The History of Initiation - The Masonic Trowel

IN AMERICA. 207
quent wanderings in the wilderness. A warlike tribe of
North Americans, says the legend, under an experienced
chief, and directed by the god Vitzliputzli, who, holding
56
in his hand a rod formed like a serpent, was seated in a
square Ark, 57 made of reeds, 58 called the throne of the
god, 59
(teoicpalli) the four angels of which were surmounted
by serpents' heads. 60 The ark was borne by
61
four priests; and thus protected, the people set out in
quest of a settlement, assured by the god that they
should conquer every enemy who might be rash enough
62
to oppose their design. They marched and encamped
the con-
by the direction of Vitzliputzli ;
w who, during
tinuance of an extended rest, revealed the mode of worship*
4 which was most acceptable to him ; and dictated
a code of laws to be used when they had taken possession
of the land of promise and also ; distinctly marked the
place of their settlement to be upon a lake, 65
abounding
with the lotos, 66 on the borders of which they should find
a fig-tree growing out of a rock, where was perched an
eagle in the act of devouring its prey. In the midst of
their encampments a tabernacle was erected, which contained
an altar 67 for the reception of the sacred ark, on
which their god was triumphantly seated. After a long
and tedious expedition they arrived at the precise spot
56 Could this primitive people have any tradition that the Rod of
Moses was changed into a serpent? (Exod. iv.. 3.)
57 The Israelites were accompanied by an Ark (Josh, iii., 1), which
was esteemed the throne of God. (Exod. xxv., 22 ; xl., 38 Psalm
;
Ixxx.. 1 Isai. ; xxxvi., 16.) And Moses was concealed in an Ark of
bulrushes.
3 58 Purch. Pilgr.,
b. viii.,
c. 10. Humb. Res., vol. i., p. 216.
60 These correspond with the horns of the Israelitish altar. (Exod.
xxxviii., 2.)
61 Vid. Deut. xi., 8. Josh, vi., 6.
62 "
If thou shalt say in thine heart, These nations are more than I,
how can I dispossess them ? Thou shalt not be affrighted at them ;
for the Lord thy God is among you, a mighty God, and terrible."
(Deut. vii., 17, 21.)
63
Robertson, Amer., b. iv., s. 8. Vid. Exod. xl., 36.
64 Exod. xxiv., 12.
65 The Mexican tradition of the Deluge, and the building of a tower
to reach the heavens, may be found in Signs and Symbols, Lect. 5.
66 It will be altogether unnecessary here to point out the resemblance
which the Ark, the serpent-rod, the lotos, and the lake, bear to
the rites of the eastern world. It will be apparent to the most casual
reader of the preceding pages.
7 Exod. xl., 2,
3.