Ancient Mystic Oriental Masonry

47."The Secret Doctrine is the Complete Philosophy of Masonic Symbolism. So long as this philosophy is unknown to the Mason, his symbols are, to a great extent, dead letters. The work of the lodge a dumb show beyond its moral precepts, and the Genius of Masonry for the members of the Craft is largely the spirit of self-interest, mutual support, and physical enjoyment or revelry, the latest embodiment of which is the 'Mystic Shrine.' But there are some among the members of the Craft — and how many time alone can determine — who believe that Masonry means far more ^[47] than this, and who have already discerned in its symbols and traditions something of their real meaning. Many of these have found partial clues which served to keep interest alive while searching for plainer meanings and deeper revelations. In retracing the steps which these ancient symbols and their profound philosophy have come down to our own times, more and more obscured with every passing century, students have gathered a large number of facts, a great mass of traditions and general information, all of which have been variously interpreted by different writers on Masonry. All writers, however, agree in the conclusions that the symbols and traditions of Freemasonry come from the far East, and go back to the remotest antiquity. " *

48." After the candidate is obligated and brought to Light in the third degree, he is bantered with the statement that undoubtedly he now imagines himself a Master Mason. He is informed not only that such is not the case, but that there is no certainty that he ever will become such. He subsequently starts on his journey for the discovery of the Lost Word. The method by which he undertakes to obtain it, and the names of the three Fellow-crafts, have a very deep significance. After many trials, he receives a substitute, which he is to conceal with great fidelity "till future generations shall discover the Lost Word."**

49."The method by which he receives and is ever ^[48] to transmit or use even the substitute, is made exact and definite, and guarded by solemn obligations. The meaning of both the great secrecy and the use of the word are left entirely to conjecture, beyond the statement that it is a sacred name, and must never be profaned or taken in vain, or carelessly used; and I venture the opinion, that not one Mason among ten thousand has ever been able to discover why.

50." The force of the obligation is therefore in the obligation and not in the reason. As a matter of fact, the real reason is scientific to the last analysis; scientific to a degree beyond the penetration, up to the present time, of the 'radiant matter' of the Roentgen Ray of Modern Science. The Word concerns the science of rhythmic vibrations, and is the key to the equilibrium of all forces and to the harmony of Eternal Nature.

51."This tradition of the Ineffable Name is brought into Masonry from the Hebrew Kabalah, and how it became lost is part historical, at least. The ancient Hebrew Priests evidently undertook to fit to the names of their tribal-deities the symbolism and traditions of the far East. If the Master's "Word was really a word at all, the Deity of the Hebrews might perhaps represent it as well as any other. It is a question of pronetics, however, rather than mere orthography. Beneath the Hebrew text of the Pentateuch lies concealed the science of the Kabalah. The Anathemas threatened for him who should alter, by a single letter or 'Yod,' the outer text, had therefore a deeper meaning. The priests of many nations of antiquity were initiates in the Mysteries, and as such they were Monotheists, ^[49] while the ignorant masses were idolaters. The monotheism of the Jews was of a robust character, and their priests and prophets had a hard time to preserve their people from the seductive polytheism and abominations of surrounding nations. The Ineffable Name was not only concealed, but 'terrible as an army with banners. ' Jehovah was jealous, revengeful, vindictive towards the evil-doer, tolerated no rival in the broad expanse of Cosmos. In no religion of antiquity is the anthropomorphic image of Deity so strongly defined, and the Creator of man and worlds made so exceedingly human.