Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated - The Masonic Trowel

298 GRAND ELECT KNIGHT KADOSII. INITIATION. 299
them unceasingly present to your recollection. The reinembrance
of them is sufficient to reanimate hope in
despairing hearts, and you will prove that the good done
by them can also be accomplished in our days.
Quote often the precepts of Zoroaster’
5’ and Confucius.
Remind them of the devotion of Codrus and
Leonidas, the virtues and maxims of Pythagoras~
Sociates, of Plato’~’ of Epietetus and of Marcus
Aurelius. Say with Zoroaster: “Love your fellow men
and suceor them; pardon those who have offended
Knights who would be faithful to your obligations,
and who feel the importanee of their vows to God
and to virtue, have painful and arduous duties to perform;
they hate obstacles to surmount, errors to contend
with, subtle adversaries to overthrow; a war eternal
to wage against ignorance and fanatieism. A worthy
Knight may fall into the snare of a traitor, under the
accusation of an informer; of a hpyoerite, or perhaps
Note 857.—’~Tbe doctrine of pure Zoroastrianlam was monotheistIc.
The Supreme Being warn called Abummeada. and Hang sa~a that Zorosa.
lers conce lion of him was perfectly identical with the Jewish notion of
Jehovah. ~e I. called ‘the Creator of the earthly and spiritual life, the
Lord of the whole universe. at whose hands are all the crestures.~ He
ia wiabom and intellect; the light itself, and the aource of iight~ the
rcwarder of the virtuoua und the punisher of the wicked
‘~Tbe dualistic doctrine of Ormuad aed Ahrlmanea. which has falsely
been attributed to Zoroaster. was in reality the development of a later
corruption of the Zoroasteric teaebing~’ ‘—Mackq’a Encyclopwdia of Free.
maaonhy. Article Zoroaster.
Note OIS.—~Be toug~it the myatical power of numbers, sod much of
the symbolism on that ~ubject which we now possess is derived from
what has been left to us hy his disciple., for of bis own writings there
is nothing extant, lie was also a geometrician, and is regarded as ha,.
log been the inventor of se,eral problems, the most importnnt of which
is that now known as the forty•aeventh problem of Euclid He was also
a proScient in musIc, and is said to ha,e demonstrated the mathematical
relations of mnsicsi Intervals. and to have invented a number of musical
instruments. Disdaining the vanity and dogmatism of the ancient sages.
he contented himself with proclaiming that he was simply a seeker afier
knowledge, not its possessor. and to him is attributed the introductina of
the word phiioeopher, or lover of wisdom, as the only title which he
would assume ‘—Machays Enoyciopudla of Freemasonry. Article Wy.
thagoras.
Note 8U.—’Aoademy. Platoulo. Founded in 1480 by ‘starsilius Fl.
cmos. at Fioreace. under the patronage of Lorenso do ?.iedicls. it Is said
by the Masons of Tuscany to have been a secret society, end is aupposed
to have had a Masonic charActer, because in the hail ~~bere its mcm~ere
held their meetings and which still remains, many Masonic symbols are
to be found.“—Macireys Enq’olop.dia of Freemasonry, Arl.loie AcademF.
liatonie.
1!
become the victim of his own generous confidence. He
should not expect to be exempt from the persecutions
which are in rcserve for those who are the zealous advocates
of justice; the sworn enemies of falsehood. Is he
not, if true and faithful, entitled to the gratitude,
l.omage, friendship and consolation of his brethren? It
becomes then, for them to prescribe the means they will
adopt to do honor to his efforts; to crown his successes:
to proclaim his virtues; to console him in disgrace and
comfort him in misfortune; to visit him in sickness and
relieve him in distress. And when he shall be no more,
to strew with flowers and bedew with tears his last
resting plaee, retaining a lively recollection of his virtues,
and burying all his imperfections beneath the sod
that rests upon his bosom.
In conclusion my brethren, Masonry is the love of
Iruth and of humanity. The sun of truth will dissipate
the clouds of error, that hang like a pall over our fellowmen.
Live in hope and let your progress be onward.
Our strength will be found in union. Be frequent in
your attendance on your lodges. Visit your brethren.
Be missionaries of virtue and truth. Hide not your
light under a bushel. Demand, as the price of advancement,
talents and good works. In your Councils be
orderly, respectful and attentive so that the newly
initiated may exclaim; “that whieh I have sought, I
have found Science, Order and Light. I am proud to
have been received into sueh a society.”
His heart will be elevated, his mind will be enlightened.
The sphere of his affection will be cnlarged;
our institutions will have for him a lasting eharm. He
will celebrate our good works, and Masonry, vietorious
over all adversc eircumstances, will become the honored
medium of uniting all mankind in one vast brotherhood.