This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1835 edition. Excerpt: ... EXPOSITION MYSTERIES, &C. CHAPTER I. DOGMAS AND CUSTOMS OF THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS. It will be attempted, in this work, to show that the mysteries and ceremonies of the celebrated order of Freemasons are derived from the religious dogmas and customs of ancient nations, particularly those of Egypt, where ...
Read More
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1835 edition. Excerpt: ... EXPOSITION MYSTERIES, &C. CHAPTER I. DOGMAS AND CUSTOMS OF THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS. It will be attempted, in this work, to show that the mysteries and ceremonies of the celebrated order of Freemasons are derived from the religious dogmas and customs of ancient nations, particularly those of Egypt, where the foundation of the whole machinery of religious mysteries, as far as is known, was first laid. In order, therefore, to attain a comprehensive view of this subject, it becomes necessary to be well informed of the rites, customs, and ceremonies, of the ancient inhabitants of that famous country. And as the Abbe Pluche, in his History of the Heavens, has treated more minutely of these topics, and explained them more satisfactorily, than any other author that has fallen under my observation, I shall commence this volume with extracts from his work. Critical histories of the fabulous gods of Paganism, under the semblance of truth, have been transmitted from age to age, and been generally received as narratives of real facts. Pluche has unveiled many of these poetical fictions, arid pointed out the source from which they were derived. My limits will not permit me to give the whole of his expositions; but, on account of the great merit of the work, with which, it is presumed, but few American readers are acquainted, I have not confined the selections merely to such parts as have a particular bearing upon the subject in hand. As the author is little known in America, I will give an abstract of a sketch of his life and writings, contained in La Biographic Univertelle, Paris, 1830. Anthony Pluche, a celebrated writer, was born at Reims, in 1688; and obtained the appointment of Professor of Languages, in the University of that city. Two years...
Read Less