The Arcana of Freemasonry (1915) - The Masonic Trowel

THE ARCANA OF FREEMASONRY 227
Where do those who positively affirm that all
these have not been derived from the Egyptians
suppose they originated? Whence did the above
obtain them? Recent discoveries have proved
beyond a doubt that all through Africa, Europe,
Asia, America, and many of the Pacific Islands,
during the Stellar period there was but this
one religious cult practised, taught, and believed
in by all. Their industries, arts, and sciences were
common and universally the same. The Signs and
Symbols that we use were theirs, as witnessed by
these still found amongst the ruins ; and the centre
of intellect, and origin, was Egyptian. I affirm
from personal observations and study, and it is
open to all students to confirm my observations
and translations, that these Signs and Symbols
still existing on the walls of Ancient Temples
and ruined cities in Africa, Asia, Europe, and
America, as well as many islands in the Pacific,
are identical in every form and shape with those
now used amongst the Brotherhood, and I further
maintain that these translations of their Rituals,
which we have now discovered and can read, are
analogous to our own ; at the same time,
I must
say that many innovations have naturally been
made, because it became necessary to replace those
secrets that were lost, and also to meet the higher
state of evolution which mankind has now reached.
I cannot now enter into the question of how,