Part 32 (1/2)
FOUR TRIANGLES.--The four triangles represent the four elements.
SEVEN PLANETS.--The seven planets design the seven colors that appear in their original state, from whence we have so many different artificial ones.
SEVEN CHERUBIMS.--The seven cherubims represent the seven metals, viz., gold, silver, copper, iron, lead, tin and quicksilver.
CONCEPTION IN THE MOON.--The conception, or woman, rising in the moon, demonstrates the purity that matter subsists of, in order to remain in its pure state unmixed with any other body, from which must come a new king, and a revolution or fulness of time filled with glory whose name is Albra.
HOLY SPIRIT.--The Holy Spirit, under the symbol of a dove, is the image of the Universal Spirit, that gives light to all in the three states of nature; and on the animal, vegetable and mineral.
ENTRANCE OF THE TEMPLE.--The entrance of the temple is represented to you by a body, because the grand work of nature is complete as gold, potable and fixed.
GLOBE.--The globe represents the matter in the primeval state; that is to say, complete.
CADUCEUS.--The caduceus represents the double mercury that you must extract from the matter; that is to say, the mercury fixed, and from thence is extracted gold and silver.
STIBIUM.--The word stibium signifies the antimony, from whence, by the philosophical fire, is taken an alkali which we empty in our grand work. End of the philosophical explanation. Then Father Adam explains the
MORAL LODGE.
SUN.--The sun represents the divinity of the Eternal; for as there is but one Sun to light and invigorate the earth, so there is but one G.o.d, to whom we ought to pay our greatest adoration.
3 S. S. S.--The 3 S. S. S. are initials of the words Scienta, Sapientia, Sanct.i.tas, and teach you that science, adorned with wisdom, creates a holy man.
THREE CANDLESTICKS.--The three candlesticks are the image of the life of man, considered in youth, manhood, and old age, and happy are those that have been enlightened in these ages, by the light of truth.
FOUR TRIANGLES.--The four triangles show us the four princ.i.p.al duties that create our tranquil life, viz.: Fraternal love among men in general, and particularly among brethren, and in the same degree with us. Secondly. In not having anything but for the use and advantage of a brother. Thirdly. Doubting of every matter that cannot be demonstrated to you clearly, by which an attempt might be made to insinuate mysteries in matters of religion, and hereby lead you away from the holy truth. Fourthly. Never do anything to another that you would not have done unto you. The last precept, well understood and followed on all occasions, is the true happiness of philosophy.
SEVEN PLANETS.--The seven planets represent the seven princ.i.p.al pa.s.sions of man.
SEVEN CHERUBIMS.--The seven cherubims are the images of the delights of life: namely, by seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, feeling, tranquility, and health.
CONCEPTION.--The conception in the moon shows the purity of matter, and that nothing can be impure to the eyes of the Supreme.
HOLY SPIRIT.--The Spirit is the figure of our soul, which is only the breath of the Eternal, and which cannot be soiled by the works of the body.
TEMPLE.--The temple represents our body, which we are obliged to preserve by our natural feelings.
FIGURE OF A MAN.--The figure is in the entrance of the temple, which bears a lamb in his arms, and teaches us to be attentive to our wants, as a shepherd takes care of his sheep; to be charitable, and never let slip the present opportunity of doing good, to labor honestly, and to live in this day as if it were our last.
COLUMNS OF JACHIN AND BOAZ.--The columns of J. and B. are the symbols of the strength of our souls in bearing equally misfortunes, as well as success in life.
SEVEN STEPS OF THE TEMPLE.--The seven steps of the temple are the figures of the seven degrees which we must pa.s.s before we arrive to the knowledge of the true G.o.d.
GLOBE.--The globe represents the world which we inhabit.
LUX EX TENEBRIS.--The device of ”Lux ex tenebris” teacheth, that when man is enlightened by reason, he is able to penetrate the darkness and obscurity which ignorance and superst.i.tion spread abroad.
RIVER.--The river across the globe represents the utility of the pa.s.sions that are necessary to man in the course of his life, as water is requisite to the earth in order to replenish the plants thereof.
CROSS SURROUNDED.--The cross surrounded by two serpents signifies that we must watch the vulgar prejudices, to be very prudent in giving any of our knowledge and secrets in matters, especially in religion. End of the moral explanation.