Ancient Mystic Oriental Masonry

301." There is no one symbol of Masonry more important in its teachings, or more interesting in its history, than that of the lambskin or white leather apron. It is impressed upon the Mason's memory as the first gift which he receives, the first symbol that is explained to him, and the first tangible evidence which he possesses of his admission into the Fraternity.

302."The apron or girdle, in ancient times, was a universally received emblem of truth and passive duty. The Israelites, when preparing to effect their escape from Egyptian captivity, were enjoined to eat the Passover with their loins girded.

303."It was the firm opinion of the Essenes that internal purity and rectitude of conduct were strikingly evinced by a person's outward appearance. ^[155] The belief was probably derived from that famous precept of King Solomon, who had constantly the same emblematical reference on his lips: 'Let thy garments he always white.'

304."When a candidate was initiated into the ancient mysteries, he was esteemed regenerate; and he was invested with a white garment and apron as a symbol of his newly attained purity.

305."Among the Greeks the garment of initiation was white, because, says Cicero, 'white is the color most acceptable to the gods. ' This robe was accounted sacred, and a never-failing source of protection in every emergency.

306."All the ancient statues of the heathen gods which have been discovered in Egypt, Greece, Persia, Hindustan or America, are uniformly decorated with aprons. Hence is deducted the antiquity of this article of apparel. "*

307."The emblematical foundations or supports of a Masonic Lodge are three pillars, denominated Wisdom, Strength and Beauty. These three noble pillars give it a stability which no exertion of art or ingenuity can subvert, and no force can overthrow. They were thus named in allusion to the perfection with which our system has been endowed by the Almighty Architect: because, without wisdom to contrive, strength to support, and beauty to adore, no structure can be perfect.

^[156] 308. "In the Ancient Mysteries these three pillars represented the great emblematical Triad of Deity, as with us they refer to the three principal officers of the Lodge. In the British Mysteries the Adytum or lodge was actually supported by three stones or pillars, which were supposed to convey a regenerating purity to the aspirant, after having endured the ceremony of initiation in all its accustomed formalities. The delivery from between them was termed a new birth.

309."The Persians, who termed their emblematical mithratic cave or lodge the Empyrean, feigned to be supported by three intelligencies, — Ormisda, Mithra and Mithras; who were usually denominated, from certain characteristics which they were supposed individually to possess, Eternity, Fecundity and Authority.

310."Similar to this were the forms of the Egyptian Deity, designed by the attributes of Wisdom, Power and Goodness; and the Sovereign Good, Intellect and Energy of the Platonists, which were also regarded as the respective properties of the Divine Triad.

311."It is remarkable that every Mysterious system practiced on the habitable globe contained this Triad of Deity, which some writers refer to the Trinity, others to the triple offspring of Noah, and others to the three sons of Adam — Abel, Cain and Seth. The oracle in Damascus asserted that ' Throughout the world A Triad shines forth, which resolves ^[157] itself into a Monad' and the uniform symbol of this three-fold Deity was an equilateral triangle, the precise form occupied by our pillars of Wisdom, Strength and Beauty."*

312."The three Principal Officers of a lodge are, it is needless to say, situated in the East, West and South. Now, bearing in mind that the lodge is a symbol of the world, or the Universe, the reference of these three officers to the Sun at its rising, its setting, and its meridian height, must at once suggest itself.