DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.33567#0096
36
the world. The labors of the ancients in the science of astronomy cannot be despised. If the ancient
philosophers groped where modern minds have seen more clearly, the events of time have proven that they
appreciated the fact that the sun, planets, and stars were governed by hxed, immovable laws, and that there
could be no variation from the great plan designed by the Almighty. The Egyptian priesthood 2,500 years
before Christ had their calendar and periods proportioned to the processional cycle of the equinoxes. Tables
have accumulated for over 3,000 years which now enable astronomers to predict with certainty the exact position
each star in the solar system will occupy at a given moment. There may be a slight deviation of dates, but not
sufficient to invalidate the fact that they had a correct knowledge of the laws governing the operation of the solar
system.
" The great pyramid is more than science. It is the embodiment of a great revelation. ' The measurements,
joint lines, and minute but exact markings, calculated at the rate of one pyramid unit or inch a year, agree with
the past events of history, which must have been a prophetic revelation when built into its chronological
passages.' If they have been correct in the past the inference is that they will be in the future. The
investigations of astronomers have demonstrated the fact that the great pyramid was designed as an astronomical
stone clock or ancient observatory, erected by inspiration of the Most High ; for it cannot be attributed to
accident that at exact periods of time of long intervals between—a thousand years and over—a certain star, the
time-keeper of the ancients, is in such a position as to shine down the entrance passage of the great pyramid.
This event is calculated by astronomers to occur during the coming year at a time which corresponds with the
record engraved by the mystical lines on the stone. Jeremiah proclaimed: 'The great, the mighty God; great
in counsel and mighty in works, which has set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt,' standing even unto this
day. As we march along the cycle of time each one has added some discovery, or brought before us the fact
that in many respects we have not yet equalled the position then occupied by the arts and sciences. In the
former ages of the world, not having the art of printing—the power of the press at the present day—they
wrought their lessons in the shape of the monuments of stone, and we cannot ignore the fact that the
peculiarities of those ancient monuments, in the shape of the stone, numbers composing the same, the peculiar
position, or the mystical inscriptions to be found thereon, were for a wise purpose. They were intended to tell
their story at a future day and draw the veil from the past for the information and wonder of the present.
Such a fact demonstrates that the lessons of the stone monuments erected in the land of Egypt, by inspiration
undoubtedly from the Supreme Ruler, cannot be ignored, but demand of us the closest investigation. What we
are in search of is truth. It is the mystical reward ever before the Masonic student, and every thing which in
any way aids us in our progress in that direction should be carefully weighed and considered in all its aspects
before we accept or reject the evidence thus brought before us. We should not, because of any previously
conceived opinion, discard them hastily; neither, on the other hand, should we allow imagination to warp our
judgment. The ancients were proficient in the science of mechanics, and as far advanced, if not farther, than we are
at the present day in the knowledge of the use of the forces of water as an adjunct to the labors of man. They
were fully acquainted with the laws of hydraulics, and must have utilized that branch of science in their work. It is
impossible for us on an occasion like this to examine in particular the various departments of art and science of
which Egypt was the home. They were a wonderful race, combining within themselves all the branches which
adorn, beautify, and add to the reputation of a people when directed in the right channel. Their works, whether
the obelisks, pyramids, temples, palaces, tombs, or other structures, were all on a colossal scale. It has been a
wonder to many how the ancients could have moved the immense blocks of stone used in the monuments of
ancient times, but it can be no longer, for while they did not have all the appliances of mechanical skill extant
to-day, yet they were thoroughly acquainted with the laws and forces of nature, adapted them to their wants,
and rendered them serviceable in their vast undertakings. The advance which has been made in science by the
present generation is in the utilization of electricity, and more especially in the line of chemistry, the combination
of different elements to create a new source of power. The steam-engine is simply the application of chemistry
in utilizing the elements of water in the form of units of steam, in conjunction with mechanical appliances.
" Egypt abounded in obelisks, or monoliths, as they are termed, and they were erected to commemorate
some particular event, perpetuate the reputation, or hand down to posterity the glory, of some great monarch.
They were erected in great numbers, and many of them have been removed to Europe to add to the trophies
of some city. That of which we have to-day laid the foundation-stone was one of two originally located at
Heliopolis some 3,400 years ago, and afterward, 23 years B. C., removed to Alexandria, where they received the
name of Cleopatra's Needles. One of these now adorns the city of London, and the other will add to the
attractiveness of this place and recall to our minds, by its allusions, the important lessons of past centuries. You
will pardon me if I have devoted too much time to this part of my address; but in considering the work of
to-day, the foundation of the result yet to be attained, my thoughts have turned instinctively to the past, of
which this obelisk is to me a reminder. We cannot gaze upon it without desiring to know of the land whence
it came, the status of the people, and especially of the evidences of skill of the operative workmen of those
times. This is especially true when we consider that our Society was originally of the operative character, and
that as the reward of the labor of one of our brethren of the present, discoveries have been made in the
removal of the obelisk from its Eastern home which, in the judgment of many, seem to have an allusion to
the world. The labors of the ancients in the science of astronomy cannot be despised. If the ancient
philosophers groped where modern minds have seen more clearly, the events of time have proven that they
appreciated the fact that the sun, planets, and stars were governed by hxed, immovable laws, and that there
could be no variation from the great plan designed by the Almighty. The Egyptian priesthood 2,500 years
before Christ had their calendar and periods proportioned to the processional cycle of the equinoxes. Tables
have accumulated for over 3,000 years which now enable astronomers to predict with certainty the exact position
each star in the solar system will occupy at a given moment. There may be a slight deviation of dates, but not
sufficient to invalidate the fact that they had a correct knowledge of the laws governing the operation of the solar
system.
