Fire and Sword, instead of cultivating the Arts and Sciences.
Thus, upon the Declension of the Roman Empire, when the British Garrisons were drained, the ANGLES & other lower SAXONS, invited by the ancient BRITONS to come over and help them against the SCOTS and PICTS, at length subdued the South Part of this Island, which they called England, or Land of the Angles ; who being a-kin to the Goths, or rather a sort of Vandals, of the same warlike Disposition, and as ignorant Heathens, encouraged nothing but War, till they became Christians ; and then too late lamented the Ignorance of their Fathers in the great Loss of Roman Masonry, but knew not how to repair it.
Yet becoming a free People (as the old Saxon Laws testify) and having a Disposition for Masonry, they soon began to imitate the Asiatics, Grecians, and Romans, in erecting of Lodges and encouraging of Masons; being taught, not only from the faithful Traditions and valuable Remains of the BRITONS, but even by foreign Princes, in whose Dominions the Royal Art had been preserved much from Gothic Ruins, particularly by CHARLES MARTELL King of France, who according to the old Records of Masons, sent over several expert Craftsmen and learned Architects into England, at the Desire of the Saxon Kings: So that during the Heptarchy, the Gothic Architecture was much encouraged here, as in other Christian Lands. And though the many Invasions of the DANES occasioned the Loss of many Records, yet in Times of Truce or Peace they did not hinder much the good Work, though not performed according to the Augustan Stile; nay, the vast Expense laid out upon it, with the curious Inventions of the Artists to supply the Roman Skill, doing the best they could, demonstrate their Esteem and Love for the Royal Art, and have rendered the GOTHIC BUILDINGS venerable, though’ not imitable by those that relish the ancient Architecture.
And after the Saxons and Danes were conquered by the NORMANS, as soon as the Wars ended and Peace was proclaimed, the Gothic Masonry was encouraged, even in the Reign of the Conqueror,* and of his Son King WILLIAM Rufus, who built Westminster-Hall, the largest one Room perhaps in the Earth.
Nor did the Barons Wars, nor the many bloody Wars of the subsequent Norman Kings, and their contending Branches, much hinder the most sumptuous and lofty Buildings of those Times, raised by the great Clergy, (who enjoying large Revenues, could well bear the Expense) and even by the CROWN too ; for we read King EDWARD III. Had an Officer called the King’s Free-Mason, or General-Surveyor of his Buildings, whose Name was HENRY YEVELE, employed by that King to build several Abbies, and St. STEPHEN’s CHAPPEL at Westminster, where the House of
Commons now sit in Parliament.
But for the further Instruction of Candidates and younger Brethren, a certain Record of Free-Masons, written in the Reign of King EDWARD IV. of the Norman Line, gives the following Account, that though the ancient Records of the Brotherhood in England were many of them destroyed or lost in the Wars of the Saxons and Danes, yet King ATHELSTAN, (the Grandson of King ALFRED the Great, a mighty Architect) the first anointed King of England, and who translated the Holy Bible into the Saxon Tongue, when he had brought the Land into Rest and Peace, built many great Works, and encouraged many Masons from France, who were appointed Overseers thereof, and brought with them the Charges and Regulations of the Lodges preserved since the Roman Times, who also prevailed with the King to improve the CONSTITUTION of the English Lodges according to the foreign Model, and to increase the Wages of working Masons.
That the said King’s youngest Son, Prince EDWIN, being taught Masonry, and taking upon him the Charges of a MASTER-MASON, for the Love he had to the said Craft, and the honourable Principles whereon it is grounded, purchased a free charter of King Athelstan his Father, for the Masons having a Correction among themselves, (as it was anciently expressed) or a Freedom and Power to regulate themselves, to amend what might happen amiss, and to hold a yearly Communication and General Assembly.
