* One thing is certain, that the learned men of Greece derived all their higher branches of science from Egypt.— Thither went the philosophers of Greece in pursuit of knowledge-to the country so long the residence of the chosen people, and whose memorable exodus might well have excited the attention, and employed the pens of the Magi of Egypt. Residing, as the Jewish people were, in the immediate neighbourhood of the Pharaohs, and bordering on that commercial people the Tyrians, the nature and principles of their theocracy could not be unknown to so inquisitive a people as the Greeks, who, we are told, were ever on the search for knowledge, and inquiring into the nature and principles of every new thing. Can it be supposed then that they were ignorant of the Jewish history, or religion? They must have been partially acquainted with the leading principles of both; the existence of One Supreme Being; the Decalogue; the conquest of Canaan, &c. Such memorable circumstances could not be wholly unknown to the Socrates, Platos, and Aristotles of Greece. If this be admitted, one consequence will follow, that in place of wondering at the advances made by the philosophers in moral knowledge, ought rather to surprise us that they went no further; for such a decisive evidence as was given to the Jews, in proof of the truth of their revelation, must have imparted a splendour to their tenets which the pagans could not overlook. The sanction afforded to the Greek theists, by such a weighty precedent, would have its force, and assist the friends of truth in the support of doctreats which they were anxious to cirinen and divulge, as far as their political system would admit. Is it not then to be presumed that the most essential ideas towards the formation of systems for the maintenance of political, civil, and moral order, in every nation under heaven, are bor * Acts xvii. 21. rowed from revelation, and not the ordinary product of intuitive perception? In my next I shall confine myself more particularly to the spirituality of MASONRY. THE CHRISTIAN MASON. The Great Architect, and Grand Master of the Universe, condescends to act through subordinate instruments, appointed for the purpose by Divine Wisdom; and however various in degree such means may be, they nevertheless all act upon one plan, and all their operations tend to the same end. Thus the Holy Word, the angels in Heaven, and the men on earth, are all instrumental agents, (in their respective degrees,) in promoting the accomplishment of one Divine purpose, viz. the rebuilding of that temple which was destroyed by the fall. For after that lamentable event, the soul of man ceased to be the habitation of the living God, but became a 'den of thieves,' and the cage of unclean and filthy birds.' Now, the rebuilding of this spiritual edifice, or the regeneration of man, according to the eternal and immutable laws of Divine ORDER, must proceed on the same plan that governed his original creation, and the construction of the whole universe; and as God is one, so is the plan of his operations, in the least as well as the greatest of his works; in singulars and particulars, as well as in generals. For as a part contains within itself the constituent principles of the whole, so every movement in the minutest circle of ORDER bears an exact correspondence to the most stupendous in the greatest.— Therefore the process of building the temple at Jerusalem, is a perfect figure and representation (in miniature) of the creation of the universe, and both correspond to the rebuilding, recreation, or regeneration of Man. By keeping this fact in view, we shall soon be enabled to perceive that the same correspondence can be traced, not only through. every orb in the universe, but through every object, down to the least, which can be found on the one we inhabit. It will then be seen that each individual man is a microcosm or little world in himself-the universe in miniature. For every, the least particular appertaining to man, is but the miniature image of some corresponding particular appertaining to the universe, that grand and magnificent temple of Jehovah. In tracing, from link to link, this wonderful and mysterious chain which connects the minutest particle of created matter with its Creator, and Himself with the whole, we shall perceive the propriety of that Scripture language which not only compares a good man to a temple, but actually pronounces him to be such. As in the third chapter of Paul's first Epistle to the Corinthians, verse 16; the sixth chapter of his second Epistle to the same, verse 16; and various other places. But though the Great Creator of all things condescends to dwell in these inferior temples of flesh and blood, yet, as Solomon says in his inimitable consecration prayer," the Heaven of Heavcns cannot contain him." His presence fills all space-his influence pervades all substances; and wherever a due reception of such Divine emanation is not prevented by evil, there is his temple. Heaven, the universe, the world we inhabit, with its animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms, together with all the particulars of each, derive their existence and subsistence from his life giving presence; and these were all created for the sake of his darling creature, MAN; who, while he retained the Divine image and likeness, was the pure temple in which his Creator peculiarly delighted to dwell. But man fell-the temple was destroyed, and not one stone was left upon another, but all was thrown down. to man; and, as before stated, the whole process of rebuilding it, (or the whole process of regeneration) corresponds to the creation of the heaven and the earth. "And the earth was without form, and