" The great pyramid is more than science. It is the embodiment of a great revelation. ' The measurements,
joint lines, and minute but exact markings, calculated at the rate of one pyramid unit or inch a year, agree with
the past events of history, which must have been a prophetic revelation when built into its chronological
passages.' If they have been correct in the past the inference is that they will be in the future. The
investigations of astronomers have demonstrated the fact that the great pyramid was designed as an astronomical
stone clock or ancient observatory, erected by inspiration of the Most High ; for it cannot be attributed to
accident that at exact periods of time of long intervals between—a thousand years and over—a certain star, the
time-keeper of the ancients, is in such a position as to shine down the entrance passage of the great pyramid.
This event is calculated by astronomers to occur during the coming year at a time which corresponds with the
record engraved by the mystical lines on the stone. Jeremiah proclaimed: 'The great, the mighty God; great
in counsel and mighty in works, which has set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt,' standing even unto this
day. As we march along the cycle of time each one has added some discovery, or brought before us the fact
that in many respects we have not yet equalled the position then occupied by the arts and sciences. In the
former ages of the world, not having the art of printing—the power of the press at the present day—they
wrought their lessons in the shape of the monuments of stone, and we cannot ignore the fact that the
peculiarities of those ancient monuments, in the shape of the stone, numbers composing the same, the peculiar
position, or the mystical inscriptions to be found thereon, were for a wise purpose. They were intended to tell
their story at a future day and draw the veil from the past for the information and wonder of the present.
Such a fact demonstrates that the lessons of the stone monuments erected in the land of Egypt, by inspiration
undoubtedly from the Supreme Ruler, cannot be ignored, but demand of us the closest investigation. What we
are in search of is truth. It is the mystical reward ever before the Masonic student, and every thing which in
any way aids us in our progress in that direction should be carefully weighed and considered in all its aspects
before we accept or reject the evidence thus brought before us. We should not, because of any previously
conceived opinion, discard them hastily; neither, on the other hand, should we allow imagination to warp our
judgment. The ancients were proficient in the science of mechanics, and as far advanced, if not farther, than we are
at the present day in the knowledge of the use of the forces of water as an adjunct to the labors of man. They
were fully acquainted with the laws of hydraulics, and must have utilized that branch of science in their work. It is
impossible for us on an occasion like this to examine in particular the various departments of art and science of
which Egypt was the home. They were a wonderful race, combining within themselves all the branches which
adorn, beautify, and add to the reputation of a people when directed in the right channel. Their works, whether
the obelisks, pyramids, temples, palaces, tombs, or other structures, were all on a colossal scale. It has been a
wonder to many how the ancients could have moved the immense blocks of stone used in the monuments of
ancient times, but it can be no longer, for while they did not have all the appliances of mechanical skill extant
to-day, yet they were thoroughly acquainted with the laws and forces of nature, adapted them to their wants,
and rendered them serviceable in their vast undertakings. The advance which has been made in science by the
present generation is in the utilization of electricity, and more especially in the line of chemistry, the combination
of different elements to create a new source of power. The steam-engine is simply the application of chemistry
in utilizing the elements of water in the form of units of steam, in conjunction with mechanical appliances.
" Egypt abounded in obelisks, or monoliths, as they are termed, and they were erected to commemorate
some particular event, perpetuate the reputation, or hand down to posterity the glory, of some great monarch.
They were erected in great numbers, and many of them have been removed to Europe to add to the trophies
of some city. That of which we have to-day laid the foundation-stone was one of two originally located at
Heliopolis some 3,400 years ago, and afterward, 23 years B. C., removed to Alexandria, where they received the
name of Cleopatra's Needles. One of these now adorns the city of London, and the other will add to the
attractiveness of this place and recall to our minds, by its allusions, the important lessons of past centuries. You
will pardon me if I have devoted too much time to this part of my address; but in considering the work of
to-day, the foundation of the result yet to be attained, my thoughts have turned instinctively to the past, of
which this obelisk is to me a reminder. We cannot gaze upon it without desiring to know of the land whence
it came, the status of the people, and especially of the evidences of skill of the operative workmen of those
times. This is especially true when we consider that our Society was originally of the operative character, and
that as the reward of the labor of one of our brethren of the present, discoveries have been made in the
removal of the obelisk from its Eastern home which, in the judgment of many, seem to have an allusion to