ANCIENT RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS AND ...ANCIENT RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS AND SYMBOLS - H SYKES, Masońskie
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A NCIENT R ELIGIOUS T RADITIONS A ND S YMBOLS I N F REEMASONRY By H orace S ykes FOREWORD Our early operative brethren had to go to the lodge or quarry and, at great cost in labor, take their building materials from the original sources. It was then necessary to transport them long distances to the places where they were to be used. But later on, as buildings, and sometimes cities, gave way to the ravages of time or were destroyed by enemy invaders, their remains, scattered about the landscape or lying in shapeless piles of rubble, became convenient sources of materials from which to draw for future use. this was especially true with regard to the sculptured or decorative materials which would require excessive labor and skill to reproduce. If such pieces were not carried away by the conquerors as prize loot, as they oftentimes were, they were eagerly sought after and greatly prized by the builders. In many instances, when used in later temples or cathedrals, such salvaged parts - objects of art and adornment - greatly enhanced their archaeological value and served to assist the archaeologist in piecing together history of the past and in interpreting the full meanings of the problems before him. The student of research often finds himself in the same position as were these later builders. He finds that the ancient sources of original materials are quite worked out or are inaccessible to him, while near at hand, in the records and writing of other researchers and students, is much of the information he seeks. by finding a record here and there and a column of ancient truth somewhere else, he can incorporate them into the new structure of knowledge he is building; giving, of course, full credit to the original authors. By creative skill in their co-ordination and by reinterpretation, new and further historical truths may be brought to light to advance the knowledge of the past in its meanings to the present and future of history. Largely in this way research students must build and progress, and each add his contribution to the store of existing knowledge. This paper begins with an earnest effort to describe a modern, basic concept of the Great Architect of the Universe as the foundation upon which all men can agree; not necessarily agree on the language of this discourse, for each reader must think and perceive in his own language and thought. but each reader is urged to think this basic concept through to his own conclusion, basing his thinking on the truth of the existence and reality of one ever living God, so that all may build upon the same foundation and there be no division.. The next truth that this paper hopes to show, and that from the symbolical and traditional evidence in Masonry itself, is that from the beginnings of all stages of human enlightenment and knowledge man has looked up to some superior being as the focal point of his religious perception. It is further hoped that the thoughtful reader perceive that, as the three Craft degrees symbolize the three principal stages of human life -- youth, manhood and old-age -- in its development, both physically and spiritually, the institution of Freemasonry has passed through these stages of development. Finally, that in speculative Masonry, symbolizing the period of old-age, it attains to the highest of all spiritual traditions, which is, ÐThat Temple not made with hands, eternal in the heavens,Ñ or the ÐSpiritual TempleÑ which also rests upon that basic foundation of eternal verity on which all men can agree and build, and in which all men are brothers. Abundant help and inspiration have come to the author from the works of the distinguished writers named in the bibliography appended to this work, and their assistance is gratefully acknowledged. to them belong the greater credit. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |
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