void-and darkness was upon the face of the deep-and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be LIGHT, and there was Light.” The building of the ark by Noah-the tabernacle by Moses, and the temple. by Solomon, were all types, figures, and correspondent images of the same wonderful work. As a truly penitent man advances in his pilgrimage from death unto life— from Egypt to Canaan-from a state of sin and misery, to a state of goodness and happiness, he finds his progress marked by various stages or degrees, which serve as so many land marks, encouraging him with hope and confidence to persevere in his journey. Each of these stages or degrees is represented by a corresponding degree in MASONRY (as it is also by each particular day in creation) until the spiritual traveller attains to the seventh— when his pilgrimage terminates in peace and rest. Regeneration is accomplished--the temple is completed, and the Great Architect, who "works in us to will and to do of his own good pleasure," and without whom "we can do nothing," may be said, with great propriety," to rest from his work." Such a state is the seventh day-a Sabbath-when the implements of labour are laid aside. Before I descend, however, to any further particulars in showing the just and perfect agreement between types and antitypes, I beg ve to make a few observations by way of illustrating 'what was merely hinted at above, viz. that in all things, both physical and moral, natural and spiritual" a part contains within itself all the constituent principles of the whole ;" as a right understanding of this proposition will To aid us in rebuilding it, the heaven-pave the way for a more particular in ly mysteries of Masonry were revealed | vestigation of our subject. MASONIC. It has been an axiom of philosophers, that "particular representations are so many images of the general, and generals of particulars which are classed under them." Thus, as there are four seasons in the year, so there are in each four corresponding intervals of time, viz. morning, noon, evening, and night. The four intervals of the year are represented in these four times of the day, and correspond thereto; the morning to spring, the mid-day to summer, the evening to autumn, and the night to winter. Thus not only the diversities of days represent themselves in the diversities of years, but also the least minute of a day; for whatever constitutes the aggregate or whole of time in a year's space as a general, must have the smallest interval ranged in its proper place, as one of the particulars constituting it, in like manner, every two hours of every day corresponds to its month, for there are twelve times two hours in every day, as there are twelve months in the year. Those in the morning represent the vernal or spring months: those in the afternoon the summer months: those at night the autumnal and winter months. the warmth of spring and heat of summer, correspond to the twelve hours of the day: and the cold and darkness of autumn and winter, correspond to those of the night. If we go further, like correspondences occur in their lesser divisions, as the first minutes of every hour with the fourth part of any day, and so on. For ble and material thing-or as an essence clothing itself with a form-or as a soul making to itself a bodyand this in a sense perfectly consistent with the Mosaic account of the creation. And as man is not only an image of the material world, but (as to his soul) an image also of the spiritual world, so is the material world of consequence an image of the spiritual world; according to the adage of the renowned Hermes Trismegistus: Omnia que in cœlis, sunt in terris terrèstri modo; omnis quæ in terris, sum in cælis cœlesti modo. The grand science which formed the basis of antediluvian Masonry, was the science of Correspondence, or the science of reading the word of God in the objects of creation. For the holy WORD as to its essence, is coeval with God himself, and was first written on the page of creation— invisible things being understood by the things that were made. But after the fall, when sin had so clouded the human intellect as to shut out all immediate spiritual light, the Almighty permitted it to be gradually transcribed, by inspired men, for the use of the fallen race-first in hieroglyphics, and afterwards in the Hebrew language. Men had lost this true original language of nature (with a few exceptions) before the flood, even among the posterity of Seth and Enoch ; but to prevent its being for ever totally lost, the pious Enoch had early begun his transcript in hieroglyphics, by which it was preserved for the benefit of such postdiluvians as would not be incapacitated by evil for the reception of spiritual light. The early ancients, after the flood had some knowledge of this wonderful science derived down to them by tradition though without any perception of it in themselves; and it remained longest among the Egyptians, of which their hieroglyphics, or sacred sculptures were a principal part: but by degrees they became so far corruptand blind, as to lose sight of the What is here predicated of time, will apply with equal propriety to every created thing in the universe, from the greatest to the smallest.Hence the ancients were in the habit of considering every individual man as a microcosm or little world; for this natural or material world proceeds, (like its inhabitants) derivatively from the spiritual world, and only continues to subsist by a constant connection and correspondence therewith. It is as a spiritual thing formed into a palpa-ed GRAND LODGE OF NEW-YORK. The grand lodge of this state, commenced its annual communication, at Tammany Hall, in the city of NewYork, on