Irish Druids and old Irish religions / by James Bonwick.

  • James Bonwick
Date:
1894
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Irish Druids and old Irish religions / by James Bonwick. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    born as a man. “The idea,” says Jubainville, “that a soul could in this world re-clothe successively several different physical forms, was a natural consequence of a Celtic doctrine well known in antiquity. This doctrine is that the deceased who have left in the tomb their body deprived of life, find in exchange a living body in the mysterious country which they go to inhabit, under the bewitching sceptre of the powerful King of the Dead.” That there has been an esoteric learning in the Past, which has come down to us in the form of Christian and Masonic Symbolism, is now by many accepted as a truth. The Mason’s Tools must have been used once, though now merely badges of the worthy Craft. We may, therefore, be excused citing a remarkable letter, reproduced in Melville’s costly work, Veritas, professedly dealing with the esoteric laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot alter. The letter is signed by Mr. Henry Melville, and by Mr. Frederick Tennyson, brother of the late Lord Tennyson, and is addressed as follows :— “To THE Most Worshipful the Grand Master of Ireland, His Grace the Duke of Leinster : “The Petition of the Undersigned, “ Humbly Sheweth— “ That we. Master Masons, are in possession of the knowledge of the ‘Lost Secrets of Masonry.’ We can prove that the Mysteries were Masonic, inasmuch as by the usage of the Symbols now unwit- tingly worn by Companions and Masters, Celestial Laws are framed in 'accordance with the Sacred Writings, and by these Laws are obtained the true interpretation of the Lost Mysteries. “That in former ages the learned rulers retained the Masonic mysteries for the use and benefit of the Craft, and these Mysteries were not to be divulged under a lesser penalty than Death. Such mystic secresy might have been advisable and requisite in ages past, but such retention of knowledge your Petitioners verily believe to be no longer necessary, as the advancement of truth is now the policy of the civilized world, more especially so of the British nation. “ Your Petitioners, therefore, humbly pray. Most Worshipful Sir,
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