The Origin And References Of The Hermesian Spurious Freemasonry.

been said to have emanated from a power superior to ourselves . The Lawgiver , as the reputed medium by whom the code was promulgated , was aware that no system would be received and adopted with implicit faith , if it were considered to

be an invention , of his own . Aud as the Jewish law was assuredly delivered to Moses by the Almighty himself from the summit of Mount Sinai , written by the finger of God on two Tables of Stone , and accompanied by the most awful sanctions

to convince the people of its divine origin , so every bold imposter in the heathen world , who made innovations in the simplicity of the patriarch mode of worship , in like manner feigned to have received his instructions from on high .

The pretext was jilausible , and generally attended with complete success . The jiseudo prophet , having taken the precaution to ensure by austerity and self denial , accompanied by acts of severe devotion , the previous affections and goodwill of the

people , found little difficulty in persuading them to receive his code as a divine present which could not fail to operate for the benefit of the community . Aud the people ,

being rude and uninstructed , would entertain no suspicion of imposture , particularly if the promulgation of the gift were accompanied , as it generally was , by a miraculous attestation . A few instances will suffice to show that this was reallthe case .

y To begin with India , which is one of the most ancient nations on the globe , it is believed by that people , who still remain under the influence of the religion of their remote ancestors , that Brahus , the creator of all things , having in his hand certain

sacred books containing a code of laws and institutes which he intended to reveal to mankind for their observance , that they mi ght be kapjry both here and hereafter , when he was on the point of communicating them to his creatures , fell into a

slumber from the fatigue consequent on the government of the world during the continuance of which the books were surreptitiousl y abstracted by an evil being called Hyagriva , who was envious lest man should enjoy the proposed hapjiiness , and hoped to destroy it by the annihilation of the hol y Law intended by the divinity for bis sanctification . To effect this purpose

with impunity , the giant swallowed them , and hid himself in the lowest depths of the abyss . In alarm , lest this invaluable treasure should be lost , Brama depicted Vishnu , the second person of the Trimurti , or sacred triad of deityto seek out the delinquent

, and recover it . Having ascertained that the evil being lay at the bottom of the ocean , Vishnu assumed the form of a gigantic fish , " a million of leagues in length , and blazing like gold , " and , jilung ing into the waters , found the monster

lurking in his hiding-place . A furious combat ensued , which ended in the death of Hyagriva and the recovery of the sacred Books of the Law , which , being placed in the hands of the Creator , were communicated to man for his guidance and direction in every transaction of life . Here we have a distinct account of the

revelation of God s law , combined with a divine incarnation , to prevent the evils arising out of an ignorance of the will and pleasure of the Deity . It was universally felt and understood that the absence ' of such a code , while man remained in a state of naturewould leave him exposed to

, errors and practices which would be fatal to his happiness both here and hereafter . A still more striking imitation of the delivery of the Law to Moses , was exhibited in the revelations of the Magian pseudo projmet Zoroaster . For as the former was

lost sight of for forty years by his countrymen , before he was commissioned to deliver them from their bondage , and at length received the Law from God himself out of

the midst of thunder , and lightning , and fire on the summit of Mount Sinai , so the latter secluded himself from public observation for a considerable space of time in a cave ; and when he came forth feigned that he had been admitted into the

highest heavens , and there received from the Deity seated in the centre of a bri ght and burning flame of fire , those laws and institutes of religion which are contained in the Zendavesta , and still constitute the sacred code of Persia ; and ajipointed select portions of it to be read periodicall y in

public by the jwiests for the edification and instruction of the peojde . This is too evident a coincidence with the most striking events in the history of Moses to be accidental ; for here we have r