That accordingly Prince EDWIN summoned all the Masons in the Realm to meet him in a Congregation at York, who came and composed a General Lodge, of which he was GRAND MASTER; and having brought with them all the Writings and Records extant, some in Greek, some in Latin, some in French, and other Languages, from the Contents thereof that Assembly did frame the CONSTITUTION and Charges of an English Lodge, made a Law to preserve and observe the same in all time coming, and ordained good Pay for working Masons, &c.
That in process of time, when Lodges were more frequent, the Right Worshipful the Master and Fellows, with the Consent of the LORDS of the Realm, ( for most great Men were then Masons) ordained, that for the future, at the Making or Admission
of a Brother, the CONSTITUTION should be read, and the Charges hereunto annexed, by the Master or Warden; and that such as were to be admitted Master-Masons, or Masters of Work, should be examined whether they be able of Cunning to serve their respective Lords, as well the Lowest as the Highest, to the Honour and Worship of the aforesaid Art; and to the Profit of their Lords? For they be their Lords that employ and pay them for their Service and Travel.
And besides many other things, the said Record adds that those Charges and Laws of FREE-MASONS have been seen and perused by our late Sovereign King Henry VI. And by the Lords of his honourable Council, who have allowed them, and said that they are right good and reasonable to be holden, as they have been drawn out and collected from the Records of ancient Times.
Now though in the third Year of the said King Henry VI. while an Infant of about four Years old, the Parliament made an Act, that affected only the working Masons, who had, contrary to the Statutes for Labourers, confederated not to work but at their own Price and Wages; and because such Agreements were supposed to be made at the General Lodges, called in the Act CHAPTERS and CONGREGATIONS of MASONS, it was then thought expedient to level the said Act against the said Congregations: Yet when the said King Henry VI. Arrived to Man’s Estate; the Masons laid before him and his Lords the above-mentioned Records and Charges, who, ’tis plain, reviewed them, and solemnly approved of them as good and reasonable to be holden Nay, the said King and his Lords must have been incorporated with the Free-Masons, before they could make such Review of the Records; and in this Reign, before King Henry’s Troubles, Masons were much encouraged. Nor is there any Instance of executing that Act in that, or in any other Reign since, and the Masons never neglected their Lodges for it, nor ever thought it worth while to employ their noble and eminent Brethren to have it repealed ; because the working Masons, that are free of the Lodge, scorn to be guilty of such Combinations; and the other free Masons have no Concern in Trespasses against the Statutes for Labourers.
The Kings of SCOTLAND very much encouraged the Royal Art, from the earliest Times down to the Union of the Crowns, as appears by the Remains of glorious Buildings in that ancient Kingdom, and by the Lodges there kept up without Interruption many hundred Years, the Records and Traditions of which testify the great Respect of those Kings to this honourable Fraternity, who gave always pregnant
Evidence of their Love and Loyalty, from whence sprung the old Toast among the Scots Masons, viz. GOD BLESS THE KING AND THE CRAFT.
Nor was the Royal Example neglected by the Nobility, Gentry, and Clergy of SCOTLAND, who joined in every thing for the good of the Craft and Brotherhood, the Kings being often the Grand Masters, until, among other things, the Masons of SCOTLAND were impower’d to have a certain and fixed Grand-Master and Grand Warden, who had a Salary from the Crown, and also an Acknowledgment from every New Brother in the Kingdom at Entrance, whose Business was not only to regulate what might happen amiss in the Brotherhood, but also to hear and finally determine all Controversies between Mason and Lord, to punish the Mason, if he deserved it, and to oblige both to equitable Terms: At which Hearings, if the Grand Master was absent (who was always nobly born) the Grand Warden presided. This Privilege remained till the Civil Wars, but is now obsolete; nor can it well be revived until the King becomes a Mason, because it was not actually exerted at the Union of the Kingdoms.
Yet the great Care that the SCOTS took of true Masonry, proved afterwards very useful to ENGLAND; for the learned and magnanimous Queen ELIZABETH, who encouraged other Arts, discouraged this ; because, being a Woman, she could not be made a Mason, though’ as other great Women, she might have much employed Masons, like Semiramis and Artemisia.