the first Wednesday in June last, and continued its session from day to day (Sunday excepted) till the Monday following, when the lodge was closed. Strange as it may appear, to our distant brethren, we have received no official communication on the subject, and of course, can give no intelligence of their proceedings. We will, however, venture to state, from respectable authority, that, our most worshipful brother DANIEL D. TOMPKINS, Vice President of the United States, was reelected grand master, and our worshipful brother JOHN BRUSH, Esq. of Poughkeepsie, was elected deputy grand master; and further we say not. AARON'S BAND. At the annual meeting of Aaron's Band of Royal priesthood, held at St. John's Hall, New-York, May 6th, 1821, the following members were appointed to office: R. R. Hosea Dodge, 7th H. P. THE CHURCH OF ALL DENOMINATIONS. On the 27th of May, the corner stone of a church was laid near Cherokee Hill, eight miles from Savannah. When completed, this church is to be opened to all sects of Christians, and is to be called "the church of all denominations." This noble undertaking, we are informed, springs from the liberality and benevolence of Free Masonry. The corner stone was laid under the immediate auspices of T. U. P. Charlton, grand master of the state of Georgia, attended by a large procession of Masons and other citizens. Balt. paper. COLUMBIA GRAND COUNCIL OF ROYAL MASTER MASONS IN THE CITY OF NEW-YORK. Silas Lyon, Th. Ill. G. R. Master, Meet on the 8th day of every lunar month. MISCELLANEOUS. FOR THE MASONIC REGISTER. "Procrastination is the thief of time." YOUNG. The inconveniencies, and evils, arising from unnecessary delay, the mischiefs caused by tardiness and irresolution in any good pursuit, and the folly of leaving for to-morrow, that which might easily be done to-day, have been exposed and censured by the sages, and ridiculed by the wits of every age; but that their endeavours to prevent procrastination are unsuccessful, is proved by the experience of every day. He who will not do any thing to-day, because he imagines there are difficulties in the way, which on the morrow will be removed; will find himself in the same situation with the clown, who waited upon the banks of a stream until its waters should pass along, and allow him to cross: in waiting, he lost that which could never be regained, and the stream continued its course; for the procrastinator will find obstructions always existing to retard his progress, and combinations of untoward circumstances to depress his industry, which in reality require nothing but perseverance and resolution to over come. The man who truly desires to be useful, will find every day equally propitious, and success always ready to reward laudable exertions and steady perseverance; whilst he who suffers himself to be overcome by imaginary troubles, and will never go forward for fear of being disappointed in the end, will pass his life in useless inactivity, and sluggish listlessness. He who will not struggle with the oar, but depends upon being wafted forward by the impulse of the. wind, will learn, but perhaps too late, that he has been indulging in hopes of receiving that assistance which indolence has no reason to expect. The idler resolves that this shall be the last day, that he will eat the bread of indolence, and the drunkard that tomorrow he will mend his ways; the morrow comes, and with it new pleasures to lay exertion asleep, whilst the smell of the bottle, causes the sot to forget his determination, and enter into new resolutions, only that they may be broken. Man passes his days looking down the vista of futurity upon the fields of felicity, which he resolves soon to visit, but will not set forward to-day, for fear of being overcome by the fatigue of the journey. Thus it is also with regard to our eternal welfare; every man promises that on some future day he will change his course of life. In youth, being engaged in worldly pursuits, or allured from the path of duty by the love of pleasure, we defer this important concern, until age has calmed the passions, and laid ambition asleep; but there are many causes that may render age unfit for such a task: and who knows that he will live to be old? Vain man! boast not thyself of to-morrow, for we know not in what moment the oil will be exhausted that feeds the lamp of life. If we really wish to mend our ways, now is the given time, if we wait until to-morrow, new shackels will be imposed, it requires a firm resolution, and the victory is won, our own exertions are required, when assisstance will be given; but miracles are not to be expected. Man is but a shadow, his earthly existence is but of short duration, and if we neglect to make proper use of the present moment, we may never again have an opportunity of doing good; and are at the same time in danger of being reckoned with the unworthy servant, who hid his talent, "For time, no more than streams, is at a stay. The flying hours are ever on the way." OMAR. INTERESTING CONFESSION. The following highly interresting, and remarkable confession of a condemned malefactor, only twenty-two years of age, at the time of his executoin, was originally published in the form of a letter from the clergyman who attended him in prison; and afterwards published in a London Magazine, from which it has been copied into some American prints. Thinking it worthy of preservation, and calculated to interest the feelings of many of our readers, we, cheerfully, (by particular request) transplant it into the Register. "My father was a respectable tradesman in this town, and I, his only son, was educated with all possible care, under his immediate inspection, to succeed him in his business. From |