Ancient Mystic Oriental Masonry

130."A thoughtful consideration of our principal ceremony irresistibly leads us to the doctrine that was typified by the Pastos in the King's Chamber of the great Pyramid, and connects with the main characteristic of all the Mysteries, which embodied the highest truths then known to the Illuminated ones.

131."The twelfth century witnessed an outbreak of Mystic symbolism, perhaps unparalleled, in our era, and gave us the religious legends of the Holy Grail, which point to an Eastern origin; this period coincides with the greatest popularity of the Templars, whose fall is contemporaneous with the decadence noticed by the lecturer.

132.Without pressing the argument, I may suggest that some portion, at least, of our symbolism may have come through a Templar source, Romanist, yet deeply tinged with Gnosticism; while at a later date the Lollards, inheritors of Manichæism, and who were but one of the many religo-political societies with which Europe was honeycombed, possibly introduced or revived some of these teachings. One thing is certain, that satisfactory renderings of our symbols can only be obtained by a study of Eastern Mysticism; ^[86] Kabalistic, Hermetic, Pythagorean and Gnostic.

133."Down the centuries we find enrolled the names of philosophic teachers who veiled their doctrines in figures similar to those in vogue among the Rosicrucians and still more recent students, and often identical with the signs we blazon on the walls of our Lodges and Chapters: ' Ars Quatuor Coronatorum. London; 1890.' "

134."About the year 200 A. D., the most noteworthy Gnostic sect was a Persian branch, the Manichees; it was divided into three classes — Auditors, Elect, and Perfect, and the sect was ruled by twelve Apostles, with a thirteenth as President. Manichæism was always a source of trouble to the Church, and St. Augustine between the years 374 and 383 A. D., was an ' Auditor,' but for some reason could not obtain advancement, and so abandoned the system. The Rite had a Theosophical Gospel which taught that the basis of all religion was one.* In 657 they had changed their name to Paulicians, and later Cathari (The ^[87] Purified), Euchites, Bogomiles, and in more recent times still Lollards. We could quote numberless authors of the early period of the Church to prove the origin of these sects from the Eastern Magi, but it is unnecessary and space forbids. In a few words, they were a secret speculative society with degrees, distinguished by signs, tokens and words like Freemasonry, and the Church of Rome from the 4th to the 19th century has hated them with the hatred of death, butchering and burning them by tens of thousands; for Christianity has shed more blood than any other faith. Yet the fathers often admit their purity of life, but that was their sin against a corrupt priesthood and unpardonable. The Templars were Gnostics, on the evidence of the Papal trials in 1313, and Hugh, G. M. 1118, is said to have received initiation from Theocletus, Patriarch of St. John the Baptist and the ^[88] Codex Nazareus."*

135."The days of Constantine were the last turning point in history. The period of the Supreme struggle that ended in the Western world throttling the old religion in favor of the new ones, built on their bodies. From thence the vista into the far distant Past, beyond the 'Deluge' and the 'Garden of Eden,' began to be forcibly and relentlessly closed by every fair and unfair means against the indiscreet gaze of Posterity. Every issue was blocked up, every record that hands could be laid upon, destroyed.