But upon her Demise, King JAMES VI. of SCOTLAND succeeding to the Crown of ENGLAND, being a Mason King, revived the English Lodges; and as he was the First King of GREAT BRITAIN, he was also the First Prince in the World that recovered the Roman Architecture from the Ruins of Gothic Ignorance : For after many dark or illiterate Ages, as soon as all Parts of Learning revived, and Geometry recovered its Ground, the polite Nations began to discover the Confusion and Impropriety of the Gothic Buildings ; and in the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries the AUGUSTAN STILE was raised from its Rubbish in Italy, by BRAMANTE, BARBARO, SANSOVINO, SANGALLO, MICHAEL ANGELO, RAPHAEL URBIN, JULIO ROMANO, SERGLIO, LABACO, SCAMOZI, VIGNOLA, and many other bright Architects : but above all, by the Great PALLADIO, who has not yet been duly imitated in Italy, though justly rival’d in England by our great Master-Mason, INIGO JONES.
But though all true Masons honour the Memories of those Italian Architects, it must be owned, that the Augustan Stile was not revived by any crowned Head, before King JAMES the Sixth of SCOTLAND, and First of ENGLAND, patronized the said glorious Inigo Jones, whom he employed to build his Royal Palace of WHITE-HALL; and in his Reign over all Great-Britain, the BANQUETING HOUSE, as the first piece of it, was only raised, which is the finest one Room upon Earth; and the Ingenious Mr. Nicholas Stone performed as Master-Mason under the Architect JONES. Upon his Demise, his Son King CHARLES I. being also a Mason, patronized Mr. Jones too, and firmly intended to have carried on his Royal Father’s Design of WHITE-HALL, according to Mr. Jones’s Stile; but was unhappily diverted by the Civil Wars. After the Wars were over, and the Royal Family restored, true Masonry was likewise restored; especially upon the unhappy Occasion of the Burning of LONDON, An. 1666; for then the City-Houses were rebuilt more after the Roman Stile, when King CHARLES II. Founded the present St. PAUL’s Cathedral in London, (the old Gothic Fabric being burnt down) much after the Style of St. PETER’s at Rome, conducted by the ingenious Architect, Sir CHRISTOPHER WREN. That King founded also his royal Palace at GREENWICH, according to Mr. Inigo Jones’s Design (which he drew before he died) conducted by his Son-in-Law Mr. WEB: It is now turned into a Hospital for Seamen. He founded also Chelsea-College, a Hospital for Soldiers; and at EDINBURGH he both founded and finished his royal Palace of HALY-ROOD-HOUSE, by the Design and Conduct of Sir WILLIAM BRUCE Bart. the Master of the Royal Works in SCOTLAND. So that besides the Tradition of old Masons now alive, which may be relied on, we have much reason to believe that King CHARLES II. was an Accepted Free-Mason, as every one allows he was a great Encourager of the Craftsmen.
But in the Reign of his Brother King JAMES II. Though some Roman Buildings were carried on, the Lodges of Free-Masons in London much dwindled into Ignorance, by not being duly frequented and cultivated. But after the Revolution, Anno 1688, KING WILLIAM, though a warlike Prince, having a good Taste of Architecture, carried on the aforesaid two famous Hospitals of Greenwich and Chelsea, built the fine part of his royal Palace of HAMPTON COURT, and founded and finished his incomparable Palace at LOO in HOLLAND, &c. And the bright Example of that glorious Prince, (who by most is reckoned a Free-Mason) did influence the Nobility, the Gentry, the Wealthy and the Learned of GREAT-BRITAIN, to affect much the Augustan Style; as appears by a vast Number of most curious Edifices erected since throughout the Kingdom: For when in the Ninth Year of the Reign of our late Sovereign QUEEN ANNE, her Majesty and the Parliament concurred in an Act for erecting 50 new Parish-Churches in London, Westminster, and Suburbs ; and the QUEEN had granted a Commission to several of the Ministers of State, the principal Nobility, great Gentry, and eminent Citizens, the two Archbishops, with several other Bishops and dignified Clergymen, to put the Act in execution ; they ordered the said New Churches to be raised according to the ancient Roman Style, as appears by those that are already raised ; and the present honourable Commissioners having the same good Judgment of Architecture, are carrying on the same laudable grand Design, and are
reviving the ancient Style, by the Order, Countenance, and Encouragement of his present Majesty KING GEORGE, who was also graciously pleased to lay the first Stone in the Foundation of his Parish Church of St. MARTIN’s in Campis, on the South-East Corner (by his Majesty’s Proxy for the time, the present Bishop of Salisbury) which is now rebuilding, strong, large, and beautiful, at the Cost of the Parishioners.
In short, it would require many large Volumes to contain the many splendid Instances of the mighty Influence of Masonry from the Creation, in every Age, and in every Nation, as could be collected from Historians and Travellers: But especially in those Parts of the World where the Europeans correspond and trade, such Remains of ancient, large, curious, and magnificent Colonading, have been discovered by the Inquisitive, that they can’t enough lament the general Devastations of the Goths and Mahometans; and must conclude, that no Art was ever so much encouraged as this ; as indeed none other is so extensively useful to Mankind. Nay, if it were expedient, it could be made appear, that from this ancient Fraternity, the Societies or Orders of the Warlike KNIGHTS, and of the Religious too, in process of time, did borrow many solemn Usages; for none of them were better instituted, more decently installed, or did more sacredly observe their Laws and Charges than the Accepted Masons have done, who in all Ages, and in every Nation, have maintained and propagated their Concernments in a way peculiar to themselves, which the most Cunning and the most Learned cannot penetrate into, though it has been often attempted; while They know and love one another, even without the Help of Speech, or when of different Languages.
And now the Freeborn BRITISH NATIONS, disentangled from foreign and civil Wars, and enjoying the good Fruits of Peace and Liberty, having of late much indulged their happy Genius for Masonry of every sort, and revived the drooping Lodges of London, this fair Metropolis flourished, as well as other Parts, with several worthy particular Lodges, that have a quarterly Communication, and an annual grand Assembly, wherein the Forms and Usages of the most ancient and worshipful Fraternity are wisely propagated, and the Royal Art duly cultivated, and the Cement of the Brotherhood preserved ; so that the whole Body resembles a well built Arch ; several Noblemen and Gentlemen of the best Rank, with Clergymen and learned Scholars of most Professions and Denominations, having frankly joined and submitted to take the Charges, and to wear the Badges of a Free and Accepted Mason, under our present worthy Grand-Master, the most noble PRINCE John Duke of MONTAGUE.

Ο Λόγος ύπαρξης του Ιστολογίου

2009-01-23T09:21:00.005+02:00

Ξεκινάω το παρόν Ιστολόγιο από την ανάγκη μου να συγκεντρώσω κάπου θέματα εσωτερικά με τα οποία καταπιάνομαι εκείνο το συγκεκριμένο διάστημα που δημοσιεύονται.
Το Ιστολόγιο δεν έχει καμμία επίσημη σχέση με το Διεθνές Μικτό Τεκτονικό Τάγμα "Le Droit Humain", απλά λόγω του ότι δεν υπήρχαν διαθέσιμα τα ονόματα που αρχικώς επέλεξα, τιμής ενέκεν επιλέχθηκε το Τεκτονικό Τάγμα το οποίο ανήκω.
Τα σχόλια σας ελεύθερα και αδογμάτιστα θα δημοσιεύονται πάντα.
Για οποιαδήποτε επικοινωνία γράψτε zioncrossover@gmail.com
Frater S.'.